USATF Indoor Championships 2014Feb 21, 2014 by Mitch Kastoff
USATF Indoor Championships: Women's 800m preview
USATF Indoor Championships: Women's 800m preview
We’ll break the women’s 800m down into groups of two. First, we’ll give a little info on the top two seeds. Then, we’ll mention some names that should be familiar, but may have been forgotten. Then, like always, we’ll give two dark horse picks because if I’ve learned anything about track and field, it’s that you should just cover all of your bases so you can tell people that, to some degree, you were right.
Ajee Wilson and Chanelle Price are atop the entry list and are the only two women who have dipped below 2:02 this season. The two have only met once this season, which was at the New Balance Grand Prix 1k. Price came away the head-to-head victor with her 2:36.63 second place finish while Wilson was distant tenth in 2:48.88.
However, Wilson would soon bounce back at the Millrose Games 800m. In a young, star-studded field in New York, Wilson took with the win and a new indoor 800m PR of 2:01.81.
Though she’s in form, Price shouldn’t be discounted. Back on January 25, Price ran her own indoor PR of 2:01.91 in Glasgow.
Who’ll come out on top when the two meet again? I want to go with the technical “upset” and go with Price.
Who’ll come out on top when the two meet again? I want to go with the technical “upset” and go with Price.
If the information above hasn’t convinced you on the top two seeds, allow me to continue with two more names on the entry list.
After almost making the U.S. Olympic team, disappearing, and picking up a hyphenated last night (she got married!), Molly Beckwith-Ludlow is back. Her layoff didn’t do much to her fitness, though. This indoor season, she’s set personal bests at the indoor 800m (2:02.13), the 1k (2:37.19), and the mile (4:34.44).
Another name, who’ve we seen sporting a Team USA jersey at a World Indoor Championship in the past, is Erica Moore. We have to give praise to Jon Gugula and RunBlogRun because he’s been on point with some recent stories. If you want to read about the world indoor bronze medalist’s comeback after achilles problems and mononucleosis, click here.
She's only run one race this winter, which was 1:20.10 for 600y at the ISU Classic.
She's only run one race this winter, which was 1:20.10 for 600y at the ISU Classic.
While we’re on the topic of inspirational stories and comebacks, OTC’s Shannon Leinert’s story is absolutely incredible. You can read her blog here, which chronicles her experiences with an eating disorder.
If you’re done cutting onions, I have some good news. So far this season, Leinert is undefeated. Yes, all of her races have been run at the University of Washington, but still. She’s also joins the “indoor PR club” with a 2:04.24 mark from the Washington Invitational. She’s a longshot, but hey, why not.
Another entry to note is Phoebe Wright. If you haven’t been keeping up with her blog, well, what’s wrong with you. Now that that’s out there, we can continue.
Wright opened her season at the JDL Fast Track 800m (2nd in 2:04.29) and then took to Ames, IA for the the ISU Classic (1st in 2:03.39).
Why are we including her? Is it because she was the 2011 USA Indoor Champ? Well, yes. But mainly because she was Price’s teammate at Tennessee, Moore’s roommate, and has a feud with Wilson.
Everything’s come full circle. Hooray!
| Women 800m | ||||
| Name | Affiliation | Mark | Status | Declaration |
| Ajee' Wilson | adidas | 2:01.81 | qualified | declared |
| Chanelle Price | Speed Factory Athletics | 2:01.91 | qualified | declared |
| Molly Beckwith | Saucony | 2:02.13 | qualified | declared |
| Stephanie Charnigo | New Jersey New York Track Club | 2:02.15 | qualified | declared |
| Bethany Praska | 2:03.59 | qualified | declared | |
| Cydney Ross | New Jersey New York Track Club | 2:03.91 | qualified | declared |
| Shannon Leinert | Oregon TC Elite | 2:04.24 | qualified | declared |
| Heather Kampf | Asics / Team USA Minnesota | 2:04.28 | qualified | declared |
| Phoebe Wright | Nike | 2:04.29 | qualified | declared |
| Lauren Wallace | Oiselle | 2:05.24 | qualified | declared |
| Stephanie Herrick | Central Park Track Club (CPTC) New Balance | 2:05.57 | qualified | declared |
| Erica Moore | Brooks | NT | accepted | declared |
