Maybe not the hottest take but I believe at least one of the runners on the team in Paris will be a current unknown who emerges next season. The US has amazing 400m runners.
Maybe not the hottest take but I believe at least one of the runners on the team in Paris will be a current unknown who emerges next season. The US has amazing 400m runners.
Maybe not the hottest take but I believe at least one of the runners on the team in Paris will be a current unknown who emerges next season. The US has amazing 400m runners.
The team that just won gold was so good. They got out, got the lead, ran from the front, and achieved a very fast time. I'm really looking forward to the 4x400 at the Olympics next year.
Maybe not the hottest take but I believe at least one of the runners on the team in Paris will be a current unknown who emerges next season. The US has amazing 400m runners.
100% the case. Champion Allison came out literally nowhere last season. He was so unknown you couldn't have even predicted him doing what he did at the start of 2022. He transferred in from Alabama as a 46.0 guy after a rough few years. (he ran 45.8 in HS so he definitely had the potential tbf) He then proceeded to drop an extraordinary amount off his times before running 43.70 at USA champs, a time so fast I still can't believe it happened.
I expect to see the same thing next year. The chance at an Olympic berth always brings the best out.
Alright, I love the 4x400 so lets lay out literally everyone who might have a shot. I mean EVERYONE!
Conventional picks:
Vernon Norwood: Gets faster as he gets older
Quincy Hall: USA champ
Justin Robinson: Huge talent going back to the NCAA so postseason will be rough on his legs.
Trevor Bassit: 400 hurdler with great wheels. Likely to be on the mixed relay or a prelim relay.
Rai Benjamin: You all know who this guy is
Ryan Willie: Great season, fell off at worlds, signed pro this year.
Matthew Boling: 2 golds at worlds speaks for itself. Another year of eligibility left where he will likely be focusing on the 400.
Injured or suspended:
Elija Godwin: Injured @ NCAAs. Out of eligibility but the talent is there. If he didn't get injured he likely would have run 44 low.
Champion Allison: Injured for the entire 2023. Proven powerhouse if he can make it back. 43.70 and 4th at worlds doesn't lie.
Bryce Deadmon: Injured @ worlds
Randolph Ross: Still suspended. Unsure if he has to sit out 2024.
Michael Cherry: Idk what he's up to
Up and coming:
Emmanuel Bynum: Great season at Florida. I think he's going back to FL so the postseason is gonna be rough on him.
Zarik Brown: Good season at OK
William Jones: Ok season at USC I think?
Johnnie Blockburger: Ok season at USC
Chris Bailey: Always had the potential. Had a great past season at Arkansas
Quincy Wilson: High schooler. Who knows what he can do though?
Jonathan Simms: Also a high schooler.. but he ran 45.12 a sophomore 16 yr old
Unconventional picks:
Michael Norman: Only here because he chose to focus on 100m
Fred Kerley: Same reason
Noah Lyles: He would obviously be good at the 400m if he went for it but between a crowded schedule and a focus on the 100/200 it's unlikely he will go for the quad gold.
Grant Holloway: 43.7 anchors in the 4x400s he has run shows he has the wheels but relays are political and it is hard to say if he will be on it
Erriyon Knighton: Has the wheels and the build for the 400 if he chose to focus on it but considering he hasn't even made it on the 4x100 I don't see him on the 4x400 either
Kenny Bednarek: Has run 44 mid in the past but he has focused on 100/200 since then