USATF Championships preview - Women's 1500m

EDITOR'S NOTE: AnnGaff and LesleyHiggins are writing these previews for the USA Track & Field Championships, taking place this weekend in Eugene, OR, based on their firsthand Track & Field experience. Gaffigan and Higgins competed against each other in college, with Gaffigan representing the Nebraska Huskers and Higgins representing the Colorado Buffs. Both women competed last year in the 3000m Steeplechase at the Olympic Trials. This year, the two are spectators-from-afar of the USATF Championships/World Team Trials; Higgins is out with a broken foot and Gaffigan gave birth to a baby girl in May.

1500m:

First Round on Thursday, June 25 at 6:45pm
Final on Saturday, June 27 at 6:11pm

Top 10 entry times:

Shannon Rowbury 4:00.33
Anna Willard 4:01.44
Christin Wurth 4:01.72
Erin Donohue 4:06.70
Amy Mortimer 4:07.19
Treniere Clement 4:09.57
Lauren Hagans 4:09.86
Lauren Centrowitz 4:10.42
Mary Jayne Reeves 4:10.85
Sarah Bowman 4:13.59

My picks:

1. Shannon Rowbury
2. Christin Wurth-Thomas
3. Anna Willard
4. Teniere Clement
5. Amy Mortimer
6. Erin Donohue

While Rowbury has yet to show the same dominance that she showed last year, she has also had the luxury of delaying her season this year in the absence of having to chase the world standard. She seems confident in her preparation, and I think she will be ready to deliver this weekend. However, this was a tough pick for me because if the race existed as a stand-alone final, I would probably have gone with Anna Willard for the win. Willard is planning on doubling in the 1500m and steeplechase this weekend, and at this level I don't see a 4:00 performance in her 3th race of the weekend. I hope to see a new steeplechase American record and so if Willard races smart, she will be racing just for a spot on the World team. However, as a fierce competitor, she might forget that when the race kicks in. This is going to be a great final to watch.

Christin Wurth-Thomas turned a lot of heads with her dominating performance at the Reebok Grand Prix, where she put a large gap on a very strong field and never looked back. I would pick her for the win if I thought her kick could stand up to Rowbury's, but with two very strong athletes, I think natural speed will prevail.

Erin Donohue was an Olympian last year, but has yet to impress this year. She could, however, be in a similar situation as Rowbury and have just delayed her season in the absense of having to chase the world standard. She is always a tough competitor when it really matters. Amy Mortimer and Treniere Clement (a 3-time US Champion in 2005, 2006, 2007) have consistently been at a high level for years, but have never really broken through to the level that the first three have found.

USATF Championships Schedule, Results & Quotes

USATF Championships Day 1 Recap

USATF Championships Day 2 Recap

USATF Championships Day 3 Recap

USATF Championships Day 4 Recap

More USATF Championships Previews:

• Discus
• Hammer
• High Jump
• Javelin
• Long Jump
• Pole Vault
• Triple Jump
• Shot Put
• Heptathlon
• 100m
• 100m Hurdles
• 200m
• 400m
• 400m Hurdles
• 800m
• 1500m
• 3000m Steeplechase
• 5000m
• 10,000m

Watch the USATF Championships:

On TV:

ESPN, June 26, 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. ET
ESPN, June 27, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. ET
NBC, June 28, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. ET

Online:

LIVE All Weekend at Flotrack.org

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