Should NCAA Superstars skip NC's for USATF?

[aaronk]

I was talking about this year's INdoor schedule!!
Both meets are on the same days---this Friday & Saturday!
Would've been doable if the NC's were a week earlier!

ADD: Look at the USATF entries!
Right now, Crouser has the best SP mark in the country--Pro or amateur!
So does Orji in the TJ, Saunders in the SP, Okolo in the 400, and Brazier in the 800!
In fact, Saunders's mark is 2nd only to Val Adams's recent
OUTdoor 63-9 and an earlier INdoor mark by the Chinese woman!

[tandfman]

Outdoors is a different story. The NCAAs have always preceded the US Nationals, and I can't remember any eligible NCAA athlete ever skipping the NCAAs for the US Nationals/Trials. And there are very few NCAA athletes who have a decent chance of making a US team who stop competing after the NCAA meet when there is a team (World or Olympic) to make.

[bruce3404]

I don't get it. Why can't they compete in both? Didn't Devon Allen win both the NCs and USATF two years ago? Sure, it's a bigger load to have to peak twice and that might be a good reason to move future Trials and USATF meets a bit closer to one another. This year there will be roughly a three week gap between the two meets. But as others have said, collegiate athletes are beholden to their teams and coaches and as a college fan I would find it disappointing to miss seeing the best college athletes in action at the NCAA's.

[NotDutra5]

Well then, please, next year---change the schedule!!
Same with the NBIN for top HS'ers!

The top Collegians (& HS'ers) should be able to go to BOTH meets!!

Which meet are you moving?

[tandfman]

AFAIK, Seidel has no Worlds qualifying standard, so it would be strange to even consider choosing USATF over NCAA.

Neither does Adkins.

[Cannon]

I agree with aaronk...what's the point of having the two national meets on the same days? It would be interesting for fans to have the top NCAA athletes in the USATF meet, and good experience for the younger athletes and maybe a chance for a PR.

[Atticus]

The top Collegians (& HS'ers) should be able to go to BOTH meets!!

The WIC is a not a big deal to many world elites, so why should it be to college coaches or their athletes?

[aaronk]

Beat me to it.

Well then, please, next year---change the schedule!!
Same with the NBIN for top HS'ers!

The top Collegians (& HS'ers) should be able to go to BOTH meets!!

[lonewolf]

Hmmm, let me see. Let's ask their college coaches, who have TOTAL control over which meet they should enter . . . the one they have been given a scholarship to go to?

Beat me to it.

[gm]

AFAIK, Seidel has no Worlds qualifying standard, so it would be strange to even consider choosing USATF over NCAA.

[Atticus]

Hmmm, let me see. Let's ask their college coaches, who have TOTAL control over which meet they should enter . . . the one they have been given a scholarship to go to?

[aaronk]

The list of NCAA "Superstars" isn't as short as you'd think!

Men
Ronnie Baker (60)
Michael Cherry (400)
Donavan Brazier (800)
Devon Allen (60H)
Brad Adkins (HJ)
Jake Blankenship (PV)
Ryan Crouser (SP)


Women
Courtney Okolo (400)
Raevyn Rogers (800)
Molly Seidel (3000)
Quanesha Burks (LJ)
Keturah Orji (TJ)
Raven Saunders (SP)

Will Akela Jones be competing at WC for Barbados?
Hasn't Kendell Williams been placed on US team for Heptathlon?