Huge fan of Lyles but he's just not in the same form as past. Bednarek had a rough start but was flying the second half. With Gatlin pulling up injured it seems the second leg is due for fresh blood, Kerley seems like the best choice. Bromell has a fantastic start so he leads off, leaving Baker for the bend.
So Bromell→Kerley→Baker→Bednarek? Seems like a super solid squad, all sub 9.90. However not sure how good Kerley is at 4x100 handoffs?
I was just thinking about it that order would be perfect. Kenneth bednarek doesn't have the topend lyles had in 2019 or even what he has now, but is the best man to anchor besides lyles.
I would go
Bromell - Best 60 meter starters here and probably has a better 200 time than Baker so he knows how to run the curve.
Kerley - fills Gatlin role to extend the lead
Bednarek - he eats up the opening curve on his 200’s. Really good curve runner. He would fit best here imo.
Baker - anchor leg and second best straight 100 runner. Not sure how he would fare on the curves as I haven’t seen any 200’s from him
Lyles on current form should not be anchoring any relay team.
sprint2250 wrote:
I would go
Bromell - Best 60 meter starters here and probably has a better 200 time than Baker so he knows how to run the curve.
Kerley - fills Gatlin role to extend the lead
Bednarek - he eats up the opening curve on his 200’s. Really good curve runner. He would fit best here imo.
Baker - anchor leg and second best straight 100 runner. Not sure how he would fare on the curves as I haven’t seen any 200’s from him
That's a good point with Bednarek, he stormed past Lyles in the start of their last 200m. I wonder though if Kerley would get pulled into the 400m team?
It’s possible I think, but I bet it would depend on his 400 shape going into Tokyo. His training now will probably be more focused on the 100 and 200 meters. He definitely has the experience to run a leg though. If I was coaching I would definitely put him in the final. However, I think they will probably rely on Trevor Stewart(Randolph Ross’s teammate) and Vernon Norwood since they had next best times in the trials.
Isn't the relay poll the top six? Meaning Luke's out. And he is no lock in the209 they way he looked today. Especially if No rman runs the 200.
Boling needs to be the anchor
ultramarine wrote:
Boling needs to be the anchor
No.
I'd wait for the 200 until deciding. Terrance Laird should be in the mix although experience counts in the relays.
Ain't 1857 wrote:
Lyles on current form should not be anchoring any relay team.
Agreed!
He let success enter his head. This guy might even blow it in the 200m.
He's had a reality check and hopefully, he'll get down to business and do less sideshows.
I am not sad for Noah , I am sad for Gatlin. I was rooting for this guy but it's all good. He gave us a great ride.
According to LetsRun article on front page, Lyles finish wasn't good enough to make pool.
From article:
Those same results would have also drawn questions about who wasn’t there — world champion Christian Coleman was still cleared to compete at that point — and about how Diamond League champion Noah Lyles, riding a four-year hot streak since turning pro in 2016, could only manage seventh in 10.05, not even good enough for the relay pool.
I hope these clowns don't kneel on the podium after they win...If so, I hope they get creamed.
ultramarine wrote:
Boling needs to be the anchor
No kids on the 4x1
sprint2250 wrote:
I would go
Bromell - Best 60 meter starters here and probably has a better 200 time than Baker so he knows how to run the curve.
Kerley - fills Gatlin role to extend the lead
Bednarek - he eats up the opening curve on his 200’s. Really good curve runner. He would fit best here imo.
Baker - anchor leg and second best straight 100 runner. Not sure how he would fare on the curves as I haven’t seen any 200’s from him
We've seen other athletes get placed in relays even though they did not try and qualify for that event. That being said....Michael Norman should be considered for the 4 X 100 relay. Any leg but leadoff. His jumping in and running 9.86 last summer solidified that belief for me.
Our team has eff'd up so many 4 X 100s in the past we need to also consider who will take it serious and practice handoffs with attitude. How many of our B teams could've still won but our A Team blew it? I don't care who the fastest are. Who is going to get the job done?
Micah Williams has hands down the best start in the U.S currently. But him at lead off.
Then Bromell, Bendarek and Baker to anchor. Boom. U.S. Olympic champions (barring botched baton exchanges...).
Norman > Bednarek > Lyles