¶wSteeple: Anna Willard 9:27.59 AR

[tandfman]

Re: Delilah DiCrescenzo

I do not know the reason for Delilah trailing in USOT Final. She came to this meet with two good races faster than the Olympic Games "A" standard -- both outside North America in May.

But then, like many USA women steeplers who are no longer affiliated with college teams, she lacked further quality races leading up to USOT. During that period the crowd-pleasing women's steeple is not included in any of the Grand Prix-type meets held in the USA. Meanwhile, top collegians like Jennifer Barringer run NCAA Regionals and Finals.

Before Eugene, Delilah had run steeples in four meets this year--Barringer ran steeples in only three meets.

[James Fields]

Delilah DiCrescenzo

During the whole race, everyone in my section could only talk about Delilah! She has gotten so much more attention that anyone else in the race and now this last place finish. I can't help but think the media attention did not help her and the pressure of being 'America's musical darling' was too much.
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I do not know the reason for Delilah trailing in USOT Final. She came to this meet with two good races faster than the Olympic Games "A" standard -- both outside North America in May.

But then, like many USA women steeplers who are no longer affiliated with college teams, she lacked further quality races leading up to USOT. During that period the crowd-pleasing women's steeple is not included in any of the Grand Prix-type meets held in the USA. Meanwhile, top collegians like Jennifer Barringer run NCAA Regionals and Finals. And the amazing Anna Willard ran 1500m fast enough in June to have been a contender in that USOT event.
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I'm sorry to be adding to this thread so late. My schedule does not make me as available as some other T&FN forum participants.

[tandfman]

I dunno, Ken. Most of those pictures show the steeplers sitting in the water pit without flags, apparently laughing and having a good time. I didn't see anything objectionable there. In fact, those pictures seemed more natural and less posed than many that I've seen.

[James Fields]

bad hammy commented on posed post-race photos of top three women steeplers, with their just-acquired USA Olympic team jackets removed, sitting in the water pit. Those photos are on this website; here's one:

http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/gallery/2008OT_D5_PR/W_SteepleSplash_USOlyT08

One of that set has the top three lady steeplers holding the USA flags while sitting in the water pit.

Our Olympians should learn that they don't have to obey photographers (whose absurdly staged pictures seem to emphasize female athletes). I've always winced at those of photos of winners biting their medals.

[Half Miler]

Thanks. Just made the correction: 9:15 - 9:20!

[James Fields]

Wiilard's speed

Half Miler wrote, concerning Wiilard, that "She sez she's in 4:15-4:20 shape right now"

If 4:15-4:20 refers to a 1500m run, that suggests an error in current IAAF website statistics:
4:06.26 -- Anna Willard, USA, 1-Indianapolis, 14 June 2008

[unclezadok]

Also, she is from Maine. Everyone knows no good women runners ever come from Maine. Right?

[Half Miler]

Great flotrack interview with Willard:

http://track.flocasts.org/videos/covera ... wlilard-ar

She sez she's in 9:15-9:20 shape right now, and will try to lower the AR again in Heusden.

Also, listen closely at the very end of the interview. "Lindsey" from Sports Illustrated wants to do a piece on her. You heard it here (there) first.

[Mellow Johnny]

I'd disagree - I'd say any athlete who has run sub-9:20 will be in contention for the medals and all three American athletes have an opportunity of making the Olympic final, if they can cope with the conditions.

I think they can run 9:10 to 9:15 without a doubt.

You're asking them to knock off another 15-20 seconds in six weeks time, when they just ran under very good conditions?!!

And unlike at the Trials when they had two days off in between the qualifying and the final, in Beijing they only get one (heats on the 15th, final on the 17th) which won't help matters any.

I thought the Trials were supposed to mirror the Olympics as much as possible but the schedule is i reality quite different in many respects in terms of days off, etc. although I believe the number of heats is the same.

[dj]

I'd disagree - I'd say any athlete who has run sub-9:20 will be in contention for the medals and all three American athletes have an opportunity of making the Olympic final, if they can cope with the conditions.

I think they can run 9:10 to 9:15 without a doubt.

You're asking them to knock off another 15-20 seconds in six weeks time, when they just ran under very good conditions?!!

[unclezadok]

I'd disagree - I'd say any athlete who has run sub-9:20 will be in contention for the medals and all three American athletes have an opportunity of making the Olympic final, if they can cope with the conditions.

I think they can run 9:10 to 9:15 without a doubt.

[Steeplechaser]

So what was with that cheesecake photo shoot after the race where the photogs got the three medalists to remove their winner's jackets, literally sit their asses down in the water pit, and splash each other with water while the photogs took photos???

I am so glad I didn't see that and so sorry it happened.

[nevetsllim]

I'd disagree - I'd say any athlete who has run sub-9:20 will be in contention for the medals and all three American athletes have an opportunity of making the Olympic final, if they can cope with the conditions.

[Gleason]

wSteeple

Probably a 9:10 or so will be required to be competitive at the OT.

I agree IF "unclezadok" means "OG." NO U.S. woman made the 15 woman final @ Osaka, so IF 1 or 2 makes it that is an improvement.

10K & 5K did well there, so IF an American makes 1500 & Steeple. final that is also an improvement, which will lead to a WCh medal or 2 in the near future -- I hope.

[BisonHurdler]

"they" aren't terribly bright this morning

Everyone gets a free pass once in a while.

Keep up the good work though! I love eTN, and can't voice my appreciation enough for it and for everything else T&FN-associated.