My womens Olympic 10k team picks are: Houlihan, Schweizer and Sisson. Huddle herself said a while back that marathon training never felt good to her and did her no good for track. Words to that effect. I don't think she will be able to turn it on again with girls 10+ younger. Just my opinion. There are a few other competitors in the 32 min range that may have their day and surprise, even Gwen Jorgenson.
I'm assuming Schweizer will focus on the 5000 which I feel is her better event right now. Probably best to focus on one event and do well rather than try two in her first Olympics. I think she could be a legitimate medal threat in the 5000 next year.
Also, I think Molly will beat Sara Hall so even if Schweizer runs and beats her, I see Molly making the team.
Collin wrote:
I generally have positive feelings towards Molly, but this is very far from one of her stronger races. She's a 67:25 half marathoner, and she just ran a bit over 11 miles at 70:36 half marathon pace. I'd be shocked if she didn't get these records. I'm sure it's always nice to get a national record or 3, but she would have had to hold this pace for another 15.08 miles to just edge out what Sara Hall did in strong rain in London by 49 seconds. And, Sara didn't even make our Olympic marathon team. These records are beatable by at least a dozen other US women.
I want to see 10 of those other twelve compete to bring the three records closer to the rest of the world.
I'm a big Schweizer fan. You may be right about her and the 5000 right now. I think she has a lot of potential and that with her longer, easy stride and speed, she will be hold the AR's in both the 5000 and the 10,000. I'll predict she'll be the first American woman under 30:00 in the 10k.
Houlihan is a tougher call. Does she run the 1500, 5000 or 10,000? She ran a PR and AR in the 1500 in Doha and didn't get a medal. Probably the 5000. Can't see her doubling anywhere.
I can't see Sara Hall making the track team at any distance.
Wildcard 10,000 pick- Kellyn Taylor
What are you loonies talking about?! Huddle ran sub 31 last year. I know she’s not likely to PR at 10000m ever again but it’s not like she is going to drop off a cliff by next year. If she is healthy, she is making the team.