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<\/a><\/p>\nIn about one week\u2019s time we start the process of putting together our team for the World Championships. Four days of intense competition that will determine who gets to go to South Korea and who gets to go back to the drawing board. <\/p>\n
Perhaps the most intense and difficult of the squads to make, is the 100 meter dash team where it is common for .01sec or less to decide who goes and who stays home. A bad day, a bad start, a bad lean can mean the end of the journey. Add to the drama the fact that this year has already seen SEVENTEEN men under the once magical 10.00 barrier \u2013 six Americans, seven Jamaicans, four \u201cOthers\u201d \u2013 and it\u2019s no wonder that the Trials finals for the US and Jamaican men\u2019s squads in this event are two of the most highly anticipated races of the season. Two races that should live up to the hype.<\/p>\n
Before I begin let me say that I expect to see lots of changes on both squads from previous years. Heading into next week I see only two constants \u2013 Tyson Gay and Usain Bolt. Everyone else seems to be in a state of flux \u2013 previous stars falling a bit (Powell, Dix, et al), the previously struggling rising up (Mullings, Rodgers). Not to mention what looks like a potential youth movement (Blake, Ashmeade, Salaam, Mitchell). The big question is who can stand up to the pressure of the \u201cTrials\u201d?<\/p>\n
So without further adieu here\u2019s how I see the two squads shaking out after all is said and done. I\u2019m going six deep in my predictions as I\u2019m sure that will include individuals on both squads that will be looked at for potential relay duty, among others in related events.<\/p>\n
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U.S. Men<\/h4>\n
I expect Tyson Gay to be razor sharp with his training geared solely on the 100. The key to Gay is always the start. Here that will affect his time, but not his place, as I just don\u2019t see anyone that can challenge him barring a catastrophic start or injury (knock on wood). The question is what will be happening behind him?<\/p>\n
Mike Rodgers has been the most consistent American this spring with 3 sub10\u2019s and a slowest time of 10.07, not counting the \u20133.4 mps negative wind race in New York. His consistency should pay off with a second place finish behind Gay. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s that third, and final, spot for Daegu that has been giving me fits. But after much thought I\u2019m going with what may not be a popular choice, but one that makes sense given how the season has gone \u2013 Justin Gatlin. Gatlin has been here before; understands the pressure; has been on a steady road of improvement; and I believe is back where he was in June of \u201806. Not that it will be easy, because I expect collegians Mookie Salaam and Maurice Mitchell to make it a tough race. I also expect Walter Dix to make it an interesting race. But like Gay he too suffers from inconsistent starting (i.e. first 30 meters) and hasn\u2019t seemed sharp enough to contend early or fit enough to run down the field. <\/p>\n
Outside of Tyson Gay, who may have the best top end on the planet, if you don\u2019t start well in the first 30 of this race, it will be a wrap. There will be a lot of familiar names that will not make the cut \u2013 Darvis Patton, Travis Padgett, Rae Edwards, Ivory Williams, Ryan Bailey, and Trell Kimmons could form a solid final of their own with all but Edwards having sub10 credentials. But it\u2019s all about who\u2019s ready next week, and this is how I see next week playing out.<\/p>\n