Wednesday, May 18, 2011

NCAA Championship Favorites

The conferences are done. Only two meets left for the collegiate season – the Regional meets and the NCAA Championships. So it’s time to look at who will be this year’s NCAA Champions.

Last year’s meet was perhaps the best meet of the year in terms of overall excitement. I expect this year’s meet to follow suit. Following are my thoughts on team champions, events to keep an eye on and individual champions.

 

Men’s Team Champion – Florida

Florida has been runner up outdoors the last two years in a row. By 1 point last year, 2 points in ‘09. Both times to Texas A&M. I think that Florida turns the corner this year – but not without a fight! The sprints and relays will be crucial with LSU and Florida State having a lot to say about point distribution. At the end of the day I think it is Florida’s ability to garner field points that should make the difference – especially in the jumps.

 

Women’s Team Champion – Texas A&M

The Aggies are the two time defending champion – and I see them making it a three peat. Oregon will be tough in the distances, and LSU in the sprints and relays. But like Florida on the men’s side, the Lady Aggies are deep and should score points throughout the meet. Keep an eye on the heads to heads with LSU.

 

Events to Keep an Eye On

Men’s 400 - While Kirani James is a strong favorite on the men’s side, several individuals have emerged this year that are capable of running under 45.00. When that happens there are usually fireworks in this event.

Men’s 4x1 – Four teams (all top contenders) are under the 39 second barrier. This race will be crucial in terms of the points that are scored. Look for Florida, Florida St, LSU and Texas A&M to lead what could be one of the fastest finishes ever.

Men’s triple jump – The core of the US triple jump squad for Daegu, and going forward, could be competing in this meet.

Women’s 1500 & 5000 – Look for Oregon’s Jordan Hasay to try to pull off the double. She was successful indoors and is one tough competitor. If Oregon has any hope to unseat A&M for the team title it will have to start with Jordan.

Women’s 100 – This race should come down to the photo. Several young ladies had suddenly dropped into the 11.0x range. And I suspect that we could see one of them make the team for Daegu. This race could be the debut of the core of our women’s sprint troops for the upcoming trifecta.

 

 

Men’s Favorites

Event Athlete School
     
100 Meters Jeff Demps Florida
200 Meters Maurice Mitchell Florida St
400 Meters Kirani James Alabama
800 Meters Fred Samoie Alabama
1500 Meters Miles Batty BYU
3000 Steeplechase Steve Finley Oregon
5000 Meters Stephen Sambu Arizona
10000 Meters Stephen Sambu Arizona
110 Hurdles Omo Osaghae Texas Tech
400 Hurdles Jeshua Andersen Washington St
4 x 100 Relay Lovett, Taylor, Wilks, Demps Florida
4 x 400 Relay Miller, Henry, Preble, Pinder Texas A&M
High Jump Erik Kynard Kansas St
Pole Vault Scott Roth Washington
Long Jump Will Claye Florida
Triple Jump Christian Taylor Florida
Shot Put Mason Finley Kansas
Discus Julian Wruck Texas Tech
Hammer Marcel Lomnicky Virginia Tech
Javelin Sam Humphreys Texas A&M
Decathlon Romain Martin Texas Arlington

 

Women’s Favorites

Event Athlete School
     
100 Meters Semoy Hacket LSU
200 Meters Semoy Hacket LSU
400 Meters Jessica Beard Texas A&M
800 Meters Anne Kessellring Oregon
1500 Meters Jordan Hasay Oregon
3000 Steeplechase Emma Coburn Colorado
5000 Meters Jordan Hasay Oregon
10000 Meters Liz Costello Tennessee
110 Hurdles Christina Manning Ohio St
400 Hurdles Turquoise Thompson UCLA
4 x 100 Relay Mayo, Tarmoh, Duncan, Collier Texas A&M
4 x 400 Relay Tarmoh, Mayungbe, Sutherland, Beard Texas A&M
High Jump Brigetta Barrett Arizona
Pole Vault Tina Sutej Arkansas
Long Jump Whitney Gipson TCU
Triple Jump Kim Williams Florida St
Shot Put Julie Labonte Arizona
Discus Anna Jelmini Arizona St
Hammer Nikola Lomnicka Georgia
Javelin Marissa Tschida Washington St
Heptathlon Chelsea Carrier West Virginia

2 comments:

  1. looks like you put Steve Finley for both the men's and the women's steeple

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey he's a stud !!! LOL ... I will fix that ... Thank you ...

    ReplyDelete