LetsRun.com Previews the Field Events at the 2016 US Olympic Track and Field Tirals

by LetsRun.com
July 1, 2016

We’re a distance-oriented website but during the Olympic Trials we give all the track and field events some love and are making sure to preview all of the events in Eugene. Below, for every field event, we give you the number of Americas with the Olympic standard, the top 10 Americans this year in the event, and a few predictions and comments.

Men’s Long Jump: Buffalo Bills WR Marquise Goodwin is the world leader and reigning Trials champ

8 Americans on the USATF entries page have the 8.15m (26′ 9″) Olympic standard.

US Top 10 For 2016 Via Tilastapaja.org  (Number in parenthesis is their world rank)
1 (1) 8.45 0.8 Marquise Goodwin USA 19 Nov 90 177/83 1 Baie Mahault 14 May
2 (3) 8.34 0.3 Mike Hartfield USA 29 Mar 90 190/77 2 Baie Mahault 14 May
3 (9) 8.24 1.7 Jarvis Gotch USA 25 Mar 92 185/73 1 TexasR Austin TX 2 Apr
4 (14) 8.19 0.0 Jeffrey Henderson USA 19 Feb 89 178/82 2 Beach Inv Long Beach CA 16 Apr
4 (14) 8.19 0.7 Marquis Dendy USA 17 Nov 92 190/75 3 Baie Mahault 14 May
6 (23) 8.15 1.6 Jarrion Lawson USA 6 May 94 188/75 1 NCAA Eugene OR 8 Jun
7 (27) 8.12 -1.0 Mikese Morse USA 30 Oct 87 185/73 1 Classic Miramar FL 12 Jun
8 (32) 8.10 1.1 Braxton Drummond USA 1 Jul 94 1 Hurricane Coral Gables FL 9 Apr
9 (38) 8.05 2.0 Lavon Allen USA 26 Nov 90 184/79 1 Mt. Pleasant SC 23 Apr
10 (50) 8.01 1.6 Ashton Eaton USA 21 Jan 88 186/86 – MSR Norwalk CA 16 Apr

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Track and field News Top 3 Picks:
1. Marquise Goodwin (Nike)¶ 5
2. Jeff Henderson (adidas)¶ 2
3. Mike Hartfield (unattached)¶ 3

LRC Comment: The fact that Buffalo Bills WR Marquise Goodwin is a) the world leader and b) still unsponsored is one of the stories of the trials. Goodwin showed that his 8.45m world leader from early May wasn’t an outlier by going 8.42 to win the Birmingham DL in his last competition. Goodwin certainly has the pedigree to be an Olympic medallist as he won world juniors in 2008 and NCAAs in 2010 and 2012.

Women’s Long Jump: Brittney Reese Looks To Regain Her Mojo

10 Americans on the USATF entries page have the 6.70m (21′ 11¾”) Olympic standard.

US Top 10 For 2016 Via Tilastapaja.org  (Number in parenthesis is their world rank)
1 (3) 7.04 -0.2 Brittney Reese USA 9 Sep 86 170/61 1 Bellinzona 6 Jun
2 (9) 6.81 1.2 Kenyattia Hackworth USA 15 Sep 93 1 KentuckyR Lexington KY 7 May
3 (14) 6.77 -0.4 Quanesha Burks USA 15 Mar 95 1 SEC Tuscaloosa AL 13 May
4 (16) 6.75 0.2 Tianna Bartoletta USA 30 Aug 85 168/60 3 Diamond Shanghai 14 May
5 (23) 6.72 1.9 Whitney Gipson USA 20 Sep 90 1 Bush Norwalk CA 4 Jun
6 (34) 6.68 0.9 Tori Polk USA 21 Sep 83 – Phoenix AZ 21 May
7 (41) 6.64 1.9 Janay DeLoach USA 12 Oct 85 165/59 1 MSR Norwalk CA 16 Apr
8 (42) 6.63 Funmi Jimoh USA 29 May 84 173/59 1 Río de Janeiro 28 Feb
8 (42) 6.63 1.8 Ja’nia Sears USA 1 Bulldog Fresno CA 23 Apr
10 (46) 6.62 -0.4 Keturah Orji USA 5 Mar 96 1q East Jacksonville FL 26 May

Track and field News Top 3 Picks:
1. Brittney Reese (Nike)¶
2. Tianna Bartoletta (Nike)¶
3. Janay DeLoach (Nike)¶

LRC Comment: Brittney Reese has won 3 World Indoor (2010, 2012, 2016) titles and 3 World Outdoor (2009, 2011, 2013) titles and is the reigning Olympic champion. We doubt she’s resting on her laurels, however, as she didn’t medal at Worlds last year. The winner of Worlds last year was Tianna Bartoletta who also won gold in 2005. Can she get on the team this year? It’s not guaranteed. Janay DeLoach won bronze in 2012.

Men’s Triple Jump: 5 of the top 10 in World this year are Americans

8 Americans on the USATF entries page have the 16.85 m (55′ 3½) Olympic standard.

US Top 10 For 2016 Via Tilastapaja.org  (Number in parenthesis is their world rank)
1 (1) 17.76 0.8 Christian Taylor USA 18 Jun 90 190/75 1 Pre Eugene OR 28 May
2 (2) 17.56 0.8 Will Claye USA 13 Jun 91 180/68 2 Pre Eugene OR 28 May
3 (4) 17.19 1.6 Chris Benard USA 4 Apr 90 190/79 1 Chula Vista CA 28 May
4 (6) 17.15 1.2 Omar Craddock USA 26 Apr 91 178/79 3 Pre Eugene OR 28 May
5 (10) 17.12 1.1 Chris Carter USA 11 Mar 89 186/80 1 FBKG Hengelo 22 May
6 (13) 17.02 1.6 Donald Scott USA 23 Feb 92 183/84 1 Pompey Inv Leonora 18 Jun
7 (38) 16.78 0.7 Josh Honeycutt USA 7 Mar 89 182/73 1 Phoenix AZ 11 Jun
8 (46) 16.75 0.5 Matthew O’Neal USA 10 Jun 94 185/74 1 American Orlando FL 15 May
9 (66) 16.57 0.7 Tim White-Edwards USA 15 Jul 94 4 NCAA Eugene OR 10 Jun
10 (72) 16.53 0.5 Jonathan Gardner USA 10 Dec 91 180/77 1 Classic Miramar FL 12 Jun

Track and field News Top 3 picks:
1. Christian Taylor (Nike)¶
2. Will Claye (Nike)¶
3. Omar Craddock (adidas)¶

LRC Comment: Taylor, the 2011 and 2015 World champ, is definitely the favorite as he’s undefeated on the year and the world leader. However, Claye’s seasonal best of 17.56 is a mark that Taylor has surpassed in only two of his four meets. Claye came up big in 2012 when he won Olympic silver. Craddock was the US indoor champion.

Women’s Triple Jump: Keturah Orji Looks For Her First of Many Olympic Bids

Only 2 Americans on the USATF entries page have the 14.15m (46′ 5¼”) Olympic standard.

US Top 10 For 2016 Via Tilastapaja.org (Number in parenthesis is their world rank)
1 (7) 14.53 1.2 =AR Keturah Orji USA 5 Mar 96 1 NCAA Eugene OR 11 Jun
2 (24) 14.15 0.1 Andrea Geubelle USA 21 Jun 91 1 Chula Vista CA 18 Jun
3 (38) 13.95 1.2 Christina Epps USA 20 Jun 91 1 Salisbury MD 19 May
4 (39) 13.94 1.7 Crystal Manning USA 15 Apr 86 1 Johnson Waco TX 23 Apr
5 (53) 13.83 2.0 April Sinkler USA 1 Sep 89 1 Chula Vista CA 26 Jun
6 (58) 13.77 1.8 Simone Charley USA 4 Feb 95 2 NCAA Eugene OR 11 Jun
7 (60) 13.76 Imani Oliver USA 7 Mar 93 1 Riga Cup Rīga 31 May
8 (65) 13.73 1.2 Bria Matthews USA 97 1 ACC Tallahassee FL 15 May
9 (80) 13.62 1.4 Ciarra Brewer USA 12 Mar 93 2 Jones Gainesville FL 22 Apr
10 (83) 13.60 0.6 Toni Smith USA 13 Oct 84 5 Chula Vista CA 18 Jun

Track and field News Top 3 Picks:
1. Keturah Orji (Georgia)¶
2. Christina Epps (adidas GS)
3. Andrea Geubelle (unattached)¶

LRC Comment: It looks like Orji and Geubelle have already punched their tickets to Rio. Can anyone else get the 14.15m standard? They are the only two Americans with the standard.

The three-time NCAA champ Orji was fourth at World Indoors this year and at age 20, broke the American record to win NCAAs.

Men’s High Jump: Erik Kynard and Then Who?

7 Americans on the USATF entries page have the 2.29 m (7′ 6″) Olympic standard.

US Top 10 For 2016 Via Tilastapaja.org  (Number in parenthesis is their world rank)
1 (4) 2.35 Erik Kynard USA 3 Feb 91 193/86 2 Diamond Birmingham 5 Jun
2 (8) 2.31 Avion Jones USA 31 Jan 94 1 American Orlando FL 14 May
3 (15) 2.29 Ricky Robertson USA 19 Sep 90 178/70 1 Chula Vista CA 18 Jun
4 (31) 2.26 Jeron Robinson USA 30 Apr 91 193/73 1 TexasR Austin TX 2 Apr
4 (31) 2.26 Trey Culver USA 18 Jul 96 2 TexasR Austin TX 2 Apr
6 (45) 2.25 Trey McRae USA 12 Jul 93 1 RaleighR Raleigh NC 25 Mar
6 (45) 2.25 Vernon Turner USA 1-HS Moore OK 14 May
6 (45) 2.25 Hoova Taylor USA 11 Jun 87 196/73 1 Greensboro NC 15 May
6 (45) 2.25 Randall Cunningham USA 4 Jan 96 196/84 1 NCAA Eugene OR 10 Jun
10 (60) 2.24 Bryan McBride USA 10 Dec 91 188/77 2 DrakeR Des Moines IA 29 Apr

Track and field News Top 3 picks:
1. Erik Kynard (Jordan)¶
2. Jeron Robinson (Texas A&M–K)¶
3. Jesse Williams (Oregon TC)¶

LRC Comment: The US jumpers haven’t been jumping great so far this year as only 3 have hit the Olympic standard of 2.29m (if you got it last year, it counts though). Of course, 2.29m is pretty high as that’s what Erik Kynard cleared to win bronze at World Indoors. Kynard has kept his good jumping up outdoors as he’s finished first, second and second in all three of his DL meets so far this year.

Women’s High Jump: Vashti Cunningham Competes In Her First Olympic Trials

Only 4 Americans on the USATF entries page have the 1.93m ( 6′ 4″) Olympic standard.

US Top 10 For 2016 Via Tilastapaja.org (Number in parenthesis is their world rank)
1 (6) 1.96 Chaunté Lowe USA 12 Jan 84 175/60 1 IbAmC Río de Janeiro 14 May
2 (12) 1.94 Vashti Cunningham USA 18 Jan 98 185/66 1 Las Vegas NV 20 Feb
3 (18) 1.93 Rachel McCoy USA 1 Aug 95 1 TexasR Austin TX 2 Apr
3 (18) 1.93 Liz Patterson USA 9 Jun 88 183/65 1 Seiko Kawasaki 8 May
5 (30) 1.91 Inika McPherson USA 29 Sep 86 1 Huntsville TX 14 May
6 (32) 1.90 Zibby Boyer USA 23 Sep 93 170/58 2 MSR Norwalk CA 16 Apr
6 (32) 1.90 Maya Pressley USA 1 Feb 91 175/60 1 Classic Miramar FL 12 Jun
8 (44) 1.89 Ty Butts USA 10 Jun 90 179/60 1 Chula Vista CA 28 May
9 (48) 1.88 Barbara Nwaba USA 18 Jan 89 175/64 1 Santa Barbara CA 5 Feb
9 (48) 1.88 Erica Bougard USA 26 Jul 93 168/57 1 FloridaR Gainesville FL 1 Apr

Track and field News Top 3 Picks:
1. Chaunté Lowe (Nike)¶ 1
2. Vashti Cunningham (Nike)¶ 2
3. Liz Patterson (unattached)¶ 3

LRC Comment: The battle between age and youth takes place in this one. The 32-year-old Lowe won world outdoor silver way back in 2005 when Vashti Cunningham was 7 years old. Don’t let Cunningham’s age (18) fool you – she’s won World Indoors this winter. It’s worth pointing out that her older brother, Randall Cunningham II of USC, is competing in the men’s high jump. Cunningham II, who won NCAA outdoors in Eugene a few weeks ago, is within striking distance of the 2.29m Olympic standard with his 2.26m pb.

Men’s Pole Vault: Sam Kendricks Leads The Way

11 Americans on the USATF entries page have the 5.70m (18′ 8¼”) Olympic standard.

US Top 10 For 2016 Via Tilastapaja.org  (Number in parenthesis is their world rank)
1 (2) 5.92 Sam Kendricks USA 7 Sep 92 189/79 1 World Chall Beijing 18 May
2 (10) 5.72 Joey Uhle USA 14 Nov 92 185/82 1 Chula Vista CA 26 Jun
3 (11) 5.71 Logan Cunningham USA 30 May 91 183/80 1 Phoenix AZ 21 May
4 (14) 5.70 Devin King USA 12 Mar 96 1 TexasR Austin TX 2 Apr
4 (14) 5.70 Mark Hollis USA 1 Dec 84 190/84 1 Atlanta GA 4 Jun
6 (27) 5.65 Audie Wyatt USA 30 Apr 96 190/84 2 TexasR Austin TX 2 Apr
6 (27) 5.65 John Prader USA 10 Feb 91 178/73 1 Chula Vista CA 21 Apr
6 (27) 5.65 Chase Wolfle USA 9 Oct 92 185/84 1 Johnson Waco TX 23 Apr
6 (27) 5.65 Scott Houston USA 11 Jun 90 193/79 1 Duke Inv Durham NC 23 Apr
6 (27) 5.65 Jake Blankenship USA 15 Mar 94 183/79 1 SEC Tuscaloosa AL 14 May
6 (27) 5.65 Mike Woepse USA 29 May 91 185/79 1 Phoenix AZ 11 Jun

Track and field News Top 3 picks:
1. Sam Kendricks (Nike)¶
2. Mark Hollis (Nike)¶
3. Jake Blankenship (Tennessee)¶

LRC Comment: World indoor silver medalist Sam Kendricks is still only 23 but he’s been flying high in 2016. He’s the heavy favorite, but we here at LetsRun.com are officially vowing to do something we’ve never done before – openly cheer for a pole vaulter. The LetsRun.com longshot pick for the team is longtime LetsRun.com reader Jeff Coover (5.68 pb). The 28-year-old has been coming to LetsRun.com thanks to some help from his distance running brother since he was in middle school. If we can actually find out where the pole vault competition is held (that’s a joke people!), we’re sure our cheering to thank him for his loyal 16 years of LetsRun.com readership will be enough to get him the .02m he needs for the Olympic standard.

We will launch LetsVault the day after the Trials end.

Women’s Pole Vault: The Battle of The Injured

21 Americans accepted women on the USATF entries page have the 4.50m (14′ 9″) Olympic standard.

US Top 10 For 2016 Via Tilastapaja.org (Number in parenthesis is their world rank)
1 (5) 4.83 Sandi Morris USA 8 Jul 92 174/65 1 Diamond Doha 6 May
2 (6) 4.82 Jenn Suhr USA 5 Feb 82 180/64 1 Bobcat San Marcos TX 30 Apr
3 (11) 4.70 Kylie Hutson USA 27 Nov 87 1 Phoenix AZ 11 Jun
3 (11) 4.70 Kristen Brown USA 26 May 92 1 Chula Vista CA 26 Jun
5 (15) 4.65 Kristen Hixson USA 1 Jul 92 1 Chula Vista CA 18 Jun
6 (19) 4.64 Lexi Weeks USA 20 Nov 96 2 McDonnell Fayetteville AR 23 Apr
7 (20) 4.63 Megan Clark USA 10 Jun 94 1 Duke Inv Durham NC 23 Apr
8 (28) 4.55 April Steiner Bennett USA 22 Apr 80 175/61 2 Phoenix AZ 11 Jun
9 (33) 4.53 Katie Nageotte USA 30 Jun 91 6 Diamond Doha 6 May
10 (34) 4.52 Morgann LeLeux USA 14 Nov 92 1 Sun Belt Lafayette LA 15 May

Track and field News Top 3 Picks:
1. Jenn Suhr (adidas)¶
2. Sandi Morris (Nike)¶
3. Lexi Weeks (Arkansas)¶

LRC Comment: The top 3 from USAs last year are all battling injury; could that open up a spot for someone like freshman sensation Lexi Weeks of Arkansas, who won NCAA indoors and outdoors this year?

Reigning Olympic champ Jenn Suhr, who also won World Indoors this year, hasn’t competed since May 7th due to calf and Achilles issues.

2015 NCAA indoor champ Sandi Morris, who was 4th at Worlds last year and took silver at World Indoors in March, broke her wrist on May 20th but is still hoping to compete.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP8kxBgf-0I

2015 NCAA champ Demi Payne, who was third at USAs last year, suffered what she called a “gnarly dislocation” on her thumb on May 2nd and hasn’t competed sinc.

Men’s Shot: Kovacs is the present but some guys from the past want to challenge him and go to Rio

12 Americans on the USATF entries page have the 20.5o m (67′ 3¼”) Olympic standard.

US Top 10 For 2016 Via Tilastapaja.org  (Number in parenthesis is their world rank)
1 (1) 22.13 Joe Kovacs USA 28 Jun 89 185/114 1 Pre Eugene OR 27 May
2 (2) 21.85 Ryan Crouser USA 18 Dec 92 201/109 1 Chula Vista CA 18 Jun
3 (3) 21.40 Kurt Roberts USA 20 Feb 88 191/127 1 Diamond Shanghai 14 May
4 (7) 21.16 Darrell Hill USA 17 Aug 93 193/135 2 Chula Vista CA 18 Jun
5 (9) 21.11 Jordan Clarke USA 10 Jul 90 193/125 1 Classic Tucson AZ 21 May
6 (10) 21.06 Ryan Whiting USA 24 Nov 86 191/134 3 Chula Vista CA 18 Jun
7 (18) 20.83 Reese Hoffa USA 8 Oct 77 181/133 3 Classic Tucson AZ 21 May
8 (21) 20.79 Garrett Appier USA 15 Oct 92 1 Williams/Laptad Joplin MO 29 Apr
9 (37) 20.51 Jacob Thormaehlen USA 13 Feb 90 1 Bobcat San Marcos TX 30 Apr
10 (38) 20.48 Adam Nelson USA 7 Jul 75 183/115 2 Georgia Inv Athens GA 30 Apr

Track and field News Top 3 picks:
1. Joe Kovacs (Nike)¶
2. Reese Hoffa (New York AC)¶
3. Ryan Whiting (Nike)¶

LRC Comment: The 2015 world champ Joe Kovacs is the favorite as he’s gone over 22m in each of his last two meets. Four-time NCAA champ Ryan Crouser (2 indoor, 2 outdoor) is coming into the meet after a huge .51 PR (21.85) in his last meet. If he throws that again, he’ll be an Olympian as 21.84 got the win last year. That would leave one Olympic spot to battle it out with some super accomplished guys including 2004 Olympic champ Adam Nelson, now 40, two-time world indoor champ Ryan Whiting, 4-time NCAA champ Jordan Clarke, Shanghai DL winner Kurt Roberts and two-time Olympic silver medallist Reese Hoffa.

Women’s Shot: Tia Brooks Is Red Hot – What’s Up With Michelle Carter?

16 Americans on the USATF entries page have the 17.75m (58′ 3″) Olympic standard.

US Top 10 For 2016 Via Tilastopaja.org (Number in parenthesis is their world rank)
1 (2) 19.73 Tia Brooks USA 2 Aug 90 1 Diamond Birmingham 5 Jun
2 (5) 19.33 Raven Saunders USA 15 May 96 1 NCAA Eugene OR 9 Jun
3 (6) 19.26 Felisha Johnson USA 24 Jul 89 1 Naperville IL 5 Jun
4 (8) 18.99 Jill Camarena-Williams USA 2 Mar 82 178/104 1 Classic Tucson AZ 21 May
5 (13) 18.72 Michelle Carter USA 12 Oct 85 175/107 2 DrakeR Des Moines IA 29 Apr
5 (13) 18.72 Jeneva Stevens USA 28 Oct 89 1 Chula Vista CA 28 May
7 (18) 18.61 Brittany Smith USA 25 Mar 91 1 Lawrence KS 25 Jun
8 (20) 18.56 Kelsey Card USA 20 Aug 92 1 Madison WI 6 May
9 (27) 18.18 Dani Bunch USA 16 May 91 3 Baie Mahault 14 May
10 (31) 17.99 Chase Ealey USA 20 Jul 94 2 NCAA Eugene OR 9 Jun

Track and field News Top 3 Picks:
1. Tia Brooks (Nike)¶
2. Michelle Carter (Nike)¶
3. Raven Saunders (Mississippi)¶

LRC Comment: 25-year-old Tia Brooks is on fire. Coming into the year, she’d thrown 19 meters exactly once in her life. Now she’s done it in 4 of her last 5 meets, picking up wins at Drake, Doha and Shanghai in the process.

Michelle Carter was on fire indoors as she won World Indoor gold with a massive heave of 20.21m. However, outdoors her best is just 18.72 and we see no results for her since May 6th.

Ole Miss’s Raven Saunders went over 19m for the first time outdoors to get the win at NCAAs.

Men’s Discus: Your Guess is as Good as Ours

7 Americans on the USATF entries page have the 65 m (213′ 3″) Olympic standard.

US Top 10 For 2016 Via Tilastapaja.org  (Number in parenthesis is their world rank)
1 (7) 67.45 Sam Mattis USA 19 Mar 94 185/100 1 Philadelphia PA 19 Mar
2 (16) 66.00 Rodney Brown USA 21 May 93 183/109 1 MSR Norwalk CA 16 Apr
3 (18) 65.82 Tavis Bailey USA 1 Jun 92 190/127 1 Classic Salinas CA 29 May
4 (20) 65.73 Mason Finley USA 7 Oct 90 203/150 1 Lawrence KS 25 Jun
5 (22) 65.67 Jason Young USA 27 May 81 185/107 1 Lubbock TX 6 May
6 (26) 65.41 Andrew Evans USA 25 Jan 91 198/105 2 Chula Vista CA 21 Apr
7 (39) 64.49 Nate Moses USA 1 Apr 90 2 Classic Salinas CA 28 May
8 (44) 63.92 Jared Schuurmans USA 20 Aug 87 198/118 2 Claremont CA 15 May
9 (49) 63.47 Russ Winger USA 2 Aug 84 191/120 2 Classic Salinas CA 29 May
10 (52) 63.23 Brian Williams USA 1 Mt. Vernon IA 9 Apr

Track and field News Top 3 Picks:
1. Rodney Brown (Nike)¶
2. Mason Finley (unattached)¶
3. Andrew Evans (Ch Vista Elite)¶

LRC Comment: This certainly is an event where someone might finish top 3 and not make it to Rio as they are lacking the 65m standard. The Americans with the standard are as follows.

Sam Mattis Penn 67.45
Jared Schuurmans Nike 66.10
Rodney Brown Nike 66.00
Tavis Bailey 65.82
Jason Young Nike 65.67m
Mason Finley 65.63
Andrew Evans 65.41m

Schuurmans is the defending champ. Mattis was the top American at NCAAs (runner-up to Nebraska’s Nicholas Percy, who is English). The 2014 NCAA and US champion Hayden Reed of Alabama didn’t qualify as he hasn’t cracked 61m the last two years.

Women’s Discus: Can The 2008 Olympic Champ Make Another Team?

9 Americans on the USATF entries page have the 61m (200′ 1″) Olympic standard.

US Top 10 For 2016 Via Tilastapaja.org (Number in parenthesis is their world rank)
1 (12) 64.62 Whitney Ashley USA 18 Feb 89 1 Chula Vista CA 21 Apr
2 (17) 63.52 Kelsey Card USA 20 Aug 92 1 NCAA Eugene OR 11 Jun
3 (19) 63.09 Stephanie Brown Trafton USA 1 Dec 79 193/100 1 Classic Salinas CA 29 May
4 (28) 61.97 Hannah Carson USA 26 Jan 93 1 Lubbock TX 6 May
5 (31) 61.67 Liz Podominick USA 5 Dec 84 4 Triton Inv La Jolla CA 22 Apr
6 (34) 61.42 Valarie Allman USA 23 Feb 95 3 NCAA Eugene OR 11 Jun
7 (39) 61.16 Paige Blackburn USA 5 Mar 90 1 Los Angeles CA 25 Mar
8 (41) 61.10 Tera Novy USA 10 Feb 94 2 Los Angeles CA 14 Apr
9 (45) 60.73 Shelbi Vaughan USA 24 Aug 94 1 Johnson Waco TX 23 Apr
10 (46) 60.54 Katelyn Daniels USA 11 Apr 95 5 NCAA Eugene OR 11 Jun

Track and field News Top 3 Picks:
1. Whitney Ashley (Nike)¶
2. Kelsey Card (Wisconsin)¶
3. Liz Podominick (Ch Vista Elite)¶

LRC Comment: Watch out: 2008 Olympic champ Stephanie Brown Trafton, 36, has thrown her best since 2012. She’s clearly clutch. Can she make another team?

Men’s Hammer: Everyone Needs The Standard?

Zero Americans on the USATF entries page have the 77m (252′ 7″) Olympic standard.

US Top 10 For 2016 Via Tilastapaja.org  (Number in parenthesis is their world rank)
1 (36) 75.32 A.G. Kruger USA 18 Feb 79 193/118 1 Ashland OH 17 Jun
2 (37) 75.10 Rudy Winkler USA 6 Dec 94 186/102 1 Ivy League Princeton NJ 7 May
3 (39) 74.98 Kibwe Johnson USA 17 Jul 81 189/108 1 Hurricane Coral Gables FL 8 Apr
4 (43) 74.79 Conor McCullough USA 31 Jan 91 186/102 1 Chula Vista CA 18 Jun
5 (49) 74.35 Sean Donnelly USA 1 Apr 93 1 Castillo Tempe AZ 18 Mar
6 (55) 73.70 Michael Lihrman USA 6 Dec 91 196/114 1 Madison WI 6 May
7 (62) 73.26 Darien Thornton USA 14 Jul 94 2 Ashland OH 17 Jun
8 (69) 72.59 Colin Dunbar USA 27 Jun 88 190/115 1 Classic Tucson AZ 19 May
9 (72) 72.47 Alex Young USA 1 Sep 94 1 Hammond LA 15 Apr
10 (76) 72.35 Matthias Tayala USA 27 Apr 93 183/100 4 Ashland OH 17 Jun

Track and field News Top 3 Picks:
1. Kibwé Johnson (New York AC)
2. A.G. Kruger (Nike)
3. Conor McCullough (unattached)

LRC Comment: Despite what we said above about no one having the standard, Cornell’s Rudy Winkler, the NCAA runner-up, threw 77.78 meters last weekend but the mark hasn’t been accepted as of yet by USATF. If it is accepted, he’s got a great chance of going to the Olympics. Other than that, you want to win this event as the IOC still may invite people without the standard and you’d tink they’d honor the order of finish.

Women’s Hammer: Gwen Berry Is Back At OT

5 Americans on the USATF entries page have the 71m (232′ 11″) Olympic standard.

US Top 10 For 2016 Via Tilastapaja.org (Number in parenthesis is their world rank)
1 (2) 76.31 AR Gwen Berry USA 29 Jun 89 1 Classic Tucson AZ 21 May
2 (8) 73.61 Amber Campbell USA 5 Jun 81 170/91 1 MSR Norwalk CA 14 Apr
3 (12) 72.66 DeAnna Price USA 8 Jun 93 1 Edwardsville IL 29 Apr
4 (20) 71.90 Amanda Bingson USA 20 Feb 90 1 Clermont FL 14 May
5 (27) 71.10 Jeneva Stevens USA 28 Oct 89 1 Chula Vista CA 28 May
6 (37) 70.50 Maggie Ewen USA 23 Sep 94 2q West Lawrence KS 27 May
7 (44) 69.62 Britney Henry USA 17 Oct 84 1 Chula Vista CA 18 Jun
8 (48) 69.33 Heavin Warner USA 4 Mar 93 1 NCAA-II Bradenton FL 26 May
9 (57) 68.33 Aubrey Baxter USA 7 Nov 85 1 SCR Sioux City IA 16 Apr
10 (62) 68.02 Brooke Pleger USA 21 Jun 92 1 Owens Columbus OH 23 Apr

Track and field News Top 3 Picks:
1. Gwen Berry (NYAC)¶
2. Amber Campbell (Nike)¶
3. DeAnna Price (Southern Illinois)¶ t

LRC Comment: Berry is back from a 3-month asthma ban that some think she shouldn’t have had to serve. She didn’t test positive but admitted to taking the drug which cost her the American record. Before this year, her pb was just 72m, but she threw 76m before the DQ.

Men’s Javelin: It Looks Like The Olympic Team is Already Picked Barring Something Big

3 Americans on the USATF entries page have the 83m (272′ 3″) Olympic standard.

US Top 10 For 2016 Via Tilastapaja.org  (Number in parenthesis is their world rank)
1 (20) 83.83 Cyrus Hostetler USA 8 Aug 86 190/95 1 Classic Tucson AZ 21 May
2 (46) 81.03 Curtis Thompson USA 8 Feb 96 183/102 1 FSUR Tallahassee FL 25 Mar
3 (48) 80.86 Ben Woodruff USA 9 May 89 183/91 2 Classic Tucson AZ 21 May
4 (51) 80.42 Riley Dolezal USA 16 Nov 85 188/100 1 Jerome Burnaby 17 Jun
5 (63) 79.62 Tim van Liew USA 25 May 90 190/95 3 Classic Tucson AZ 21 May
6 (76) 78.77 Sam Humphreys USA 12 Sep 90 201/115 4 Classic Tucson AZ 21 May
7 (90) 78.03 Tim Glover USA 11 Jan 90 185/86 5 Classic Tucson AZ 21 May
8 (101) 77.50 Chris Carper USA 19 Apr 92 186/86 7 Classic Tucson AZ 21 May
9 (117) 76.74 Cody Danielson USA 1 Dec 93 1 Williams Tucson AZ 18 Mar
10 (129) 76.11 Ryan Young USA 3 Jan 87 196/100 3 Classic Tucson AZ 21 Ma

Track and field News Top 3 Picks:
1. Riley Dolezal (Nike)
2. Cyrus Hostetler (unattached)¶
3. Ben Woodruff (Amer Big Guys)

LRC Comment: It appears the three Olympians are already known — assuming no one gets the standard at the Trials — as only three entrants have the 83m standard. Here are the top 5 entrants.

Cyrus Hostetler 83.83
Samuel Crouser 83.33
Sean Furey ASICS 83.08
Riley Dolezal Nike 81.62
Curtis Thompson 81.03

Track and Field News’ pick for victory – Riley Dolezal – has thrown over 83m once in the past. He did that to win USAs in 2013 (83.50 pb).

Women’s Javelin

9 Americans on the USATF entries page have the 61m (200′ 1″) Olympic standard.

US Top 10 For 2016 Via Tilastapaja.org (Number in parenthesis is their world rank)
1 (12) 64.62 Whitney Ashley USA 18 Feb 89 1 Chula Vista CA 21 Apr
2 (17) 63.52 Kelsey Card USA 20 Aug 92 1 NCAA Eugene OR 11 Jun
3 (19) 63.09 Stephanie Brown Trafton USA 1 Dec 79 193/100 1 Classic Salinas CA 29 May
4 (28) 61.97 Hannah Carson USA 26 Jan 93 1 Lubbock TX 6 May
5 (31) 61.67 Liz Podominick USA 5 Dec 84 4 Triton Inv La Jolla CA 22 Apr
6 (34) 61.42 Valarie Allman USA 23 Feb 95 3 NCAA Eugene OR 11 Jun
7 (39) 61.16 Paige Blackburn USA 5 Mar 90 1 Los Angeles CA 25 Mar
8 (41) 61.10 Tera Novy USA 10 Feb 94 2 Los Angeles CA 14 Apr
9 (45) 60.73 Shelbi Vaughan USA 24 Aug 94 1 Johnson Waco TX 23 Apr
10 (46) 60.54 Katelyn Daniels USA 11 Apr 95 5 NCAA Eugene OR 11 Jun

Track and field News Top 3 Picks:
1. Whitney Ashley (Nike)¶
2. Kelsey Card (Wisconsin)¶
3. Liz Podominick (Ch Vista Elite)¶

LRC Comment: No Americans in the top 10 in the World.

Men’s Decathlon: Will Ashton Eaton Go For The WR?

6 Americans on the USATF entries page have the 8100 point Olympic standard.

US Top 10 For 2016 Via Tilastapaja.org  (Number in parenthesis is their world rank)
1 (8) 8300 Zach Ziemek
2 (11) 8203 Jeremy Taiwo
3 (18) 8116 Devon Williams
4 (21) 8107 Garrett Scantling
5 (32) 8032 Harrison Williams
6 (37) 7936 Solomon Simmons
7 (39) 7917 Steven Bastien
8 (50) 7830 Kale Wolken
9 (52) 7822 Miller Moss
10 (63) 7765 Austin Bahner

Track and field News Top 3 Picks:
1. Ashton Eaton (Nike)¶
2. Trey Hardee (Nike)¶
3. Jeremy Taiwo (Brooks)¶

LRC Comment: 9045 is the number that you want to remember. Will the Hayward Field magic inspire him? Two-time world champ and 2012 Olympic silver medallist Trey Hardee is likely to get 2nd so the real question is, ‘Who gets third?’

Women’s Heptathlon: Barbara Nwaba The One to Beat

7 Americans on the USATF entries page have the 6100 Olympic standard.

US Top 10 For 2016 Via Tilastapaja.org (Number in parenthesis is their world rank)
1 (6) 6360 Barbara Nwaba
2 (14) 6225 Kendell Williams
3 (18) 6170 Erica Bougard
4 (28) 6068 Jessica Flax
5 (30) 6039 Quintunya Chapman
6 (33) 6011 Sharon Day-Monroe
7 (37) 5991 Taliyah Brooks
7 (37) 5991 Lindsay Schwartz
9 (39) 5990 Allison Reaser
10 (40) 5988 Lindsay Lettow

Track and field News Top 3 Picks:
1. Barbara Nwaba (S Barbara TC)¶
2. Kendell Williams (Georgia)¶
3. Erica Bougard (Mississippi St)¶

LRC Comment:  Can’t Ashton Eaton get his wife Brianne Theisen-Eaton to defect from Canada to the US?

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