NCAA Track and Field Preview: 400 Meter Dash
On the men’s side, one of the fastest and deepest fields in NCAA history will battle for the title. The contenders include current world-leader Calvin Smith of Florida, a crew of 45-flat sprinters from the SEC and a couple of Aggies. The women’s race touts an equally impressive field with U.S. indoor record holder Francena McCorory of Hampton and the defending champion, Auburn’s Joanna Atkins vying for the title.
Men
It’s basically a repeat of the SEC championship race with couple of Texas A&M Aggies and a Borlee twin thrown into the mix. But will the results play out the same in Eugene?
University of Florida’s Calvin Smith has the fastest time in the world this year (44.81), but struggled to a fifth place finish at the SEC championships. If the Florida senior cannot find his sub-45 form, look for some of his fellow SEC rivals to pounce. A talented crop of underclassmen, led by Kirani James of Alabama and US indoor world 4x400m champion, Tavaris Tate of Mississippi State, should challenge. Notably absent from the SEC 400-meter party is Georgia sophomore and NCAA indoor champ Torrin Lawrence, who missed the majority of the outdoor season due to a hip flexor injury.
Not to be overlooked are a couple of Texas A&M Aggies, Demetrius Pender and Big12 champ Tabarie Henry. Pender posted the fastest qualifying time in the preliminary round with a 44.93 in Austin. Grabbing some points in the 400 would go a long way to helping the Aggies fight for the team title.
With his brother Jonathan off in Europe racing Usain Bolt, Florida State’s Kevin Borlee will try to pull out a surprise victory like his brother did last year in Fayetteville.
Men 400 Meter Dash
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Name Year School Seed
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1 Demetrius Pinder JR Texas A&M 44.93
2 Tavaris Tate FR Miss State 45.05
3 Calvin Smith SR Florida 45.06
4 Dwight Mullings SR Miss State 45.12
5 Kirani James FR Alabama 45.17
6 Anderson Mutegi JR UTEP 45.22
7 Donald Sanford SR Az State 45.25
8 Kevin Borlee SO Fla State 45.28
9 Darius Law JR Charlotte 45.29
10 Tabarie Henry JR Texas A&M 45.30
11 Joey Hughes SO USC 45.35
12 O'Neal Wilder SO Miss State 45.46
13 LaToy Williams JR Texas Tech 45.49
14 Errol Nolan FR Houston 45.59
15 Charles Cox JR North Carolina 45.62
16 Zwede Hewitt SO Baylor 45.70
17 Albert Fullwood SR LA Tech 45.72
18 Tony McQuay FR Florida 45.73
19 Armanti Hayes SR LSU 45.74
20 Steven Willey JR Iowa 45.78
21 Thomas Murdaugh SO Ohio State 45.86
22 Marcus Boyd JR Baylor 45.92
23 Kyle Clemons FR Kansas 45.98
24 Bryan Miller JR Texas A&M 46.09
Women
The race for the women’s 400m crown appears to be too close to call. A group of five women have a legitimate shot at claiming the title. After a surprising NCAA victory and U.S. indoor record, Francena McCorory can not be counted out. Though she hasn’t gotten under 52 seconds yet this outdoor campaign, she usually steps up big on the NCAA stage.
The defending NCAA champion, Joanna Atkins of Auburn , is also back to defend her title. The talented junior battled and was able to hold off Arkansas’ Shalise Williams for SEC championship by a slim margin.
The event also has major team title implications as Texas A&M’s Jessica Beard and Oregon’s Keshia Baker go after the win and maximum points. Beard is the 2009 NCAA runner-up and Baker owns the fastest time in the nation this year with a time of 50.76.
Women 400 Meter Dash
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Name Year School Seed
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1 Jessica Beard JR Texas A&M 51.35
2 Joanna Atkins JR Auburn 51.52
3 Keshia Baker SR Oregon 51.60
4 Shelise Williams JR Arkansas 51.71
5 Francena McCorory SR Hampton 52.21
6 Sharay Hale SO Columbia 52.45
7 Taylor Evans SO Texas Tech 52.63
8 Dominique' Maloy JR Az State 52.69
9 Alima Kamara FR California 52.75
10 Brandi Cross SR S. Carolina 52.77
11 Ciara Short JR Fullerton 52.78
12 Jody-Ann Muir FR Miss State 52.79
13 Tiara Swindell SR George Mason 52.79
14 Stacey-Ann Smith SO Texas 52.83
15 Amara Jones SO Savannah St. 53.01
16 Mandela Graves-Fulgham SR Connecticut 53.05
17 Kamelia Stroy SR LA Tech 53.08
18 Crystal Wilson SR Miss State 53.11
19 Diamond Richardson SO Baylor 53.12
20 Regina George FR Arkansas 53.21
21 Kristal Juarez JR TCU 53.23
22 Elizabeth Olear SR USC 53.29
23 Victoria Chatman JR W. Michigan 53.31
24 Britany St. Louis JR Fla State 53.37
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