We continue on with our preview of the indoor season with our throwers and multi-event athletes. There is some great talent returning this season and we should see more records broken. Of the athletes returning there is two NCAA record holders and many athletes knocking on the record's door. Let us preview.
Throws/Multi's
Women
There are two returning champions in the women’s shot put
but one defending champion. First let us acknowledge Adelaide Aquilla of Ohio
State. The defending champion was victorious both indoors and outdoors and was
always prepared to be at her best. If you look at Aquilla’s stat sheet from
2021 you will see an array of first place performances and 60 feet throws.
Samantha Noennig was a previous NCAA Champion at her previous school Arizona
State. She has since transferred to Arizona and has one last chance to reclaim
her crown.
In the weight throw before the championship meet last indoor
season sophomore Jasmine Mitchell of Ole Miss had all been but crowned NCAA
Champion. She had the pedigree and the school’s name, Ole Miss. However, she
came up short and finished fourth. She is the top returnee with a mark of 76
feet 3 ½ inches. After a rough outdoor season look for her to not start strong
but finish strong. A challenger could be Madi Malone of Auburn who is ranked
number two.
In the women’s pentathlon a major shakeup has taken place.
When Georgia’s Petros Kyprianou was not kept as head coach many of their field
athletes jump shipped. Anna Hall was one of two major names to move on. Hall
was a five star recruit out of high school and has been near the top every
competition. She now competes for Florida under Mike Holloway and will likely
to finally take down the defending champion, Tyra Gittens.
Gittens had an impressive 2021 season winning so many NCAA
titles. She poses as a threat to win in the pentathlon, long jump, and high
jump. She was close to winning all three events last season, with the
pentathlon and high jump victories. She will come back this season just as
strong if not stronger. Both can sprint, jump, and throw. Expect some big-time
performances amongst these ladies.
MEN
Turner Washington of Arizona State had quite the season last
year. In every competition he competed in, he came away victorious. He not only
won the Shot Put indoors, but outdoors as well. That includes the Discus
outdoors also. Along the way he set an NCAA Indoor record. Let me put it to you
simply without any more accolades being provided. It is Turner Washington and
everybody else.
In the weight throw the top returning athlete is Israel
Oloyede of Arizona. After finishing second to Thomas Mardal of Florida Oloyede is
the closest athlete to 80 feet, and we may get lucky and have another 80-foot
thrower this season. Bobby Colantonio of Alabama should challenge.
In the men’s heptathlon Georgia returns the top two athletes.
Karel Tilga and Kyle Garland are both juniors this season and both elected to
stay at Georgia even after Kyprianou was relieved of his leadership. Under the
direction of Caryl Smith-Gilbert expect for them to be primed and ready for
this season. Tilga is the defending champion and has used his excellent technique
in the field to surpass Garland who is perhaps faster and more athletic. Regardless
we should have another excellent competition between the two this season.
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