OFFICIAL Mens 800m Olympic Trials Prediction Thread

lol Eric holt doesn’t even stand a chance. Remember when we did this last year?

Do we think Kessler scratches?

If he runs, I think he gets Top 3 despite his atrocious tactics

I also don't think Holt has it in him. He looked pretty terrible in the 1500m prelims/semis.

When Kessler makes the 1500m team, I'm pretty sure he scratches the 800m

Now if he runs the 800m that really would change things up.

He's looked pretty sound, but I wouldn't be shocked if Waskom or even Teare manages to beat him out. Interesting that Hocker didn't enter the 8 as a backup plan.

LOL cooper teare gonna beat Kessler in the 1500? Clown post

Teare hasn't looked convincing, but he's arguably expended the least energy out of everyone.

If Nuguse takes it out hard, which the semis indicated he will, Teare is very much in it. He's not in it in case of a slow start.

If only we could get Bryce to change his name to Isaiah - now that would be epic...

I always like an 800 guy coming off a great 1500m performance. That is Harris. I think it's him and Hoppel battling for the belt in the final 60 but I think Hoppel is just better and gets the W.

I do also feel like this is going to be one of those "war of attrition" final 120's where someone is going to run down 3-4 guys and get a spot. Clearly this scenario fits Shane Cohen the best who used a (globally) historic kick to win NCAA's. The one thing that could hurt him is the same thing that hurt Robby Andrews for many years when he went pro - believing that college kids and pros are the same. I'm not sure if Cohen wants to round the entire field in the final 100 if it's going to be as simple as it was for him a few weeks ago. So that is where if Whitmarsh can get a cleaner run than the NCAA final he can do it. He had a world class finish in that final to run 1.45.1 - it just looked like he was wading through treacle compared to the Sonic-the-Hedgehog act that was coming down lane 3 outside him.

Whitmarsh just has better position and some luck and get's his revenge on Cohen for spot 3 (a collegian almost always seems to make the team so it's him).

Hoppel for the win.

After that I have no idea.

Will Murphy run well? Jewett? Harris finally catch a break? What about Whitmarsh and Cohen? Someone else

Also I think he has no shot but I would absolutely love to see Tinoda in the Olympics

1. Hoppel

2. Whitmarsh

3. Harris

Wes Ferguson

HOPPEL

MURPHY (stunning LRC posters)

WHITMARSH (if he keeps from getting himself boxed)

Kessler said in his post race interview he's planning on racing the 800 (all 3 races) to get prepared for the rounds at the Olympics.

I'm leaning Hoppel, Cohen and then I'm torn between Whitmarsh and Miller. I just can't see Isaiah Harris in that last 100 with those mechanics holding off the far smoother Whitmarsh and Miller. Jewett I can see running out of gas through the rounds. In a one-off, I'd like his chances much more.

I love Murphy, but I think he's done. He doesn't have the gear shift anymore (a la Cole Hocker) that won him bronze. Hoppel and Harris have the best racing tactics and you know they are going to produce a sub-1:44 in the final. Jewett runs his nuts off and will have a chance. The college guys, Whitmarsh and Cohen, have a lot of races under their belt, which I think will help. No idea what Brandon Miller has, but there has to be bad juju there with Athing's performance.

I predicted Hoppel, Harris, and Miller in the prediction contest, but I'm going to sub Miller out for Jewett

I do think Kessler is running not scratching, I also think if he does get to final, he could run 1:44.3-5 and sneak in. Most likely not , but a possibility.

My picks: Hoppel, Jewett, Miller based on how they've been competing coming into this and experience at trials. Will be curious to see what Kessler does and if he can make final but he doesn't have speed like the others. The collegians may throw wrench in the works too.

Cohe's finish is too good to be true

Very true but he does have 3:31 strength and that is a huge advantage on it's own.

1. Bryce Hoppel looks unhop(stop)able

2. Harris: we know what all that newfound aerobic strength is gonna mean

3. Miller: I like him

Wildcard: Sam Whitmarsh: he's so scary man. I think he's been capable of 1:43 for a good chunk of this postseason.