Big Ten Track and Field Women's Preview

Similar to the men this conference has been a phenomenal distance conference for women. Unlike the men there have been solid sprinters and hurdlers in the past, such as Savetheda Fynes, Perdita Felicien, Tiffany Ofili, Tonja Buford-Bailey, Danielle Carruthers, Rachelle Boone and others. The Big Ten has always traditionally been of the top 2 hurdle conferences with plenty of NCAA Champions, most recently a three peat from Tiffany Ofili from 2007-2009. This season is no different.


Sprints/Hurdles

Shavon Greaves Penn State's one woman wrecking crew may not have to carry so much of a load this year. Redshirt freshman Mahogany Jones is healthy and back to take some of the load away from Greaves and take over after Greaves graduates this season. Greaves is not only a Big Ten favorite but a potential favorite to win the NCAA title as well. Last season Greaves lead the NCAA with a time of 22.98 in the women's 200, the only sub 23 performance last indoor season. Greaves had sub-par outdoor season but will look to continue her success as the dominant Big Ten sprinter. Kylie Peterson of Minnesota and Christina Manning of Ohio State will look to challenge Greaves.

In the women's 400 Shaniqua McGinnis is all that really matters. McGinnis burst onto the scene with a time of 52.65 indoors to win the conference title. McGinnis is definitely the easy favorite to win and defend her conference title. Ashley Kelly of Illinois will be a strong challenger to McGinnins.

The hurdles this season are very difficult to predict. Aleesha Barber has graduated and Charnee Lumbus of Michigan is not going to use her final year of eligibility. Tamika Robinson of Illinois, Manning of Ohio State, Letecia Wright of Ohio State and Julian Purvis are all challengers to win the conference title. Like last season the champion will represent the Big Ten well at the NCAA Championship meet.


Distance

After a lack luster outdoor season Danielle Tauro will look to rebound and put herself individually in the University of Michigan record books. After a stellar high school career many would have expected for Tauro to have earned a individual Big Ten title and All-American honors, but she has not. Tauro has been a great leg on the Distance Medley Relay teams for Michigan and many indoor All-American honors in that event. Tauro had her best championship effort finishing 2nd last indoor season in the women's mile. Tauro is my favorite to win the women's mile and get the no championship monkey off her back. Betsy Flood of Iowa should be Tauro's greatest competition.

Also from Michigan Jillian Smith and Rebecca Addison look to aide the Michigan distance core in the women's 800. Smith is the defending conference champion indoors and missed outdoors due to injury. Expect for the two to try and pull off a 1-2 finish. Kaitlyn Peale of Michigan will be looked upon for points for the Wolverines too, Peale is the top returning 5k runner for the Big Ten and can be considered and early favorite to win. Peale missed the outdoor season due to injury.

Throws

The Pendleton sisters of Michigan look to lead the way in both the weight throw and shot put. In order for them to do that they have to take favorite Faith Sherill of Indiana in the Shot Put and Weight throw down. The Pendleton's had great success last outdoor season winning the women's discus throw, although that event is not done indoors the Pendleton's will look to improve upon their indoor throwing slump of a year ago and show their great talent. Allison Liske of Michigan will also help Michigan in challenging Sherill in the women's shot put.

Jumps

In the women's long jump Todea-Kay Willis of Minnesota and Leah Uber of Purdue should battle for the conference title. Willis won the conference title last outdoor season and Uber finished 2nd. However Kelsey McKinney of Ohio State will look to claim the title herself and add big time points for the Buckeyes. Tofunmi Akeredolu and true freshman and Ohio State record holder Erin Busbee of Michigan can also be considered challengers for the title crown. Akeredolu missed last season due to injury.

McKinney of Ohio State is the top returning performer in the women's triple jump from last season, however the event is still up for grabs with no clear cut favorite Jordan Holgren of Wisconsin and Tanaya Lloyd of Penn State will strongly contest McKinney for the conference crown.

Michigan State's Rebecca Bucholtz is the favorite to win the women's high jump after claiming the conference title last outdoor season. Emily Breslin of Purdue will also look to win the title as well after finishing tied for 3rd last outdoor season.

After the graduation of Alicia Rue Minnesota will look to senior Samantha Sonnenberg to continue Minnesota's winning way in the Pole Vault. Teammate Becca Pilkerton will look to assist Sonnenberg in team points.

Pentathlon

Dorcas Akinniyi of Wisconsin is the defending champion in the event after having scored 3,979 points. Akinniyi now a junior should only improve upon those points and win the conference title. Bucholz of Michigan State will try and challenge Akinniyi for the crown but will have a hard time challenging the defending champ.


CONFERENCE CHAMPION: PENN STATE
CONFERENCE RUNNER UP: MINNESOTA/MICHIGAN

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