2003 NCAA Women's Outdoor Preview

• Sprints, jumps, throws previews by Tom Borish • Distance preview by A.J. Andrassy

100 meters: (11.80 regional qualifier)
Top time last year: Angela Williams, USC, 11.06

Can Muna Lee take both sprint titles this season for the Tigers? (LSU sports photo)

Angela Williams is gone, right? That's about the best news everyone in the field has been waiting to hear the past four years so someone else can grab the title. However, the title just might stay on the campus of USC as Natasha Mayers just missed upsettng her teammate WIlliams last year in the finals with her time of 11.30. The senior is expected to once again battle for nation's fastest woman. Muna Lee of LSU, who set the track on fire indoors, should carry over those abilites to the outdoor scence and be a heavy favorite as well.

If she can manage handling the relay, long jump and triple jump, Elva Goulbourne of Auburn will look to upset the field and pull off what could be scoring some of the most points in championship history. Lauryn Williams of Miami has been holding her own after placing fourth in the 60 meters indoors and taking sixth in the 100 meters last year. More athletes to look for include Aleen Bailey of South Carolina, Monique Tubbs of Jacksonville, Stephanie Durst of LSU and Consuella Moore of Penn State.

200 meters: (24.00 rq)
Top time last year: Muna Lee, LSU, 22.33

This could be the event that sets Muna Lee of LSU among the best female collegiate sprinters ever to run. As if she didn't prove it already with her indoor collegiate record of 22.49, she managed to only take fourth last year outdoors with her time of 23.19. It will be interesting to see a level playing field now since the 200 indoors has too much of an advantage if you are in lanes 5 or 6 on a banked track, such as at Arkansas. The champion from last year, Natasha Mayers of USC, will look for the sprint double to cap off her senior campaign. Aleen Bailey of South Carolina looks to steal the show with her 22.99 clocking last year which placed second.

Stephanie Durst will look to knock down training partner and teammate Muna Lee as well. One of the best freshman to ever come out of high school and perform well is Sanya Richards of Texas. Richards took second to Lee indoors with her time of 22.90 which included running the prelims only an hour earlier and also running in the 400 meter prelims before that. You can expect Rachelle Boone of Indiana, Amber Robinson of Florida and Miki Barber of South Carolina to try and shake up the scoring. Don't be surprised if the entire field dips under 23 seconds in the final.

400 meters: (55.00 rq)
Top time last year: Allison Beckford, Rice, 50.83

The beauty about the outdoor season in the sprinting events is that the finals are competed all in one section as opposed to it being broken up into two or three during the indoor season. A perfect example was the women's 400 meter final indoors as Lashinda Demus of South Carolina won the event based on having the fastest time of 51.79. It will be more difficult for her to pull off the same feat outdoors since she will also compete and try to defend her title in the 400 meter hurdles. However, don't put anything past the talents of Demus who took third overall last year.

As noted in the 200 meters, the fabulous newcomer from Texas, Sanya Richards, will be a major player in this event. The high school record holder looks to improve on her second place finish indoors with her time of 51.87. Her time of 50.69 set last season at the USATF Junior National meet would have also won the NCAA title. That title belonged to Allison Beckford of Rice who came through in 50.83 and should be well ahead in the front again this season. After taking last year off, Miki Barber of South Carolina is back and should be a strong candidate for the title as well. Other athletes expected to make an impact will be Nadia Davy of LSU, Marsha Dawkins of Oral Roberts, Faith Rein of Florida and Moushaumi Robinson of Texas.

800 meters: (2:10.30 rq)
Top time last year: Tiffany Burgess, UCLA, 2:03.73

Lena Nilsson of UCLA will be a strong favorite for the 800 meter title (UCLA sports photo)

This race is a tough race to call. For one, it's tough to say who is going to run it. Secondly, this field is real deep. Out of this extremely deep field, I'm going to pick Nicole Cook – (SO) Tennessee. The only reason I'm picking her over Lena Nilsson – (JR) UCLA is because I think she will do the 1500m and try to repeat her title. That's not a knock to Nicole Cook by any means either. She took 8th last year outdoors and was 2nd at indoor nationals this year by 0.06 seconds.

Would you think last years national champion was from Nebraska? Me neither. She took fourth indoors this year, but could have been tired from her crucial leg in helping UNC capture a national title in the DMR. Alice Schmidt – (JR) UNC, last year's returning champ may have lost a step on the competition this year, but that doesn't mean she can't still win it. If anyone has the ability to beat Nicole Cook, it's her.

Kristina Bratton – (SR) Florida had a very strong campaign last year as a junior. This year being her last, could make her want to close real strong. With seniors anything is strong. Last year Lauren Simmons – Princeton came in seeded 13th and took 2nd. She was 6th last year, and 2nd through 5th all graduated.
Training partners make an athlete. Tiffany Burgess – (SR) UCLA has a hoard of Bruins to train with and could benefit a lot in her senior year. It showed last year when she had an incredible junior campaign and burst onto the national scene. Her 2:03.73 makes her dangerous. When someone breaks a school record formerly held by Francie Larrieu, you know their talented. (Her school record was later broken by Lena Nilsson).

The top five is rounded out with my darkhorse pick Beth Heimann – (JR) Kentucky. She hasn't had great performances at indoor nationals and just missed going outdoors last year, but indoors this year she consistently ran 2:05's. This outdoor season, Heimann is ready to pop.

Here are list of people to also look out for:

Laura Gerber - (SR) Florida State
Nikeya Green – (JR) Wake Forest
Marian Burnett – (SR) LSU
Beata Rudzinska – (SO) Akron
Rachel Sturtz – (SR) Michigan
Maggie Vessey – (JR) Cal Poly-SLO
Kenia Sinclair – (SR) Seton Hall

1500 meters: (4:31.00 rq)
Top time last year: Lena Nilsson, UCLA, 4:12.60

This year's field has the potential to be on of the fastest in NCAA history. But, did you know that the top two 1500 meters in the nation both have the same last name, both come from Sweden, and aren't related? That clears up the fog of their relations now. Last year Lena Nilsson – (JR) UCLA won the outdoor 1500m and anchored the winning DMR indoors. This year she has the 800m indoor title to her name as well, and if she chooses to repeat will no doubt win again outdoors. Winning by over 2 seconds last year, this time around she looks even stronger. She's definitely at the top of her game and beating her looks next to impossible.

The other Nilsson, Johanna Nilsson – (FR) NAU has the closest shot of knocking off defending champ Lena Nilsson. She embarrassed the field at indoor nationals and cruised with ease to victory in 4:32.49. She even said afterwards herself she didn't think it would be that easy.

After the year she's been having, Shalane Flanagan – (JR) UNC has proved her rank as one of the best in the nation on all levels. Cross Country Nationals showed her strength as she was national champion. Boston Indoor Games told the world elite she's ready to race with them and, if you still doubted then, Indoor Nationals proved her game's ready to go to the next level. I don't question her ability to be dominant in the 1500; I just question whether or not she's planning on moving up to the 5k.

Tiffany McWilliams – (SO) Mississippi State had a less than stellar performance last year at outdoor nationals. She got second indoors and ran a 4:34.61 mile at the SEC championships to beat a tough Christin Wurth – (SR) Arkansas. She is in great position to have a great outdoor season.

Rounding out the top 5 is Lauren King – (SO) Notre Dame. She was 6th in last year's finals and two of the top 5 from last year have graduated. With an All-American training partner, Lauren King's racing has definitely raised a notch from last year. Watch out for the fiery Canuck this outdoor season.

Here are list of people to also look out for:

Molly Huddle – (FR) Notre Dame
Bethany Brewster – (SR) Wisconsin
Courtney Inman – (SR) Washington
Christin Wurth – (SR) Arkansas
Londa Bevins – (SR) Arkansas
Malindi Elmore – (SR) Stanford
Roisin McGettigan – (SR) Providence
Shannon Rowbury – (FR) Duke

3000 meter steeplechase: (11:00.00 rq)
Top time last year: Michaela Manova, BYU, 9:45.94

Michaela Manova looks to go even faster this year in the steeple (BYUtrack.com)

This event is relatively young in talent. Last year being the second year as a scored event for the ladies, people are slowly discovering one of the toughest events in Track & Field. BYU has already made its mark in the event. The past two champions have come from BYU. Michaela Manova – (SO) looks to repeat and keep the title in Utah. She is the defending national champion from last year and has had a solid sophomore year campaign.

Ida Nilsson – (JR) Northern Arizona had a quiet indoor season, but if she runs outdoors, look for her to have a strong year. She was second last year in a close race between her and Michaela Manova.
Carol Henry – (SO) UNC was unheard of indoors. Her outdoor plans I am uncertain of, but I am certain she is very fast and very Canadian. UNC always has a way of making their athlete peak at nationals too, so you can never count out a Tar Heel.

Maybe she has finally learned her pound and hold on tactics don't work at nationals (e.g. XC Nationals '02, Outdoor Nationals '02). Even if she hasn't, Brianna Shook – (SR) Toledo is still a contender for nationals. If only she was able to actually make her racing strategy work.

Mollie Defrancesco – (SR) JMU rounds out the top five of contenders. Only one graduated from last years top 8 and she was 4th.

Here are list of people to also look out for:

Ann Somerville – (SR) Michigan State
Lisa Aguilera – (SR) Arizona State
Dawn Cleary – (SR) Virginia
Melanie Matthews – (JR) Virginia
Megan Coombs – (JR) NC State
Brianna Dahm – (JR) Marquette

5000 meters: (17:00.00 rq)
Top time last year: Lauren Fleshman, Stanford, 15:35.59

This event is crazy loaded. Do I pick the defending champion or go with this year's indoor champion? Lauren Fleshman – (SR) is my favorite to win. She was last years champion and she always finds a way to win a national title. She dropped the competition on the last lap last year and I wouldn't be surprised if she can do it again.

Sara Gorton – (SO) Colorado is a close second. She has the ability to beat Lauren Fleshman and proved it this year's indoors with her impressive win over an incredibly talented field. If it comes down to a kicker's race, she proved this year she can win.

The top two aren't in a league of their own. Kate O'Neill – (SR) Yale could easily walk away with the national title. She has had one of the most impressive years in women's distance this year. She missed being indoor national champ by a second and ran a smart race for second at Cross Country nationals. Does getting second motivate her to get the win? I wouldn't be surprised.

My next pick is the other twin, Laura O'Neill – (SR) Yale. She helped pace her sister to a second place finish indoors and with them training together, and being twin sisters, they could easily pace each other to a top 3 finish.

Rounding out the top 5 is Kristin Price – (JR) NC State. Even with the double last year, where she won the 10,000m title, she still got 3rd. She definitely has the strength to have a top 5 finish, but this year's field is a lot faster than last year. Can she handle a sub 15:45 5k?

Here are list of people to also look out for:

Molly Huddle – (FR) Notre Dame
Sara Bei – (SO) Stanford
Renee Metivier – (JR) Georgia Tech
Natalie Florence – (SO) Colorado
Julie Spolidoro – (JR) Boston College
Karin van Rooyen – (SO) SMU
Brianna Torres – (SR) Arizona State
Alicia Craig – (SO) Stanford
Jen Handley – (SR) Notre Dame
Beth Hoge – (JR) Arizona

10,000 meters: (34:10.00a, 35:15.00p)
Top time last year: Jodie Hughes, Colorado, 32:50.80

O'Neill and Price will battle once again for the 10k title (PennTrackXC.com)

Laura O'Neill – (SR) Yale is my top pick. I know she didn't win last year, but the twins have had an amazing senior year thus far and I think it will continue through outdoor. I picked her in the 5k as well (figuring she might double with the new regional format), but my money is on her in the 10k. Tara Quinn graduated leaving for a great showdown with her and Kristin Price. But as we all know, Bulldog's are smarter than Wolfpack.

Kristin Price – (JR) NC State is last years defending champion, however I do not think she will be able to repeat, especially if its not a snails race like last year. She still has enough talent to get top 5.

Don't count out Molly Austin – (SR) Colorado. The distance runners from Boulder are always guaranteed to contend in any race they are entered. Buffaloes always end their careers on high notes, so don't be surprised if she follows routine.

Training with Molly Austin is definitely going to help Natalie Florence – (SO) Colorado. She was ninth in the indoor 5k this year. She auto'ed in the 10k last year and went in ranked 7th, but DNF'ed.

Rounding out the top 5 is Vicky Gill – (SR) Florida State. She had an amazing race at the Stanford Invite this year, running a 33:14. She's already qualified for Nationals; the only thing is that it's early. Can she hang on?

Here are list of people to also look out for:

Anne Bersagel – (SO) Wake Forest
Erin Sullivan – (SR) Stanford
Anita Siraki – (SO) Stanford
Devra Vierkant – (SR) BYU
Jamie Krzyminski – (SO) Michigan State
Lindsey Thomsen – (JR) BYU
Marni Kruppa – (SR) Georgetown

100 meter hurdles: (14.10 rq)
Top time last year: Danielle Carruthers, Indiana, 12.68

It should be one of the closest battles all season long as several athletes all have a shot at the title. Lolo Jones of LSU won the 60 meter hurdles indoors while also taking second last year in the 100 hurdles. The champion from last year's outdoor meet, Perdita Felicien of Illinois, struggled a bit indoors with some minor injuries but should be back in full stride again to defend her title. Her Big Ten rival, Danielle Carruthers of Indiana, looks to bring the title home to Bloomington and still has a sour taste in her mouth after not even scoring last season. The Texas duo of Nichole Denby and Raasin McIntosh should provide plenty of points for the Longhorns in their title run. Andrea Bliss of Florida opened up her season with a fast 13.18 clocking at the Florida Relays. Sharianne Lawson of Miami, Sheena Johnson of UCLA, Tiffany Ross of South Carolina and Shelly-Ann Brown of Nebraska all look forward to the challenge.

400 meter hurdles: (1:01.50 rq)
Top time last year: Leshinda Demus, South Carolina, 54.85

Is there anything Lashinda Demus of South Carolina can't do? That's the question many people still have yet to find an answer for after taking the title last year as a freshman and setting a new World Junior record in the process with her time of 54.85. She then went on to break her own record at the World Junior Championships in 54.70 to also win the event. Not to be outdone was her teammate and freshman from last season Tiffany Ross. She took second behind Demus in the final at the NCAA meet with her time of 55.22. Just as productive in the 100 meter hurdles, Raasin McIntosh of Texas looks to do the same again this season in the 400. The junior placed third last season in 55.70. Other names to remember will be Sheena Johnson of UCLA, Shevon Stoddart of South Carolina, Chloe Davis of Hampton and Allison Beckford of Rice.

4x100 meter relay: (46.20 rq)
Top time last year: LSU (Bianca Rockett, Stephanie Durst, Lolo Jones, Muna Lee) 43.06

It could come down to South Carolina and LSU again this season after the Gamecocks edged out the host Tigers last season, 43.12 to 43.28, respectively. Anytime you place sprint sensation Muna Lee on anchor, you know you have a great shot as does LSU again this year. USC will once again be strong despite the loss of Angela Williams leading off. A team that should turn many heads will be the quartet down at Miami. While sweeping the top three spots in 60 meter final at the Big East meet and showing great improvments, they should show their Hurricane force winds on the track. More teams on the rise will include Texas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois and Indiana.

4x400 meter relay: (3:45.50 rq)
Top time last year: South Carolina (Tiffany Ross, Demetria Washington, Tacita Bass, Leshinda Demus) 3:26.46

Don't expect many surprises here as it will once again come down to Texas or South Carolina. Both teams took down the old collegiate record at the indoor meet while the Longhorns came on top 3:27.66 to 3:28.25. The key to success will be freshman Sanya Richards and if she can carry all of the weight on her shoulders once again for the Longhorns. Although the Gamecocks will lose Demetria Washington for the outdoor season, they should be just as strong. As always, look for teams such as LSU, UCLA, Miami, Florida and Washington State to do what they can to shock the world.

High Jump: (1.70 rq)
Top mark last year: Gina Curtis, Iowa State, 1.86m

Will freshman Alex Church steal the show in the high jump for Kent State? (NCAA sports photo)

The event belonged to Nevena Lendel of SMU indoors as she cleared 6-02.25 (1.89m) to take the title in Arkansas. Lendel will look to defend her title with a strong field of athletes expected to make it a difficult run for her. Gina Rickert of Iowa State, who entered the indoor meet with the top mark in the country, looks to end her collegiate career on the winner's platform holding the number one plaque. With a personal best of 6-03.50, Rickert will be one to contend with.

One of the fabulous freshmen from the indoor season was Alexandra Church of Kent State. The Aussie took second indoors with her clearance of 6-01.50. The other freshman, Chaunte Howard of Georgia Tech, amazed the country entering the indoor meet with the second best mark. Although she finished 10th, don't overlook Howard to be a strong contender for the outdoor title. Spring Harris of USC already opened up her season with a clearance of 6-00.50 Whitney Evans of Washington State, Janet Crawford of Kentucky and Deirdre Mullen of Connecticut will also be in the mix as well.

Pole Vault: (3.66 rq)
Top mark last year: Tracy O'Hara, UCLA, 4.35m

Becky Holliday of Oregon looks for the pole vault title this season (Becca Gillespy/PoleVaultPower.com)

In an event which the standard is set higher and higher as each season rolls along, the indoor title went to sophomore Lacy Janson of Florida State with her clearance of 14-07.25 (4.45m). The indoor record holder, Amy Linnen of Arizona, finished a disappointing sixth although she will be once again a major player for the outdoor title. The pair of seniors out of Oregon, Becky Holliday and Niki McEwen, will look to improve on their second and fourth place finishes from the indoor meet as well.

April Steiner of Arkansas performed well in front of the home crowd during the indoor meet with her third place performance and will look to carry the same momentum outdoors. Fanni Juhasz of Georgia, Jennifer Bennett of Missouri and freshman Stacie Manuel of Arkansas should be in the scoring hunt as well.

Long Jump: (5.90 rq)
Top mark last year: Elva Goulbourne, Auburn, 6.82m

The woman everyone will be chasing this season will be Elva Goulbourne of Auburn. The defending indoor and outdoor champion should cruise all season long and let it all go once again into the conference, regional and national championship meets. Fresh off her 2003 Trackshark Indoor Athlete of the Year award, Goulbourne will look to repeat her performance outdoors as well. One of her closest competitors will hail from Bloomington, Indiana as Rose Richmond held the second-best mark indoors including finishing right behind Goulbourne at the national meet.

The leader of the MAC, Patricia Soman of Ball State, will give them a run for their money as well. Although finishing eighth indoors, Soman entered the meet with the third best mark overall. Tiffany Greer of Arizona State finished 2002 with a national runner-up placing at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Ineta Radevica of Nebraska, Chi-Chi Aduba of Penn State and Krysha Bayley of Georgia should add fuel to the fire of excitement in the event.

Triple Jump: (12.19 rq)
Top mark last year: Shelly-Ann Gallimore, Auburn, 13.67m

Elva Goulbourne looks for the titles once again in the long and triple jumps (NCAA sports photo)

It should be a much closer contest than that of the long jump as Elva Goulbourne of Auburn is coming off her indoor title. Depending on how much she can handle in all her other events, such as the long jump, 100 meters, 200 meters and relays, time will only tell to see if Goulbourne will even compete in the triple jump at the national meet outdoors. Nicole Toney of LSU is coming off an outstanding indoor season which included entering the meet with the top mark in the nation.

Ineta Radevica of Nebraska took second in the event outdoors, while representing Wichita State, with her leap of 43-10. Chi-Chi Aduba of Penn State will bring her talents over from the long jump as she finished fourth in the triple indoors. Shani Marks of Minnesota, Melanie Carter of Pittsburgh, Simidele Adeagbo of Kentucky and Patricia Soman of Ball State will all battle for the scoring.

Shot Put: (13.90 rq)
Top mark last year: Laura Gerraughty, North Carolina, 17.50m

It was clearly Laura Gerraughty's event indoors as the North Carolina Tar Heel propelled to the title with her national leading mark of 59-03 (18.06m). To approach 60-feet in the event is clear and away a major threat for the title. At the Raleigh Relays, Gerraughty already popped a personal outdoor best as she threw 59-09.50 (18.22m). One of the athletes looking to knock Gerraughty down will be Jillian Camarena of Stanford. The junior from Palo Alto took second indoors with her heave of 57-02.75.

Rebekah Green of Kansas State entered the meet on a high note although placing 12th overall. Green looks to avenge her performance and should be up high in the mix. Stephanie Brown of Cal-Poly SLO will also be a strong contender as she placed third indoors. Florida will look for major points with their strong core of throwers in Candice Scott, Kim Barrett and Karen Freberg. The trio should provide major support for the lady Gators title run. Jessica Cosby of UCLA won the event last year and will look to be back on top. April Phillips of Michigan and Becky Breisch of Nebraska will all showcase their great throws as well.

Discus: (45.72 rq)
Top mark last year: Melissa Bickett, Michigan, 56.83m

The UCLA tradition will continue to look to roll along this season as Chaniqua Ross came out on top last season with her throw of 182-00 (55.48m). Not too far behind will be teammate Lara Saye who will look to improve on her fifth place performance from last season. Owning the top mark heading into the outdoor meet last season, Melissa Bickett of Michigan should be a top performer once again.

Almost coming away with the title last season as a freshman, Becky Breisch of Nebraska now has a full season under her belt and will be just as hungry for the title. Dayana Octavien of South Florida took the top collegiate spot at the Florida Relays with her mark of 172-04 for an impressive season opener. Krista Keir of Ohio State, Stephanie Brown of Cal-Poly SLO, Deshaya Williams of Penn State and Rachel Longfors of Florida will all be in the hunt as well.

Hammer: (51.30 rq)
Top mark last year: Jamine Moton, Clemson, 67.21m

Candice Scott owns the collegiate record in the hammer throw (Frebergsports.com)

There will be a new champion in the hammer this year and it appears that Candice Scott of Florida is the one ahead of the pack. Scott threw a personal best and new collegiate record mark of 223-01 (67.99m) in the event at the Florida Relays this season already. The mark missed the collegiate record by three inches. Julianna Tudja of USC put her mark on the map with her launch of 208-07 already this season as well.

Florida will look to their talents of Erin Gilreath and Jukina Dickerson to provide major points as well. Maureen Griffin of Idaho State looks for a better showing as she placed third last year while throwing 209-07. UCLA will look to Cari Soong for their points in the event as she moved to fourth last year, also with a mark of 209-07. L'Orangerie Crawford of USC, Kaisa Kiintonen of UTEP and April Phillips of Michigan will all fill the table entering the event.

Javelin: (41.48 rq)
Top mark last year: Serene Ross, Purdue, 59.64m

Now with the 195 performance from Serene Ross of Purdue gone due to graduation, several women look to fill the void left by the defending national champion. Inga Stasiulionyte of USC may be the favorite after finishing second to Ross including having the second-best performance last season. A great number of freshmen stood out in the event last year which included Lindsey Johnson of BYU, Barbora Spotakova of Minnesota, Kendra Wecker of Kansas State and Roslyn Lundeen of Oregon.

Now with another off season of training and development, all should approach the 175+ range and into the 180's near the tail end of the season. Indiana offers Irina Kharun who threw 172-02 to take fourth place last season. There will be a new crop of performers as well and there should be plenty of surprises. One of the upcoming starts will be North Carolina freshman Karen Wyzykowski who set a new American Junior Record in the javelin with her mark of 176-8 already this season.

Heptathlon: (5500a, 5000p)
Top score last year: Austra Skujyte, Kansas State, 6061

As with the men's decathlon, all athletes will still have to meet the automatic and provisional standards in order to qualify for the outdoor meet since it will not be competed at the regional meets. With four of the top five performers now gone due to graduation from last season, Ellannee Richardson of Washington State will be in the running for the title after taking second with her score of 5,709. Also boasting a personal best of 5,821, Richardson looks to break the 6,000 plateau this season and already scored 5,701 this season. While only a freshman, Krystal Ward of Houston took sixth last season while scoring 5,337. A number of other athletes, such as Lauren Maul of Austin Peay State, Leslie Miller of San Diego State, Barbora Spotakova of Minnesota, Keren Sari of New Mexico and Mary Varga of Akron will all move in for some major points.

Team title:
Defending Champion: South Carolina

It was all LSU indoors and it could be the same outdoors. It will be a tough task because South Carolina, Texas, UCLA and USC will all provide for a great show. Don't look for the Tigers to stumble again outdoors as they should bring the title back home to Baton Rouge.