2014 IAAF World Junior Champs DEEP Previews! WOMEN’S FIELD/MULTIS
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Event-by-event capsule previews of the women's field events, noting Team USA hopes and leading global contenders for the 2014 IAAF World Junior Championships:
(coming: previews for men's track, women's track, men's field)
Women’s Shot Put: Saunders to be tested like never before
WJR: 67-4.75, Astrid Kumbernuss, GDR, 1989
AJR: 57-9, Eileen Vanisi, U. of Texas, 1991
CR: 61-6.75, Cheng Xiaoyan, CHN, 1994
Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Shanice Craft, GER, 56-3.25 (4-Christina Hillman, 7-Torie Owers)
2010: Qiangian Meng, CHN, 55-7 (6-Brittany Smith, 9-Q/GrpA-Rachel Roberts)
2008: Natalia Duco, CHI, 56-6.5 (10-Chinwe Okoro, 9-Q/GrpA-Rebecca O’Brien)
Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 54-1 / 47-7.25
2010: 51-8.25 / 48-5.25
2008: 54-3.75 / 49-4.25
Top Contenders (by 2014 IAAF World Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
1. Tianqian Guo, CHN, 59-4
2. Emel Dereli, TUR, 58-10 (59-2.75 in ’13)
3. Raven Saunders, USA/SC HS, 56-8.5
4. Saily Viart, CUB, 55-11
6. Aaliyah Pete, USA/Colo. St., 54-8.75
8. Jiaqi Xu, CHN, 54-1.75
(note: #5 and #7-ranked athletes not entered)
Analysis: 2014 has certainly been a dream season for Raven Saunders (Burke, SC senior), with her well-chronicled dramatic improvement that began last December, her two New Balance Nationals titles, her indoor and outdoor national records – hitting 56-footers when no prep had ever before thrown 55 – and, finally, her recent USATF Junior and Chicagoland (HS) titles. Before Raven, the historic gold standard in the event for U.S. preps was Michelle Carter, who held the previous records.
Another of Carter’s great achievements that Saunders would love to match is winning a WJ title, as Carter did in 2004 as a college freshman. But to say the task is formidable would be an understatement. Saunders is ranked a solid 3rd in the world, but ahead of her are the 2011 and 2013 World Youth champions, Tianqian Guo of China and Emel Dereli of Turkey. It’s not just that each has thrown more than two feet beyond Saunders, but that both are proven international veterans. Interestingly, Guo was the WJ leader going into Barcelona in 2012, but was not picked for the team. Meanwhile, Dereli finished 8th there as a 16-year-old before her 2013 win in Donetsk. It should be one of the great matchups of the Championships.
Still, Saunders loves a challenge, and maybe being pushed like this will enable her to rise to the potential many envision for her. And even if she can win at least bronze, she would join Carter and Laura Gerraughty (2002 bronze) as the only U.S. medalists ever in this event. Also, with Aaliyah Pete (Colorado State frosh) ranking in the global top 6, Team USA could have its best collective finish ever.
Women’s Discus: Allman's the one to beat
WJR: 244-1, Ilke Wyludda, GDR, 1988
AJR: 198-9, Shelbi Vaughan, TX HS, 2012
CR: 223-10, Ilke Wyludda, GDR, 1988
Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Anna Ruh, GER, 204-8 (3-Shelbi Vaughan, 8-Alex Collatz)
2010: Yaime Perez, CUB, 183-9 (2-Erin Pendleton, 8-Q/GrpA-Alyssa Hasslen)
2008: Shanqxue Xi, CHN, 180-3 (7-Anna Jelmini, 11-Erin Pendleton)
Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 197-1 / 162-3
2010: 177-0 / 161-11
2008: 177-11 / 163-10
Top Contenders (by 2014 IAAF World Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
1. Valarie Allman, USA/Stanford, 188-6
2. Claudine Vita, GER, 186-11
3. Yan Liang, CHN, 185-4 (203-5 in ’13)
4. Yuchen Xie, CHN, 183-0 (184-10 in ’13)
5. June Kintana, ESP, 182-7
6. Izabela Da Silva, BRA, 181-6
…
16. Katelyn Daniels, USA/Mich. State, 174-9
Analysis: While Raven Saunders has deservedly gotten attention from prep fans as the next tremendous international medal hope in the women’s throws, it’s actually last year’s national prep discus leader who tops the global list and has the best chance for gold. Valarie Allman was a 184-2 performer in 2013 at Silver Creek HS in Colorado, but she struggled to get back to the 180s late in the season. This year, as a Stanford frosh, she’s been more consistent and, with her first throw at USATF Juniors the other week, strengthened her World #1 with her 188-6 PR.
Three things worth noting: First, if Allman could pull off the victory, it would be the apex of an upward cycle for US discus throwers with Erin Pendleton getting 2nd in 2010 and HSR- and AJR-holder Shelbi Vaughan 3rd in 2012 (also 3rd at 2011 World Youth). Seilala Sua (2nd in 1996) and Suzy Powell (3rd in 1994) are Team USA’s other two medalists ever in this meet. Second, one can’t help but noting that in 2012, it took 197-1 (Vaughan) to medal and this year no one has even reached 190. However, 2012 was the exception in terms of medal requirements; in 2010 and 2008, the winning mark was only in the 180s.
Finally, one wonders about China’s Yan Liang: She has thrown just 185-4 this year after a WJ-leading 203-5 in 2013 (and 198-6 in 2012). If Liang – who was also 2nd at World Youths in 2011 – returns to form, the rest of the field will be in trouble. Also, two of the other top contenders against Allman are the 2013 WY gold and silver medalists, Yuchen Xie of China and Claudine Vita of Germany – who are now #2-#4 on the WJ list. Watch, too, for Tetiana Yureva of the Ukraine, at 179-9 this year, but with a 187-3 PR from last year and having finished 9th in Barcelona. Not to be forgotten is Allman’s US teammate Katelyn Daniels (Michigan State frosh), who can make the final and maybe the top 6-8 if she can throw close to her 174-9 PR.
Women’s Javelin: New level for Glasmann
WJR: 206-8, Vira Rebryk, UKR, 2008
AJR: 181-2, Haley Crouser, OR HS, 2012
CR: 206-8, Vira Rebryk, UKR, 2008
Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Sofi Flinck, SWE, 201-5 (11-Haley Crouser, 14-Q/GrpA-Brianna Bain)
2010: Sanni Utriainen, FIN, 186-0 (8-Allison Updike)
2008: Vira Rebryk, UKR, 206-8 (7-Q/GrpA-Karlee McQuillen)
Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 187-5 / 166-7
2010: 178-11 / 159-0
2008: 192-9 / 167-3
Top Contenders (by 2014 IAAF World Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
1. Sofi Flinck, SWE, 191-8 (203-3 in ’13)
2. Sara Kolak, CRO, 189-7
4. Marie-Therese Obst, NOR, 188-5
5. Marcelina Witek, POL, 188-0
6. Maria Andrejczyk, POL, 185-5
7. Ekaterina Starygina, RUS, 185-3 (192-2 in ’13)
…
19. Megan Glasmann, USA/Utah, 175-0
--- Rebekah Wales, USA/LSU, 166-7
(note: #3-ranked athlete not entered)
Analysis: One of the stronger favorites in these championships will be Sweden’s Sofi Flinck in the women’s javelin – one of a small handful of 2012 champs still active in the junior ranks. Indeed, Flinck was barely 17 when she triumphed in Barcelona with 201-5, winning by more than two meters and moving up a spot from her silver at the 2011 WYC. In 2013, she had the six longest throws for Juniors in the world, topped by a 203-3 which is #5 all-time – and she finished 10th in the senior world champs. While she hasn’t impressed to that level in 2014 yet, it’s hard to imagine she won’t.
Picking the rest of the medals is a challenge. World #3 Mackenzie Little of Australia has the experience of claiming the WYC title in 2013, but is not on the entry list. Russia’s Ekaterina Starygina is W#7 at 185-3, but threw 192-2 last year. Similarly, Japan’s Kiho Kuze at 177-8 was a 193-6 thrower a year ago.
NSAF Project Javelin Gold alum Megan Glasmann, who has transferred to University of Utah after a tough freshman year at Stanford, was the Pan-Am Junior champ last year as a Park City, UT senior, hitting 176-8. After not making it up to the 170s and struggling with injury during the spring, she rose like a phoenix to win the USATF Juniors at 175-0. She should make the final here, but will need probably 5-10 more feet to be a medal contender. LSU frosh Rebekah Wales will likely need a PR-level through to make the final. Team USA has never medaled in the WJC jav, with the best finish being 7th by Lyndsay Johnson in 2002. HSR-holder Haley Crouser was 11th in 2012 after taking 4th at WYC in 2011.
Women’s Hammer: Strong duo for Hungary
WJR: 240-3, Wenxiu Zhang, CHN, 2005
AJR: 223-6, Shelby Ashe, Throw 1 Deep, 2012
CR: 231-8, Alexandra Tavernier, FRA
Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Alexandra Tavernier, FRA, 231-8 (10-Shelby Ashe, 11-Q/GrpB-DeAnna Price)
2010: Sophie Hitchon, GBR, 216-7 (13-Q/GrpA-Shelby Ashe, 14-Q/GrpB-Lauren Chambers)
2008: Bianca Perie, ROU, 222-11 (12-Q/GrpA-D’Ana McCarty, NM-Q/GrpB-Lauren Chambers)
Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 220-3 / 194-7
2010: 209-10 / 175-2
2008: 199-5 / 189-8
Top Contenders (by 2014 IAAF World Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
1. Al’ona Shamotina, UKR, 224-6
2. Reka Gyuratz, HUN, 220-10
3. Iliana Korosidou, GRE, 214-4
4. Zsofia Bacskay, HUN, 212-6
5. Katarzyna Furmanek, POL, 209-9
6. Beatrice Nedberg Llano, NOR, 206-11
…
22. Brooke Andersen, USA/Northern Ariz. U., 194-9
26. Haley Showalter, USA/CO HS, 193-5
Analysis: After golds were won by throwers from France and Great Britain the past two championships, it looks like Eastern Europeans will top the medal stand in 2014. Al’ona Shamotina of the Ukraine has an unremarkable record in two previous global title meets – NM in qualifying at 2012 WJC and 8th at 2011 WYC – but she leads the world now at 224-6 and has three marks among the world’s 10 best. She ranked 3rd among Juniors in 2013 and has been improving steadily. Battling Shamotina will be Hungary’s 1-2 punch of 2013 WYC gold medalist Reka Gyuratz and Zsofia Bacskay. Actually, Hungary also had the 2013 WYC runner-up in Helga Volgyi, but she hasn’t thrown as well this year, while Bacskay – already at 208-6 with the Jr/Sr hammer at age 15 two years ago – has been steady. Then there’s Greece’s Iliana Korosidou, 5th in Barcelona two years ago, then beating Gyurtatz (8th).
American hopes were high two years ago when Shelby Ashe entered at World #2 after her AJR at the Juniors. She was just 10th, though that still ranks as the 2nd-highest finish ever by a U.S. thrower. Maureen Griffin won bronze in the 1998 WJC. This year, Haley Showalter (Valor Christian, CO junior) will be one of the youngest throwers in the field and, if she throws in the high 180s or 190s, stands a solid chance of making the final. Northern Arizona frosh Brooke Andersen has a shot, as well, if she can get back to mid-season form when she was also above 190.
Women’s Triple Jump: Tougher field for Orji
WJR: 47-11.75, Tereza Marinova, BUL, 1996
AJR: 45-11.75, Erica McLain, Stanford, 2005
CR: 47-11.75, Tereza Marinova, BUL, 1996
Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Ana Peleteiro, ESP, 46-6 (6-Ciarra Brewer, 9-Q/GrpA-Jennifer Madu)
2010: Dailenys Alcantara, CUB, 46-2.75 (9-Andrea Geubelle)
2008: Dailenys Alcantara, CUB, 46-9 (15-Q/GrpA-Ti’Ara Walpool, 13-Q/GrpB-Vashti Thomas)
Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 45-7.25 / 42-6.25
2010: 45-0.25 / 42-2
2008: 45-1 / 42-11.75
Top Contenders (by 2014 IAAF World Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
1. Ana Peleteiro, ESP, 46-2 (46-6 in ’13)
2. Rong Wang, CHN, 45-10.5 (46-2.75i)
3. Elena Panturoiu, ROU, 45-3.75 (45-8.5i)
4. Rouguy Diallo, FRA, 45-1
5. Liadagmis Povea, CUB, 45-0.5
6. Xiaohong Li, CHN, 44-11.5 (46-1.5i)
…
13. Keturah Orji, USA/NJ HS, 44-1.5 (44-11.5 in ’13)
24. Marshay Ryan, USA, 43-3.75
Analysis: After Keturah Orji’s amazing 2013 World Youth meet – with a bronze and near-HSR in the triple jump and a silver in the long jump – talk soon turned to not only when Orji would break that 44-11.75 record of Brittany Daniels’, but how well could she do at the 2014 World Juniors? Now nearly a year later, the Mt. Olive, NJ grad (headed to U. of Georgia) has had a number of 44-footers this year, legal and windy, but the Daniels mark is still out there. Moreover, winning a WJ medal is looking decidedly more challenging. With her 44-11.5 last year, Orji was actually ranked tied for 2nd among World Juniors as well as World Youth. No 18- or 19-year-olds went further. But with her 44-1.5 legal best in 2014, she’s just #13 – while even 44-11.5 would have her just #6.
Interestingly, one who’s jumped back ahead of Orji is actually the 2012 WJ champ. Ana Peleteiro of Spain flew out to 46-6 for the win at “home” in Barcelona two years ago, but last year could manage just 43-7.25. Now she’s over 46 feet again and arguably the favorite to defend. More consistent is China’s Rong Wang – she won silver in Donetsk with the same best mark as Orji and now is World #2 among Juniors with her new 45-10.5 best. On the other hand, Romania’s 2013 WY champ Florentina Marincu (45-3.75) has done no better than 43-10 this year and is #17 on the World list. Another of Orji’s 2013 contemporaries expected here is Nubia Soares of Brazil – 4th in Donetsk and ranked World #8 now.
In any case, it stands to reason that Orji needs that 45-footer she’s been chasing to be in the medal conversation – and don’t be surprised if she rises to the occasion. Orji’s teammate, Auburn frosh Marshay Ryan, can also make the final if she’s around that 43-foot-mark again. The best U.S. finish ever in this event at the WJC is 6th by Ciarra Brewer in 2012. She was also 7th at the 2009 WYC.
Women’s Long Jump: Best chance for WY doubler Marincu
WJR: 23-5.25, Heike Drechsler, GDR, 1983
AJR: 22-3.75, Carol Lewis, USA, 1982
CR: 22-4.5, Fiona May, ITA, 1988
Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Katarina Johnson-Thompson, GBR, 22-4.25w (10Q/GrpA-Le’Trista Pledger, 10Q/GrpB-Robin Reynolds)
2010: Irisdaymi Herrera, CUB, 21-0.5 (11-Karynn Dunn, 7Q/GrpA-Andrea Geubelle)
2008: Ivana Spanovic, SRB, 21-8.25 (7Q/GrpB-Jamesha Youngblood, 10Q/GrpA-Shakia Forbes)
Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 21-10.75 / 20-4.25
2010: 20-4.25 / 18-10.5
2008: 21-0.5 / 19-9.75
Top Contenders (by 2014 IAAF World Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
1. Florentina Marincu, ROM, 22-0.25
2. Esa Brume, NGR, 21-11
3. Akela Jones, BAR, 21-6
4. Teresa Carvalho, POR, 21-4.75
5. Yulimar Rojas, VEN, 21-3.25
6. Claudette Allen, JAM, 21-2
…
8. Quanesha Burks, USA/U. of Alabama, 20-11.25
15. Jazmin McCoy, USA/U. of Nebraska, 20-9 (20-11.25w)
Analysis: Both of the 2013 World Youth Champs’ horizontal double jump stars – double gold medalist Florentina Marincu of Romania and silver/bronze winner Keturah Orji of Team USA – rank higher so far in 2014 among Juniors in the long jump than they do the triple jump. The difference is that Marincu is the world leader and expected to be here, and Orji – at World #7 – is not in this event because she was 4th at USATF Juniors, less than an inch from making it.
Indeed, Marincu has definitely been stronger here this year and is a slim favorite over Esa Brume of Nigeria, who is inexperienced at this level – as are several others in the World top 6. On the other hand, World #3 Akela Jones of the Barbados was 6th at the 2011 WY in Lille and jumped in qualifying in Barcelona in ’12. And Maryna Bekh of the Ukraine, #11 at 20-10.5, was #1 last year at 22-3 and was 5th in Lille and 8th in Barcelona.
At the USATF Juniors, college frosh Jazmin McCoy (Nebraska) and Quanesha Burks (Alabama) nipped top preps Orji and Chyna Ries. Both McCoy and Burks are green internationally, but should make the final if they’re on their game. Whether they can get top 6 or better depends on if they can have career days. Team USA has never medaled in this event, with the best finish being fourth by Julia Yendork in 1990.
Women’s High Jump: Between Gerashchenko and Lake
WJR: 6-7, Olga Turchak, URS, 1986 and Heike Balck GDR, 1989
AJR: 6-4.25, Tanya Hughes, USA/U. of Ariz., 1991
CR: 6-6.75, Alina Astafei, ROM, 1988
Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Aleissa Trost, ITA, 6-3.25 (11Q/GrpA-Maddie Morrow, 9Q/GrpB-Taylor Burke)
2010: Marija Vukovic, MNE, 6-3.25 (5-Hannah Willms, 8-Q/Grp A-Maya Pressley)
2008: Kimberly Jess, GER, 6-1.25 (10-Shanay Briscoe, 12-Q/GrpA-Jessica Merriweather)
Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 6-2/5-11.5
2010: 6-2.25/ 5-10
2008: 6-1.25 / 5-10
Top Contenders (by 2014 IAAF World Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
2. Morgan Lake, GBR, 6-4
3. Iryna Gerashchenko, UKR, 6-3.5 (6-4.75i)
T4. Irina Ilieva, RUS, 6-2.75
7. Lin Wang, CHN, 6-2
T8. Erika Furlani, ITA, 6-1.5
T8. Michaela Hruba, CZE, 6-1.5
…
T22. Rachel McCoy, USA/LIU, 6-0
T30. Bailey Weiland, USA/GA HS, 5-11.5
Analysis: How unfortunate that some of the event’s top talents won’t be in Eugene. In very few cases is a World #1 missing, but 2013 WY champ Eleanor Patterson of Australia – with a 6-5 best – is not here. Australia’s #2 jumper, Hannah Joye, will not compete, either. And, for the 2nd straight WJC, there’s a Nevada high school soph class national record-setter and overall US#1 prep in the world’s top 3 that did not attempt to qualify for Team USA: In 2012, it was Gabby Williams (Sparks HS) at 6-2.25 and in 2014 it’s Vashti Cunningham (Bishop Gorman HS) at 6-3.
Refocusing on who is going to be here: There’s arguably two favorites: Iryna Gerashchenko of the Ukraine has cleared 6-3.5 outdoors and 6-4.75 indoors, and has a solid championship history with a silver at the 2011 WY, 7th at 2012 WJ and competed in qualifying in the senior World Indoor this past winter. Great Britain’s Morgan Lake is a prodigiously talented 17-year-old who has cleared 6-4 … as well as scored more than 6,000 points in the heptathlon (see below). She has a better chance to win here, with fewer great 19-year-olds to worry about. Also watch out for Erika Furlani of Italy, 2nd to Patterson at WY last year.
As for the U.S. entrants, making the final would be a good goal. Bailey Weiland came out of Marist HS in Atlanta to become somewhat of a surprise winner at both New Balance Nationals Outdoor and USATF Juniors, and has a best of 5-11.5. Rachel McCoy, a Californian at Long Island U., was just 5th at Juniors but had the necessary qualifier (6-0) to make it on the team. The best-ever U.S. finishes are a bronze by Sharon Day in 2004 and 5th by Hannah Wilms in 2010.
Women’s Pole Vault: Freier primed for a medal
WJR: 15-2.25, Angelica Bengtsson, SWE, 2011
AJR: 14-4.5, Natalie Willer, U. of Neb., 2009
CR: 14-9, Angelica Bengtsson, SWE, 2012
Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Angelica Bengtsson, SWE, 14-9 (6-Emily Grove, 10Q/GrpA-Sydney White)
2010: Angelica Bengtsson, SWE, 13-11.25 (7 tie-Kelsie Ahbe, 7 tie-Shade Weygandt)
2008: Valeriya Volik, RUS, 14-5.25 (4-Rachel Laurent, 8-Leslie Brost)
Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 13-9.25 / 13-3.25
2010: 13-7.25 / 12-7.5
2008: 13-11.25 / 12-9.5
Top Contenders (by 2014 IAAF World Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
1. Alena Lutkovskaya, RUS, 14-7.5 (14-9i)
2. Eliza McCartney, NZL, 14-5.25
T3. Desiree Freier, USA/TX HS, 14-3.25 (14-6i)
T3. Rebeka Silhanova, CZE, 14-3.25
6. Robeilys Peinado, VEN, 14-1.75 (14-5.25 in ’13)
7. Nina Kennedy, AUS, 14-1.25
…
T11. Bonnie Draxler, USA/WI HS, 13-11.25
Analysis: Could there be a better capper to 2014 for Desiree Freier than a World Junior medal, or even a championship? The Justin Northwest, TX senior, headed to Arkansas, is a very strong contender to make the stand and a legit threat to walk away with gold. Unbeaten in and out, she returned to 14-foot territory at Juniors after a few meets below par, and of course she earlier set the HSRs both indoors and out. Only the Russian Alena Lutkovskaya has soared higher than the 14-6 Freier did indoors (an outdoor vault that had to be moved inside). The fact that Freier has the experience of taking 9th in the WYC last year helps, too.
Lutkovskaya is consistent and formidable, though, and it would be an upset if she was beaten. She was 2nd in that WY vault last summer, losing – in fact – to another contender here: Venezuela’s Robeilys Peinado. It happens, however, that Peinado has not progressed this year and ranks just #6 for 2014. The other really strong medal contender is Eliza McCartney of New Zealand – 4th at WY last year and #2 Junior in the world this year.
The other Team USA vaulter also has valuable international experience. Bonnie Draxler (Wrightown, WI senior) made it to Pan Am Juniors in 2013 (6th place) and has peaked at the right time this year, hitting her 13-11.25 at Juniors. She should make the final with room to spare and has an outside medal shot. Rachel Laurent’s fourth in 2008 is the best finish ever by an American.
Women’s Heptathlon: Rodriguez hopes to defend
WJR: 6,542 pts, Carolina Kluft, SWE, 2002
AJR: 6,018 pts, Kendell Williams, USA, 2014
CR: 6,470 pts, Carolina Kluft, SWE, 2002
Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Yorgelis Rordriguez, CUB, 5,966 (8-Kendell Williams, 13-Erica Bougard)
2010: Dafne Schippers, NED, 5,967 (10-Alex Gochenour, DNF-Ashley Smith)
2008: Carolin Schafer, GER, 5,833 (9-Ryann Krais, DNF-Erin Sampley)
Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 5,900 / (straight final)
2010: 5,706 / (straight final)
2008: 5,765 / (straight final)
Top Contenders (by 2014 IAAF World Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
1. Yorgelis Rodriguez, CUB, 6,231 pts
2. Nadine Visser, NED, 6,110
3. Morgan Lake, GBR, 6,081
5. Celina Leffler, GER, 5,846
6. Elizaveta Kolokolchikova, RUS, 5,740
7. Emma Stenlof, SWE, 5,711
…
19. Ashlee Moore, USA/AZ HS, 5,418
23. Shaina Burns, USA/MN HS, 5,363
Analysis: Yorgelis Rodriguez of Cuba won the 2012 WJ hept in Barcelona as a 17-year-old with a 5,966-point total (after a silver at the 2011 WY champs) and returns as one of the rare athletes with a chance to defend. She’s now improved to 6,231, got great experience taking 12th at the senior worlds last summer, and is the strong favorite. Behind Rodriguez, however, are another pair of extraordinary talents. Nadine Visser of The Netherlands was 11th in Barcelona in 2012, improved to 5,774 last year and is now at 6,110.
Perhaps most talented of all, however, is the aforementioned Morgan Lake of GBR. Following in an increasingly great tradition of British multi-eventers, Lake has already topped 6,000 points (6,081) at age-17 – still a Youth, but competing with the Junior (same as Olympic) implements. Also a favorite in the high jump, she may not be ready to win here, but a medal is a great possibility. Also watch closely for Sofia Linde, 4th in Barcelona in 2012 and a 6,081 talent from 2013 (but just 5,701 so far in ’14).
Team USA will be without its potential top gun: U. of Georgia frosh Kendell Williams, the HSR-holder from Kell HS, GA who set her mark while finishing 8th in Barcelona, has improved tremendously this year from her 5,578 prep PR to 6,018 – good for World #4. But it’s hard to fault her for picking the 100H to focus on, since she’s #1 in the world there and just .03 off the WJR. Still, Team USA has two rising stars in Ashlee Moore (Hamilton, AZ senior) and Shaina Burns (Prior Lake, MN senior). Both gave their PRs a big boost at Juniors when they scored 5,418 and 5,363. Competing against athletes close to their age who can score 5,800-6,200 points will be an eye-opener, but will be great experience that may push them again to PRs and maybe a shot at the top 10. Seventh by Kendra Reimer in 1998 is the top finish ever from Team USA.
Photo Credits (from top to bottom)
Raven Saunders from Gatorade/USA Today
Valarie Allman from Alan Versaw, ColoradoTrackXC (co.milesplit.com)
Megan Glasmann by SteveU
Haley Showalter by Joy Kamani
Keturah Orji by Walter Pinion
Quanesha Burks by Walter Pinion
Bailey Weiland by Andrew McClanahan, Photorun.net
Desiree Freier by Walter Pinion
Ashlee Moore by SteveU
