There are a lot of guys in the event right now that just had bad years but will be back. In the past 3 years US steeple chasers have produced 10 of the top 52 US times of all time.
current US steepler's with prs all time US rank and year ran. I pulled this of a list that went as deep as 8:26.
1. Lincoln 8:08.82 2006 (I think he will make it back)
7. Slattery 8:15.69 2007 (08 and 09 were bad but he could get going again)
12. Fam 8:17.34 2008 (never now what he will do)
17. Olinger 8:19.29 2007 (inconsistent but likes to mix it up and go for fast times)
19. Aguayo 8:20.34 2007 (had a few bad injuries and was out a full year of no running. Made it back to USA's this year. He can come back stronger next year)
23. Huling 8:20.84 2008 (also ran 8:21 this year)
24. McAdams 8:21.36 2007 (has run the A standard the last three years and made 2 world and 1 Olympic team)
26. Alcorn 8:21.46 2008 (not a great year beside some how getting on the world team)
27. Nelson 8:21.47 2008 (bad first year out of college, maybe just adjusting)
52. Bruce 8:26 2009 (big break through this year, should have made world team, can he break through again next year?)
ALSO Perry 8:29 2009 (NCAA champ, could mix it up next year)
That is 11 guys. If you can get about 7 or 8 of them ready to roll in the same race at Nationals it will raise the bar.
All events have down years the 1500, 5000, and 10000 have all had a real bad year in the past 5 years. This was the steeples year. They will get it going again