Sprints, Hurdles and Field Event preview by Tom Borish, Distance preview by Josh Spiker
Muna Lee looks for the sprint double in the 60 and 200 meters (LSU sports info) |
60 meters:
There is a big sigh of relief around the country – Angela Williams is gone. The USC sprint sensation has graduated and taken her talents to the professional circuit which leaves room for a new champion. If there is a favorite in this year’s well rounded field, it is Muna Lee of LSU. After setting a personal best of 7.21heading into the championship meet last season, Lee placed third with a time of 7.23. The runner-up from last season, Tahesia Harrigan of Minnesota, has transferred to Alabama and will have to sit out this year. If there is a freshman phenom, look no further than Sanya Richards of Texas. With an impressive 7.34 opener at Houston already, the high school record holder in the 400 meters should move down to the short sprint as it gives her more of a chance to score points for the lady Longhorns. Lauryn Richards of Miami also opened up with a nice time this season already with a Hurricane force time of 7.32 which matched her personal best from last season. The Indiana duo if Rachelle Boone and Danielle Carruthers should be right up in the mix as well.
200 meters:
Will the record fall? That’s about the only question Muna Lee has left to answer during the indoor season. The long time collegiate record of 22.79 set by Merlene Ottey almost went down last season when Lee blazed to a 22.82. With her time of 23.45 set at Arkansas already this season, if Lee manages to get lanes 5 or 6 during the final, look for a new collegiate record to be set. One of the few to break 23 seconds indoors was Rachelle Boone of Indiana in the finals last season as she took second to Lee. The senior will have a lot to prove this season and could step in as the favorite. Another Tiger should be up front in the running as Stephanie Durst took the bronze medal last season. Already out to a fast start this season, Sanya Richards will look to shock the world for Texas after coming off a stellar high school career. The lady Gamecocks of South Carolina should score some points as well with Miki Barber and Aleen Bailey.
400 meters:
In somewhat of a more wide open event, the 400 meters will be the true test of strength, desire and tactics of who wants the title. Enter Allison Beckford of Rice who looks to defend her title. Also claiming the outdoor title, Beckford will have a big target on her back for everyone to shoot at. With only indoor eligibility remaining, Demetria Washington of South Carolina will look to avenge her runner-up finish from last season. She won the title in 2001 and looks to go out with another title to finish her collegiate career. Another runner off to a fast start is Marsha Dawkins of Oral Roberts. Opening up with a 53.29 punched her early ticket to Arkansas. Lashinda Demus of South Carolina should be a factor as well with her personal best of 52.27.
60m hurdles:
In a field loaded with Big Ten talent, the title for the fastest hurdler will be at stake. Perdita Felicien of Illinois figures to be the favorite after claiming the title last season. Although coming off an off season injury, Felicien holds the collegiate record in the event and should be ready for another fast time come February. Danielle Carruthers of Indiana finished just behind Felicien in the finals with a time of 7.92. The .02 seconds still sits heavily in her mind and you know she is working harder than ever to gain those seconds back. Another Illini, Susanna Kallur, could sit on top of the winner’s platform with talent to break 8 seconds in the event. Lolo Jones of LSU will look to step up big time, especially since the lady Tigers figure in the team title picture. Don’t forget about the other Big Ten specialist, Dalanda Jackson of Ohio State.
4x400m relay:
There figures to be only a few teams who have enough talent and speed to claim the title, as the team championship may come down to this final event of the day. After winning the last two indoor titles, South Carolina looks to keep the baton rolling off their outdoor collegiate record set from last season. When your “B” team can beat a lot of schools around the country, you know you have the depth and talent to go a long way. The lady Longhorns may have something to say about that as Texas has crossed the line second behind the lady Gamecocks the last two years. With the addition of Sanya Richards, they could put an even stronger battle up for grabs. The third place squad from last season, LSU, should have a strong core of women as well. With a long list of newcomers and the proven talents already, the lady Tigers won’t be surprised if they win it all.
Can Alice Schmidt repeat her outdoor performance from last season? (TarHeelBlue.com) |
800 meters:
No real clear cut favorite hear, but a strong overall field including outdoor NCAA champion Alice Schmidt of North Carolina. Also in the field are Florida’s Kristina Bratton who is a 2:04 runner and Amy Teteris of Rice who was 3rd here last year. Also watch for Tennessee’s Nicole Cook who ran a 2:04 to win the outdoor SEC’s. Kenia Sinclair of Seton Hall is another major threat to the field after coming into last year’s national meet with a 2:05 p.r. and then running poorly in the prelims and not qualifying for the finals. Others to watch for include Neisha Bernard-ThomasJunior of LSU, Monica Joannes of Tulsa, Melissa Deleon of Florida, and a few others.
Mile run:
This could be one of the fastest miles indoors in awhile if Lena Nilsson of UCLA and Shalane Flanagan of North Carolina really go at it. The edge will go to Nilsson as she has the superior leg speed and has plenty of stamina for a mile. She was 2nd here last year and won the outdoor title. Flanagan was 3rd here last year and 3rd at the outdoor meet and is a true class act. She was also the XC national champ this year. These two are in a class of their own and I can’t see anyone beating them if they are having a good race. Tiffany Mcwilliams of Mississippi State has already run a 4:39 which is a stunning performance and she may be the main challenger. Malindi Elmore of Stanford was 4th here last year and is a sub 4:40 miler and may contest for the title if Flanagan or Nilsson falters. Watch for the Notre Dame duo of Lauren King and Molly Huddle who both had solid XC seasons and are both great milers. Providence’s Roisin McGettigan, Colorado States Katie Yemm, Wisconsin’s Bethany Brewster, and BYU’s Kassie Anderson should also be in the mix and challenging for a top 4 performance.
3000 meters:
Look for Lauren Fleshman to be up in front throwing down a fast pace. She won the 5000 outdoors last June and had an impressive XC season and will be hard to beat with her mile speed and her XC endurance. BYU’s Michaela Mannova will also be looking to pull a victory and is the reigning outdoor steeple champion and holds the NCAA record in the event. Megan Metcalf of West Virginia took 3rd here last year and will be looking to improve of that. Lisa Aguillera of Arizona State was 2nd last year and could possess a major threat as can Amy Mortimer of Kansas State. North Carolinas Shalane Flanagan and Carol Henry are both stellar runners and can do major damage if they decide to run this event. Northern Arizona’s Ida Nilsson is also a tough competitor and will go for the win if given an opportunity. Sisters Kate and Laura O’Neill of Yale had sensational XC seasons and can be very strong if they decide to run this event.
5000 meters:
Watch for Kristin Price of NC State, Sara Gorton and Molly Austin of Colorado, Kate and Laura O’Neill of Yale, The Stanford girls of Alicia Craig and Sara Bei, Melissa Gulli of Texas A & M, Marni Kruppi of Georgetown, Renee Metivier of Georgia Tech, Lindsey Thomsen of BYU, Maria Cicero of Boston College, and a few others. The favorites (if they run the 5) would have to be Gorton, Price, and Austin, although the race is wide open.
DMR:
After an awesome record setting DMR last year, UCLA returns all of its members including 1500 outdoor champ Lena Nilsson, 400m phenom Monique Henderson, 1200 leg Tiffany Burgess, and 800 leg and Jessica Marr. If it is left to the final mile leg, the Bruins have a huge advantage with Nilsson who seems invincible on a kick. North Carolina was second here last year and like UCLA returns everyone including xc national champion and star miler Shalane Flanagan, outdoor 800 champ Alice Schmidt, high school star Erin Donahue on the 1200 leg, and Anissa Gainey on the 400 leg. This could be a battle to the bitter end. Stanford should have a solid team as well with distance stud Lauren Fleshman who can also run a blazing mile leg, 800 ace Lindsay Hyatt, and a number of girls who can run a fast 1200. Look for BYU as well who will be led by Michaela Mannova. Also watch for Georgetown, Arkansas, Rice, Florida, and Villanova who can always wind up pulling an upset. The clear favorites though are definitely UCLA and North Carolina.
Whitney Evans was the runner-up from the
outdoor meet (WSUCougars.com) |
High Jump:
One of only a few who cleared 6 feet last season, Gina Curtis if Iowa State appears to be the head of the class this season. The runner-up from the indoor meet last season already punched her ticket to the indoor meet this season with an automatic qualifying jump in December. Whitney Evans of Washington State was the runner-up from the outdoor meet and will take her personal best of 6 feet to the max this season. The Wildcats of Kentucky also have a great leaper on their hands in Janet Crawford. The third place finisher during the outdoor season will look to defend her SEC title and break through for the national title. It must be a tradition in the Bozin household to jump high. Jackie Bozin of Central Michigan turned many heads last week by clearing 5-10.75 in her season debut. Jackie’s sister, Suzy, placed fifth at the outdoor meet last season for the Chippewas while also graduating in the spring. Alex Church of Kent State had an impressive opening this season with her leap of 6 feet even. Church is a true freshman from Australia.
Pole Vault:
The indoor collegiate record holder is back. Amy Linnen of Arizona looks to defend her title and erase the disappointment of a no-height at the outdoor meet. Tamara Diles of Washington State made headlines last season by winning the Pole Vault Summit and taking third at the indoor meet along the way. Becky Holliday of Oregon took the Ducks to national prominence by claiming third in the outdoor vault. She also took seventh at the indoor meet. As the top freshman from last season, Lacy Janson of Florida State will look for that sophomore success. The ACC Champion has what it takes to be in the hunt.
Long Jump:
The defending indoor and outdoor champion from last year, Elva Goulbourne of Auburn, will be back to try and claim the titles in 2003. Only 4 inches short of a mark of 23 feet, Goulbourne may be the only one close to a lock in her event. Tiffany Greer of Arizona State may be the closet competitor who can take down the queen of Auburn in the long jump. The runner-up at the outdoor meet has the heart and desire to overtake the title. Antoinette Wilks of South Carolina should be in the hunt for the title along with Tameisha King of Notre Dame and Ineta Radevica of Nebraska – who transferred from Wichita State.
Triple Jump:
It wasn’t bad to leave Connecticut after all. Nicole Toney of LSU, who left the Husky program as a freshman, claimed the indoor title last season. Although only placing fifth overall at the outdoor meet, Toney knows the lady Tigers will be in the hunt for the indoor team title this year and should be there when it counts. Ineta Radevica of Nebraska will make her Cornhusker debut this season after competing for Wichita State last season where she was the runner-up in the event outdoors. Looking to go over 45 feet is a task she can handle and is what could propel her forward to the title. Shelly-Ann Gallimore faces the tough task of trying to face Toney and Radevica, but it’s nothing that she has faced before. The runner-up last season at the indoor meet was just short of the title.
Shot Put:
The sensational sophomore from last season, Jessica Cosby of UCLA, made a big splash by taking home the outdoor title back to Los Angeles. This Cosby hasn’t been making anyone laugh by becoming one of the peak performers when it counts. As the Trackshark Athlete of the Week for January 19, Rebekah Green of Kansas State has already made an early season statement by throwing 56-08 at the Kansas State Invitational. Her mark was farther than anyone else during the indoor regular season in 2002. Candice Scott of Florida will be strong in the weight throw as well and will look for the possible double. Jillian Camarena of Stanford claimed third at the outdoor meet and fifth at the indoor meet. The Trackshark Athlete of the Week for January 12, Laura Gerraughty of North Carolina, already placed her automatic mark in the shot put with her heave of 55-8. This is her first indoor season after redshirting last year due to an injury.
Weight Throw:
The lady Gators of Florida could have a big indoor season as they could represent the top three places at the indoor meet. Jukina Dickerson, Erin Gilreath and Candice Scott all have the talents to place at the top. Scott is the defending champion and looks to lead the lady Gators to big points during the indoor season. Don’t forget about Kimberli Barrett or Merilyn Brown who already had impressive marks in December. Maureen Griffin of Idaho State raised many eyebrows by placing fourth and stepping up while not even being ranked in the top 10 heading into the meet last season. It should be the year of the Gator in the weight throw.
Top Five Predictions:
1. LSU, 2. South Carolina, 3. Floria, 4. UCLA, 5. Texas
Sprints, Hurdles and Field Event preview by Tom Borish, Distance preview by Josh Spiker
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Muna Lee looks for the sprint double in the 60 and 200 meters (LSU sports info) |
60 meters:
There is a big sigh of relief around the country – Angela Williams is gone. The USC sprint sensation has graduated and taken her talents to the professional circuit which leaves room for a new champion. If there is a favorite in this year’s well rounded field, it is Muna Lee of LSU. After setting a personal best of 7.21heading into the championship meet last season, Lee placed third with a time of 7.23. The runner-up from last season, Tahesia Harrigan of Minnesota, has transferred to Alabama and will have to sit out this year. If there is a freshman phenom, look no further than Sanya Richards of Texas. With an impressive 7.34 opener at Houston already, the high school record holder in the 400 meters should move down to the short sprint as it gives her more of a chance to score points for the lady Longhorns. Lauryn Richards of Miami also opened up with a nice time this season already with a Hurricane force time of 7.32 which matched her personal best from last season. The Indiana duo if Rachelle Boone and Danielle Carruthers should be right up in the mix as well.