Two US stars and two relative unknowns comprise the US 4 x 2k relay team at World XC.

An American has medalled at each of the last 4 global outdoor championships but Americans Emma Coburn and Courtney Frerichs have been a bit under the radar so far in 2022. Can they get the job done on home soil?

Plus thoughts on pacers in the men's 5,000 final and will an American man win a distance medal at Worlds?

From Elaine Thompson-Herah and Sha'Carri Richardson in the 100 to Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Cole Hocker in the Bowerman Mile, the world and America's best are all in Eugene this weekend.

The meet was a bit underwhelming as Caldwell was the only athlete to hit the World Championship standard on the night. In other action, Neil Gourley took down Cole Hocker and won the men’s 1500 in 3:35.43 and Evan Jager struggled over the final 150 in the men’s steeple and Emma Coburn ran 4:09 in the women's 1500. The most entertaining race of the night may have been the B heat of the men's 800 with Cooper Teare and HS sensation Colin Sahlman. 

• MB: Official 2022 USATF Distance Classic Live Discussion Thread (10 pm ET Thurs Night)
• MB: Sahlman finishes second place behind Cooper Teare over 800 m
• MB: USATF Distance Classic: Colin Sahlman 800m & Lex Young 1500m: What will they run??
• MB: What happened to Hobbs Kessler?

From world record chases to era-defining rivalries, here are the eight stories Jonathan Gault will be following closely throughout the 2022 track season. *MB Here are the 8 storylines I'll be watching most closely in track in 2022. What are yours?

Courtney Frerichs ran 8:57.77 to smash her American record and become the first American women sub 9 in the steeplechase.

Courtney Frerichs went for gold and was rewarded with silver as Peruth Chemutai of Uganda got the upset win and Emma Coburn was not a factor.

Three women in the field have won global titles but none have ever won Olympic gold. This should be a great one. *Discuss

Kipyegon is now #4 all-time in the women’s 1500, while Muir is #2 among Brits all-time in the 800 but will only run the 1500 in Tokyo. Hyvin Kiyeng (9:03.82) won the steeple, her second DL victory in a week.

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Coburn won her 7th straight US title as she and Frerichs went 1-2 for the fifth straight year. Falland was in third with two laps to go and fell, and though she was third again at the bell, Constien -- who works a full-time job -- was too strong over the last lap.

The women's steeple has been the most predictable event at USAs in recent years. Will that continue in 2021, or will there be a changing of the guard? Colleen Quigley hasn't run a steeple since 2019.

What a track meet. You can make a case that the men's Olympic favorites at 100 (Noah Lyles/Trayvon Bromell), 200 (Lyles), 400 (Michael Norman), and 800 (Donavan Brazier) are all racing in Staten Island this weekend. Plus Sydney McLaughlin, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, and AR attempts in the 1000 (Bryce Hoppel) & 2-mile (Elle Purrier).

McGee beat out Rebecca Mehra (2:01.09) and Emma Coburn (2:01.10) while Cheserek won over Sam Atkin, Oliver Hoare and Joe Klecker. Kellyn Taylor (15:11.50) was a close second in the women's 5000.

Edward Cheserek, Joe Klecker and Oliver Hoare lead the men's 5000 while the women's race has Dani Jones, Alicia Monson, Stephanie Bruce, Kellyn Taylor, and Kim Conley. Emma Coburn, Cory McGee and Brenda Martinez will face off in the 800m. Live stream on FloTrack at 11:30PM ET.

The group coached by Joe Bosshard which includes Emma Coburn, Dani Jones, Aisha Praught Leer, Cory McGee, Dom Scott, Cruz Culpepper and Morgan McDonald are going for the 4:36.05 and 4:01.00 Colorado mile records. The race will be live streamed for free on YouTube at 10:30PM ET. The group is also using the race to raise money for scholarships for black Colorado high school students.

"This takes away the last bit of hope of making 2020 a productive, meaningful year in our career" said 2017 steeplechase world champion Emma Coburn. But others, including Olympic pole vault champ Katerina Stefanidi, support the move.