2012 adidas Grand Prix Preview: Tyson Gay, Yohan Blake, Alan Webb, Bernard Lagat, Fantu Magiso & Maggie Vessey, High School Miles, A Great Men's 800m, And Defar Vs. Dibaba At 5,000!!!

Girls HS Mile: 7 Of Top 8 Race

With the absence of sophomore phenom Mary Cain, this race doesn't have quite the marquee feel to it that the boys mile does, but it is loaded as it includes "seven of the fastest eight 1,600-meter marks," including US Leader Angel Piccirillo of PA, who has run 4:39.42.

LR Analysis: We want to do something crazy and give props to Cain for going to the NY state meet this weekend.  It's ridiculous that we even have to do that, but in this day and age of focus solely on what is in your individual best interest, people are doing crazy things nowadays. Collegians are skipping conference meets (Sheila Reid). It's not long before HSers skip states.

Allie Cash: Shawnee Mission, Kan.; Kansas Relays Champion 800m, 1600m; #5 U.S. 1600
Cami Chapus: Los Angeles, Calif.; 5th, 2011 World Youth Champs; #3 U.S. 1500m, 1600m
Alexa Efraimson: Camus, Wash.; #4 U.S. 1600m; is a freshman
Erin Finn: West Bloomfield, Mich.; U.S. HS Record-holder 5000m indoors
Wesley Frazier: Raleigh, N.C.; 2011 National HS Champion in Mile 5000m
Nikki Hiltz: Aptos, Calif.; 4th, 2011 U.S. Junior Nationals 1500m
Maddie Meyers: Seattle, Wash.; #4 U.S. 3000m, 2010 Dream Mile Champion
Amy-Eloise Neale: Snohomish, Wash.; 6-time State Champion
Alexis Panisse: Bayside, N.Y.; U.S. top 5 in 800m, 1600m and 2K Steeplechase
Angel Piccirillo: Homer Center, Pa.; #1 in U.S. 1600m; #2 in Mile; 7-time State Champion
Haley Pierce: Wilmington, Del.; # 2 in U.S. 1600m; 15-time State Champion
Paige Rice: Portland, Ore.; #5 U.S. 1500m; Cross Country State Champion
Lily Williams: Tallahassee, Fla.; #3 in U.S. Mile; 800m, 1600m, 3200m State Champion

Men's 1,500: Alan Webb Chases The "A," Bernard Lagat Looks To Get Better & Torrence/Manzano Get Ready For The Trials

Normally, we complain about races against the clock and also about the fact that a lot of track races are glorified practices.

Well, we aren't complaining about those two things in this race as that's all we'll be paying attention to - the time for Alan Webb and the practice for Bernard Lagat. We almost don't care who wins.

This race is all about time in the senses that it's the last reall good shot for someone like Alan Webb and Doian Ulrey to get the IAAF "A" standard of 3:35.50. If they don't get the "A," there really is almost no reason for them to go to the Olympic Trials other than pride. The odds of them getting the "A" at the Trails is slim as the meet record is just 3:34.82.

In terms of practice, this meet serves as one for Bernard Lagat as he's a 5,000 meter runner now - not a 1,500 guy anymore. Lagat didn't impress with his 3:54.28 mile but that was still a big step in the right direction as compared to Penn Relays. But does he continue to move in the right direction or not? That's a big thing that US fans will be watching. Also, how do David Torrence and Leo Manzano, two Americans with the "A," stack up against each other.

As for the win, we think that either 19-year-old newcomer Ayanleh Souleiman of Djibouti or Kenya's Augustine Choge are the men to beat. Souleiman was 3rd at Pre and has run 3:30.31 this year and is the favorite in our minds. Choge, who at 3,000 won silver at World Indoors before winning again at 3,000 in Doha, returns to the 1,500 after failing to impress in two 5,000s (13:15 in Shanghai, DNF at Pre). We thought this mght be the year he excelled at the 5,000, as he's had a tough time at the very highest level of the 1,500 in the past.

LRC Analysis: If Webb gets the "A," the letsrun.com message board may explode. A key thing to watch with Webb is does he get up front early and do the rabbits do their job? If Webb doesn't get out in the top 5 early on, then don't look for him to do anything as he's known for agression and not as someone who works his way up through the field.

The David Torrence/Leo Manzano race within the race is a big one in terms of Olympic qualifications.

We bet Alberto Salazar will be paying close attention to how Bernard Lagat looks as Lagat is Galen Rupp's #1 rival at 5,000 in the US and a potential medal blocker for him.

Men's 800: Robby Andrews Takes On The World's #1 And #2
World record holder and world champion David Rudisha will take on silver medallist Abubaker Kaki, who was fantastc in his season-opening win in Eugene last weekend (1:43.71), for the first time on Saturday in New York. If that isn't enough for you, burgeoning US star and new adidas signee Robby Andrews is also in the field.

LRC Analysis: We'll be looking at three things:
1) How does Rudisha and Kaki match up against each other?
2) How does Rudisha match up against the clock (can he break 1:43?)?
3) How does Andrews look against the world's best at 800? The 800/1,500 double at the US Trials is a no-brainer for someone like Andrews as there is no overlap, but we have a feeling he's a guy that's going to end up ultimately being a 1,500 guy, not an 800 guy.

Women's 800: Fantu Magiso Takes On Maggies Vessey & Jenny Simpson

America's Maggie Vessey has been saying things are going well in 2012 as she had her fastest opener ever at 2:02.16 at Mt. SAC and then ran 2:00.19 for the win in Puerto Rico. She and her fans will find out where she really stands on Saturday as she takes on Ethiopian teen Fantu Magiso. Magiso shocked the world and Pamela Jelimo by running 1:57.56 for the win in Rome last week and therefore is one of the leading contenders for the Olympic title. Vessey, who was 6th in the world last year, has run 1:57 in the past herself.

World 1,500 champion Jenny Simpson is preparing for USAs by running this race as well. It will be interesting to see how she looks as she only ran 2:03.49 at Occidental in a race that went out too fast for her.

LRC Analysis: Magiso is only a teen as we write this. When the race takes place, she'll be 20 years young as her birthday is on Saturday. Happy B-Day Magiso!

We'll be paying close attention to Jenny Simpson's finishing time. Something close to her PR would be a good sign for her fans. If she runs another 2:03, it's time to get nervous.

Vessey's spot on the US Olympic team isn't 100% secure. She's run some horrible tactical races in the past and she's currently #4 in the US for 2012. The #3 person on that list in Molly Beckwith is also running.

Women's 5,000: Not A Misprint - Dibaba Versus Defar

Tirunesh Dibaba returned to the outdoor track last week at Pre for the first time since 2010 and did what she always does - win easily.

In Dibaba's absence, a new queen has emerged on the women's scene - Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya. Dibaba and Cheruiyot won't clash here but fans ill get the next best thing - Dibaba versus Defar.

Meseret Defar returns to New York for the 5,000 for the first time since she, set a world record of 14:24.53 at this meet in 2006 (the world record is now 14:11.15 (Dibaba) and Defar has run 14:12.88).

So in this race, you get a matchup between the #1 and #2 women all-time at 5,000. You get a matchup of two women who don't really like each other and who generally at least in the past used to avoid each other a lot. It should be a good one and should give us a good idea as to how Dibaba might match up with Cheruyiot, as Cheruiyot has been pushed so far this year to the line both in Doha and Rome by Defar.

American Jen Rhines, who struggled with two performances in the 15:40s in April, will be looking for some confidence in this race as well before the US Trials.

LRC Analysis: It's funny in track and field how the top 2 in most events avoid each other like a plague but once someone drops down to say #3, they start racing #1 as they apparently like the money. That's certainly the case in the 100 with Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt now that Yohan Blake has usurped Powell, and seems to be the case in the women's 5,000.

We think Dibaba will get the win here and re-establish her world dominance.

Boy HS Mile: Everyone Seems To Be Here - A Second Straight Sub-4?

The boys HS mile is very much loaded. It seems like everyone is here and meet organizers claim the "athletes represent the five fastest mile times in the country." It's got the top two from Foot Locker XC in Futsum Zeinassellasie and Edward Cheserek and a slew of others, including Penn Relays champ Craig Engels of North Carolina, who is just one of a handful of guys to have ever gone sub-1:50 and sub-9:00 in high school.

LRC Analysis: Last year in this race, Lukas Verzbicas busted four and now he's out of the sport. A sad development for sure.

Is it wrong to hope he watches this races and re-thinks his decision?

Ahmed Bile: Annandale, Va.; 7-time Virginia 3A State Champion; #10 U.S. 1600m (4:08.29). Son of former world champ Abde Bile.
Jacob Burcham: Ona, W.V.; #4 U.S. in Mile; 7th, 2011 World Youth Championships 1500m 
Edward Cheserek: Newark, N.J.; 2011 U.S. HS XC Champion; HS National Record 5000m indoors . 4:03.29 in past.
Marcus Dickson: Buckley, Wash.; #3 U.S. 1600m, #2 U.S. in Mile; State Champion 800m,1600m 
Craig Engels: Pfafftown, N.C.; #4 U.S. 1500m, #3 in Mile; 2012 Penn Relays Mile Champion 
Blake Haney: Bakersfield, Calif.; #7 U.S. 3200m, adidas Meet of Champions winner 
Brannon Kidder: Lancaster, Ohio; 4-time State Champion, #7 U.S. 1600m 
Josh Lampron: Mansfield, Mass.; #1 U.S. 1500m (3:45.74), #5 U.S. in Mile  Has run 3:45.74 this year at 11,500 to lead nation.
Ben Malone: Hillsdale, N.J.; #2 U.S. 1500m; National Indoor Champion 800m 
Bernie Montoya: Yuma, Ariz.; #1 U.S. 3000m; 7-time State Champion 
Craig Nowak: Cypress, Texas; #3 U.S. 3000m, #4 U.S. 1600m; State Champion 1600m, 3200m 
Brad Nye: Kaysville, Utah; #1 U.S. in Mile; 2012 U.S. Indoor Mile Champion . 4:08.80 full mile this year to lead outdoor list.
Izaic Yorks: Lakewood, Wash.; #1 U.S. 1600.; State Champion 800m, 1600m. Has run 4:04.00 for 1600 this year to lead nation.
Futsum Zeinassellasie: Indianapolis, Ind.; #1 U.S. 3200m; #2 3000m; National XC Runner of Year. National leader in 32200 at 8:47.75.

Men's 100: Tyson Gay And Yohan Blake Will Reveal Their Form

The men's 100 is all about two things. One, the return of American record holder Tyson Gay to competition after his surgery last year and two, world champion Yohan Blake's first Diamond League race of the year.

Gay and Blake enter the meet at opposite ends of the spectrum. Gay's comeback is behind schedule and this is his first race of the year. How will he look? Gay is in the "B" heat.

Blake has already run 9.90 and 9.84 in his first two 100s of the years and seems ready for a PR. He ran 9.82 last year.

On paper, the one with the best chance to challenge Yohan Blake is Trinidad & Tobago's Keston Bledman. According to the official world lists, he's run 9.89 this year.

But we're not sure if we are buying it. Last year, Bledman ran some fast times in some low key meets in Florida but then didn't make the final at Worlds. This year, he's run a wind-legal 9.89 in Florida and a wind-aided 9.85. But when he got in a legitimate meet against Yohan Blake earlier in the year, he was nowhere near Blake, as he lost by .22.

LRC Analysis: Let's hope the weather is better than last year. Anyone remember last year when they ran into a 3.4 m/s wind?

Anything under 10.00 will be great for Gay. As for Blake, the marks to get are 9.76 (the 2012 world leader) and 9.72 (the time that Bolt ran in New York in 2008 for a then-WR).

Other Running Events

HS Girls 100m

Meet organizers say this race "features athletes who own eight of the top 10 times for 2012" and we aren't going to argue with them.

Morolake Akinosun: Naperville, Ill.; #2 U.S. 100m (11.41), AAU Junior Olympics Champion 100m, 200m
Aaliyah Brown: Frankfort, Ill.; #4 U.S. 100m (11.48), 2-time State Champion
Kali Davis-White: Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.; #6 U.S. 100m (11.56); state runner-up 100m, 200m
Destinee Gause: Reynoldsburg, Ohio; 2012 National Indoor Champion 200m
Tristie Johnson: Jacksonville, Fla.; #1 U.S. 100m all conditions (11.28)
Jennifer Madu: Plano, Texas; 2011 IAAF Youth Champion 100m
Shayla Sanders: Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.; #1 U.S. 100m (11.33) and 200m (23.25), State Champion 100m, 200m
Tianna Valentine: St. Louis, Mo: State Champion 100m; Kansas Relays Champion
Ariana Washington: Long Beach, Calif.; #3 U.S. 100m (11.45), #2 U.S. 200m (23.52)

HS Boys 100m: Top 5 Compete

The boys with the top 5 legal times in the country are all here. Should be a barnburner.

LRC Quick Take: They ought to run this early in the day and then let the winner race the pros. adidas puts a lot of marketing might with the high school set on the qualifying for the "Dream 100". We originally thought that meant qualifying to race the pros? Why not have the best guy race the pros?

Men's 400: Jeremy Wariner Tries To Find His Form

Jeremy Wariner is one of adidas' star athletes. One problem - he's not running like a star anymore. His 44.96 seasonal best is only 10th best in the world and 6th best in the US. At this point in time, he'll be lucky to even got on the relay for the Olympics, let alone go as an individual. Wariner knows he needs to get better and he ran the Nike sponsored Prefontaine Classic last week, which is something we can't imagine he'd have done in his prime. But going to Eugene certainly didn't help Wariner, as he was only 5th in 45.68.

The man to pay attention to in this race and possibly in London is 18-year-old Luguelin Santos. The runner-up in Doha and Ostrava ran 44.45 for the win Hengelo in his last appearance.

LRC Analysis: Only two guys in this race have an SB under 45.00. Three guys went sub-45 at NCAAs on Wednesday.

Women's 400H

2011 US runner-up Queen Harrison will take on world 4th placer Kaliese Spencer. Spencer has been running well, as she was the winner in Doha and 2nd in Rome. USA 5th placer from last year T'erea Brown has the #2 seasonal best on the year.

Men's 110H: A Mini US Trials

The withdrawal of  Dayron Robles really hurts this event, but it's still full of American talent and should serve as a mini-preview of the US Trials. 2011 world champion Jason Richardson is only the 4th fastest American on the year at 13.16, so he'll be looking to improve his form.

LRC Analysis: If you make the US team, you can medal.

Women's 100: The Top 3 In The World Competing, Including Allyson Felix

Coming into the year, many wondered if Allyson Felix, who just winning world gold at 400 last year, would do the 200/400 double at the Olympics. Now after her 10.92 win in Doha, people are wondering if she'll try the 100/200 double instead as 10.92 is #3 in the world.

We'll probably know a lot more after this race, as she takes on the world #1 and #2 on the year in Carmelita Jeter and Kelly-Ann Baptiste. Jeter won gold last year, Baptiste won bronze.

2012 World Leaders:
1   10.81   Carmelita Jeter USA
2   10.86   Kelly-Ann Baptiste  TRI
3   10.92   Allyson Felix   USA

Men's 200

22-year-old Nickel Ashmeade, who was 5th at Worlds last year and is #4 on the 2012 yearly list at 20.09, headlines.

Field Events

Men's Discus: Meet Lawrence Okoye

20-year-old British sensation Lawrence Okoye is the guy to watch here. The Mt. SAC champ is #4 in the world at 68.24.

Women's Javelin: #1 Vs. #2

The top two on the 2012 world list in world leader Barbara Špotáková and Sunette Viljoen will battlle.

Women's Triple Jump

2011 World Championships silver medallist Olga Rypakova is the headliner here. She's #4 on the 2012 world list.

Women's Shot Put: The Valerie Adams Show

Olympic champ Valerie Adam  hasn't lost since August 18th of 2010. It would take a catastrophe for that not to continue, although American Jillian Camarena-Williams is #5 in the world this year and Michelle Carter is #11.

Women's Pole Vault: Where's Jenn Suhr?

Olympic champ Fabiana Murer of Brazil headlines, but Cuba's Yarisley Silva has jumped higher this year.

LRC Analysis: The fact that US star Jenn Suhr, who is sponsored by adidas and hasn't been seen since April 28th, isn't vaulting raises big red flags in our minds. Something must be wrong.

Men's HJ: World Champ Jesse Wiliams Faces A Quality Field

2011 world champion Jesse Williams will face a tough field that includes 2011 bronze medallist Trevor Barry and 2012 world #2 in Robbie Grabarz.

Men's Long Jump

2011 Worlds silver medallist Mitchell Watt of Australia headlines.