USATF Championships Preview – Women’s events

While many events in the men's competition at the USATF Championships look like a case of intense competition among almost incredibly deep fields, the women's part of the meet - which take place 23-26 June at the Home Depot Center - seems to be more of a showcase for some of the sport's emerging new stars.

The dash has a youthfully talented appearance

So far, the season hasn't been as intense as it has been among the men. In the 100m, for example, the fastest American time so far this year is the 11.05 posted by Me'Lisa Barber in New York two weeks ago. Four others are close - Lauryn Williams (11.08), Marshavet Hooker (11.12), Virginia Powell (11.15) and Muna Lee (11.16).

Williams, of course, was the 2004 Olympic silver medallist, and she has to be the favourite - especially since she said today, "I'm probably in about the same shape as I was in Athens, or better."  And Lee, an Olympic finalist at 200m, will be a contender in both sprints here.

But the two recent NCAA champions here - Hooker and Powell - would seem to be of special interest. Hooker won the NCAA in 11.16, but also long jumped 6.60, and she will Long Jump here. In addition to coming through the collegiate season at a peak but still fresh, she is one of those people who seems to produce whatever it takes to win (anyone remember Lee Evans?). Powell, who is a 12.73 100m Hurdler (so far), more or less casually ran a 100 metres flat race to score points for her university in a meet this spring and posted an 11.15 - good enough to put her into contention for a Helsinki spot in both 100m races.

Or neither, and that goes for Hooker, too. But these are two young women who, whether or not they make the U.S. team, are worth watching for the future.

All set for the Allyson Felix show

In the 200m, Olympic silver medalist Allyson Felix looks to be at least a metre ahead of everyone else, but there should be hot contention for the other two Helsinki places.

The 400 presents us with the the four women who won the Olympic 4x400 relay - DeeDee Trotter, Monique Henderson, Sanya Richards, and Monique Hennagan - going after three places on the U.S. team. Thus far this year, Richards, at 49.96, and NCAA winner Henderson, at 50.10, appear to be the most likely to win.

Olympic champion in hot contest for Helsinki tickets

Probably the most competitive women's race is the 100m Hurdles. Athens gold medallist Joanna Hayes lost a close one to Michelle Perry in the Reebok New York GP, 12.45 to 12.47 (both are coached by the old master, Bobby Kersee), with 2001 IAAF World champion Anjanette Kirkland close behind in 12.58. But also in the mix are Danielle Carruthers (12.56), Jenny Adams (12.66), and the aforementioned NCAA winner, Virginia Powell (as noted above, 12.73 so far, but who knows how fast she might be in faster company).

Open middle distance races

Most of the middle and long distance races are toss-ups, with the possible exception of the ageless Jearl Clark (38) and her younger sister-in-law Hazel Clark (27), who ought to finish 1-2 or 2-1 in the 800m. Ordinarily one would include Deena Kastor in the 10,000 in the same category, but she is recovering from a foot injury, and says her major goal is to finish in the top three so that she can run, fully recovered and in championship form, six weeks from now in Helsinki.

Counting on Madison and Fountain

The most exciting thing to happen in women's field events is the emergence of a genuine new talent - 19-year-old Tianna Madison of the University of Tennessee. She has already jumped 6.82 (up from 6.60 last year), and she will be closely watched to see how she fares in competition with older, more experienced jumpers.

I'm personally intrigued by the women's Discus Throw, which has six throwers over 60m, led by 28-year-old Aretha (Hill) Thurmond and 22-year-old Becky Breisch, who are separated by 2cm coming into the meet, 63.55 to 63.53.

Lastly it looks like the U.S. has a worthy successor to Jackie Joyner-Kersee in the Heptathlon in Hyleas Fountain, who comes into the meet with a PB of 6,502 and hopes to depart with a better one.

James Dunaway for the IAAF