June 30th 2024 - USA Olympic Trials women’s 1500m final
I am not a journalist. I fear I offended real journalists by even making that statement. Heck, I refer to all the athletes below by their first name which I think is some sort of journalistic violation. I however love track and field! The 2024 USA Olympic track and field trials were the best I have ever seen. I did follow them more than any other one in the past and because of social media I had more coverage than ever before. However, I still think this was a very special meet! The last day alone was historic!
The race I selected to unpack immediately was the women's 1500m. The number of story lines coming from this race certainly ranks in the top 3 of event outcomes for this year's track trials and has a strong case for the best race of the usa track trials.
Prior to this race, in my opinion all 7 of the women below had a legit chance at making one of the top 3 spots to advance to the Olympics in Paris. I predicted in this order, Elle, Nikki and Emily. I was correct on all 3 to advance but the wrong order. Congratulations to all these women, and a special shout out to the top 3 who are going to Paris.
Nikki - Fantastic win! I knew they had a championship kick but was concerned the ceiling was 3.58. They destroyed that. They just missed the American Record (Shelby's record is going down this summer. 3.54.99).
Emily - I had the most confidence she would be in the top 3 even though she is still such a newbie. She is just getting started! The confidence she gained from medaling at World Indoors and training with the stellar New Balance Boston team was on full display. Shout out to Coach Mark Coogan. What a squad!
Elle- She runs a 3.55.99 for a PR after a very hard 5k and makes the team! No way she was thinking that would be 3rd. Well done! If Elle is health, has not yet peaked and focuses just the 1500m in Paris, she is still likely our best best for a 1500m medal.
Sinclaire - The wrong race to run 3.56 min and not advance. She is back healthy and has alot of promise to continue to be very competitive. In the post race interview right after, she was understandably very emotional and talked about how much she overcame this year. I hope she heads over to Europe this summer and translates this fitness into additional great races.
Cory - I always feel like rooting for Cory is rooting for an underdog even though she has already been an olympian. She broke 4 min for 1st time in this race with an almost 3 sec PR. She is a veteran who ran smart rounds and gave herself a chance in the finals. Cory has consistently punched above her weight class to make finals. I am sure she is massively bummed to not advance to Paris, however, I can’t imagine she walks away thinking she did not leave every ounce out there.
Cranny - I mean 3.57 min after a gutsy 2nd place in the 5k and dropping down to the 1500m just for fun when you are possibly one of America’s best 10k runners but didn’t want to run it. 2nd and 6th in the Olympic trials after coaching changes and injuries. Congrats!
Heather - She made the wrong moves. Her fitness appears to be there but Heather spent alot of energy going from in the back in traffic to the front of the pack. She then spend alot of energy making a big move to go for the win. It caught up and she faded. Frankly I am shocked only 1 of these 7 really had a hiccup. I am being hyper critical by the way because it's hard to say you had a hiccup with a 3.58!
Throw in Helen with the very long last name and 8 women were under 4 min in a USA only race! Historic! I am pretty sure 8 USA women in the same race under 4 (actually I am confident) has never happened. I would be surprised if > 4 ever!
