USA Men's 1500m: Centro, Leo, Then Who?

Jun 23, 2015 by Lincoln Shryack

MEN'S 1500M PREVIEW | WOMEN'S 1500M PREVIEW

Matthew Centrowitz and Leo Manzano have traded victories in the USA 1500 every year since 2011, and they both enter this weekend as the clear favorites given their experience and finishing speed. The pair are the only men in the field with international medals, and each are coming off a solid 800 in New York- Centro dropped a 1:44.62 PR, with Manzano just a bit back in 1:45.24. If there was ever a third certainty in life behind death and taxes, it surely would be Centro and Manzano finishing top 3 at USA’s, as they’re both just too strong and tactically wise to not punch their tickets to Beijing. Centro enters as the favorite after very nearly winning his first Diamond League race in the Bowerman mile at the Pre Classic in late May, finishing second and beating two-time defending World champ Asbel Kiprop.

Figuring that Centrowitz and Manzano are locks to qualify in Eugene, the battle for the third and final qualifying spot could come down to several men with limited experience in this position, at least in comparison to Centro and Leo.

Ben Blankenship has been a man possessed in 2015, running 3:35 both indoors and outdoors, while impressing more and more with each race he’s run. The 25-year-old kicked with the best in the world at the Shanghai Diamond League in May, finishing fourth in 3:35.48, and followed that up with a nice victory in the international mile at Pre in 3:55. Add in his 3:51 split in the DMR at World Relays to secure a victory and a World record, and you can understand how a guy who’s best finish at USA’s is 10th is suddenly one of the favorites to make this team.

Ben Blankenship has been on fire in 2015

Speaking of that DMR World record, another member of that squad vying for a spot on the Team USA roster is Mr. Kyle Merber. The 24-year-old finally rid himself of his 3:35 PB that had stood since 2012 with his brilliant 3:34.54 run at the South Carolina Track Classic, which ranks him as the fastest man of 2015 in the 1500 field this weekend (Evan Jager and Garrett Heath are running other events). Merber has never qualified for a USA final, but he’s running more confident than we’ve ever seen him before.

Remember Andrew Wheating? Oh yeah, he’s also running this weekend, and we simply cannot ignore a two-time Olympian and a guy with a 3:30 PB. Wheating has had a difficulty with staying healthy the last few years, leading to a lot of inconsistency, but he certainly has the wheels to make another team if he’s in contention over the last lap. The 27-year-old turned in an impressive second place finish in the 1500 at Hoka One One in mid-May, but has been less than stellar since, finishing 12th in the international mile at Prefontaine (the race that Blankenship won), and most recently a 1:47.75 ninth place showing in the 800 at adidas Grand Prix (the race that Centro and Leo ran 1:44/1:45).

Andrew Wheating has dealt with injuries over the last few years, but you can't deny his speed

Here’s a quick rundown of some other names to watch:

Robby Andrews: Andrews biggest strength is his top end speed, and for that reason many were surprised to see him in this race as opposed to the 800. His last couple years have been up and down, but you can’t ignore a guy who ran 1:44 as a 20-year-old. He won the U.S. indoor 1K title earlier this year.

Robby Andrews anchored Team USA 4x800 to victory at World Relays in May

Pat Casey: Finished a surprising second at USA’s a year ago behind Manzano, although that field was lacking Centrowitz. Set his 3:35 PB last July.

Will Leer: Is he injured? The 30-year-old hasn’t raced since April, but should definitely be in the mix in Eugene if he can make it to the start line. Set his 3:34 PB last July as well.

Jordan McNamara: One of the best closers in this field, and possibly the biggest sleeper as well. Finished 7th in the 2012 Olympic Trials.

Mac Fleet and Chad Noelle: The last two NCAA champions in the 1500 both finish extremely well, especially if the pace becomes very tactical. The slower the better for Fleet and Noelle.

Ford Palmer: A year ago everyone would have said “who?” when mentioning Ford Palmer in a USA preview, but the 24-year-old former football player has continued his rise up the ranks after finishing a stunning fifth a year ago at this meet. Palmer’s signature race in 2015 is his runner-up finish in the fast section at Payton Jordan, where he took down Evan Jager and Lawi Lalang, among others.