Sprints Preview
Though VA has many great representatives in all the disciplines of the sport this weekend at the trials, the strongest contingent is definitely the sprinters.
Leading this front are former Olympians and Olympic Gold Medalists Francena McCorory and LaShawn Merritt. Merritt will be attempting to make his third Olympic team while McCorory will be shooting for her second. Both are entered in the 400m dash and should fare well but as of now Merritt is also entered in the 200m dash.
Joining them in the 400s will be Ricky Morgan, Michael Cherry, and second seed David Verburg.
In the shorter sprints will be now Florida incoming freshman Noah Lyles. He ran 10.07(wind-aided) and 20.18 to qualify for the trials last year! He has definitely improved and ran a 10.08 as a tune-up at USATF Juniors a week ago. Though he is declared in both events, it is likely he will only compete in the 200m dash where he is attempting to break the 20 second barrier for the first time. That would be a high school national record as well.
Though it is crazy to think this, if Noah is able to run a 19.90 then he would have a serious shot at making the Olympic team. The only difficult thing about this is that he would have to run 20.17 in qualifying, 20.04 in the semi-finals and then bust out a great time. If he can run that fast, which we think he can, he would make the Olympic semi-finals.