Girls Sprints/Field
LaurenRain Williams. Photo via Image of Sport.
Best matchups: LaurenRain Williams vs. Zaria Francis in 60/200; Tara Davis vs. Samiyah Samuels in the long jump.
With Candace Hill going pro, Williams and Francis are the top two returners in the outdoor 200. This is the second salvo in what could be the best girls sprint rivalry in the country this year. Two weeks ago (also in Idaho!) Williams beat Francis in the 200 and Francis beat Williams in the 60. Williams's winning time is US #1 in the 200; Francis's winning time is US #1 in the 60. Williams has the upper hand in the 200 right now--in addition to the win this season, she has a faster outdoor PR by nearly half a second, 22.68 to 23.09. Francis has the edge in the 60, though, 7.40 to 7.46, and it's likely that they'll both come away with one win this weekend.
Davis is the top outdoor long jump returner in the country. But the last time she competed against Samuels--six weeks ago at Texas A&M--Samuels won by nearly a foot. Davis is also entered in the hurdles and triple jump, but the matchup with Samuels (and US #4 Maya Evans) in the long provides the most compelling head-to-head competition.
Other studs: Anissa Warner (US #7 high jump), Chinne Okoronkwo (US #4 triple jump)
Schedule (all times Mountain):
9:00 AM Friday long jump prelims
11:00 AM Friday high jump prelims
12:00 PM Friday 200 prelims
1:00 PM Friday triple jump prelims
1:00 PM Friday 60H prelims
3:00 PM Friday 60 prelims
8:30 AM Saturday long jump final
9:00 AM Saturday high jump final
12:15 PM Saturday 60 final
12:30 PM Saturday triple jump final
1:08 PM Saturday 60H final
1:38 PM Saturday 200 final