Four years ago we had a poor performance in Beijing – one of our poorest ever. But as we prepare for London in approximately 30 days, we could be sending out best squad ever to a Major championship event. Yes, we have some events where we are just not up to standard, but overall this team is as strong, if not stronger, than any team I can remember – and I remember a lot of teams. I have to say that I’m very excited about the team that came together in Eugene. Let’s take a look at this squad.

Sprints

We have the second fastest man AND woman of all time in Tyson Gay (9.69) and Carmelita Jeter (10.64). Jeter is the defending World champion, while Gay is a former World champion who in only his 2nd meet back from hip surgery ran 9.86 to secure his place on the team. Gay will be joined by ’04 Games champion Justin Gatlin and up and coming Ryan Bailey. Gatlin ran a post ban best of 9.80 and appears capable of mid 9.7. And if Bailey ever develops a start, the sky may be the limit for this 6’4" phenom. Jeter will be joined by rapidly improving Tianna Madison and vet Allyson Felix. All of the above are potential finalists – I’ll talk about medals another day.
Similar story in the 200. Allyson Felix became the 4th fastest ever ruining 21.69 in Eugene. Carmelita Jeter (22.11) and Sanya Richards Ross (22.09) both possess bests that should put them in the final. In the men’s 200, while often forgotten, Wallace Spearmon is #7 all time (19.650 and ran to an easy victory in 19.82 at the Trials. He leads a young group that wIll have some growing to do this summer.

In the 400 we take two favorites to London: LaShawn Merritt and Sanya Richards Ross. Both are running where no else has gone, so while there is some strong competition is out there, it must prove capable of defeating these athletes at their best. The men also boast a solid #2 in Tony McQuay, while third man Bryshon Nellum is also a potential finalist. The sprints are back on track.

Middle Distances

I truly believe we will be competitive in these events. In the 800, both Alysia Montano and Nick Symmonds appear ready to make the London finals and be competitive – they can run 1:57 & 1:43, and iIf they can improve just a bit, medals could be in reach. In the 1500 I truly believe all six team members – Morgan Uceny, Shannon Rowbury, Jenny Simpson, Leo Manzano, Matthew Centrowitz, and Andrew Wheating – are potential finalists. Uceny should be in the medal hunt, and given the pace, possibly all three women. The men need a favorable pace, if the get it they too could be in the hunt.

Distances

Galen Rupp has become a stud, in every sense of the word. He’s run sub 27:00 and sub13:00 and proved that he can kick with the best in defeating Bernard Lagat over 5000 at the Trials. Lagat has proven that he can medal in Majors and now Rupp looks capable as well. For the first time since perhaps the 80’s we send a potent pair to the Games. On the women’s side Shalane Flanagan remains our real strength, this time taking up the mantle in the marathon where I believe she is capable of challenging for a medal. In this era of African distance superiority, to have three individuals capable of competing on the global stage is a pretty good feat. I’m good with that.

Hurdles

We’re sending a pair of sub13 hurdlers in Aries Merritt (12.93) and Jason Richardson (12.98) – it doesn’t get any better than that. Certainly a medal is possible – maybe two. In the men’s long hurdles we boast two of the best hurdlers in history in Angelo Taylor (47.25) and Kerron Clement (47.24) – Taylor a two time Olympic champion, Clement a two time World champion. If they are anywhere near that sort of form in London, medals are a wrap. Even without that form anything they do under 48.00 will be in medal form in today’s event Taylor is nothing if not a warrior, and Clement is one of the best talents ever on the event. We’re good.

In the women’s event we have the defending World champion in Lashinda Demus (52.47) and rising star Georgeanne Moline (54.33). Demus most certainly will be in the medal hunt – she always is. And after making ’04 and missing ’08, my guess is she’s hungry – and hungry athletes on majors are dangerous.

In the women’s short hurdles we have defending Olympic champion Dawn Harper and vets Kelli Wells and Lolo Jones – and all have run under 12.50. Making multiple medals, a la Daegu, a strong possibility. Top to bottom this is as good a hurdle team as we’ve ever sent to a Games IMHO.

Jumps

This may be the area where we’ve improved the most since  Beijing. In the high jump we have defending Olympic champion Jesse Williams and one of the purest talents in the event in Erik Kynard. While on the women’s side we’re sending TWO 6’7" jumpers in Chaunte Lowe and Brigette Barrett. And for the third spots we have vets Any Acuff and Jamie Nieto. Very solid teams.

In the long jump all three women are over 23 feet, led by defending champion Brittney Reese – simply incredible. I remember when that was a Russian thing.And while we’re missing out traditional make 28 footers, i think Will Claye and Marquis Goodwin are capable of 27’6" range, and today that’s medal territory.

Then there’s the triple jump where four years ago we were dead and now we may have the two best in the world in Christian Taylor and Will Claye – talk about a Phoenix moment!
The one area that’s somewhat more difficult to evaluate is the vault where poor conditions and injuries had their effects. But Jenn Suhr came through when she needed to, and vets Brad Walker and Derek Miles appear ready to compete – I’m just not sure how ready given the competition.

Throws

Of course we’re sending three powerful men in the shot in Cantwell, Hoffa and Whiting. And Jill Camarena Williams had come up to show she can compete on the big stage add well. As a matter of fact the women may be leading the way in the throws Stephanie Brown Trafton is the defending Olympic champion in the discus and had PRd this year. Javelin AR holder Kata Patterson was upset by Brittney Borman’s first 200 foot throw  – good for the event.

Multi Events

More specifically the decathlon. No one had ever sent a pair as potent as new World Record holder Ashton Eaton and World champion Trey Hardee. Period. Eaton has scary potential because I’m not sure he’s near max in the field yet. And Hardee had down him competitive abilities on several occasions. They will be hard to stop.

So that’s the team. I’m very excited, because a best ever showing at the Games is a definite possibility. I’ll be putting together a Medal Watch List of those athletes i feel can medal – minus colors. And then comes the tough part  matching them up against the world’s best – and will there be some matchups in London! I think the Games are going to be both exciting and unpredictable – but I’m going to try anyway. The Kenyans, Ethiopians, and Jamaicans lie in wait. As do Lavillenie, Pearson, the Russians and others. Gonna be a good time in London. Time to take a look ahead.

Tags: Olympics