Thirty Watch List Update #1

With the Championship season upon us, I thought it would be a good time to update the Thirty Watch List. A chance to take a look at the season to date before everyone begins to peak for the heart of the season.

Even without the season peaking, there has been a lot of activity (or lack of) affecting the list – and not all on the track. So I will be looking at the list and adjusting it based on four areas: deletions, additions, and athletes on the bubble – either potentially being added or dropped in the future. The current iteration of the list shows a net gain of 1 – taking us to 23. Still a way off from the needed 30!

There could be more additions come the summer as we haven’t seen much yet from our female middle distance crew – and they made a lot of noise last summer. I’m also hoping to see some improvement in the field events. Chaunte Howard-Lowe has been a pleasant surprise so far, hopefully we will see a few others step up. At any rate, here is my first update of the list.

 

 

Deletions

Lashawn Merritt

Lashawn has accepted a provisional ban resulting from a positive drug test. As such this World and Olympic champion will be unable to compete for what looks to be the next two years. Taking him out of the next World Championships.

 

 

Additions

David Oliver

Oliver has been as consistent as any hurdler in recent memory. He’s leading the world at 12.99 and has registered a victory over WR holder Dayron Robles. With Liu Xiang struggling to find form as he recovers from his injury, there could be two spots available for US hurdlers on the podium. Right now Oliver looks to be our best.

 

 

Chaunte Howard-Lowe

Chaunte is another athlete that has become very consistent. She’s been jumping well around 2.00m and just set a new AR of 2.04m (6’ 8.25”) – that’s definitely medal territory. Her consistency and ease at the 2.00m level make her a legitimate medal threat.

 

 

On the bubble – potential to fall off

Jeremy Wariner

Wariner has been one of our best for the past six seasons, but he’s looked very mortal so far this season. Entering June with a season’s best of only 45.41 is not typical for a man that has been able to roll out of bed and run under 45.00. After a season’s best of only 44.60 last year, I would like to see Jeremy back to at least the 44.20 range.

 

 

Terrence Trammell

Trammell is another athlete that is not at the level one would expect this year. There is something to be said for it being a non championship year, but in an event where the competition is competing near the upper end of the all time list one has to stay competitive. Especially since this is one of the more competitive events in the US. I’ll feel more comfortable with Trammell when I see him under 13.10.

 

 

Trey Hardee

Hardee looked good early in the recent Gotzis competition, only to withdraw with injury. For a decathlete injuries of any type can be deadly. My concern with Trey is only about how serious his injury is and how soon he will be able to resume training and competing.

 

 

Jennifer Suhr

No marks as of yet from the American Record holder. With Isinbayeva on hiatus this would be a good time to attempt to take control of the event. Waiting to see something from Jenn this year.

 

 

On the bubble – potential to be added

Chris Soliinsky

Solinsky’s 10,000 AR puts him in range of medaling given what we’ve seen in major competitions in the past. Of course we need to see if he can duplicate his performance AND if he wants to compete over the distance as Solinsky has stated that he still prefers the 5,000. Then again we may see something hot from him in the 5k as well. Either way its nice to think that perhaps we have someone that may be in range in the distances.

 

 

Walter Dix

Walter has already opened up well this season and his 200 (19.89) shows that he is definitely a potential medalist. I have Tyson Gay and Wallace Spearmon penciled in here and both have shown good early season form. Walter is next in line and could replace Spearmon depending on how both perform on the season.

 

 

 

The Thirty Watch List

	Athlete	Event
1.	Tyson Gay	100 Meters
2.	Carmelita Jeter	100 Meters
3.	Tyson Gay	200 Meters
4.	Wallace Spearmon	200 Meters
5.	Allyson Felix	200 Meters
6.	Jeremy Wariner	400 Meters
7.	Sanya Richards	400 Meters
8.	David Oliver	110 Hurdles
9.	Terrence Trammell	110 Hurdles
10.	Kerron Clement	400 Hurdles
11.	Bershawn Jackson	400 Hurdles
12.	Lashinda Demus	400 Hurdles
13.	Lolo Jones	100 Hurdles
14.	4x1 Men	Relay
15.	4x1 Women	Relay
16.	4x4 Men	Relay
17.	4x4 Women	Relay
18.	Brittney Reese	Long Jump
19.	Jennifer Suhr (nee Stuczynski)	Pole Vault
20.	Christian Cantwell	Shot Put
21.	Chaunte Howard-Lowe	High Jump
22.	Brian Clay	Decathlon
23.	Trey Hardee	Decathlon
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.