The season began with a buzz before it even started. Two
start athletes have given up there remaining eligibility and have turned pro,
Trayvon Bromell and Andre DeGrasse. Both athletes in my opinion are a part of
the future of international sprinting. Their presence however will be felt on
the collegiate level leaving the short sprints wide open to a new champion. As
usual the distance events are packed with plenty of talent and with it being an
Olympic year will bring added excitement to what should be a fantastic season.
SPRINTS
Although both DeGrasse and Bromell have turned pro neither
competed in the finals of the men’s 60 meter dash last indoor season. Both
false started in their preliminary races. The top two finishers in the event
from last season both return. Defending champion Ronnie Baker of TCU ran a
season’s best time of 6.52, won on the fastest times in NCAA history. Runner-up
John Teeters of Oklahoma State also ran that same time earlier in the indoor
season. With both returning after disappointing outdoor seasons we may see one
of the two stars run under 6.5.
The 200 is perhaps the most open sprint event. The top
returnee based on time is Brendon Rodney of LIU Brooklyn with a personal best
time of 20.69 last indoor season. Tremayne Acy of LSU is the top returnee from
last outdoor season. Acy’s performance at the Outdoor Championships was quite
impressive and makes him an early favorite to win it all.
The 400 meter dash has two impressive Florida seniors as
front runners to win the event. Najee Glass who won the SEC Indoor title and
finished third at the meet last indoor season and the injury plagued Arman
Hall. Both had amazing prep careers and solid collegiate careers. Neither
individually have been able to take the reigns as the top 400 runner. Glass had
injuries earlier and in his career and Hall has dealt with injuries since an
amazing freshman season that led him to qualifying for TEAM USA at the 2013 World
Championships. This is their last chance to claim the crown.
HURDLES
Omar McLeod was another fantastic talent that turned pro
early leaving the 60 meter hurdles open for a new champion. Devon Allen of
Oregon is ready to be that guy. Allen missed all of last season due to an
injury while playing in the College Football Playoff. Allen previously won the
2014 NCAA Outdoor title as a freshman. This is a great time for us to see Allen
rebound and return to championship form.
DISTANCE
The 800 is still Bandon McBride’s event to lose. McBride now
a senior at Mississippi State claimed the indoor and outdoor title in the event
during the 2014 season. His junior season saw him fall short of defending
either title. As a senior expect for McBride to attempt to reclaim his crown
and return to the top.
Edward Cheserk from Oregon is the only name you need to
worry about when discussing the remaining distance events. It is quite possible
for Cheserek to complete a triple crown by winning the mile, 3,000 and 5,000
meter races. Cheserek who won the mile last indoor season and finished 2nd
in the 3,000 returns at the top performer in all three distances. After a
sensational cross country campaign look for Cheserek to continue the golden
success that is Oregon.
Each event will present Cheserek with a respectable
challenger. In the mile, Brannon Kidder of Penn State, IN the 3,000 teammate
Jeramy Elkaim and in the 5,000 Thomas Curtin of Virginia Tech. Teammate Elkaim
may be the best of the three to challenge Cheserek for an individual title.
FIELD EVENTS
In both the long jump and triple jump KeAndre Bates of
Florida is the lone gator available to carry what has been recently an
outstanding tradition of horizontal jumpers. Christian Taylor, William Claye,
Omar Craddock and Marquis Dendy have all claimed NCAA titles in either the Long
Jump or Triple Jump. Bates had a great freshman indoor season which saw him
claim All-American honors in both events. Each event will present its own set
of challenges.
In the long jump sprint and jump star senior Jarrion Lawson
of Arkansas is the top returnee based on performance and is the early favorite
to win the event. In the triple jump Latario Collie of Texas A&M is the top
returning athlete and will perhaps be the most challenging for Bates to
overcome. Both athletes come from rival conference schools that will also be in
the hunt for the team title. Bates has a tough challenge to keep the
championship legacy going at the University of Florida.
Jacorian Duffield left his mark while at Texas Tech claiming
the high jump NCAA title. While Duffield moves on Bradley Akins also of Texas
Tech is more than capable of stepping into the fold. Adkins finished 2nd
last indoor season to Duffield losing on more jumps taken to clear a height of
2.29 meters. Adkins a senior will look to go out on top and continue a winning
legacy at Texas Tech.
The Pole Vault is another event that saw its superstar in
Shawn Barber leave for the professional ranks early. Jake Blakenship of
Tennessee has been a solid mainstay in the event since his freshman season.
Blankenship is the early favorite to win event as the top returnee from last
indoor season.
The shot put Ryan Crouser of Texas like Brandon McBride
returns as a NCAA Champion from a previous season. Crouser won the NCAA title
outdoors both his freshman and sophomore seasons. He also won the indoor title
his sophomore season (2014.). Crouser now a senior will look to return to the
champions circle and continue the great tradition of Champion throwers at
Texas.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi of Purdue is the top returnee in the
men’s weight throw. He is the only athlete in the remaining field with a
personal best beyond 80 feet.
The men’s heptathlon will literally be a gathering of old
friends. The entire All-American field will return this season to compete for
the crown including defending champion Luca Weiland of Minnesota. Weiland
out gained Garret Scatling of Georgia by 2 points. This should be an equally
quality competition again this year with the inclusion of outdoor decathlon
champion also from Georgia Maicel Uibo.
RELAY PREDICTIONS:
4X400: FLORIDA
DMR: OREGON
