NCAA Championship Preview

What a great season for collegiate track and field fans. This has definitely been a great season, especially in a year with no major summer championship. There are great team battles for the crown on both men's and women's side, and on both there are similar characters.

WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

*SPRINTS*

In the 60 meter dash the defending champion junior LaKya Brookins of South Carolina will look to defend her crown, Brookins currently is tied for the top time in the nation at 7.18 with UTEP senior star Blessing Okagbare. Freshman star out LSU Takeia Pinckney is also a runner to keep an eye on.

Junior Shavor Greaves and Senior Porscha Lucas are two sprinters to keep an eye in the women's 200 meter dash. Lucas is the defending outdoor champion and has a season personal best of 23.06, Greaves however is the only runner under 23 seconds this indoor season with a personal best of 22.98

The 400 meter crown has Jessica Beard's name written all over it. Beard it currently ranked number one in the event by more than a second with a season best of 51.15. Beard looks to claim the top spot after finishing second last year. Francena McCrory, a senior at Hampton, will look to defend her title, McCrory currently ranks seventh in the nation at 52.83. Outdoor Champion junior Joanna Atkins of Auburn looks to make her mark this indoor season as well.

In the hurdles Texas A&M looks to add big points through the nation's number two and three hurdlers, junior Gabby Mayo (8.05) and junior Nathasa Ruddock (8.06). The two are currently well behind senior Queen Harrison who leads the nation with a 7.94 in the 60 meter hurdles.

*Distance*

The ladies of Tennessee currently rank 1 and 2 in the women's 800. Senior veteran Phoebe Wright currently leads the country with a time of 2:01.47. Sophomore Chanelle Price clocks in at 2:03.12. The two look to improve upon those times and provide Tennessee with 18 team points.

In the mile senior Charlotte Browning of Florida is the woman to beat, Browning currently leads the country with a time 4:31.24. Pac 10 stars freshman Jordan Hasay of Oregon and Katie Follett a senior from Washington looks to make a competitive race for Browning.

Senior Lisa Koll of Iowa State is alone at the top of the women's 3,000. Koll currently leads the country by 8 seconds and is the only runner in the country under 9 minutes with a season best time of 8:56.09. Koll also leads the nation in the women's 5,000 by 22 seconds with a time 15:29.65. Senior Nicole Blood of Oregon will be a great competitor to Koll in that event. Blood is huge as far as team points for the Ducks.

*Jumps*

Blessing Okagbare of UTEP is not only number one in the 60, but she also number in the country in the women's long jump with a leap of 21'11.75. Senior Shara Proctor of Florida is a close second with a jump of 21'10.75, Proctor is also a close second in the women's triple jump with a jump of 45'6.5. Junior Kim Williams of Florida State currently leads the country in the women's triple jump with a leap of 46'8.25.

In the High Jump Senior Elizabeth Patterson of Arizona leads the nation with a height of 6'3.5" and her freshman teammate Brigetta Barret ranks third with a leap of 6'2.25". Senior Amber Kauffman of Hawaii will look to challenge the two Wildcats, currently ranked second with a height of 6'3.25".

Senior Kylie Huston of Indiana State and SEC Champion sophomore Tina Sutej of Arkansas will battle in the women's pole vault, Huston currently leads the nation with a mark of 14'8.25". However Sutej will have the home crowd on her side making for a great battle.

*THROWS*

In the women's weight throw two Louisville Cardinals lead the way, junior D'Ana McCarty and senior Jere' Summers will duel it out for the women's crown in their respective event. Mc Carty ranked number one with a throw of 74'0.25" and Summers second with a throw of 73'4".

Senior shot put star Mariam Kevkhisvilli leads the nation and will look to defend her crown with a throw of 60'10.75" and is the only woman in the country over 60 feet.

*Relays*

Arkansas women's lead the nation with a 3:32.87 in the women's 4x400 relay and have been number one all season. The lady Razorbacks will be home favorites but will face challenges from Texas A&M, Texas and Oregon. Arkansas women's relay consists of Edina Brooks, Shelise Williams, Whitney Jones and Regina George.

In the Women's Distance Medley Relay, Oregon is currently ranked number one in the country and the current favorites over the ladies of Tennessee and Villanova. Oregon top time clocks in at 10:59.64, the relay includes Jordan Hasay, Keshia Baker, Anne Kesserling and Nicole Blood.