Coach D wrote:
Andrews splits from Wednesday:
25.14
26.20
27.60
26.60
That pretty much tells the story. He just didn't have it after the semi heat, which he won in a faster time than Wheating's final.
I disagree 100% with your analysis. Was Andrews as sharp as he was on Wednesday? Probably not (But possibly - Andrews closed in 26.60 on Wed and 26.61 today).
But it wouldn't have mattered if Andrews was just as sharp as he was on Wednesday. As I said in another post. On Wednesday, after seeing Andrews splits I thought to myself, "How can he get beat. He can close in 26.60 in a 145 mid race?" Well he gets beat by a guy like Wheating who can close in a 26.2 in a 1:45 mid race.
Please don't tell me that Andrews time on Wed. was faster than Wheating's was today. Yes it was but only marginally.
Wheating's close today was .40 faster and he had no one to chase. Wheating won by almost a second. Wheating closed in 26.20 and won by a ton. After watching the final, I know think the opposite. How could anyone have beaten Wheating? No one collegiately could. He wins that thing 10 times out of 10.
Now a top notch pro like Symmonds who closed in 25 high at Pre last year might be able to do it. See Symmonds splits form last year here. 2
http://www.flashresults.com/2009_Meets/outdoor/Pre/Men800.pdfHe ran a 25.77 in a 1:45 high race to win Pre.