I know!
I promised TWO posts--one for each sex!
And up until I AGAIN scanned the list of entries, I intended to keep that promise!
But there are enough "important" athletes NOT here--thus making for some VERY weak fields (& others MUCH weaker by X athlete's absence!), that I decided to consolidate the 2 posts into one!
Some guidelines--
Events will be covered in order of their finals on the schedule, with the Multi's placed where the last event is scheduled!
I'll list the event, the Meet Record, a few leading names (& maybe 1 or 2 of some significance other than potential to win), and the names of leading MIA's, if there are any!
ALL Men's events will go first, divided by day, followed by the Women, ditto!
This meet is in Des Moines, and the weather is expected to be okay on most days!
BTW, the USATF site lists the MR's as the best marks ever made at this meet!
However, they INCLUDE those years when the meet becomes known as the Olympic Trials (2008, 2012, 2016, etc).
This Blog & Record Book recognizes the USATF meet as SEPARATE FROM the OT's, thus doesn't consider marks made in OG years as eligible for USATF MR's!
MEN
Thursday, June 21st
10000 (27:39.4)
With Shadrack Kipchirchir the "best" athlete here, this MR is safe!
I doubt Kipchirchir (or Garrett Heath or Lopez Lomong) will have to run that fast to win!
20000 Walk (1:23:25)
No MR here either!
And only 2 Walkers to consider seriously--Nick Christie and Emmanuel Corvera!
However, these 2 do put on some competitive races!
Friday, June 22nd
HT (270-8)
Aah, for the days of Lance Deal!
Or even AG Kruger and Kibwe Johnson at their best!
But we're left with Rudy Winkler and Conor McCullough (who is half tied to Ireland!)!
They're good, but 250's don't win HT Challenge meets!
Watch for Alex Young and Daniel Haugh!
TJ (58-9.25)
Without Will Claye to propel him--and with his fairly serious entry in the 400 also--don't expect Christian Taylor to beat this MR!
Omar Craddock's good, and so is Chris Benard, but probably not much over 57-6-ish territory!
MIA--Will Claye!
Decathlon (8844W)
Zach Ziemek will be lucky to score 8300 points!
Harrison Williams & Austin Bahner will be lucky to hit 8000!
An EXTREMELY weak event!!
MIA--Devon Williams.
100 (9.84)
With Ronnie Baker challenging Noah Lyles, THIS Meet Record gets 65-35 odds of going down!
And you can flip a coin for who wins!
Mike Rodgers & Tyson Gay are the elders here, and probably not in W range!
Watch for the "kids"--Isaiah Young, Jaylen Bacon, Kendal Williams, and Cameron Burrell.
MIA--Justin Gatlin and Christian Coleman (who is injured a bit, and has pulled out of the next 2 DL's!!).
Saturday, June 23rd
PV (19-9)
No MR here either!
While most view Sam Kendricks as America's best, watch for Chris Nilsen to shock!
This hasn't been Kendricks's best year!
Scott Houston and Nate Richartz are good, but watch for HS sensation KC Lightfoot!
No real MIA's--the event is just in a poor cycle for the Men!
JT (299-6)
Maybe THE worst US event right now--for the Men!
Riley Dolezel, Aaron True, and HS'er Tzuriel Pedigo are some to watch--the latter just for subsidiary interest!
SP (74-3.75)
If Joe Kovacs finds his 74 foot form again, he'll give Ryan Crouser a real fight!
Darrell Hill hit a biggie in the 73's last year, but hasn't been close since!
Ryan Whiting is another not at his best!
Watch for the Collegiate Frosh duo--Tripp Piperi & Jordan Geist!!
400H 47.03)
Rai Benjamin tried to enter, but having competed for Antigua, he isn't eligible!
And despite Kenny Selmon having a good year, and the presence of super-vet Bershawn Jackson, this is another weak Men's event!
Mike Stigler and Byron Robinson are good, but also watch for David Kendziera!
400 (43.66)
We DO have some good ones here, but check out who the MIA's are!
Here are Nathan Strother, Will London, Paul Dedewo, Gil Roberts, Michael Cherry, and Josephus Lyles!
Will Christian Taylor hit the 44's?
MIA--Michael Norman & Fred Kerley!
Also Lashawn Merritt!!
1500 (3:34.82)
Drew Hunter might actually challenge Matthew Centrowitz for the W!
Robby Andrews, John Gregorek, and Eric Jenkins have good kicks!
No one from Africa is shaking with fear!
Sunday, June 24th
HJ (7-9.25)
Bryan McBride recently topped 7-8.50, so the MR gets 30-70 odds!
Ricky Robertson is also hot, while Erik Kynard is stale!
Add Trey Culver for amusement!
DT (233-9)
Yet another terrible US event for the Men!
Put Mason Finley, Andrew Evans, and Sam Mattis as your best bets for the podium!
Rodney Brown is solid also, but watch for Collegiate Reggie Jagers!
LJ (28-10.25)
Unless it's really windy, 28 feet will be rare here!
But Jeff Henderson, Marquis Dendy, and Zack Bazile are the serious contenders!
800 (1:43.27)
Is Boris Berian BACK??
If so, add his name to those of Isaiah Harris, Donavan Brazier, and Eric Sowinski as your podium toppers!
But watch for Drew Windle, Chris Giesting, and Clay Murphy!
3000SC (8:12.29)
Will Evan Jager go for the MR--or have to??
Give it 60-40 odds!
Stan Kebenai, Andy Bayer, Hillary Bor, and maybe MJ Erb and Mason Ferlic will fight for the lower podium spots!
200 (19.57)
Now HERE is the REAL DEAL--at least on paper!
Noah Lyles vs Michael Norman!
Norman's PR is just 20.27, but his potential screams 19.8 or faster!!
If these two run their perfect races, I'll give the MR 25-75 odds, but a 19.80 75-25 odds!
Isaiah Young, Ameer Webb, and maybe Kendal Williams should be the followers!
5000 (13:08.62)
For better or worse, Paul Chelimo is a Showman!!
His ubiquitous Twitter presence speaks Star Power!
But in this race, he has no serious challengers!
Yet give this MR 60-40 odds anyway!
He likes running fast!
Jenkins & Bor are doubling here!
Also watch for Hassan Mead, Ryan Hill, and Collegiate star Grant Fisher!
110H (12.90)
No MR here---unless Grant Holloway EXPLODES!!
Despite WR holder Aries Merritt's presence, as well as Devon Allen, Jarret Eaton, and Aleec Harris, give Holloway the best chance for the Podium's Top Step!
Watch also for Trey Cunningham, who broke Holloway's HSR for the INdoor 60H!!
But he has yet to come close to that level since!
And now for the Women!!
(Yes, this will be a LONG post!!)
WOMEN
Thursday, June 21st
DT (221-9)
Gia Lewis-Smallwood is here, but she's nearing 40, and hasn't been in MR territory for awhile!
So make this between "newbies" Valerie Allman and Maggie Ewen!
Add Whitney Ashley as a serious contender!
JT (218-8)
Kara Winger holds this MR, but while she's having a "good" year, she's still 10 to 15 feet short of that mark!
And she's the best one here!!
Alyssa Olin and Ariana Ince are good for 190's throws!
Leading HS'er Dana Baker has been HOT recently, so watch for her to inch toward the leaders here!!
TJ (46-9.50)
Maybe THE best "womano a womano" confrontation in Des Moines!!
Keturah Orji, FORMER American Record holder, vs CURRENT AR holder Tori Franklin--Oiselle's Pride & Joy!!
Might we see BOTH over 48 here??
If they're ON, and the winds prevail (legally!), give this MR 100% odds of being SMASHED!!
I need not mention anyone else!
Enjoy this one!!
10000 (30:59.97)
Oh, how I'd LOVE to see this MR go down!
But come on, get serious, Birthday Boy!!
Yet relentless frontrunner Molly Huddle is here, and ex-Triathlete Gwen Jorgensen might be willing to take Tough Molly on!!
Marielle Hall appears to be running her FIRST Track 10K here, so watch for her!
Add Chelsea Blaase, Sarah Pagano, Jessica Tonn, and Stephanie Bruce as among those who normally run fast whenever they toe the line!
Molly Seidel and Emily Sisson aren't in top form, it seems, but could surprise!
Friday, June 22nd
100 (10.71)
At best, I'd give Aleia Hobbs 1-99 odds of running 10.71--and 20-80 of running at least 10.79!
After a long Collegiate year, she's facing Ashley Henderson, Shania Collins, Javianne Oliver, and Ariana Washington!
Add Jenna Prandini and Barbara Pierre as lane fillers!
20000 Walk (1:32:49)
Maria Michta-Coffey is your solid favorite here!!
Robyn Stevens is a new & unknown entity, while Katie Burnett is better at 50K!
Sure wish they'd have allowed HS Junior Taylor Ewart to compete here!
Bet she'd break 1:45, despite never having Walked farther than 10K before!
MIA--Miranda Melville! She was entered, but scratched!
Saturday, June 23rd
LJ (23-7.25)
As constituted in Des Moines, this is a VERY weak Women's event!!
Best of the present are Quanesha Burks and Shakeela Saunders!
Ailiyah Brooks is OK, but watch for Heptathlete Kendell Williams!
MIA--Brittney Reese & Tianna Bartoletta!!
Also Keturah Orji and Tara Davis!
HT (248-5)
The MR is held by Amanda Bingson, who's here, but FAR removed from even her 248 levels!
But we have a GREAT duel possible here--Gwen Berry vs DeAnna Price--both setting AR's recently in WORLD CLASS territory!!
This is HT Year for the US Women!!
Add Brooke Andersen and Janeah Stewart from the Collegiate ranks!
As for Bingson--Good Luck to her!!
HJ (6-8.75)
All you need to know is that Vashti Cunningham is in Iowa!
Even Tattoo Queen Inika McPherson could have stayed home!
But watch for Logan Boss!
MIA--Chaunte Lowe & Brigetta Barrett!
3000SC (9:15.59)
Just as with the Men, we have the MR holder here, in Emma Coburn!
But will she run this fast--or have to?
Courtney Frerichs opened her 2018 at 9:20+, so is a mystery as to her shape!
Shalaya Kipp seems to be returning to her top form, but isn't there yet!
Oiselle's Marie Lawrence is running good, but isn't ready for the 9-teens!
MIA--Colleen Quigley & Stephanie Garcia!!
1500 (4:01.63)
The Des Moines & Drake people are hyping this race as the Battle of the Iowans!!
They mean Jenny Simpson & Shelby Houlihan, both of whom have some (or many!) Iowa connections!
AND they appear to be the class of this field!
But add Brenda Martinez, Kate Grace, Alexa Efraimson, and Eleanor Purrier as ones to watch!
You can keep your eyes on Elise Cranny, Sara Vaughn, Amanda Eccleston, Shannon Osika, and even Sarah Brown as possible finalists!
For "feature story" interest, there's Janelle Noe, the Collegiate who was severely burned in 2016, but who sent her PR from 4:29 to 4:10 this year!!
MIA--Shannon Rowbury--but she has a GREAT excuse--She's still with child!!
400 (49.27)
There are probably SOME (but not me!!) who believe Sydney McLaughlin can beat this MR--this year!!
While she CAN run 49.5, WILL she??
Giving SERIOUS chase will be other sub-50 possibles--Kendell Ellis, Courtney Okolo, and even Shakima Wimbley & Jessica Beard!
This event will be hyped by NBC like no other, as Syd the Kid is 2018's STAR!!
MIA--Lynna Irby!!!
100H (12.26)
All--or most--of the Usual Suspects are here!
In fact, the depth of this event for US Women is so deep, that you could field a SECOND group of 8 that would be taken almost as seriously as this group!
We have the Harrisons--Kendra & Queen--Jasmin Stowers, Sharika Nelvis, Kori Carter, and Christina Manning!
Dawn Harper-Nelson is on her Farewell Tour, and shouldn't be taken too seriously!
MIA--That Iowa crowd favorite--Lolo Jones!!
Sunday, June 24th
PV (16-0.50)
This event is LOADED!!
Sandi Morris and Jenn Suhr are SURE to do battle here!
Katie Nageotte is here too, but hasn't reached her INdoor level yet!
The Collegiate crowd is represented by Lexi Jacobus and Tori Hoggard!
Add Emily Grove, Kristin Hixson, and Megan Clark in case the others have problems!
MIA--Olivia Gruver, who was entered, but scratched!
And Demi Payne, who is probably retired!!
SP (66-5)
The best are here, but maybe not all at their best!
Shot Diva Michelle Carter has been inactive this year, so it will be interesting to see if she's competitive!
Look for Raven Saunders and Maggie Ewen to lead the way!
Jessica Woodard is over 61 feet now, but that's not enough for the W!
Dani Hill is nowhere near her 64 foot best!
And Tia Brooks (Now Brooks-Wannemacher!!) is here, but she just announced her retirement, and that this will be her last meet!!
Heptathlon (6979)
Erica Bougard has this sandbox all to herself!!
She can build Sand Castles, or just let the sand sieve slowly through her fingers!
No MR--even if she PR's in 4 or 5 events!!
Alex Gochenour and Allison Reaser are the only other ones with 6000 points possibilities!
MIA--Kendell Williams!!
800 (1:57.78)
Give this MR 70-30 odds of falling!
We have the best in the World here--Ajee Wilson and Charlene Lipsey!
Raevyn Rogers has the 400 speed to make a 1:56 a definite future possible for her!
Ce'Aira Brown, Sabrina Southerland, and Olivia Baker are good also!
What kind of shape is Laura Roesler in?
Can Sammy Watson finally get her sub-2??
MIA--Caitlin Collier, who deserves to be here!!
Also, is Alysia Montano retired??
5000 (14:51.75)
Shelby Houlihan, IMHO, is fully capable of getting the MR---AND the American Record--and maybe even dipping into the 14:20's!!
But this is a Championship distance race, so scratch that dream!
But give this race to Houlihan anyway, and maybe a sub-15 also!
Marielle Hall and Sarah Brown are doubling here, but watch for them anyway!
Lauren Paquette, Rachel Schneider, and Katie Mackey are solid, but what will Karissa Schweizer do in her first Professional race??
400H (52.64)
That Elephant in the Room is the MIA attached to Sydney McLaughlin's name!!
If SHE were running this event, I'd give the MR odds of 60-40!
Heh--maybe even 90-10!!
Shamier Little and Georganne Moline are here, but neither of THEM can even JUGGLE!!
Ashley Spencer and Cassandra Tate have some street cred, but watch for a breakthrough from Anna Cockrell!
MIA--Syd the Kid, Kori Carter, and Delilah Muhammed!
200 (21.88)
Another Women's event going through a transition of sorts!
Kyra Jefferson will be challenged by Ariana Washington, Deajah Stevens, and maybe Jenna Prandini!
Watch too for Shania Collins, and 400 great Phyllis Francis!
MIA--Allyson Felix!!
Not the greatest line-up of American elites, but some REALLY interesting duels!!
Also not much in MR possiblities!!
Nonetheless, we're probably in for a few shocks, which makes T&F the greatest sport!!
Enjoy!
See you soon!
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