Olympic Trials Predictions

[polvltr11]

I think that the womens' meet is going to be amazing and it's definitely going to be a toss up between more than a handful of them. On the men's side, Russ Buller is definitely going to make the team - he is always right up there in the top three or four at trials for most major meets. He comes through in the crunch. I have confidence ... NOTE: this is not a biased opinion by any means! I love you Russ!

[mfs9]

Stevenson
Hartwig
Walker

[PVPhD]

The Dave Johnson whose predictions are listed in Track and Field News is the former head statistician for TF&N and was also the guy in charge of the Penn Relays for a number of years. He's an alum of Swarthmore College (my alma mater also).

Dave Johnston is an awesome coach and good guy. His brother, Joe Johnston, regularly wins the pole vault for his age group at the National Master's Championships.

Regarding predictions for the trials - I'm keeping my mouth shut. In 1992, I told everyone that Bubka would win gold in the Olympics and that the competition was for the silver and bronze medals. OOPS! In 2000, I assumed that Jeff Hartwig was a lock for a place on the team and I was already predicting that he would win gold in Sydney - OOPS!

So, rather than predict who will make the team, I'll say that it will take a 5.80 m vault to make the men's team and a 4.50 m vault to make the women's team.

[opalkak]

I pick the three best vaulters on the day of finals

[Russ]

Does anybody have a list of those who'll be vaulting in Sacramento (M & W), along with their best jumps in the past 12 months (or PR, or something like that)?

[PVPhD]

Russ-

http://www.usatf.org/events/2004/Olympi ... status.asp
This site lists the status of entries to the trials which includes qualifying heights. You have to scroll through to get to the pole vault.

[Russ]

Peter,

Thanks for the link. That's a great site to get a sense of the entire field for the trials.

[vaultdad]

Grandpa Bell

I think he's just been hold'in back so he doesn't embarrass the young pups . . .

[Scott Go Pre]

Well, today is the big day to see who is right about the men, but we won't find out until after the finals on sunday! Good luck to all the vaulters today!!!

[K_Rabbit]

Here is the start list for the Men's Trials
http://www.usatf.org/events/2004/Olympi ... s/day1.asp


Flight 1 Prelims
1 1091 Jonathan Takahashi Unattached
2 1132 Daniel Trosclair Unattached
3 741 Robert Mclean Unattached
4 825 Justin Norberg Shore Athlet
5 328 Eric Eshbach Unattached
6 759 Derek Miles Nike
7 475 Tye Harvey New Balance
8 1023 Tommy Skipper Oregon
9 449 Kurt Hanna Unattached
10 251 Jim Davis Unattached
11 968 Daniel Ryland Bell Athleti
12 863 Jacob Pauli XL Sports Ac
Flight 2 Prelims
1 530 Nicholas Hysong Nike
2 577 Lawrence Johnson adidas
3 609 Adam Keul Sky Athletic
4 141 Russ Buller Asics
5 706 Patrick Manson Indiana Invaders
6 1157 Brad Walker Nike
7 1076 Toby Stevenson Nike
8 614 Keenan King Sky Athletic
9 473 Jeff Hartwig Nike
10 690 Timothy Mack Nike
11 883 Matt Phillips Willamette Str.
12 992 Jeremy Scott Unattached

[GPvaulter]

The prelims for the PV are now over with a huge suprise with both Lawrence Johnson and Jeff Hartwig finishing with a NH. Hopefully they will show some of the prelims tonight. It is showing on USA from 11-1 if you want to catch it.