Upload a Photo Upload a Video Add a News article Write a Blog Add a Comment
Blog Feed News Feed Video Feed All Feeds

Folders

Featured (1014)
News (0)
Roads (122)
All (1388)
 

 

Preview - Women's Track, Race Walking and Multi-Events - U.S. Olympic Team Trials

Published by
DyeStat.com   Jun 16th 2021, 9:22pm
Comments

Felix looks for memorable run in final Trials in quest for fifth Olympic berth, Simpson seeks fourth trip and Harrison wants first, with Muhammad and McLaughlin squaring off for first time since Doha; Mu and Wilson headed toward 800 clash, with young sprinters like Richardson preparing for global stage

The following is a chronological breakdown of the women’s track, race walking and multi-events at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

100-Meter Dash

Schedule: June 18 (First round); June 19 (Semifinals and Final)

Olympic standard: 11.15

Entries with the Olympic standard: Morolake Akinosun, Tianna Bartoletta, Jada Baylark, Mikiah Brisco, Dezerea Bryant, Tamara Clark, Hannah Cunliffe, Teahna Daniels, Tamari Davis, English Gardner, Candace Hill, Aleia Hobbs, Kortnei Johnson, Jayla Kirkland, Maia McCoy, Tawanna Meadows, Javianne Oliver, Kiara Parker, Sha’Carri Richardson, Marybeth Sant Price, Caitland Smith, Alfreda Steele, Cambrea Sturgis, Twanisha “Tee Tee” Terry, Kayla White

2016 qualifiers: English Gardner (champion), Tianna Bartoletta, Tori Bowie

Analysis: A group of dynamic young competitors will look to take center stage against several established veterans with plenty of international experience. Few American athletes this year have created more momentum than 2019 NCAA Division 1 champion and Nike professional Sha’Carri Richardson, who ran a wind-legal 10.72 seconds in April in Miramar, Fla. Cambrea Sturgis of North Carolina A&T, Twanisha “Tee Tee” Terry of USC and Tamara Clark of Alabama produced wind-aided marks of 10.74, 10.79 and 10.88, respectively, during the Division 1 final June 12 at Hayward Field, showing they are also ready to contend for the three individual berths to Tokyo, or at the very least be considered for the 4x100 relay pool by placing in the top six. Alice Brown of Cal State Northridge is the only collegiate national champion to also win the Trials title in the same year in 1980. Aleia Hobbs, Mikiah Brisco, Kayla White and Teahna Daniels, all past Division 1 champions, have the potential to qualify, with former Oregon standouts English Gardner – the 2016 Trials winner who recently recovered from COVID-19 – and Hannah Cunliffe also in the conversation, as well as U.S. indoor 60-meter champion Javianne Oliver. Tianna Bartoletta, 35, is looking to make a third Olympic team and increased her possibilities June 5 by running 10.96 in Florida. Morolake Akinosun is also seeking another Olympic berth, with training partners Gabby Thomas and Ashley Henderson also capable of making the final.

400 Meters

Schedule: June 18 (First round); June 19 (Semifinals); June 20 (Final)

Olympic standard: 51.35

Entries with the Olympic standard: Chloe Abbott, Shae Anderson, Jessica Beard, Stephanie Davis, Talitha Diggs, Kendall Ellis, Allyson Felix, Phyllis Francis, Lynna Irby, Quanera Hayes, Wadeline Jonathas, Bailey Lear, Taylor Manson, Courtney Okolo, Jaide Stepter Baynes, Kaylin Whitney  

2016 qualifiers: Allyson Felix (champion), Phyllis Francis, Natasha Hastings

Analysis: The opening weekend will be buzzing over Allyson Felix attempting to qualify for a fifth Olympics, with an opportunity to add to her legacy with a 10th medal in Tokyo. Felix ran 50.66 on May 31 in Florida, giving the indication she is building momentum toward contending for a top three individual berth, or at least finishing in the top six to be in consideration for the 4x400 relay pool. Phyllis Francis and Natasha Hastings are also looking for another Olympic opportunity, with the decision of Texas A&M freshman and collegiate record holder Athing Mu to focus only on the 800 meters, as well Shakima Wimbley and Kaelin Roberts both scratching the event, creating openings for several people to seize their opportunities. Wadeline Jonathas, a former South Carolina star who ran 49.60 in 2019 to finish fourth at the World Championships, has yet to run sub-51 this season, but has the potential to return to elite form by building through the rounds. Jessica Beard, Kendall Ellis, Quanera Hayes, Lynna Irby and Courtney Okolo are all veterans with international experience, looking to remain a step ahead of collegiate standouts Talitha Diggs and Taylor Manson of Florida, Shae Anderson of UCLA and Bailey Lear of USC.

purrier

1,500 Meters

Schedule: June 18 (First round); June 19 (Semifinals); June 21 (Final)

Olympic standard: 4:04.20

Entries with the Olympic standard: Elise Cranny, Alexa Efraimson, Nikki Hiltz, Shelby Houlihan, Sinclaire Johnson, Cory McGee, Shannon Osika, Elle Purrier St. Pierre, Helen Schlachtenhaufen, Jenny Simpson 

2016 qualifiers: Jenny Simpson (champion), Shannon Rowbury, Brenda Martinez

Analysis: The quest to compete in a fourth Olympics will place attention in this event on the 34-year-old Jenny Simpson, a New Balance professional, but equal focus should also be on the absence of Nike Bowerman Track Club member Shelby Houlihan, who is facing a four-year ban after testing positive for banned steroid nandrolone following consumption of a pork burrito in December, but currently appealing the ruling. there was a belief that Houlihan might be able to run under appeal, but USATF was notified by the Court of Arbitration for Sport as well as the Athletics Integrity Unit that by allowing her to participate, the Trials would be in violation of World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines if that occurred. The uncertainty surrounding Houlihan’s future in competition not only creates a potential opening among the three berths to represent the U.S., but should also inspire Bowerman teammates Elise Cranny and Sinclaire Johnson to race well in support of their friend. Elle Purrier St. Pierre, who ran 3:58.36 on May 9 at the USATF Golden Games and Distance Open at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif., becomes the favorite without Houlihan in the field, but there are several strong contenders that will make the final a tactical affair expected to be decided in the final 100 meters. Shannon Osika, Helen Schlachtenhaufen, Cory McGee, Nikki Hiltz, Dani Jones and Heather MacLean are all capable of securing a trip to Tokyo, with Alexa Efraimson hoping her recent transition to train under Pete Julian pays dividends in a big national meet. Anna Camp-Bennett of Brigham Young, who captured the Division 1 title June 12 in a personal-best 4:08.58, will try to extend her season with each subsequent round.

5,000 Meters

Schedule: June 18 (First round); June 21 (Final)

Olympic standard: 15:10.00

Entries with the Olympic standard: Allie Buchalski, Kim Conley, Elise Cranny, Vanessa Fraser, Gwen Jorgensen, Josette Norris, Elle Purrier St. Pierre, Rachel Schneider, Karissa Schweizer, Jenny Simpson 

2016 qualifiers: Shelby Houlihan, Kim Conley, Abbey Cooper; Molly Huddle (champion) decided to only run the 10,000 in Rio de Janeiro

Analysis: The inability for American record holder Shelby Houlihan to run at the Trials under appeal of her potential four-year ban also significantly impacts the landscape of this race as well, although Nike Bowerman Track Club should be well represented in this event with the presence of Karissa Schweizer, Elise Cranny, Vanessa Fraser and Gwen Jorgensen. Josette Norris, representing Reebok Boston Track Club, has been one of the breakthrough American stars this year, clocking 14:51.42 on May 15 at the Sound Running Track Meet in Irvine, Calif. It won’t be easy for Norris to navigate her path to Tokyo with the Bowerman athletes expected to work together throughout the race, in addition to the expected presence of Elle Purrier St. Pierre, Jenny Simpson, Rachel Schneider of HOKA, and Allie Buchalski, representing the Brooks Beasts. Although she has only run 15:18.75 in comparison to several of her challengers with sub-15 credentials, North Carolina State standout and reigning Division 1 champion Elly Henes has continued to demonstrate the ability to close well the final 400 meters, and could find herself in contention in a tactical race. Lauren Paquette of HOKA ONE ONE Northern Arizona Elite (15:10.01) and Erika Kemp (15:10.10) of Boston Athletic Association are both right on the cusp of achieving the Olympic standard, and could be dark horses in an incredibly deep field.

100-Meter Hurdles

Schedule: June 19 (First round); June 20 (Semifinals and Final)

Olympic standard: 12.84

Entries with the Olympic standard: Madeleine Akobundu, Chanel Brissett, Evonne Britton, Taliyah Brooks, Payton Chadwick, Queen Claye, Christina Clemons, Anna Cockrell, Gabriele Cunningham, Keni Harrison, Amber Hughes, Rayniah Jones, Tonea Marshall, Brianna McNeal, Tiffani McReynolds, Sharika Nelvis, TeJyrica Robinson, Grace Stark

2016 qualifiers: Brianna McNeal (champion), Kristi Castlin, Nia Ali

Analysis: As past Trials competitions have demonstrated, expect the unexpected in this event. Nia Ali, the reigning Olympic silver medalist and defending World champion, is not participating to focus on preparing for the birth of her third child. Kristi Castlin, the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, has also scratched from competition. And Brianna McNeal, the reigning Olympic gold medalist, has not run a 100-meter hurdles race this year. In addition, Tonea Marshall of LSU, favored to win the Division 1 championship with her personal-best 12.44, did not compete in the June 12 final at Hayward Field. Keni Harrison, the world record holder at 12.20, has demonstrated consistency throughout the season and should be highly motivated to qualify for Tokyo after placing sixth in the 2016 Trials final. She also ranks third in the world this year at 12.48, trailing Marshall and Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (12.32). USC graduate Anna Cockrell will have plenty of momentum after running a personal-best 12.54 in the NCAA semifinals on her way to winning the title June 12 in 12.58. Texas’ Chanel Brissett, who false started at the NCAA West Regionals in May, will also have a chip on her shoulder in attempting to secure one of the three berths on the U.S. roster. Veterans Christina Clemons, Queen Claye and Sharika Nelvis will look to deny some of their younger challengers their first Olympic opportunities, with 37-year-old Dawn Harper-Nelson seeking a third Olympic berth after winning the 2008 gold medal and securing silver in 2012. Harper-Nelson missed advancing to the 2016 Trials final by one-hundredth, before returning to capture the silver medal at the 2017 World Championships. 

coburn3,000-Meter Steeplechase

Schedule: June 20 (First round); June 24 (Final)

Olympic standard: 9:30.00

Entries with the Olympic standard: Emma Coburn, Val Constien, Leah Falland, Courtney Frerichs, Marisa Howard, Mel Lawrence, Colleen Quigley

2016 qualifiers: Emma Coburn (champion), Courtney Frerichs, Colleen Quigley

Analysis: Barring a significant fall over a barrier or water jump, Emma Coburn and American record holder Courtney Frerichs are more than capable of duplicating their performances from the 2016 Trials and qualifying for Tokyo, both as medal contenders. The biggest uncertainty in the event surrounds Colleen Quigley, 28, who has competed in only one race this year when she ran a 3,000-meter race in February in Arizona. Quigley hasn’t competed in the 3,000 steeplechase since the 2019 U.S. Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, where she qualified to race at the World Championships in Doha, but later was forced to withdraw because of injury. This year has seen the rejuvenation of American veterans Leah Falland, Mel Lawrence and Marisa Howard, along with the emergence of Colorado graduate Val Constien, all capable of securing the final spot. Potential sleepers in this race include the collegiate trio of Division 1 champion Mahala Norris of Air Force, Courtney Wayment of Brigham Young and Katie Rainsberger of Washington. Allie Ostrander, a three-time NCAA champion at Boise State and 2019 World Championships qualifier, is entered, but it will remain to be seen if she competes following recent social media posts surrounding her battle with an eating disorder. Ostrander ran 9:38.72 on May 28 at the Portland Track Festival.

200 Meters

Schedule: June 24 (First round); June 25 (Semifinals); June 26 (Final)

Olympic standard: 22.80

Entries with the Olympic standard: Morolake Akinosun, Angie Annelus, Anavia Battle, Brittany Brown, Dezerea Bryant, Caisja Chandler, Tamara Clark, Teahna Daniels, Thelma Davies, Tamari Davis, Allyson Felix, Kynnedy Flannel, Quanera Hayes, Candace Hill, Lynna Irby, Kyra Jefferson, Jenna Prandini, Sha’Carri Richardson, Alfreda Steele, Cambrea Sturgis, Twanisha “Tee Tee” Terry, Gabby Thomas, Lanae-Tava Thomas, Kayla White 

2016 qualifiers: Tori Bowie (champion), Deajah Stevens, Jenna Prandini

Analysis: Depending on the outcome of the 400 meters, this could be the final opportunity for 35-year-old Allyson Felix to qualify for her fifth Olympics. Or she could have already secured a spot on the U.S. roster and choose not to run the 200 meters at all. But it will again be a younger group of challengers looking to pursue the covered three berths to compete in Tokyo. USC graduate Angie Annelus, former Kentucky standout Dezerea Bryant and reigning World silver medalist Brittany Brown of Iowa, the three U.S. representatives competing in 2019 in Doha, Qatar, are all entered to race at Hayward Field. But the presence of Sha’Carri Richardson, Cambrea Sturgis, Gabby Thomas, Tamara Clark, Anavia Battle and Kayla White means none of the aforementioned trio are guaranteed a spot on the U.S. roster. Richardson ran 22.11 on April 16 in Florida, with Sturgis capturing the Division 1 title June 12 by clocking 22.12, with the performances ranking third and fourth in the world this year. Jenna Prandini, a former Oregon standout, will look to secure another Olympic berth in her return to Eugene, with collegiate record holder Kyra Jefferson of Florida always a threat in any championship setting. No collegiate female champion has also secured the Trials crown in the same year.

mu800 Meters

Schedule: June 24 (First round); June 25 (Semifinals); June 27 (Final)

Olympic standard: 1:59.50

Entries with the Olympic standard: Kate Grace, Hanna Green, Cory McGee, Athing Mu, Chanelle Price, Raevyn Rogers, Sabrina Southerland, Ajee’ Wilson 

2016 qualifiers: Kate Grace (champion), Ajee’ Wilson, Chrishuna Williams

Analysis: One of the most anticipated matchups of the entire meet is a potential showdown in the final involving 19-year-old Athing Mu and Ajee’ Wilson, 27, who has won the past seven combined U.S. indoor and outdoor championships in the event, but has yet to capture a title at the Olympic Trials, placing 14th in 2012 and second in 2016. Mu ran the collegiate record 1:57.73 on April 17 at the Michael Johnson Invitational, with Wilson – the 2019 World bronze medalist – boasting the American all-time outdoor mark at 1:55.61 from 2017 in Monaco. Mu is attempting to become the first women’s collegiate champion to win the event in Trials history. Not to be overlooked is Kate Grace, who won the 2016 Trials in 1:59.10 and produced a 1:59.04 effort May 29 at the Stumptown Twilight in Portland. Raevyn Rogers, the 2019 World silver medalist, and Hanna Green both demonstrated abilities to run sub-1:59 consistently two years ago, and will likely need to do so to make the U.S. roster, with former Oregon standout Sabrina Southerland and Nike Oregon Track Club Elite teammate Chanelle Price clocking 1:58.82 and 1:59.12 at the Portland Track Festival. Cory McGee, representing Team Boss, has strong potential in the 800 and 1,500, with Virginia’s Michaela Meyer riding plenty of momentum following her NCAA Division 1 title June 12 in 2:00.28. Allie Wilson, Kaela Edwards, Sinclaire Johnson, Nia Akins and Sage Hurta can all be significant factors if they reach the final, with high school standouts Roisin Willis of Wisconsin, Juliette Whittaker of Maryland and Sophia Gorriaran of Rhode Island all looking to gain valuable experience racing elite professional and collegiate athletes in such a high-profile event. 

400-Meter Hurdles

Schedule: June 25 (First round); June 26 (Semifinals); June 27 (Final)

Olympic standard: 55.40

Entries with the Olympic standard: Shae Anderson, Anna Cockrell, Shamier Little, Sydney McLaughlin, Dalilah Muhammad, Ashley Spencer, Cassandra Tate

2016 qualifiers: Dalilah Muhammad (champion), Ashley Spencer, Sydney McLaughlin

Analysis: For the first time since their historic battle at the 2019 World Championships, the top two all-time competitors are expected to square off, with Dalilah Muhammad – the reigning Olympic gold medalist, World champion and global record holder at 52.16 seconds – matching up against World silver medalist and 2016 Olympian Sydney McLaughlin, who has run 52.23. Ashley Spencer, the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist with a personal-best 53.11 effort from 2017, is also capable of qualifying again to send the same three athletes to Tokyo that also represented the U.S. in Rio de Janeiro five years ago. But Shamier Little, who ran 52.75 in 2017, is not only motivated to make her first Olympic team, but demonstrate she can contend for global supremacy against Muhammad and McLaughlin. Cassandra Tate was fifth at the 2016 Trials and is always a presence at national finals, with reigning Division 1 champion Anna Cockrell of USC looking to continue her development following a personal-best 54.68 in the June 12 final. Shae Anderson of UCLA, also scheduled to run the 400, would be only the fifth female athlete in Trials history to attempt the double, something Spencer completed in 2016 by running all six races.

10,000 Meters

Schedule: June 26 (Final)

Olympic standard: 31:25.00

Entries with the Olympic standard: Stephanie Bruce, Elise Cranny, Marielle Hall, Sara Hall, Emily Infeld, Ednah Kurgat, Alicia Monson, Natosha Rogers, Rachel Schneider, Karissa Schweizer, Emily Sisson, Kellyn Taylor 

2016 qualifiers: Molly Huddle (champion), Emily Infeld, Marielle Hall

Analysis: The announcement that injuries would prevent 36-year-old Molly Huddle from trying to qualify for a third Olympic team have created the opportunity for a new champion, but have done little to provide more clarity in a field with a dozen athletes possessing the Olympic standard. The Nike Bowerman Track Club will again look to monopolize the three available berths, with Elise Cranny, Karissa Schweizer, Emily Infeld and Marielle Hall all scheduled to compete. New Balance athlete Emily Sisson is the biggest threat to interrupt a Bowerman sweep, in addition to Under Armour competitor Rachel Schneider. Natosha Rogers of Hansons-Brooks Distance Project, who finished second at the 2012 Trials but was unable to race in London because she didn’t have the Olympic standard, has already run 31:12.28 to secure the required mark to qualify for Tokyo. Veterans Kellyn Taylor and Stephanie Bruce of HOKA ONE ONE Northern Arizona Elite, along with ASICS competitor Sara Hall – three of the top American marathon competitors – are all pursuing an Olympic track opportunity, with past Division 1 champions Alicia Monson of Wisconsin, now representing On Athletics Club, and New Mexico graduate Ednah Kurgat of the U.S. Army also trying to excel in their first Trials final, in addition to former Colorado All-American Makena Morley, competing for ASICS.  

20-Kilometer Race Walk

Schedule: June 26

Olympic standard: 1:31:00

Entries with the Olympic standard: None

2016 qualifiers: Maria Michta-Coffey (champion), Miranda Melville

Analysis: It will be the veterans and most decorated all-time American female competitors against the rising star facing the biggest opportunity of her career. Robyn Stevens, Miranda Melville and Maria Michta-Coffey have established an impressive standard for U.S. women in the past decade, with Arkansas freshman Taylor Ewert, 19, looking to elevate the event even more in the years ahead. Stevens, already the 50-kilometer national champion, has the best opportunity to earn a place in the 60-athlete field in Tokyo based on her position in the World Rankings quota, since none of the American competitors enter the race with the Olympic standard. Michta-Coffey has the national record of 1:30:49 from 2014, with Melville’s top performance at 1:31.42 from 2016. Stevens has clocked 1:33:34 in 2019, with Stephanie Casey of Tracksmith adding herself as a potential contender in March with a 1:37:11 effort in Slovakia. Ewert qualified for the Trials with her 1:38:55 performance in 2019 in New York, with Amberly Melendez the only other entry under 1:40:00, following her 1:39:17 mark last year in Santee, Calif.

Heptathlon

Schedule: June 26-27

Olympic standard: 6,420 points

Entries with the Olympic standard: Erica Bougard, Kendall Williams

2016 qualifiers: Barbara Nwaba (champion), Heather Miller-Koch, Kendell Williams

Analysis: Similar to the javelin, with only two Americans having the Olympic standard, Erica Bougard and Kendell Williams find themselves in favorable positions entering the two-day, seven-event gauntlet. Bougard was fourth and Williams placed fifth at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, strong evidence of how much both competitors have elevated themselves on the global stage. Chari Hawkins and Annie Kunz also qualified for the U.S. to compete at Worlds, with both athletes also participating at Hayward, still in search of the Olympic standard. Ashtin Zamzow-Mahler, the 2019 Division 1 heptathlon champion at Texas, along with past NCAA indoor pentathlon champions Michelle Atherley of Miami (Florida) and Taliyah Brooks of Arkansas, are all capable of reaching the necessary 6,420 points, along with Oiselle professional Riley Cooks and Georgia sophomore Anna Hall, who didn’t compete in the heptathlon June 11-12 at the NCAA Championships at Hayward Field in order to concentrate only on her opportunity at the Trials. Kunz is slightly ahead of Hawkins and Zamzow-Mahler in the World Rankings quota, although all three are outside the top 24 cutoff to compete in Tokyo entering the Trials.



More news

History for DyeStat.com
YearVideosNewsPhotosBlogs
2024 1091 357 13762  
2023 5382 1361 77508  
2022 4892 1212 58684  
Show 25 more
 
+PLUS highlights
+PLUS coverage
Live Events
Get +PLUS!