2015 NCAA Women's Mile Preview
2015 NCAA Women's Mile Preview
Shelby Houlihan, Arizona Sate (PB 4:33.52/4:10.89)
Last Year: 3rd Indoors, 1st Outdoors
Houlihan has always displayed great talent, but last year she proved she was the real deal when she locked in her first NCAA title in the 1500m. What makes her the favorite over the field? Her finish. In the NCAA indoor final last season, it didn’t even look like Houlihan was a top-3 contender, until she unleashed her dangerous kick to outline 2013 Team USA member Cory McGee.
Leah O’Connor, Michigan State (PB 4:34.35/4:15.13)
Last Year: 7th Indoors, N/A Outdoors
The 2014 steeplechase champion is a very big threat to this mile field. Fresh off an outstanding cross country season and an NCAA team title, O’Connor’s gutsy racing tactics show off her strength as an athlete. Last season, she led the mile final for nearly the entire race, causing her to fall back in the final 100m to 7th place. Learning from this, she’ll be a real threat for the win.
Colleen Quigley, Florida State (PB 4:32.11*/4:15.05)
Last Year: 6th Indoors, N/A Outdoors
Quigley is another steeplechase star and may have a bit of a chip on her shoulder. Finishing in the top-25 at NCAA XC, this Seminole was coming off an outdoor injury that probably set her behind the field in the fall. Not this season. Quigley will return to the track with vengeance to bring FSU back to the forefront of middle distance running.
Last Year: 3rd Indoors, 1st Outdoors
Houlihan has always displayed great talent, but last year she proved she was the real deal when she locked in her first NCAA title in the 1500m. What makes her the favorite over the field? Her finish. In the NCAA indoor final last season, it didn’t even look like Houlihan was a top-3 contender, until she unleashed her dangerous kick to outline 2013 Team USA member Cory McGee.
Leah O’Connor, Michigan State (PB 4:34.35/4:15.13)
Last Year: 7th Indoors, N/A Outdoors
The 2014 steeplechase champion is a very big threat to this mile field. Fresh off an outstanding cross country season and an NCAA team title, O’Connor’s gutsy racing tactics show off her strength as an athlete. Last season, she led the mile final for nearly the entire race, causing her to fall back in the final 100m to 7th place. Learning from this, she’ll be a real threat for the win.
Colleen Quigley, Florida State (PB 4:32.11*/4:15.05)
Last Year: 6th Indoors, N/A Outdoors
Quigley is another steeplechase star and may have a bit of a chip on her shoulder. Finishing in the top-25 at NCAA XC, this Seminole was coming off an outdoor injury that probably set her behind the field in the fall. Not this season. Quigley will return to the track with vengeance to bring FSU back to the forefront of middle distance running.
Carly Hamilton, Georgia (PB 4:34.03*/4:12.15)
Last Year: 5th Indoors, 15th Outdoors
Hamilton had a great 2014, but her redshirting cross country could mean an injury. If that’s not the case and Hamilton is ready to roll, she’ll be one to watch come March. She’s a consistent performer, which is great. But she’ll need to be aggressive if she wants to make a statement in her final season at Georgia. She was 4th in 2013 before finishing 5th in ’14, will 2015 be her year?
Linden Hall, Florida State (PB 4:32.25*/4:15.51)
Last Year: 14th Indoors, 3rd Outdoors
Hall recorded the third-fastest time in the NCAA last season before failing to qualify for the finals. Her impressive outdoor finish, however, makes her one to watch. She lowered her 800m PB to 2:06.49 and had a solid season of cross country this fall. Teaming up with Quigley could be dangerous to anyone challenging these Seminoles.
Last Year: 5th Indoors, 15th Outdoors
Hamilton had a great 2014, but her redshirting cross country could mean an injury. If that’s not the case and Hamilton is ready to roll, she’ll be one to watch come March. She’s a consistent performer, which is great. But she’ll need to be aggressive if she wants to make a statement in her final season at Georgia. She was 4th in 2013 before finishing 5th in ’14, will 2015 be her year?
Linden Hall, Florida State (PB 4:32.25*/4:15.51)
Last Year: 14th Indoors, 3rd Outdoors
Hall recorded the third-fastest time in the NCAA last season before failing to qualify for the finals. Her impressive outdoor finish, however, makes her one to watch. She lowered her 800m PB to 2:06.49 and had a solid season of cross country this fall. Teaming up with Quigley could be dangerous to anyone challenging these Seminoles.
Elise Cranny, Stanford (PB 4:40.62/4:10.95)
Last Year: High School
There is no argument that Cranny is the top freshman in the NCAA right now. And we will finally get to see her compete in her bread and butter this winter, the middle distances. Her 4:40 PB may be considerably slower than the rest of the field, but it’s only because she’s only competed in a full mile three times in her life. This Cardinal’s got a 4:10/2:04 resume and will stick her nose in with the top returners. She’s not really a dark horse, but she’s definitely a newcomer that will make an impact.
Last Year: High School
There is no argument that Cranny is the top freshman in the NCAA right now. And we will finally get to see her compete in her bread and butter this winter, the middle distances. Her 4:40 PB may be considerably slower than the rest of the field, but it’s only because she’s only competed in a full mile three times in her life. This Cardinal’s got a 4:10/2:04 resume and will stick her nose in with the top returners. She’s not really a dark horse, but she’s definitely a newcomer that will make an impact.
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