What a crazy 2011 outdoor season we've had in the 800 in this country. Is it just me, or has nothing really gone according to the script? Their have been terrific performances and times from so many Americans, and the middle-distance talent in this country has become so unbelievably deep. America currently boasts 9 of the top 25 800 times in the world, as well as 5 in the top 15. Here are their world ranks:

Cory Primm	1:44.71 t-8th
Robby Andrews	1:44.71 t-8th
Charles Jock	1:44.75 11th
Tyler Mulder	1:44.83 13th
Elijah Greer	1:45.06 15th
Nick Symmonds	1:45.09 t-16th
Khadevis Robinson	1:45.09 t-16th
Casimir Loxsom	1:45.31 22nd
Ryan Martin	1:45.34 24th

There have just been so many surprises in the half-mile this year that it makes the upcoming USA Champs 800 so hard to call (and so intriguing).

Nick Symmonds would have been considered the favorite by many going into this year. However, after a great 1:45.09 early season performance in Melbourne, the Olympian hasn't looked like himself. It is a tricky thing trying to interpret some of these elites' seasons, though, because unlike the collegians they are banking on racing well into the summer. Could it be that Symmonds has completely trained through every race and will put it all together next week? It wouldn't surprise me in the least, but he did look pretty frustrated and agitated after a disappointing Prefontaine 800. Will he rebound at USA's?

Andrew Wheating opened up his 2011 season late, with his first race being a pretty low-key DMR at the Oregon Twilight. He has looked strong the few times we've seen him in the 1500/mile, but he has yet to run a great 800. I'm assuming he's going to opt for the 1500 next week, so he hasn't been listed as a voting option below. However, if he chooses the 800, you have to think he instantly becomes the favorite, regardless of his 2011 800 resume.

Symmonds and Wheating are joined by Oregon Track Club teammate, new 1:44 guy and former NCAA Champion Tyler Mulder as a threat to win. Mulder has looked the best out of all three, perhaps. His 1:44 split to help OTC beat Oregon at the Oregon Twilight DMR looked effortless, and he dominated Oregon's Elijah Greer (who just ran 1:45.06 at NCAA's last week.) He backed it up with a 1:44.83 at Oxy to make himself a real contender for the win next week.

Khadevis Robinson has stormed back to the forefront of the American 800 running scene with a great comeback campaign this season. He has positioned himself so well in every race this season and has been in contention for the win in almost every 8 this season (maybe outside of Pre). Count me as one who would be thrilled to see him redeem himself in Eugene and make the World Team. Can he fight off the collegiate youngsters and contend for the win at the age of 34? It will be fun to watch.

These impressive youngsters include UCLA's Cory Primm, Virginia's Robby Andrews, UC Irvine's Charles Jock, Oregon's Elijah Greer, Penn State's Casimir Loxsom and UC Santa Barbara's Ryan Martin. All currently rank in the top 25 in the world.

Andrews edged Jock, Greer and Loxsom in one of the fastest and most thrilling NCAA Championship 800's in history. Obviously, these four are in prime shape and could make some noise if they can make the final. After a long season with much racing for most of these guys, can they make it through the multiple rounds at USA's and contend?

I don't think anyone is going to bet against Andrews and that kick if he can remain in contention. After missing indoors this year, Andrews opened up with a 1:49 this outdoor season. In the span of 2 months, he has made the jump to a 1:44 guy and cemented his reputation as a guy who does nothing but win big races. With his improvement week after week, will he be even better at USA's...or will his lack of training this fall/winter finally catch up to him?

Jock may have a more difficult task because he loves to lead, but Khadevis showed us for years that it can be effective at a championship level. He looked so powerful at NCAA's and gave Andrews all he wanted, so look for him to be a real player next week in his first opportunity to try and make a team. Primm popped a 1:44.71 at Oxy, but struggled at NCAA's. Was it simply an off race, or did the young UCLA Bruin already hit his peak? The same could be asked of UCSB's Ryan Martin, who faded down the stretch and finished last in the final, after running 1:45.34 (and beating Jock) this year.

Or who knows, it could very well be veteran Duane Solomon (1:45.86) mixing it up for the win or Casimir Loxsom of Penn State (1:45.31) pulling a Christian Smith to make the team. That's what makes this so fun going into next week. So...

What do you think? Who's going to take it?