Honestly, massive disrespect to the women's 1500m to leave it as merely a footnote in the recap. It's WAY better than the men's 1500m, and probably the 2nd best event of the meet after the men's 5000m. Three Ethiopian stars, Johnson, Mackay, McGee, Chepkoech, Snowden...gonna be a REALLY good one. Expecting multiple sub-4:00s and possible a soil record (anybody even know what it is right now?). Very curious to see how Mackay, Johnson, and McGee stack up. If Mackay runs under 3:58 I would say she is probably the favorite for that third spot.
Interesting that Maia Ramsden is in the 1500 field with the NCAA regionals next weekend.
The women's 200 is totally being billed as a Gabby vs Syd race with them in lanes 5 & 6 and putting Steiner out in lane 8 but if Steiner is regaining her form after her lengthy rehab from surgery, it's Gabby vs Abby. I expect Syd to have a respectful showing but the 200 is not in her bailiwick.
To be fair, Syd and Gabby are two of the most photogenic women in USATF. They have the potential for popular appeal / large social media following. It makes sense to put the spotlight on them.
If Mackay runs under 3:58 I would say she is probably the favorite for that third spot.
If Mackay runs under 3:58 she will be the favorite to WIN the Trials. Only five US women have ever run under 3:58 and NONE of them are currently active - Houlihan, Rowbury, Slaney, Simpson, and Favor Hamilton. The only active sub-4s are:
Honestly, massive disrespect to the women's 1500m to leave it as merely a footnote in the recap. It's WAY better than the men's 1500m, and probably the 2nd best event of the meet after the men's 5000m. Three Ethiopian stars, Johnson, Mackay, McGee, Chepkoech, Snowden...gonna be a REALLY good one. Expecting multiple sub-4:00s and possible a soil record (anybody even know what it is right now?). Very curious to see how Mackay, Johnson, and McGee stack up. If Mackay runs under 3:58 I would say she is probably the favorite for that third spot.
Yeah sorry about that but when we published our preview yesterday, most of those names had not been announced as part of the field
This post was edited 1 minute after it was posted.
Interesting that Maia Ramsden is in the 1500 field with the NCAA regionals next weekend.
The women's 200 is totally being billed as a Gabby vs Syd race with them in lanes 5 & 6 and putting Steiner out in lane 8 but if Steiner is regaining her form after her lengthy rehab from surgery, it's Gabby vs Abby. I expect Syd to have a respectful showing but the 200 is not in her bailiwick.
Ramsden is currently three spots outside of qualifying on the Road-to-Paris rankings, and would probably like to get that auto qualifier if possible given the crap they pulled with the men's marathon and also given New Zealand's convoluted Olympic nominating criteria.
I don't think getting through the NCAA regionals will give her much trouble, basically a week off.
Ramsden is currently three spots outside of qualifying on the Road-to-Paris rankings,
Ramsden is being crushed by one slow time, a 4:19.50 from the heats at Heps. She would be ranked around 38th without it. All she should need is to throw down two sub-4:09s in the coming weeks and she should solidify her spot. One tomorrow, one at NCAAs.
If Mackay runs under 3:58 I would say she is probably the favorite for that third spot.
If Mackay runs under 3:58 she will be the favorite to WIN the Trials. Only five US women have ever run under 3:58 and NONE of them are currently active - Houlihan, Rowbury, Slaney, Simpson, and Favor Hamilton. The only active sub-4s are:
Purrier St. Pierre - 3:58.03 (2021)
MacLean - 3:58.76 (2022)
Johnson - 3:58.85 (2022)
Cranny - 3:48.88 (2023)
Wiley - 3:59.17 (2023)
Hiltz - 3:59.61 (2023)
Andrews - 3:59.72 (2021)
Mackay - 3:59.99 (2-23)
Fair point, but I think Mackay is a bit of an edge case where she's clearly better in a fast race than a tactical one, so I expect she will have to run a bit quicker than someone like Hiltz to be the favorite. Also a bit harsh on ESP; yes, her official PR is 3:58.0, but if anybody thinks she couldn't run well under 3:58 right now, I have a bridge to sell you. The mile times of last year also put Cranny/Hiltz more in the 3:57-high to 3:58-low range than their open PRs.
The way I see it: if ESP runs, she is the clear favorite and basically a lock; Hiltz has an amazing close and has run 3:59/4:16, fast enough for a quicker race, so I'd say she's a clear favorite for a spot (and could maybe beat ESP in a 4:05+ race); nobody else is a clear favorite for the third spot. McGee has consistency and a great close, but low upside; Johnson has a very high ceiling but also a very low floor and no results this year to judge; while Mackay is the most in-form and probably the 2nd-most potential in Paris (after ESP) but has shown issues getting the last 50-100m down. Until she shows the burst of speed in that last 100m that the others have, I think she has to be SIGNIFICANTLY fitter, which is why I think sub-3:58 is necessary for her to cement herself as a favorite.
Ramsden is currently three spots outside of qualifying on the Road-to-Paris rankings, and would probably like to get that auto qualifier if possible given the crap they pulled with the men's marathon and also given New Zealand's convoluted Olympic nominating criteria.
I don't think getting through the NCAA regionals will give her much trouble, basically a week off.
I think more the points (getting in to the top heat e.g. Gold) will ensure regardless of the time she will be in great shape. NCAA is a points event as well. Granted if New Zealand cares about the standard as you infer, that is a different thing.
Interesting that Maia Ramsden is in the 1500 field with the NCAA regionals next weekend.
The women's 200 is totally being billed as a Gabby vs Syd race with them in lanes 5 & 6 and putting Steiner out in lane 8 but if Steiner is regaining her form after her lengthy rehab from surgery, it's Gabby vs Abby. I expect Syd to have a respectful showing but the 200 is not in her bailiwick.
Not that it should matter, but they meaning Hiltz and Cranny. I see the LR trans hate brigade is out in full force though, downvoting a post using they in a plural context just because it mentions Hiltz...