The starting lists are all set and starting at 11:00am PST with the start of the decathlon, the US Nationals opens up its weekend run. With all final declarations being in the books and heat sheets done we finally have some answers regarding who is going to do what.
Tyson Gay is entered in both sprints - drawing lane 2 in heat 1 of the 100 and lane 6 in heat 2 of the 200. I don't expect to see him in the final of either event (he has byes in both to Worlds), but perhaps we'll see single runs in both. Which could make for the fastest first round runs in meet history.
Jenny Barringer will not be running the 1500 - a bit of a let down given that she has already run 3:59.90 in the metric mile. Instead she will be running a steeplechase/5000 double. So the showdown between Barringer and Shannon Rowbury (last year's 1500 leader) won't happen - not in the 1500 anyway. Both are entered in the 5000 as Rowbury is listed to double in the 1500/5000. Now the women's 5000 is loaded with Barringer, Rowbury, Shalane Flannagann and Kara Goucher all entered! Making it one of the women's hotter events.
While we're looking at distance doubles, Galen Rupp is listed in both the 5000 and 10000. Another interesting matchup could occur in the 5000 as miler German Fernandez is listed to run the 1500/5000 double, bringing his speed up to the longer distance. Throw in Jonathon Riley (another former miler), Dathan Ritzenheim, Matt Tegenkamp and Anthony Famiglietti and the men's 5000 is as loaded as the women's. The only missing piece being Bernard Lagat, who is focusing on the 800 here for speed work, having byes in both the 1500/5000 - making Rupp a strong favorite here in my book. It could also spice up the 800!
Speaking of doubles, Allyson Felix has settled on a 100/200 double, adding some more spice to the shorter event. Long jumper Tianna Madison is also going to double in the 100 and the long jump. Felix and 400 leader Sanya Richards will meet in the 200 as Richards is listed in both the 200 and 400.
On the men's side we'll also see a 200/400 double as Xavier Carter is listed in both. But we won't see Wallace Spearmon in two events as he is focusing on the 200 this time around and is not entered in the 100. A move that could leave him a lot fresher than many other sprinters as a large number are running the 100/200 double. Could make his strong finish even more lethal! We will see 100 leader Mike Rogers among those running the sprint double - interesting as up to this year he has focused on the 100 and has had the reputation as a 60 meter man.
We'll also get an 800/1500 double as NCAA 800 champion Andrew Wheating is entered in both events.
We also get some vets that seemed retired that are entered in this meet, as I'm surprised to find Allen Johnson (110 hurdles) and Gabe Jennings (1500) entered in this meet!
At any rate we're just hours away from it all happening. Below are some links that will help you follow the meet. We should have a lot to discuss by the end of the weekend.
Meet Schedule
Start Lists
Live Streaming Video
The Inside Lane discussion forum
Track and Field News Twitter
Flotrack Twitter
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