We are finally here. The 2022 NCAA Indoor Championship. This
season has continued the theme we have had over the past few years of breaking
NCAA historical records. The team title competition is more competitive than it
has ever been, especially among women. I believe we are for a treat this
weekend. In this post we will preview each event with a prediction.
SPRINTS/HURDLES
Women
In the 60-meter dash there are three headliners, two of them
are also hurdlers completing the double. Julien Alfred of Texas is the main headliner.
She is currently tied for the 2nd best time in the nation with a
time of 7.12. Alfred has been a favorite to win for multiple seasons, most
notably in 2020 before the Covid-19 Pandemic. Alia Armstrong of LSU rebounded
at the SEC Championship in the 60 meters after a misstep in the hurdles. Her
winning time was 7.11 and the new national number one. She surpassed previous co-number
one Grace Stark of Florida in that race. Alfred has been the most consistent
and is long overdue for a title. Also keep an eye out for NCAA record holder Kemba
Nelson of Oregon who is also the defending champion. She came on at
Championship time last season and could potentially do it again.
Prediction: Julien Alfred Texas
In the 200-meter dash it has been Abby Steiner of Kentucky
and everybody else. Steiner not only broke the NCAA record, but she also broke
the American record previously held by Gwen Torrence. Her time of 22.09 is
second all-time only behind the legendary Merlene Ottey of Jamaica. Anavia
Battle of Ohio State is an Olympian with an outdoor personal best of 21.95 but
she has been chasing Steiner all season. Her best so far is 22.39 ran at the
Big 10 Championship. Battle had no competition at the Big 10 Championship but keeping
up with Steiner will be difficult. Steiner has been at the top of the list
since the start of the season and never relinquished it.
Prediction: Abby Steiner Kentucky
In the 400 Alexis Holmes of Kentucky was not a preseason
favorite and should have been. Holmes had a eye popping performance at the SEC Championship
with her NCAA leading time of 50.77. Going sub 51 indoors is impressive and
difficult. Joining her in a sub 51 performance is Britton Wilson of Arkansas
who transferred from Tennessee. The strong runner dramatically improved her 400-time
finishing second with a time of 50.88. Talitha Diggs of Florida was the
preseason favorite after an impressive Freshman season that included a SEC
title and runner up finish at nationals. Holmes has been consistent throughout
the season but watch for Diggs, she has 22.7 speed and the potential to go
faster than her 51.25 season best.
Prediction: Talitha Diggs Florida
Alia Armstrong of LSU is ranked number one in the 60-meter
dash and 60-meter hurdles. The key to her great performances in both races is
her excellent start. It’s never a surprise to see an LSU athlete at the top of any
sprint or hurdle event but none have been this close to winning both the 60-meter
dash and 60 meter hurdles. Armstrong’s national leading of 7.81 is only 0.02
off the NCAA record and with her 60-meter speed of 7.11 she could easily lower
that time. Paula Simon of North Carolina A&T is ranked second with a time
of 7.83 and Grace Stark of Florida is third with 7.86. Stark has the most impressive
win on the season claiming the SEC title, but Simon and Armstrong will be
ready.
Prediction: Alia Armstrong LSU
Men
The preseason 60-meter dash favorite was Micah Williams of
Oregon. He is the defending champion in this event and has consistently run sub
6.5 all season. His second ranked mark of 6.48 is impressive considering he ran
that race against 0 competition. Terrance Jones of Texas Tech is a true
freshman who ran a 6.45 to debut his season and it was converted to 6.47 due to
the altitude. He has not run much so far this season and has had some injury
concerns. We will learn what he is made of this weekend.
Prediction: Micah Williams Oregon
The 200-meter title has Matthew Boling of Georgia’s name on
it, since he is the defending champion. He has been number one all season and
has even defeated Javonte Harding of North Carolina A&T one on one. He has
been a more polished sprinter this season under the leadership of Caryl
Smith-Gilbert. His time of 20.27 is still not his personal best and he is clearly
looking to surpass it this weekend. Lance Lang of Kentucky was flying under the
radar all season. He reminded everyone that he is still a force to be reckoned
with after winning the 200 meter-dash at the SEC Championships with a time of
20.32. Boling opted to only compete in the 60-meter dash, the long jump and the
4x400 relay and never got the chance to go toe to toe with Lang. Lang has ran
dominant races all season long with very little challenge.
Prediction: Lance Lang of Kentucky
The 400 got even more interesting following the completion
of the SEC Championship. Florida’s Champion Allison, a transfer from Alabama won
the meet in a time of 45.04. He ran a smart competitive race and won comfortably
indicating there is certainly more in the tank. Randolph Ross of North Carolina
A&T has been the number one 400 runner all season long and is currently the
only sub 45 second runner in the field with his time of 44.83. Ross is an Olympian
and has ran under 44 seconds as a career best. It is not incoceiveable for him
to not only lower his time but potentially challenge Michael Norman’s record.
Elijah Godwin of Georgia is the last major headliner in this event. He did indeed
lose to Randolph Ross but was leading the race when he made a costly error by
turning around thinking something has happened. His 45.38 is nothing to ignore and
he has left us wanting more.
Prediction: Randolph Ross North Carolina A&T
In the hurdles we truly want to say it is Trey Cunningham
and nobody else. However, it is the hurdles and anything can happen. Cunningham
has been chasing Grant Holloway his entire collegiate career and he most
certainly looks to break his NCAA record this season. Having run the second
fastest time of all-time with a 7.40 it is certainly possible for him to break
it. Leonard Mustari of North Carolina A&T is a freshman and the future in
this event. His time of 7.55 is second in the country and he could improve upon
his mark. He got his taste of championship season two weekends ago when he made
a technical error and stumbled over a hurdle and was never able to get back in
the race. Cunningham’s technique is superb and the only way he could potentially
be beaten is by someone with better technique. Mustari has a ways to go in that
department.
Prediction: Trey Cunningham
DISTANCE
Women
The Arkansas Lady Razorbacks are looking to continue the
NCAA Championship winning streak. They are a deep team and will be relying on senior
Shafiqua Maloney to score big points. Maloney is currently ranked number two in
the nation with a time of 2:01.74. She would have also qualified for the open
400. Maloney certainly has the speed and a solid track record this entire
season not having lost and 800. Lindsay Butler of Virginia Tech is their latest
half mile star. Butler catapulted to the number one spot after a strong showing
at the ACC Championships to win with a time of 2:01.23. Butler may not have the
kick that Maloney has but she can rumble.
Prediction: Lindsay Butler Virginia Tech
The mile has been dominated majority of this season by senior
Emily Mackay of Binghamton. Some where Tony Kornheiser is smiling. Mackay has a
top ranked 800 time, but the mile is where she shines the best. Her national
leading time of 4:30.94 came at the Valentine Invitational at Boston University
while beating Julia Heymach of Stanford who ran 4:31.35 to be ranked 2nd.
Mackay is smart runner with a lot of experience. I don’t believe we will see a
sub 4:30 race, more than likely it will be a tactical one. Heymach has had a
light indoor season and only ran the mile one time. Her legs are fresh, and she
will be in great condition to race.
Prediction: Julia Heymach Stanford
The 3,000-meter run has had a couple of lead changes to the
performance list throughout the season. It finally settled on Lauren Ryan of Florida
State who ran a time of 8:47.88 at the Valentine Invitational. The junior is
currently the only sub 8:50 runner in the field. This is also her only individual
race. Courtney Wayment of BYU is the defending champion in this event but will have
a busy weekend for the BYU Cougars. Wayment leads the nation in the 5k and is second
in the 3k with a time of 8:50.05. Although Wayment is the defending champion,
can she produce a strong race the day after running a challenging 5k?
Prediction: Lauren Ryan Florida State
As just stated, Courtney Wayment leads the 5,000-meter race
(5k). She has held the top time in the race with 15:15.46 since December, the
very beginning of the indoor season. Her closest competitor is Kelsey Chmiel of
NC State. Both athletes represent strong distance programs. Chmiel finished
second in the same race against Wayment with her time of 15:27.36. Wayment has
built a reputation of being a consistent championship level performer and will
be certainly ready here.
Prediction: Courtney Wayment BYU
Men
Texas is a state none for its speed. It also should be known
for its distance talent as well. The state of Texas will have at least five
athletes from various universities that will be competing in the 800 with
Brandon Miller of Texas A&M leading the way. Miller ran a 1:44 outdoors as
a freshman and was the preseason favorite. He has done everything to further cement
why he is the favorite including having the national leading time of 1:45.24. He
will face strong competition from Moad Zahafi from Texas Tech who has ran 1:45.99.
Jonathan Jones of Texas will move up from the 400 and race the 800, making this
one tough race of 800 runners who have the speed for strong kicks.
Prediction: Brandon Miller of Texas A&M
The preseason favorite in the men’s mile was Mario Garcia Romo
of Ole Miss. Romo is currently ranked second in the nation with his time of
3:53.36. He can still be considered a favorite, but he is no longer the only
one. Morgan Beadlescomb of Michigan State had one of the best performances in
NCAA history in the mile against a strong competitive professional field. His
time of 3:52.03 is eye-popping and hard to ignore. However, at the Big Ten
Championship Beadlescomb was a victim of a slow but smart and tactical race and
finished 3rd. Beadlescomb is a gamer and will certainly attempt to
rebound at nationals. He is attempting the mile and 3k double which will undoubtedly
be tough.
Prediction: Mario Garcia Romo Ole Miss
The 3,000-meter run (3k) will be an opportunity for Beadlescomb
to show what he is made of, but he will have Yared Nuguse of Notre Dame
(7:38.13), the NCAA record holder in the race. Nuguse already has NCAA titles
in his trophy case and here is another opportunity to add to it. Abdihamid Nur
of Northern Arizona is ranked 2nd with his time of 7:40.66 and he is
coming off an All-American cross-country season.
Prediction: Yared Nuguse Notre Dame
Adrian Wildschutt of Florida State leads the nation in the
5,000-meter run (5k), with his time of 13:09.30 run at the Valentine
Invitational which proved to be a very fruitful weekend for the Seminoles. He has
only run the 5,000 once this season and he most recently stepped down to the
3,000 at the ACC Championships which resulted in a 6th place finish.
His top challenger Dylan Jacobs of Notre Dame had a better weekend having
defeated Wildschutt in that same race. Both Jacobs and Wildschutt only individual
race will be the 5k. Keep an eye out for Wesley Kiptoo of Iowa State who is currently
ranked 3rd. Kiptoo is having a decent season but was defeated at the
Big 12 Championships two weeks ago. Kiptoo is the defending champion and will
be ready.
Prediction: Dylan Jacobs Notre Dame
RELAYS
Women
The 4x400 relay will be interesting. We already have a new
NCAA record this season from Arkansas and they could potentially lower their
time again. They will have Texas A&M, Kentucky and Texas in that same race.
This race will be fun to watch and what an exciting end to what should be a
great meet.
Prediction: Texas
The DMR is also Arkansas race to lose and surprisingly they
lost at the SEC Championship to Ole Miss. The Rebels of Ole Miss will certainly
be prepared to beat them again since they always have their team ready to compete.
Arkansas still has the number time with 10:51.63 but Ole Miss will be ready.
Also keep an eye out for Virginia Tech as they are ranked 2nd with a
time of 10:53.21
Prediction: Arkansas
Men
The 4x400 relay will be equally exciting on the men’s side.
Georgia stunned number one ranked Florida at the SEC Championships, but Florida
still has the number one time. Expect the Gators to rebound, they have three
individuals in the open 400 and may make some adjustments to their order. Also
keep an eye out for Iowa which has an equally strong group.
Prediction: Florida
The DMR is an opportunity for strong distance programs to show
off their depth. Notre Dame who is currently ranked number two could have
challenged the number one ranking at the ACC Championships had it not been for
Nuguse falling in the final stretch of the race. Look for them to rebound
strongly at nationals and perhaps go sub 9:20. Washington has held the number
one time in the nation for a few weeks and will have plenty of fresh and strong
legs ready to compete. Ole Miss always brings a strong team and will be ready
to do that again this season.
Prediction: Notre Dame
JUMPS
Women
Jasmine Moore of Florida is a rare and unique talent. She is
the favorite to win both the long jump and triple jump and leads the national
rankings in both. Moore has already broken the NCAA record in the triple jump this
season, 47 feet 9 inches (14.55m) and is the only athlete to jump over 22 feet
in the long jump with 22 feet 1 ¾ inches (6.75m). In the triple jump the only
athlete that has been in her stratosphere is here teammate Natricia Hooper who
is ranked second with a mark of 46 feet 3 ¼ inches (14.10m).
In the long jump is a different story she will have tough competition
from Alysah Hickey of Oregon and Monae Nichols of Texas Tech who both have are
tied for second with a mark of 21 feet 10 ¼ inches (6.66m). In the triple jump
however let us not forget Nichols’ teammate Ruth Usoro who is the defending champion
in the event. This season has not gone completely the way she likely expected
but she will be ready.
Long Jump/Triple Jump Prediction: Jasmine Moore
Lamara Distin of Texas A&M is the number one ranked
athlete in the country with her leap of 6 feet 3 ½ inches (1.92m). Dustin has
been consistent all season long and she will need to lean on that consistency
to defeat her former teammate Tyra Gittens who is now at Texas. Gittens is the
defending champion in the High Jump and rounding into shape at the right time.
Also in that same field will be the outdoor defending champion Rachel Glenn of
South Carolina. Distin defeated Glenn a few weeks ago at the SEC Championships.
Prediction: Tyra Gittens Texas
It took until conference championship weekend, but we
finally got our 15-foot pole vaulter in Rachel Baxter of Virginia Tech. Baxter
leads the nation with her mark of 15 feet ½ inches (4.61m). Baxter has not lost
once this season is clear favorite heading into nationals. Lisa Gunnarsson of
LSU is the defending champion, but she has not only been beaten since then, but
also has been beaten recently at the SEC Championships. Her team is in the team
title hunt as always and is relying on her to score big points again.
Prediction: Rachel Baxter Virginia Tech
Men
In the long jump Matthew Boling of Georgia is the only
athlete in the field with a season’s best mark over 27 feet, 27 feet 1 inch
(8.25m). However, he has already been defeated as recently as two weeks ago at
the SEC Championships by Carey McLeod of Tennessee. McLeod has jumped over 27
feet multiple times before and so can obviously produce that again. McLeod has
been so close to winning an NCAA title, but it seems to always be just out of
reach. This could be the year.
Prediction: Carey McLeod Tennessee
The triple jump is another event where McLeod is expected to
perform well in. A returning all-American looking to complete the double. It
will be difficult with Chengetayi Mapaya of TCU in the field. Mapaya literally
experienced this same position last season. He entered the championship meet as
the favorite and was shocked when then freshman from Oregon Emmanuel Ihemeje
stunned the crowd with his victory. Mapaya leads the nation with his mark of 55
feet 1 ½ inches (16.80m). Do not think he has forgotten what happened last season.
Ihemeje has been defeated this season but he has only competed twice the entire
season and his best performance was good enough for the number two ranking.
Prediction: Emmanuel Ihemeje Oregon
In the high jump Earnie Sears entered this season as one of
the favorites to win the High Jump. He has been a bit quiet this season and is
currently ranked 10th. He is however a championship ready competitor
and will likely perform at his best against the best. Roberto Vilches of Missouri
has been undefeated all indoor season long and has held the number one ranking
of 7 feet 5 inches (2.26m) since the end of January. Tejaswin Shankar of Kansas
State has been close to winning this title multiple times but has always just
missed the title. Vilches has been the most consistent and has a win over
Shankar already.
Prediction: Roberto Vilches Missouri
In the pole vault BYU’s Zach McWhorter has been the favorite
all season long. He leads the nation with a leap of 19 feet 2 ¼ inches (5.85m).
He almost qualified for the USA indoor world championship team indicating his
talent. Sondre Guttormen of Princeton is the only other athlete this season to
have leaped over 19 feet. He has put together quite an impressive season. Zach
Bradford of Kansas is another name we have to mention here. Bradford has gone over
19 feet before but not this season. He has also been closed to winning the
national title multiple times before, another athlete trying to finally add a
national title to his collection.
Prediction: Zach McWhorter BYU
THROWS
Women
Adelaide Acquilla of Ohio State is the defending champion in
the women’s shot put and this entire indoor season she simply proved to just be
far superior to her competition. She has done everything to solidify her status
as the favorite, especially with her leading mark of 62 feet 7 ¾ inches
(19.09m). She is one of only two athletes this season to have gone over 60 feet.
The other is Jorinde Van Klinken of Arizona State. The Sun Devils seems to
always have a thrower near the top every season. Van Klinken is the latest star
and has thrown 61 feet 11 ½ inches (18.88m).
Prediction: Adelaide Acquilla Ohio State
The weight throw preseason favorite was Jasmine Mitchell of
Ole Miss. Then her teammate Shay Taiwo just simply took over. Her national
leading mark of 82 feet 7 ¾ inches (25.19m) is the only mark over 80 feet this
season. Taiwo unfortunately has been beaten and by her teammate Mitchell at the
SEC Championships. Expect for Taiwo to attempt to rebound from that crushing
defeat.
Prediction: Jasmine Mitchell Ole Miss
Men
Turner Washington of Arizona State is the defending champion
and NCAA record holder. He however comes into the national meet ranked third.
The two athletes above him are Daniel McArthur of North Carolina with a throw
of 70 feet 7 inches (21.51m) and Adrian Piperi of Texas with 70 feet 4 ½ inches
(21.45m). Washington is of course from that strong throwing program at Arizona
State and always shows up against strong competition.
Prediction: Turner Washington Arizona State
In the weight throw I simply want to remind everyone that my
alma-mater Eastern Michigan has two athletes in this field and both in the top five.
With that being said, Israel Oloyede of Grand Canyon has held the number one
ranking in a choke hold. His mark of 80 feet 2 ¾ inches (24.45m) has held since
mid-January. He previously competed for Arizona and finished 2nd last
season. Bobby Colantonio is currently ranked second but has performed at an equally
high level and has been more consistent as of late.
Prediction: Bobby Colantonio Alabama
MULTI’S
Women
Anna Hall has been living up to her reputation. The transfer
from Georgia to Florid has proven to be very fruitful for her. Joining the
all-time top three list with her score of 4,618 points further proves the decision
to transfer was a smart one. The only event she has not met her personal best
mark in, is the high jump. Expect for Florida coaches to rectify that and for
Hall to improve upon her personal record. Kristine Blazevica is a true freshman
from Texas and will be ready to take on Hall. Both Hall and Blazevica’s teams
are competing for the national team title and 10 points here will go a long
way.
Prediction: Anna Hall Florida
Men
In the men’s indoor heptathlon Ayden Owens leads the way with
a total of 6,272 points. His transfer from Michigan to Arkansas was a smart one
as his point total is a new national record for Puerto Rico. He also runs on
their school record breaking 4x400 relay and will look to break the NCAA record.
Kyle Garland of Georgia is one of the holdovers that remained after former
coach Petros Kyprianou was relieved of his position. Garland has not missed a
beat and is even performing at a higher level. Garland scored a total of 6,205
points at the SEC Championship to win. He has not competed in the heptathlon
against Owens this season, but they have competed in the past with Garland
coming out on top.
Prediction: Ayden Owens Arkansas
TEAM TITLE
Women
I think Florida has so much fire power and depth that it
will be difficult for Arkansas and Texas to overcome. However, things do have
to go right for Florida since they do not have a lot of room for error. Texas
has the speed and Arkansas brings a well-rounded attack but, in the end, I believe
Florida will win.
Men
I think this is another year for Arkansas to add the NCAA
title trophy to their trophy case. The Razorbacks are bringing a lot of fire
power and they end the meet with a strong 4x400 relay. Their ability to score
in multiple areas will be difficult to overcome. Texas has a strong team as
well as Georgia, but I do not believe they have enough to defeat Arkansas.
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