2015 NCAA Women's 4x4 Preview
2015 NCAA Women's 4x4 Preview
University of Texas (PB in 2014 3:24.21)
Last Year: 2nd Indoors, 1st Outdoors
The scary thing about the University of Texas 400m squad is they return four key pieces of the 4x4. They lost leadoff leg Briana Nelson to graduation, but ran their No. 2 all-time best time (at NCAA outdoors) without Ashley Spencer, their 2-time 400m NCAA Champion. When she went down in the open 400m in Eugene, in stepped short-sprinter Morolake Akinosun, who brilliantly split 51.37 en route to their title. Combined with young guns Kendall Baisden and collegiate record holder Courtney Okolo, the Longhorns are the overwhelming favorite for 2015. The question is, how fast can they run?
Texas A&M University (PB in 2014 3:25.63)
Last Year: 3rd Indoors, 2nd Outdoors
Last Year: 2nd Indoors, 1st Outdoors
The scary thing about the University of Texas 400m squad is they return four key pieces of the 4x4. They lost leadoff leg Briana Nelson to graduation, but ran their No. 2 all-time best time (at NCAA outdoors) without Ashley Spencer, their 2-time 400m NCAA Champion. When she went down in the open 400m in Eugene, in stepped short-sprinter Morolake Akinosun, who brilliantly split 51.37 en route to their title. Combined with young guns Kendall Baisden and collegiate record holder Courtney Okolo, the Longhorns are the overwhelming favorite for 2015. The question is, how fast can they run?
Texas A&M University (PB in 2014 3:25.63)
Last Year: 3rd Indoors, 2nd Outdoors
The A&M crew features superstars that rival the Longhorns. Sophomore Shamier Little took home the 400H NCAA title, Kamaria Brown won the outdoor 200m, Olivia Ekpone was top five in the NCAA outdoor 200m, 100m, and teamed with Brown to win the 4x100m. Obviously, A&M took home the team title. There’s no shortage of superstars in College Station, and they’ll be the only team with a fair shot to break the Longhorns stride in 2015.
University of Oregon (PB in 2014 3:27.34)
Last Year: 1st Indoors, 3rd Outdoors
The reigning indoor collegiate record-holders graduated three of their core 4x400m from last year’s superstar squad. Will the Ducks be in trouble? Probably not. Christian Brennan was excellent in 2014 and will be the leading lady trying to prove Oregon’s relevance in this event. Ashante Horsley dabbled on the relay last year, as did 800m specialist Annie Leblanc. It may be that true freshman Raevyn Rogers will be called upon to contribute to the relay, as her 2:03 high school 800m time shows off her speed. It will be interesting to see what times this young squad puts together.
University of Florida (PB in 2014 3:27.38)
Last Year: 4th Indoors, 4th Outdoors
Florida loses Ebony Eutsey, a solid 400m runner during each four seasons as a Gator. Though they return Robin Reynolds, Destinee Gause, and Loreal Curtis, it’s undetermined who will fill the missing piece of the puzzle. Could it be true freshman Destiny Washington? Her 54.16 best from high school is good. Or will it be Oregon transfer Claudia Francis, sister to indoor collegiate record-holder Phyllis Francis? Francis had an impressive high school resume, and a change of coaches and teammates may lead her in the right direction for 2015.
University of Southern California (PB in 2014 3:29.42)
Last Year: 6th Indoors, 7th Outdoors
USC lost valuable contributors Jessica Davis and Ashley Liverpool to graduation, but talented freshman Deanna Hill from Florida and Ky Westbrook from Arizona could fill this open spot in the Pac-12 Championship 4x400m. Akawkaw Ndipagbor, Vanessa Jones, Jaide Stepter all return, as does All American sprinter Tynia Gaither, who stepped into the one-lap relay several times last season. Don’t count out these southern California speedsters this season.
Last Year: 1st Indoors, 3rd Outdoors
The reigning indoor collegiate record-holders graduated three of their core 4x400m from last year’s superstar squad. Will the Ducks be in trouble? Probably not. Christian Brennan was excellent in 2014 and will be the leading lady trying to prove Oregon’s relevance in this event. Ashante Horsley dabbled on the relay last year, as did 800m specialist Annie Leblanc. It may be that true freshman Raevyn Rogers will be called upon to contribute to the relay, as her 2:03 high school 800m time shows off her speed. It will be interesting to see what times this young squad puts together.
University of Florida (PB in 2014 3:27.38)
Last Year: 4th Indoors, 4th Outdoors
Florida loses Ebony Eutsey, a solid 400m runner during each four seasons as a Gator. Though they return Robin Reynolds, Destinee Gause, and Loreal Curtis, it’s undetermined who will fill the missing piece of the puzzle. Could it be true freshman Destiny Washington? Her 54.16 best from high school is good. Or will it be Oregon transfer Claudia Francis, sister to indoor collegiate record-holder Phyllis Francis? Francis had an impressive high school resume, and a change of coaches and teammates may lead her in the right direction for 2015.
University of Southern California (PB in 2014 3:29.42)
Last Year: 6th Indoors, 7th Outdoors
USC lost valuable contributors Jessica Davis and Ashley Liverpool to graduation, but talented freshman Deanna Hill from Florida and Ky Westbrook from Arizona could fill this open spot in the Pac-12 Championship 4x400m. Akawkaw Ndipagbor, Vanessa Jones, Jaide Stepter all return, as does All American sprinter Tynia Gaither, who stepped into the one-lap relay several times last season. Don’t count out these southern California speedsters this season.
University of Arkansas (PB in 2014 3:29.58)
Last Year: 8th Indoors, 6th Outdoors
Arkansas returns everybody from both All American performances in 2014. They’re a dark horse, however, because of their youth. Daina Harper, Taylor Ellis-Watson (transfer from Pittsburgh), and Regine Williams were all newcomers on the relay last season. Chrishuna Williams brings experience back, but this is what makes the Razorbacks mysterious, and a team to fear.
Last Year: 8th Indoors, 6th Outdoors
Arkansas returns everybody from both All American performances in 2014. They’re a dark horse, however, because of their youth. Daina Harper, Taylor Ellis-Watson (transfer from Pittsburgh), and Regine Williams were all newcomers on the relay last season. Chrishuna Williams brings experience back, but this is what makes the Razorbacks mysterious, and a team to fear.