Run-Down Forums

[AM_Runner]

I don't know about that remember she did have a very long season - ran NCAA's as well, improved all year I would give the nod to her although Campbell also put up good times for sure - If you went just based on times _ you would probably have to flip 2 and 3 - I think its a better order with Williams before her though... but this is all based on opnions right
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The long run is what puts the tiger in the cat.

[Dan]

The IAAF sees it differently, with Williams ranked only 5th on the year. NCAAs doesn't factor into the equation from a competition standpoint, and I don't think she ran any times fast enough during the collegiate season to help her summer cause, so really, it all comes down to importance placed on Olympic finish.

Dan
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[AM_Runner]

True but this isn't the IAAF so we can use whatever criteria we want right...
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The long run is what puts the tiger in the cat.

[Dan]

Sure, we can shape the criteria as we go, but it makes absolutely no sense to give extra consideration to a part of the season that the rest of the field doesn't give a rip about and didn't partake in.

Dan
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[AM_Runner]

Don't know if its extra consideration just that because of the races she ran this year I feel that she was consistantly perfomring well. I would feel the same for meets that occured in europe that athletes were able to perform in that US athletes were not. NCAA champs were June when Williams ran her sub 11 there it was the world leader. Lalova ran her time also in June I agree that extra consideration should not be given - but I don't think tghese athletes should be penelized as well since they had to run at champs three times - NCAA, USA, and Olympics a tough thing to do.
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The long run is what puts the tiger in the cat.

[AM_Runner]

Actually, I was just looking at the 200M rankings on IAAF for comparison and I noticed that Muna Lee had the NCAA champs listed in her CV so are they counted?
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The long run is what puts the tiger in the cat.

[Dan]

Yes, the times count, but I don't believe they're weighted very heavily for ranking purposes. Consider:

- the bulk of the elite field is not eligible to compete, thus little or no head-to-head significance

- much less stringent conditions with regards to allowable wind, altititude, etc.

- much less drug testing

All in all, the season doesn't count for much outside of collegiate circles. No, Williams isn't penalized because she ran in extra championships, but at the same time, she doesn't get a free pass through half of the European season because she focused on races the others didn't get to run... There's really no comparable season for the other elites.

Dan
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[Conway]

The rest of the world typically looks down on the NCAA Championships as "the top athletes" are not invited ... I tend to sit the fence on the NCAA's as in any given year there are fields that do contain a good number of top athletes ... For example I think this years men's 400 field was as strong as any race in the world outside of the US Trials and the Games themselves ...

However, as far as this discussion goes (women's 100) the field was quite weak and Lauryn was clearly the best individual in the stadium ... She did not have a hot Eueropean season however ... But this year it does not kill her because I don't think anyone had a HOT Euro season ... I can go with

1. Nesterenko
2. Williams
3. Campbell

for the top 3 .... Then I think I like

4. Arron
5. Lalova

Christine was the top dog through early summer ... but had a bad Games and that hurts her ... Lalova was there constently all season and gets the nod ahead of Bailey in my opinion ...
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Conway
Speed Thrills

[Dan]

Arron is always an enigma. Starts to look like a serious medal threat, then pretty much disappears... I'm never sure what to make of her come season's end.

Lalova will do quite well in the rankings when times are the main factor, but some of her times in small meets were widely questioned and not supported particularly well by head to head success.

Dan
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[Conway]

Where Lalova is concerned I'm not taking into account times at all ... She did find a way to always be in the top 3 or so on a cosistent basis ... And was never really blown out of any race ... Her 10.77 should never be carried on any list as it was clearly aided by a false start ... But the rest of her times are fine ... She's a legit 11.0x sprinter ... And she is young - only 19 or 20 ... She'll be a factor for some time barring injury or worse ...
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Conway
Speed Thrills

[Dan]

I had no idea she's that young. Hopefully she'll stick around longer than Tayna Lawrence.

Dan
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[Conway]

OK ... So are we done with the women's 100 ??? Should we be moving to the men's deuce or is there more to talk about on the 100's ???
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Conway
Speed Thrills

[Dan]

Didn't get a whole lot of people chiming in on the women's 100, but we weren't far off of agreement on it, so I'd say time for the 200's.

Dan
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[AM_Runner]

SOunds good to me although I will have to think a bit on this one... Agreed

Lets move on!
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The long run is what puts the tiger in the cat.

[AM_Runner]

OK since it has not been started yet I will throw one in there

Probably not too much debate on the first 2 for sure probably the first three

Crawford
Gatlin
Williams

After that it gets tougher I think Powell, Bolt, Gay, Obiquelu, and Fredericks...

I think Bolt really woul dhave been in the mix if he had been able to stay around but I will go with

Fredericks (maybe a heart type vote here but he was consistant)
I guess Powell because of a faster time than Obiquelu
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The long run is what puts the tiger in the cat.