World Championship Glory for Team USA?

By Nolan Mayhew

Should there be concern about team USA on the men’s side as they arrive in Daegu to compete in the World Championships?  From the 100 to the 10,000, and in all the field events, many members of the American contingent are sitting on the bubble between medaling and going home empty handed. Even in typical USA bastions of strength, such as the 200 and 400 meter dashes, our runners face staunch challengers mainly coming from the Caribbean. The United States certainly has a deep team, but one in need of surprise stars to emerge and claim a medal or victory if the men’s team wants to remain the dominant track and field team in the world. The following competitors have the opportunity to eliminate the uncertainty surrounding team USA, and must perform to maintain the USA track and field culture of excellence.

                  Once one of America’s weakest events, the men’s 800 meter run has become increasingly competitive and is an area of huge growth from high school up to the professional ranks. Khadevis Robinson has been running the 800 for team USA for over ten years, and is the elder statesman of the event in the United States, consistently making Olympic and World Championship squads. Now, in the twilight of his career, after just working as a pacer in Europe last year, Robinson is experiencing a late career resurgence. With the continued success of Oregon Track Club’s Nick Symmonds in the USA Championships and the excitement around twenty year old Charles Jock, the thirty-five year old Robinson has been considered an afterthought by many, but he may be the best American half miler. The eight time US national champion has experience and toughness from racing the best year after year, and his racing style mirrors the African runners who have dominated this event. Jock will get eaten up the last 150, and Symmonds will move too late, but Robinson will find the perfect window and will have a World Championship medal to show for it.

                  Not often are collegiate stars able to carry sustained success from January to September, but the gravity-defying duo of Will Claye and Christian Taylor has dominated the US jumping scene for months. The All-American pair and newly minted professionals should start their professional careers with a bang. Who says they cannot take on the world? The triple jump is where the duo is most likely to shock the Europeans. Christian Taylor, now sponsored by Li-Ning, defeated jump giant Phillips Idowu in London two weeks ago convincingly.   Idowu’s up and down performances and the absence of French phenom Teddy Tamgho leaves the field vulnerable to a two pronged Gator attack.  Do not be surprised if these two former Gators clamp their jaws down on the field in Daegu, and score team USA a 1-2 in the triple jump.

                  Love him or hate him, Galen Rupp has represented the United States since 2007 in the Olympics and World Championships, and looks poised to finally claim a medal on the world stage. The many Rupp doubters were likely surprised by his impressive race in the Birmingham Diamond League meeting a month ago, where he claimed some impressive scalps over accomplished runners such as Imane Merga, Yenew Alamirew, Craig Mottram, and Alistair Cragg. His training partner, Mo Farah, is the prohibitive favorite in the 5,000 and in the 10,000. Despite his DNF in Monaco, and his lack of consistency in European races, Rupp will follow his training partner around the track for thirteen laps, or for twenty-six laps. Rupp should bring the USA a medal in the 5,000 or 10,000, which would fulfill some of the promise of the Oregon Project, which has not won a medal on the men’s side since Mac Wilkins won the discus in 1976. Rupp has a golden opportunity to break this streak, and to fulfill his promise in a few days in Daegu.

A betting man would not place his money on a podium finish for any American in the 1500 in Daegu. Matt Centrowitz, Leo Manzano, and Andrew Wheating represent a deep but unexceptional pool of US milers after a 400 meter sprint decided the World Championship team because of a very slow first three laps. Hopes of a medal for any of these runners were not encouraged in the Birmingham Diamond League as the Africans ran away from the Americans with ease over the whole race. It may seem hopeless, but Centro, Manzano, and Wheating have some conditions working in their favor. Manzano and Wheating are certainly not over-raced and have hopefully set up to peak at the World Championships whereas many other contenders have raced the Diamond League hard for months coming into Daegu. Centrowitz has to have some confidence after becoming the US Champion and earning the ‘A’ standard and a big personal best despite being defeated in the Birmingham Diamond League. His coach Vin Lananna has prepared runners well for big races in the past and he will make sure Centrowitz is rested despite a long collegiate season. There will not be a rabbit in the World Championship final, so a slow pace is likely which could help our 1500 guys, since they are kickers. This group is very likable and easy to root for, but the track and field lovers in the United States are counting on them to make the United States relevant in the 1500 again, not only to the world but to our own country. A medal from one of them at the World Championships may make that happen.

                  Many writers have voiced their concerns about this team headed to Daegu, and while this team is not the strongest we have ever sent, it has incredible potential. We should rally behind the men in red, white, and blue as they run, jump, and throw for a shot at glory.