2014 IAAF World Junior Champs DEEP Previews! WOMEN’S TRACK

by Steve Underwood

Event-by-event capsule previews of the men's track events, noting Team USA hopes and leading global contenders for the 2012 IAAF World Junior Championships:

Women’s 100 Meters: Whitney, Asher-Brown top US-UK duel

WJR: 10.88, Marlies Gohr, GDR, 1977
AJR: 11.03, English Gardner, U. of Oregon, 2012
CR: 11.12, Veronica Campbell-Brown, JAM, 2000

Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Athonique Strachan, BAH, 11.20 (5-Jennifer Madu, 3SF2-Dezerea Bryant)
2010: Jodie Williams, GBR, 11.40 (2-Takeia Pinckney, 4-Ashton Purvis)
2008: Jeneba Tarmoh, USA, 11.37 (5-Shayla Mahan)

Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 11.45 / 11.68
2010: 11.56 / 11.78
2008: 11.52 / 11.60

Top Contenders (in order of 2014 IAAF Outdoor Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
1. Kaylin Whitney, USA/FL HS, 11.10
2. Dina Asher-Smith, GBR, 11.14
3. Ariana Washington, USA, 11.22
4. Desiree Henry, GBR, 11.23
5. Angela Tenorio, ECU, 11.25
8. Jonielle Smith, JAM, 11.32

Analysis: East Ridge, FL soph Kaylin Whitney – already long regarded as one of the U.S.’s top sprint prodigies in recent years – took her season from very, very good to legendary 2-1/2 weeks ago at the USATF Juniors.  Her PRs of 11.17 (heats) and 11.10 elevated her to the status of fastest HS girl and World Youth in history.  While she’s just a 16-year-old 10th-grader, her style and demeanor are of someone 18 or 19 years old.  While this is Whitney’s first international competition, she seems ready for it.
But while the American is #1 on the World Junior list, she’s hardly an overwhelming favorite.  In fact, it would be most accurate to describe the 100 as a potentially electrifying dual meet between the U.S. and the U.K.  Great Britain has their own superstar in Dina Asher-Smith, who has a PR of 11.14 and has been consistent between 11.15-11.25.  They also have Desiree Henry, who has clocked 11.23.  Henry actually has better big meet creds, with the World Youth 200 title in 2011 and a 4th at the same distance at the 2012 World Juniors in Barcelona (Asher-Smith 7th). 
These British 18-year-olds are definitely a threat for 1 or 2 medals … but Team USA also has a great duo with Ariana Washington (Long Beach Poly, CA senior) being both fast (11.22 PR) and extremely experienced (2013 World Youth silver).  At least one more dasher who can’t be ignored: Ecuador’s Angela Tenorio, a 11.25 performer who traded silver and bronze 100 and 200 runs with Washington in Donetsk last year. 
This shapes up as a killer final.  The last American to win was Jeneba Tarmoh in 2008, but in 2012 no U.S. runner was higher than 5th.  The meet record of 11.12 is within reach of Whitney and Asher-Smith, at least.

 

Women’s 200 Meters: Whitney favored here, too

WJR: 22.18, Allyson Felix CA, 2004
AJR: 22.11A, Allyson Felix CA, 2003
CR: 22.53, Anthonique Strachen, BAH, 2012

Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Anthonique Strachen, BAH, 22.53 (2-Olivia Ekpone, 3-Dezerea Bryant)
2010: Stormy Kendrick, USA, 22.99 (5-Ashton Purvis)
2008: Sheniqua Ferguson, BAH, 23.24 (5-Tiffany Townsend, 5-SF3-Ashton Purvis)

Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 23.15 / 23.57
2010: 23.27 / 23.51
2008: 23.52 / 23.67

Top Contenders (in order of 2014 IAAF Outdoor Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
1. Kaylin Whitney, USA, 22.49
2. Dina Asher-Smith, GBR, 22.74
3. Brittany Brown, USA, 22.95
4. Jada Martin, USA, 23.02
5. Ariallis J. Gandulla, CUB, 23.19
6. Shannon Hylton, GBR, 23.24

Analysis: Even after her 100 meter HSR at USATF Juniors, Kaylin Whitney (East Ridge, FL soph) entered the 2nd day of the meet as someone who was hardly a 200 slam dunk favorite, let alone a potential World favorite.  She did have a wind-aided (barely) 22.80 to her credit, but her legal best was several 10ths slower.  But after a 23.22 prelim, Whitney exploded in the final to a 22.49 – a time topped only be an altitude-aided Allyson Felix mark in U.S. prep history.  It also rocketed her up to World #1, by a significantly bigger margin than in the 100.  She has a shot at the meet record, no doubt.
Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith is still a huge force here, but with a 22.74 best, she has a little ground to make up.  Whitney, meanwhile, will have a fast teammate in LSU frosh Jada Martin at 23.02 (2nd at USATF Juniors and expected to run, even though Brittany Brown is also entered), while Asher-Smith is joined by Shannon Hylton.  Two big names not in the top 6 on the outdoor list this year are the previously mentioned (100) Ecuadorian Angela Tenorio – 23.13 last year – and Sweden’s 2013 World Youth champ Irene Ekelund, who hit 22.92 in 2013.  Neither is as fast this year but could get there this week.
Team USA last won gold in 2010, and went silver-bronze in 2012.

 

Women’s 400 Meters: Baisden fast, with lots of experience

WJR: 49.42, Grit Breuer, GER, 1991
AJR: 49.89, Sanya Richards, Nike, 2004
CR: 50.50, Ashley Spencer, USA/U. of Ill., 2012

Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Ashley Spencer, USA/U. of Ill., 50.50 (3-Erika Rucker)
2010: Shaunae Miller, BAH, 52.52 (4-Stacy Ann Smith, 7-Regina George)
2008: Folasade Abugan, NGR, 51.84 (2-Jessica Beard, 7-Lanie Whittaker)

Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 51.10 / 52.70
2010: 53.17 / 53.59
2008: 52.36 / 53.78

Top Contenders (in order of 2014 IAAF Outdoor Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
1. Kendall Baisden, USA/U. of Texas, 50.46
2. Shakima Wimbley, USA/U. of Miami, 51.68
3. Gilda Casanova, CUB, 52.28
4. Genet Lira, ETH, 52.40
5. Olivia Baker, USA, 52.46
6. Yana Glotova, RUS, 52.79

Analysis: There’s a couple of key storylines here, and both include U.S. favorite Kendall Baisden, the Texas frosh.  On paper, the event looks like an American blowout, with Baisden and Shakima Wimbley (Miami frosh) the only two under 52 seconds and with Baisden way out under 50.50.  But Olivia Baker, the Columbia, NJ senior, is the likely U.S. #2 with her 52.46 runner-up finish at Juniors.  And Baisden’s time was two months ago at the friendly altitude of Lubbock – she’s still a consistent 51-52 runner that still earns her the favorite’s role – but 50.46 would be a lot to ask.
That said, Baisden is carving out an amazing career, now on her fourth Team USA.  She earned a World Youth berth in 2011, World Junior (4x4) in 2012 and Pan Am Junior last year.  Amazingly, while she was 2nd or 3rd in those USATF Junior and Youth meets to get on those teams, the last year she won prior to 2014 was actually when she was a freshman at Detroit Country Day in 2010 – and too young to make it to Moncton.
So expect Baisden to win and Baker – 2013 World Youth silver medalist – to fight it out not too far behind for the next two medals with Cuba’s Gilda Casanova and – surprise – Ethiopia’s Genet Lira.  Yes, Ethiopia – with Lira and Tegest Tamangnu in the 100 and 200 – is moving up in the sprint ranks!  By the way, Baisden’s Texas teammate, Ashley Spencer, won the last WJ champs 400 in 2012.

 

Women’s 800 Meters: Diago explods into limelight

WJR: 1:54.01, Pamela Jelimo, KEN, 2008
AJR: 1:58.21, Ajee Wilson, USA, 2013
CR: 2:00.06, Elena Mirela Lavric, ROM, 2008

Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Ajee Wilson, USA/NJ HS, 2:00.91 (5SF3-Danielle Aragon)
2010: Elena M. Lavric, ROU, 2:01.85 (5-Ajee Wilson, 4SF1-Laura Roesler)
2008: Elena M. Lavric, ROU, 2:00.06 (8H4-Sarah McCurdy, 9H2-Camilla Dancer

Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 2:03.09 / 2:03.18
2010: 2:02.51 / 2:04.33
2008: 2:02.05 / 2:05.43

Top Contenders (in order of 2014 IAAF Outdoor Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
1. Sahily Diago, CUB, 1:57.74
3. Zeyituna Mohammed, ETH, 2:01.55
5. Georgia Wassall, AUS, 2:01.78
7. Anita Hinriksdottir, ISL, 2:02.70 (2:01.81i, 2:00.49 in ’13)
10. Georgia Griffith, AUS, 2:04.05
11. Dureti Edao, ETH, 2:04.13 (2:03.25 in ’13)

13. Sabrina Southerland, USA/Georgetown, 2:04.21 (2:03.59i in ’13)
15. Raevyn Rogers, USA, 2:04.40 (2:03.32 in ’13)

Analysis:  One of the more stunning stories of Junior improvement this year has been that of Cuba’s Sahily Diago from a 2:01 performer last year as a 17-year-old to an overwhelmingly WJ-leading 1:57.74 this year.  That’s’ actually the #2 time overall in the world and also an “Area” Junior record.  She also has a 1:58.14 to her credit, but is also fairly inexperienced in major meets – though she did get some international circuit races under her belt this spring/summer.  Still, she’s one of the biggest favorites of the meet, especially with so many of this year’s fastest (Jessica Judd, Mary Cain, etc.) not competing here for various reasons.
After Diago, the competition is pretty wide open.  Australia and Ethiopia each have solid duos, with the former going with “the Georgias” Wassall (2:01.78 PR) and Griffith (2:04.05) and the Ethiopians with Zeyituna Mohammed (2:01.55) and Dureti Edao (2:03.25 in ’13).  And though she’s just 7th on the list this year, the uber-experienced internationalist Anita Hinriksdottir of Iceland should be taken seriously, with a 2:00.49 PR from last year – as well as the 2013 World Youth title and a 4th from Barcelona in 2012.
Both Americans have a good shot at the final, too, though matching countrywoman Ajee Wilson’s career with a 5th in 2010 and victory two years ago is daunting.  Raevyn Rogers (Kincaid School, TX senior) is the reigning World Youth bronze medalist with her 2:03.22 PR, a mark she’s still looking to surpass this year.  Sabrina Southerland comes of a long and mostly successful season at Georgetown after a fine career at Benjamin Cardozo, NY.  Between them, they’ve won the last three NBNO 800 titles (Rogers 2012, 2014 and Southerland 2013), while Southerland’s career PR came in the NBNI race in 2013.

 

Women’s 1500 Meters: Ethiopians, U.S. could dominate

WJR: 3:51.34, Yinglai Lang, CHN, 1997
AJR: 4:04.62, Mary Cain, USA/NY HS, 2013
CR: 4:04.96, Faith Chepngetich Kipyego, KEN, 2012

Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Faith Chepngetich Kipyego, KEN, 4:04.96 (6-Mary Cain, 10H3-Hannah Meier)
2010: Tizita Bogale, ETH, 4:08.06 (4-Jordan Hasay, 7-H1-Rachel Schneider)
2008: Stephanie Twell, GBR, 4:15.09 (4-Jordan Hasay, 6-Alex Kosinski)

Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 4:08.28 / 4:18.30
2010: 4:11.04 / 4:18.90
2008: 4:17.06 / 4:21.73

Top Contenders (in order of 2014 IAAF Outdoor Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
1. Dawit Seyaum, ETH, 3:59.53
2. Gudaf Tsegay, ETH, 4:02.83
3. Alexa Efraimson, USA, 4:07.05
4. Sofia Ennaoui, POL, 4:07.34
5. Senbere Teferi, ETH, 4:08.49
6. Elise Cranny, USA, 4:10.95

Analysis: To encounter a World Junior women’s 1,500 list where the U.S. representation (3 athletes) is 2nd only to Ethiopia (5 athletes) is a pretty exhilarating sight for an American distance fan.  Of course, only two from each nation may represent here, but the home team here could be a factor here like never before – even without its fastest woman.  Many hoped that 4:04 (2013) performer Mary Cain, 6th in this meet two years ago, would battle the Ethiopians in this race.  Cain chose the 3,000, but Team USA has nearly as great chance at a medal with prep megastar Alexa Efraimson
After taking 3rd in the World Youth 1,500 last year, Efraimson has had a banner junior year at Camas, WA, with her 4:07.05 PR in the New York Diamond League race propelling her to the medal level.  She could win the first medal ever for Team USA in this event.  Then in Elise Cranny (Niwot, CO senior), the Americans have a 2nd runner who can make the final and compete in the top six or so, if not better – and together they could better the 4-6 finish by Jordan Hasay and Alex Kosinski in 2008.
It would be an upset, though, if anyone but the Ethiopian pair won gold or silver.  Dawit Seyaum was 2nd in that same Diamond League race where Efraimson was 10th, her 3:59.53 PR towering over the field.  She was 2nd ahead of Efraimson in Donetsk last year, but has improved even more dramatically in 2014.  Gudaf Tesgay, with three performances between 4:02 and 4:05, is nearly as formidable.
And while Kenya doesn’t have any entries with times under 4:12, don’t think Sheila Chepngetich Keter and Winfred Mbithe won’t be in the running for medals, too.

 

Women’s 3000 Meters: Cain moves up

WJR: 8:28.83, Zola Budd, GBR, 1985
AJR: 8:57.27, Ceci Hopp, Stanford, 1982
CR: 8:46.86, Zhang Linli, CHN, 1992

Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Mercy Chebwogen, KEN 9:08.88 (6-Aisling Cuffe, 9-Lindsay Crevoiserat)
2010: Mercy Cherono, KEN, 8:55.07 (9-Jordan Hasay, 10-Emily Sisson)
2008: Mercy Cherono, KEN, 8:58.07 (6-Laurynne Chetelat)

Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 9:09.43 / (straight final)
2010: 8:55.33 / (straight final)
2008: 9:03.76 / (straight final)

Top Contenders (in order of 2014 IAAF Outdoor Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
4. Lilian Kasait Rengeruk, KEN, 8:53.41
6. Sofia Ennaoui, POL, 8:59.44
8. Etagegne Woldu, ETH, 9:02.17
10. Nozomi Musembi Takamutsu, JPN, 9:10.08 (9:08.22 in ’13)
11. Nao Yamamoto, JPN, 9:10.39
14. Gabriela Stafford, CAN, 9:13.10

16. Mary Cain, USA, 9:15.81 (9:04.51i in ’13)
--- Stephanie Jenks, USA, 9:24.67

Analysis:  For Mary Cain fans, the 1,500’s loss is the 3,000’s gain.  The distance wunderkind, just graduated from Bronxville HS in NY, had not raced longer than a mile in more than a year before the USATF Juniors – where she decided to forge an adventure at twice the distance where she had finished 6th in the 2012 World Juniors.  With her 9:15.81, she looked well within herself and there’s no reason to think she can’t at least 10-15 seconds faster, given decent conditions.  She could challenge one of the oldest American Junior records on the books, the 8:57.27 by Ceci Hopp in 1982.
But of course, battling for medals is the thing – the first medal in this event for an American, actually – and she should be able to do that, too, especially given the somewhat watered-down nature of this field.  Only four of the World’s top 10 have entered here, led by WJ#4 and 2013 World Youth champ Lilian Kasait Rengeruk of Kenya.  Poland’s Sofia Ennaoui, also high on the 1,500 list, has run 8:59.44.  The 2014 list can be deceptive, though.  The second Ethiopian and Kenyan entries have run 9:00.06 and 9:15.8 in previous years, and Burundi’s Ruth Jebet has clocked 9:09.8.
The second American, Stephanie Jenks, just completed her soph year and would do well to temper her inclination to go out too fast and aim for a top 8-10 finish and sub-9:20.

 

Women’s 3000 Meter Steeplechase: Bahrainian hopes to break Kenyan string

WJR: 9:20.37, Birtukan Adamu, ETH, 2011
AJR: 10:00.08, Shelby Greany, Providence, 2010
CR: 9:31.35, Christine Kambua Muyanga, KEN, 2008

Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Daisy Jepkemei, KEN, 9:47.22 (5-Brianna Nerud, 8H2-Courtney Frerichs)
2010: Purity C. Kirui, KEN, 9:36.34 (10-Shelby Greany, 12-Eleanor Fulton)
2008: Christine K. Muyanga, KEN, 9:31.35 (6-H2-Elizabeth Graney, 9-H1-Rebecca Wade

Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 9:50.58 / 10:28.27
2010: 9:43.71 / 10:35.58
2008: 9:37.81 / 10:23.88

Top Contenders (in order of 2014 IAAF Outdoor Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
1. Ruth Jebet, BRN, 9:27.90
3. Buzuayehu Mohamed, ETH, 9:40.26
4. Rosefline Chepngetich, KEN, 9:43.25
5. Daisy Jepkemei, KEN, 9:53.02 (9:47.22 in ’13)
6. Kate Spencer, AUS, 9:53.15
7. Zulema Arenas, PER, 9:55.23

28. Hope Schmelzle, USA/Purdue, 10:23.38
--- Elinor Purrier, USA/New Hampshire, 10:24.46

Analysis: Topping the list of contenders is Bahrain’s Ruth Jebet, who has improved 25 seconds this year to 9:27.90.  While she is Kenyan-born, she could break her home country’s stranglehold on the event.  Daisy Jepkemei of Kenya is actually the defending champ, but has not broken 9:50 this year while others have figuratively streamed past.  She was beaten in her Trials by Rosefline Chepngetich, a 9:43.25 performer who claimed the World Youth gold over the 2kST distance in 2013.
Leading Ethiopian hopes is Buzuayehu Mohamed at 9:40.26, while other top contenders include Kate Spencer of Australia and Zulema Arenas of Peru, both with sub-10 marks.  As for Americans, there aren’t strong contenders in the 10-flat range like we had with Brianna Nerud (5th in ’12) and Shelby Greany the past two championships.  Purdue’s Hope Schmelzle and New Hampshire’s Elinor Purrier will be pushed to make the final and finish in the top 10.

 

Women’s 5000 Meters: Another great Ethiopia-Kenya battle

WJR: 14:30.88, Tirunesh Diababa, ETH, 2004
AJR: 15:36.95, Molly Huddle, Notre Dame, 2003
CR: 15:08.06, Genzeba Dibaba, ETH

Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Buze Diriba, ETH, 15:32.94 (4-Cayla Hatton, 8-Allison Woodward)
2010: Genzebe Dibaba, ETH, 15:08.06 (6-Emily Sisson)
2008: Sule Utura, ETH, 16:15.59 (11-Catherine White, 12-Ashley Higginson)

Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 15:36.74 / (straight final)
2010: 15:17.39 / (straight final)
2008: 16:27.96 / (straight final)

Top Contenders (in order of 2014 IAAF Outdoor Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
1. Alemetu Haroye, ETH, 14:52.67
2. Agnes Jebet Tirop, KEN, 15:00.19 (14:50.36 in ’13)
3. Kate Spencer, AUS, 15:32.29
4. Alemitu Hawi, ETH, 15:35.3
5. Gotytom Gebreslase, ETH, 15:40.4 (15:11.12 in ’13)
6. Maki Izumida, JPN, 15:50.26 (15:38.22 in ’13)

--- Maggie Schmaedick, USA/Oregon, 16:18.24

Analysis:  A great battle shapes up between Ethiopia’s Alemetu Haroye and Kenya’s Agnes Jebet Tirop – the WJ #1-2 and both candidates to break the meet record.  Haroye is fastest on the watch this year, but Tirop has the best overall PR and not only the experience of winning bronze in Barcelona two years ago, but edging Haroye for 2nd at the World Junior XC in 2013.  Kenya’s #2 will be inexperienced Loice Chemnung (15:53.0A), while Ethiopia will put either Alemitu Hawi (faster this year) or Gotytom Gebreslase (faster career PR) on the line.
Top athletes to watch outside of that rivalry include Australia’s Kate Spencer and Japan’s Maki Izumida.  Team USA had some fantastic finishes with Emily Sisson (6th with HSR in 2010) and Cayla Hatton (4th in 2012) the past two championships.  Maggie Schmaedick of Oregon was just 5th in the USATF Juniors – in very hot conditions where no one broke 17:00 – and was the only entrant with a qualifier from earlier in the year at 16:18.24.

 

Women’s 10000 Meter Racewalk: Drahotova favored

WJR: 42:59.48, Elena Lashmanova, RUS, 2011
AJR: 49:43.85, Maria Michta, CW Post, 2005
CR: 43:24.72, Tatiana Mineeva, RUS, 2008

Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Ekaterina Medvedeva, RUS, 45:41.74 (No USA
2010: Elena Lashmanova, RUS, 44:11.90 (No USA)
2008: Tatyana Mineeva, RUS, 43:24.72 (No USA)

Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 45:44.46 / (straight final)
2010: 45:56.15 / (straight final)
2008: 44:24.10 / (straight final)

Top Contenders (in order of 2014 IAAF Outdoor Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
3. Anezka Drahotova, CZE, 43:40
4. Na Wang, CHN, 44:17
7. Oxana Golyatkina, RUS, 45:16 (44:21.03 in ’13)
8. Yuanyuan Ni, CHN, 45:21 (44:31.53 in ’13)
9. Laura Gardia-Caro, ESP, 45:29
12. Olga Shargina, RUS, 45:59
...
--- Katharine Newhoff, USA, 52:33.06

Analysis:  Czech Anezka Drahotova, who has already competed successfully at the senior level (7th in 2013 World Champs over 20K) is the favorite here.  She was beaten by a pair of Chinese walkers at the World Cut in May, but they aren’t the two Chinese athletes entered here.  Drahotova, whose sister is also entered for their country, was 6th in Barcelona in 2012 (WJC) and in Lille (WYC) in 2011, but has improved significantly in the past two years.
Na Wang amd Yuanyuan Ni ARE the two Chinese entered here and both will contend for medals.  The Russian pair of Oxana Golyatkina and Olga Shargina will also be in the mix, hoping to continue the run of WJ champions for their country.  Team USA’s entry, Katharine Newhoff, is seeded in the bottom three.

Women’s 100 Meter Hurdles: Williams, Hall for US 1-2

WJR: 12.84, Aliuska Lopez, CUB, 1987
AJR: 12.87, Kendell Williams, USA/U. of Ga., 12.87
CR: 13.02, Susanna Kallur, SWE, 2000

Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Morgan Snow, USA, 13.38 (DQ-fell in final-Dior Hall)
2010: Isabelle Pedersen, NOR, 13.30 (6-Evonne Britton, 5SF1-Donique’ Flemings)
2008: Teona Rodgers, USA, 13.40 (6H2-Vashti Thomas)

Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 13.43 / 13.64
2010: 13.46 / 13.76
2008: 13.49 / 13.56

Top Contenders (in order of 2014 IAAF Outdoor Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
1. Kendell Williams, USA/U. of Georgia, 12.87
2. Dior Hall, USA/CO HS, 13.00
5. Yasmin Miller, GBR, 13.34
10. Sarah Missinne, BEL, 13.39
11. Nadine Visser, NED, 13.40 (13.21 in ’13)
13. Nicole Setterington, CAN, 13.43

Analysis:  If there’s any event where the USA appears to be an overwhelming favorite for a 1-2 sweep, it’s the women’s 100 hurdles, where superior talent and significant experience put Kendell Williams and Dior Hall firmly in the drivers’ seat.  Williams’ prep career as a heptathlon HSR-setter and do-everything jumper and hurdler – with double digit NBN indoor and outdoor titles – has been well-chronicled.  Like Kendall Baisden in the 400 and 4x4, she’s wearing a Team USA vest for the 4th time, having taken 11th in the hept and 2nd in the 100H at 2011 WY, 8th in the hept at 2012 WJ, and winning the Pan Am Junior hept last year.  But in her frosh year at UGA, she’s improved dramatically – especially in the hurdles where she’s suddenly gone from a very good 13.24 to the AJR of 12.87, just .03 off the ancient WJR.  What a thrill it would be if she could get that mark …
… Or if Dior Hall (Denver Science & Tech/George Washington, CO senior) could finally get Candy Young’s 1979 HSR of 12.95.  Pushed to the max by Williams at USATF Juniors, the 2-time NBNI champ and 60mH HSR-holder clocked a career-best 13.00, #2 all-time prep.  She was 2nd at the 2013 World Youth 100H and made Team USA for Barcelona in 2012 as well – before a fall ended her medal bid.
The rest of the field will likely fight it out for bronze.  Nadine Visser of The Netherlands, also in the heptathlon, went 13.21 last year – better than anyone else besides the Americans have done this year.  Yasmin Miller of Great Britain and Sarah Missinne of Belgium are both under 13.40.  Frances’s Heolise Kane, at 13.55 this year, went 13.36 in 2013.

 

Women’s 400 Meter Hurdles: Redemption for Little

WJR: 54.40, Xing Wang, CHN, 2005
AJR: 54.70, Lashinda Demus, USA, 2002
CR: 54.70, Lashinda Demus, USA ,2002

Recent Champs (plus/other top U.S. finishers)
2012: Janieve Russell, JAM, 56.62 (3-Kayla Barber, DNF/fell(final)-Shamier Little)
2010: Vera Rudakova, RUS, 57.16 (2-Evonne Britton, 7-Cristina Holland)
2008: Takecia Jameson, USA, 56.29 (7H2-Kori Carter)

Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 57.63 / 57.82
2010: 57.35 / 59.18
2008: 57.08 / 58.04

Top Contenders (in order of 2014 IAAF Outdoor Ranking)
(including/plus Team USA, in bold)
1. Shamier Little, USA/Texas A&M, 55.07
3. Shona Richards, GBR, 56.79
4. Jade Miller, USA/Harvard, 57.22 (57.21 in ’13)
5. Tia-Adana Belle, BAR, 57.58
6. Joan Medjid, FRA, 57.69 (57.34 in ’13)
7. Tetyana Melnyk, UKR, 58.18

Analysis: Somewhat similar to Dior Hall, Shamier Little couldn’t be blamed for having a chip on her shoulder about the 2012 World Juniors and huge motivation for redemption – due to a fall over a hurdle that killed her medal hopes.  Unlike Hall, Little doesn’t have a teammate like Kendell Williams ahead of her, possibly standing in the way of a gold medal run.  Little, after her stunning freshman year at A&M, is an NCAA champ and has crushed her PR down to 55.07, within .37 of Lashinda Demus’ AJR and meet record.  And … she is more than a second and half ahead of the rest of the world.
The pecking order is pretty clear after that, too, with Shona Richards from the U.K the favorite for silver and Harvard frosh Jade Miller tabbed to join Little on the medal stand with a bronze.  Three others under 58 include Tia-Adana Belle of Barbados – the World Youth runner-up last year – and Joan Medjid of France and Tetyana Melnyk of the Ukraine.
If there wasn’t a minimum age limit to run at the Worlds, Team USA might have an even better chance at two medals – say gold and silver – since Union Catholic, NJ frosh Sydney McLaughlin was 2nd at USATF Juniors behind Little with a 55.63.  Team USA won Team USA won golds in this event in 2002 (Demus) and 2008 (Takecia Jameson).

 

Women’s 4x100 Meter Relay: Whitney, Washington make US hard to beat

WJR: 43.29, Team USA, 2006
AJR: 43.29, Team USA, 2006
CR: 43.40, Jamaica, 2002

Recent Champs
2012: USA, 43.89
2010: USA, 43.44
2008: USA, 43.66

Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 44.29 / 45.02
2010: 44.09 / 45.41
2008: 44.61 / 44.45

Top Contenders (in order of 2014 IAAF Outdoor Ranking)
1. Jamaica, 44.16
2. Trinidad and Tobago, 44.23
4. Great Britain & N.I., 44.66
6. Germany, 44.84
8. Nigeria, 45.13
10. Netherlands, 45.21

Analysis:  Team USA has won the last five titles and seven of the last nine (having not run as a unit yet, they’re not on the list).  With talent like Kaylin Whitney and Ariana Washington, there’s no reason to think the streak won’t continue – as long as they hang on to the stick.  In Whitney, Team USA has the world’s fastest and reason to think they can take a run at the 43.29 WJR from 2006.  Washington brings not just speed but also valuable experience from last year’s World Youth relay.  The relay pool for the Americans also includes blazing talent like Whitney’s 11.31 Florida rival Teahna Daniels (First Academy, FL junior) – the last girl to beat Whitney – 2013 World Youth 100 champ Ky Westbrook (Chandler, AZ senior) and 100/200 standouts Jada Martin of LSU and Brittany Brown of Iowa.
Great Britain should be the toughest challengers, with stars like Dina Asher-Smith and Desiree Henry.  They ran 43.81 last year.  Jamaica will be a top contender per usual and others to watch should be France, Trinidad & Tobago, Germany, Nigeria and Brazil.

 

Women’s 4x400 Meter Relay: Baisden, Baker lead USA

WJR: 3:27.60, Team USA, 2004
AJR: 3:27.60, Team USA, 2004
CR: 3:27.60, Team USA, 2004

Recent Champs
2012: USA, 3:30.01
2010: USA, 3:31.20
2008: USA, 3:30.19

Recent marks to medal / make final
2012: 3:36.42 / 3:37.90
2010: 3:32.24 / 3:38.96
2008: 3:34.20 / 3:37.84

Top Contenders (in order of 2014 IAAF Outdoor Ranking)
3. Nigeria, 3:37.68
5. Jamaica, 3:38.20
9. Great Britain, 3:40.32
10. India, 3:40.53

Analysis:  The lists are of little value, with so few squads having a recent entry time.  Team USA has been dominant here, as well, winning the last six titles.  Obviously, 400 entries and medal contenders Kendall Baisden and Olivia Baker will lead the way – both with tremendous relay experience, whether it’s Baisden with her three Team USA relay medals or Baker with hers from 2013 WY and all those victories with Columbia.  They’ll be joined in the pool by Shakima Wimbley, Felecia Majors, Aaliyah Barnes and Ailyanna Stiverne.  While this team might not be fast enough to challenge that 2004 WJR, they should be around 3:30 and that’ll be likely enough to win.
Nigeria, besides hitting 3:37 this year also has a 3:31.21 from 2013.  Poland hit 3:32.63 in 2013, so they could be tough.  Jamaica, Japan, Great Britain, India, Germany and Canada are all possible medal contenders.


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