NCAA Women's Championship Preview

It is finally here, the Outdoor NCAA Championship. On Both the men's and women's side there is great team action along with great individual action. The championship meet returns to Eugene, Oregon home of the Oregon Ducks and a strong track community. If this meet can generate the atmosphere similar to the 2008 Olympic Trials this could be a great highlight for track and field.

One of the highlights of the meet is the great team battle on the women's side. The defending champion Texas A&M Aggies return a lot of athletes from their championship team including their NCAA record setting 400 meter relay that just recently at Regionals ran the second fastest 400 relay in history. The Aggies will have to contend against a strong LSU squad along with the hometown favorites the Oregon Ducks who are extremely well rounded.

Sprints

In the sprints LSU and Texas A&M are bringing a ton of depth in the event. Texas A&M qualified four girls in the women's 100 and three in the 200 while LSU qualified three in both short sprints. I expect for Jeneba Tarmoh to double, a feet not accomplished since Aleen Bailey of South Carolina in 2003. Keep an eye out for NCAA leader Blessing Okagbare of UTEP.

Tarmoh's teammate Jessica Beard may be the top seed in the 400 based on season best, however Hampton's Francena McCrory is a strong dark horse after running an a 50.54 during the indoor season to set an American Record. There are plenty of other challengers in the 400 such as defending Champion Joanna Atkins of Auburn and NCAA leader Keisha Baker of Oregon. This maybe the fastest 400 ever at the Championship meet, yes better than the great 2004 finish where there were four athletes under 51 seconds.

In the hurdles Texas A&M took a huge blow when Natasha Ruddock injured her leg during a warm up session and could not qualify. The Aggies will have to rely on Vashti Thomas and Gabby Mayo. The two stars from Virgina Tech however did not miss a beat running two great times at the East Regional meet, Queen Harrison and Kristi Catlin are capable of a 1-2 finish. Harrison will face a strong challenge from Ti'erra Brown of Miami in the women's 400 hurdles.

Texas A&M is likely to win the women's 400 relay, but watch out for LSU. LSU has yet to be able to get the baton around with their full unit against good competition this could be a great race. In the 1,600 relay Oregon is the clear favorite after dominating both Texas A&M and Arkansas at the regional meet.
Distance

Things have become a little interesting in recent weeks. Indoor champion Charlotte Browning of Florida has not looked invicible in her last couple of races but she is still a favorite to win the title in the women's mile. Lauren Bonds of Kansas and Zoe Buckman of Oregon will definitely give Browning a run for her money.

In the short distance race of 800 meters it's Phoebe Wright and LaTavia Thomas everyone else in the field are just competitors. Although Wright has gotten the best of Thomas the past couple of years, Thomas still has a devastating kick and would not be surprised if the senior can pull off the upset since she has already won the event two years ago.

Bridget Franek of Penn State University was the only athlete to break the 10 minute mark at the regional meet clocking at 9:56.12 to claim the top spot in the women's steeplechase.

In the women's 5,000 and 10,000 meter run's Lisa Koll of Iowa State will look to end her career on a big note with a double performance in the two long distance races.

Field Events

Mariam Kevkhishvilli the senior will look to defend her title in the women's shot put, there really isn't anyone in her weight class this is her event to lose.

The Pendleton sisters both Erin and Emily will look to score big points in the women's discus throw for Michigan but Samia Stokes of LSU and D'Ana McCarty of Louisville are both favorites to do well.

In the Hammer Throw Nikola Lomnická’ of Georgia will battle against Dorotea Habazin’ of Virginia Tech for the crown, Lomnická’ is the current favorite and should win the title.

Marissa Tschida is clear favorite to win the women's javelin, although a junior Tschida is definitely capable of winning this event convincingly.

In the women's long jump if Okagbare is the clear favorite. After a stunning 22-6 performance indoors at the championship meet Okagbare could possibly jump 23 feet. Shara Proctor of Florida looks to aid in her team's title hope with a possible upset here, Jamesha Youngblood will look to make some noise for the Oregon Ducks. Proctor is also a strong contender in the triple jump but rival Kim Williams is the defending champion and favorite to win the event.

The two amazing high jumpers senior Liz Patterson and freshman Brigetta Barrett of Arizona will look to make an amazing 1-2 finish in the women's high jump. They will have to contend against favorite Amber Kauffman of Hawaii.

The Pole Vault also has the potential for a 1-2 finish with Katie Stripling and Tina Sutej of Arkansas both near the top of the leaderboard. Favorite Kylie Hutson of Indiana State will be a strong competitor to beat.

The women's heptathlon is Brianne Theisen's event. The junior from the University of Oregon has lit the track and field up all season. Theisen will have strong challenges from two seniors, Kiani Profit of Maryland and Liane Weber of Clemson.


My top three: 1. Texas A&M (just too much speed and depth) 2. Oregon 3. LSU

Our next post we will take a look at the men's side, but appreciate the great competition on the women's side, should be an exciting meet.