Who will win the 2005 WC 400m for men?

[Brumund-Smith]

I think the best race at the upcoming World Championships this summer is going to be the men's 400m dash. Who do you all think will take home the gold?

[Kniteryder]

No one knows...how about they first need to get to the grueling qualifier of the US champs, of which only 3 people can make the team. With that said, of all the americans listed the question should be asked of WHO will make the US team????

***FYI, Tyree Washington is still running as well, he ran 20.60 at a meet in Cali, I believe Azuza Pacific or something like that...

Questin:
Judging from the fact that Washington was the Silver medalist in '03, would he be up-graded to the Gold medal being that Jerome Young was suspended from competition, and would that mean tha he would automatically make WC's....anyone know?

[Brumund-Smith]

No one knows...how about they first need to get to the grueling qualifier of the US champs, of which only 3 people can make the team. With that said, of all the americans listed the question should be asked of WHO will make the US team????

Well obviously nobody knows. That is why we are PREDICTING who will win. I suppose I could wait until after the race and THEN ask everybody who is going to win. I'm sure we could all agree at that point.

[milerkick]

I suppose I could wait until after the race and THEN ask everybody who is going to win. I'm sure we could all agree at that point.

I doubt it.

[nordicrunner]

i still can't doubt wariner's abilities at this point. a question, is clement even going to be running the 400 at worlds? or is he just going to focus on 400h?

[Brumund-Smith]

i still can't doubt wariner's abilities at this point. a question, is clemment even going to be running the 400 at worlds? or is he just going to focus on 400h?

I really don't know, and I guess it will depend on how his collegiate outdoor season goes. If he runs in the 47s in the 400m hurdles, I'm assuming he would run that at Worlds, unless he is running low-44s in the 400m. He'll obviously be a threat in either one.

[CTsnapple]

I would think it would be in KC's interest to just pick one event to go after this year, but has anyone ever pulled off the 400/400IH double in either the WC's or Olympics?

Edit: Got to go with Wariner as of right now. I have no reason to think otherwise.

[jrun]

I go with Williamson. Once he defeats his training-mate head-to-head, (which I think may come soon--as in Michael Johnson Inv.) I believe his confidence in the open 400m will expand. Too many great relay carries not to be a force.

Just my uneducated opinion, of course.

[Dragonsoul]

When/where is Michael Johnson invite? I predict Wariner, it's too early though for ultimate prediction :)

[jrun]

When/where is Michael Johnson invite?

Michael Johnson Invitational; 4/23/2005; Baylor University, Waco, TX

http://www.milesplit.com/meet/9229

Last year:

Event 40 Men 400 Meter Dash Invitational
=======================================
Region NCAA: # 47.26
Name Year School Finals
=======================================
1 Williamson, Darold BU 44.59#
2 Wariner, Jeremy BU 44.80#
3 Booker, Albert TX TECH 46.18#
-- Simpson, Brandon UNATTACHED X45.48#
-- Szeglet, Zsolt UNATTACHED X46.29#
-- Couts, Brandon BSC X46.58#
-- McDonald, Michael LETC X47.26#
-- Young, Kendrick LETC X49.51

[bluphi1914]

Well, that is a difficult decision to make. Because any one of those Kats can win the gold in the 400m. I want to see what kind of times they put down in the outdoor season. You all can't forget about Usain Bolt. Is he a 400m runner or just a 200m runner?

[Lagbane]

-- Couts, Brandon BSC X46.58#
Woh! I didn't know Couts was still running. Anyone remember when Track and Field News pegged him as the next MJ, just like they pegged Darold to be the next best Baylor guy after Jeremy. Sorry folks! Just like it didn't happen with Couts, its not happing with Darold. Forget it, he's just never going to be focused enough to do it. He's a slacker and slackers don't become great 400m runners.

[mzungu]

where do you get the idea that dw is a slacker? he's only got multi-sub 45's, a fourth in U.S. trials and an anchor gold at the olympics. i've never seen any comments calling him a slacker and he never looks out of shape.

[CaryacadrunnerXC]

Wariner or marritt will probably win, assumeing clemet doesn't run. If all three make the team together, that would be one hell of a race

[Lagbane]

where do you get the idea that dw is a slacker? he's only got multi-sub 45's, a fourth in U.S. trials and an anchor gold at the olympics. i've never seen any comments calling him a slacker and he never looks out of shape.Look at his performance from the Sun Angel Classic last year. Look at his anchoring of the 4x4 at the Texas Tech invite indoors this year. Slackers take races off like Darold does, champions do not.

[jrun]

Look at his performance from the Sun Angel Classic last year. Look at his anchoring of the 4x4 at the Texas Tech invite indoors this year. Slackers take races off like Darold does, champions do not.

Get outta here with that Internet message board, broad-brush painting crap.

Slackers anchor gold-medal winning 4x400m in near Olympic Record time, eh? Take a look at his NCAA finals anchor legs.

Champion? Apparently, you don't know the word.

[TrackDaddy]

Jeremy Wariner in 43.74

Those are footsteps, Michael.

[Kniteryder]

Jeremy Wariner in 43.74

Those are footsteps, Michael.


I agree that Wariner will go sub 44.00 this year, but I don't think he will be winning the 400m WC title...I think there is going to be a shock when the clock stops...I doo see 43.7-ish!

;)

[vallistastud49]

I have no idea why every continues to throw Clement in the open 400 outdoors when the 400h is his primary event, and SEVERAL time he has stated that he's more concerned about the hurdles.

Having said that, I'd go with one of the guys who placed top two at the Olys last year or Merritt, who was the standard until Clement ran his WR. I think Merritt would've beaten Clement in that race and run a faster WR. Unfortunately, we'll never know.

I voted Merritt though. Simply because he has the speed and endurance where you won't just run him down if he gets out on you. The U.S. is so loaded right now it's unreal. It's unfortunate that we can't run three relays to get a challenge.

I think, too, that the WR may be in jeopardy this summer. That is, the 4x4 although reports are saying that Wariner is planning to break it before 2006.

[vallistastud49]

I agree that Wariner will go sub 44.00 this year, but I don't think he will be winning the 400m WC title...I think there is going to be a shock when the clock stops...I doo see 43.7-ish!

;)

I agree that he'll go sub 44 but he isn't going to be the one to stop the clock.

[Mrr82]

I go with Williamson. Once he defeats his training-mate head-to-head, (which I think may come soon--as in Michael Johnson Inv.) I believe his confidence in the open 400m will expand. Too many great relay carries not to be a force.

Just my uneducated opinion, of course.

As you posted below Williamson beat wariner at the Michael Johnson Inv last year....and it didn't help give him confidence to beat Wariner at their peak...why would it this year?

[TrackDaddy]

I agree that Wariner will go sub 44.00 this year, but I don't think he will be winning the 400m WC title...I think there is going to be a shock when the clock stops...I doo see 43.7-ish!

;)My reasons for picking JW, aside from his flat out ability, is his durability last season. He ran as much, and in most cases MORE, than most everyone competing last year.

He ran a full NCAA schedule, indoors and out, Oly trials, and Oly Games...all those meets included rounds against the best the world has to offer.

He won them all (the first person in history to win them all in the same season).

And I won't even mention all the 4x4's he ran.

He ran sub 45's several times early in the NCAA outdoor season, and some 6 months later, in September, after running rounds against the world's best in the Oly Games, he STILL dropped a World leading 44 flat and won the gold medal.

Thing is, he never once, to me, even looked winded.

Give me him.

[Kniteryder]

My reasons for picking JW, aside from his flat out ability, is his durability last season. He ran as much, and in most cases MORE, than most everyone competing last year.

He ran a full NCAA schedule, indoors and out, Oly trials, and Oly Games...all those meets included rounds against the best the world has to offer.

He won them all (the first person in history to win them all in the same season).

And I won't even mention all the 4x4's he ran.

He ran sub 45's several times early in the NCAA outdoor season, and some 6 months later, in September, after running rounds against the world's best in the Oly Games, he STILL dropped a World leading 44 flat and won the gold medal.

Thing is, he never once, to me, even looked winded.

Give me him.


I agree he won;t be out of the top that is for sure, I don't doubt the man's ability AT ALL, just its the perfect set up for a shock ya know...because we all believe he he the odds on fav for the title, but he WILL still have to run, and fast at that.(he won't have any problem with that though!!)

[jrun]

As you posted below Williamson beat wariner at the Michael Johnson Inv last year....and it didn't help give him confidence to beat Wariner at their peak...why would it this year?

Yea...I know. My point about head-to-head is moot.

Still though, my real reasoning is basically that there's no way D-Will won't run 44.1 or under after all the great relay carries AND being coached by Clyde Hart.

[Brumund-Smith]

I have no idea why every continues to throw Clement in the open 400 outdoors when the 400h is his primary event, and SEVERAL time he has stated that he's more concerned about the hurdles.

I knew a lot of people would be ticked off if I didn't include him in this poll. He is, after all, the indoor World Record holder.

[mzungu]

the reason that people would put clement into the 400m instead of the 400mh, despite clement's own comments, is that clement just broke mj's world indoor 400m record, but he has never yet run low 47 in the hurdles, so it's not as if it's that clear that he is a better hurdler than 400m flat runner. and we know he's not doing the hurdles because it's easier to make the team.

[emceelaszlo]

Clement clearly stated in the press conference following his WR that he intends to specialize in the 400IH. The reporters were really obnoxious about it but he adamantly stated he would stick with the 400IH.

[Lagbane]

Get outta here with that Internet message board, broad-brush painting crap.

Slackers anchor gold-medal winning 4x400m in near Olympic Record time, eh? Take a look at his NCAA finals anchor legs.

Champion? Apparently, you don't know the word.Thats relays though, he'll never be an individual champion in my opinion.

[MaestroXC]

I don't see him as World Champion either, but that in no way means he is a slacker. I don't understand why you need to slander him in order to make a prediction.

[jrun]

Thats relays though, he'll never be an individual champion in my opinion.


You're certainly entitled to it. But where did slacker come into play?

[ILRun1]

I am picking JW not because he is the most talented, even though he may be, but because he has surrounded himself with the best group of people out there.

His coach is one of the best 400m coaches in the world. He knows what he is doing. Furthermore, he has coached the best in the world, so he knows how to get guys to be their best even when they are the best in the world.

Warner also has a great training partner in Darold Williamson. Few guys have another Olympian to train with. I wouldn't be surprised if a few more big time 400m stars move to Waco and train with Warner.

JW also seems to be very close with Michael Johnson. Having MJ as your manager/agent has to be great. JW can consult him whenever he wants. To be able to talk to the best ever has to be a great, great thing for any athlete wanting to be the best.

Furthermore, JW has proven to be a class act and very mature after winning the biggest title in the world at age 20. That is huge.

All of this, plus the fact that he is super talented and works as hard as anyone else out there, I just don't see him getting beat this year.

[Lagbane]

You're certainly entitled to it. But where did slacker come into play?He takes meets and races off. To me thats a slacker on the track.

[Brumund-Smith]

He takes meets and races off. To me thats a slacker on the track.

The Wisconsin cross country team runs the Jim Drews Invite in West Salem, WI, like a tempo run every year. They just try to run 25:00 for the 8K. Does that mean they are a bunch of slackers? Absolutely not.

What you need to realize is that Darold was running as part of a college team last year. Some of the team goals did not entirely coincide with his own individual goals. If he kind of jogs the end of a relay in some meet, that means he is just doing what has to be done to win the race. That is actually pretty smart considering the length of the college season. Now, if he was slacking off and got PASSED on those relays, that's a different story.

[vallistastud49]

I knew a lot of people would be ticked off if I didn't include him in this poll. He is, after all, the indoor World Record holder.

I understand your reasoning behind putting him in there. But I think a lot of people have this wishful thinking type thing going on. If he makes the U.S. team in the 400h, which I'm sure he can for this summer's WCs, he'll be a leg on the 4x4 without a doubt. It's scary to think that a relay could be:
Clement 44.5i, Otis, 44.1, possibly Brew (not sure), and Wariner 44.00...tisk, tisk for the WR!

[Lagbane]

The Wisconsin cross country team runs the Jim Drews Invite in West Salem, WI, like a tempo run every year. They just try to run 25:00 for the 8K. Does that mean they are a bunch of slackers? Absolutely not.

What you need to realize is that Darold was running as part of a college team last year. Some of the team goals did not entirely coincide with his own individual goals. If he kind of jogs the end of a relay in some meet, that means he is just doing what has to be done to win the race. That is actually pretty smart considering the length of the college season. Now, if he was slacking off and got PASSED on those relays, that's a different story.Yeah I'm definitely not talking about races he won.

I might be inclined to call some of the Wisconsin guys slackers too especially after their performance at the regional meet last year which lead into their horrible performance at the NCAA outdoor meet.

[Brumund-Smith]

Yeah I'm definitely not talking about races he won.

I might be inclined to call some of the Wisconsin guys slackers too especially after their performance at the regional meet last year which lead into their horrible performance at the NCAA outdoor meet.

Huh? I'm lost on this one. The UW distance guys actually did pretty well at NCAA outdoors last year, minus Solinsky, but he got heat stroke or something. Tegenkamp got third in the 5K and Bairu got third in the 10K. Nelson, Lockhart and Keller went 10-11-13 in the 10K, which was pretty decent for them. Spiker got sixth in the 1500m. That looks like a pretty good meet to me.

[Lagbane]

Huh? I'm lost on this one. The UW distance guys actually did pretty well at NCAA outdoors last year, minus Solinsky, but he got heat stroke or something. Tegenkamp got third in the 5K and Bairu got third in the 10K. Nelson, Lockhart and Keller went 10-11-13 in the 10K, which was pretty decent for them. Spiker got sixth in the 1500m. That looks like a pretty good meet to me.I remember them having a few guys DNF? Or am I mistaken?

[Brumund-Smith]

I remember them having a few guys DNF? Or am I mistaken?

You are mistaken. One guy, Chris Solinsky, DNFed, and it was because of the heat. He's pretty big for a distance guy at aroudn 6'1" 165 lbs, and I think that was a factor in his DNF.

[vallistastud49]

I am picking JW not because he is the most talented, even though he may be, but because he has surrounded himself with the best group of people out there.

His coach is one of the best 400m coaches in the world. He knows what he is doing. Furthermore, he has coached the best in the world, so he knows how to get guys to be their best even when they are the best in the world.

Warner also has a great training partner in Darold Williamson. Few guys have another Olympian to train with. I wouldn't be surprised if a few more big time 400m stars move to Waco and train with Warner.

JW also seems to be very close with Michael Johnson. Having MJ as your manager/agent has to be great. JW can consult him whenever he wants. To be able to talk to the best ever has to be a great, great thing for any athlete wanting to be the best.

Furthermore, JW has proven to be a class act and very mature after winning the biggest title in the world at age 20. That is huge.

All of this, plus the fact that he is super talented and works as hard as anyone else out there, I just don't see him getting beat this year.

When will most of these guys open their outdoor seasons? I can't wait to see some of the times that should fly early.

[Kniteryder]

When will most of these guys open their outdoor seasons? I can't wait to see some of the times that should fly early.

Darold Opened up in 46.01...and K Willie opens this weekend @ the AzSt meet.

[Redsoxs]

How come no one ever mentions jerry harris in any of these polls. The dude is legit.

[emceelaszlo]

Beijing 2008 look for David Gettis sr @ Dorsey hi going to Baylor, pr of 46.34 and has already split 45.8 this year and rund 10.4 and 20.5 hand time. WATCH OUT YALL

[bluphi1914]

Beijing 2008 look for David Gettis sr @ Dorsey hi going to Baylor, pr of 46.34 and has already split 45.8 this year and rund 10.4 and 20.5 hand time. WATCH OUT YALL



Is he a football player? If he is...He may not even pursue track after college.

[Brumund-Smith]

How come no one ever mentions jerry harris in any of these polls. The dude is legit.

I could only fit ten people on this poll. I put up the top eight guys in the world last year (minus Leslie*Djhone of France) and the two new studs - Clement and Merritt. If this poll could go to 15 (like the OLD Dyestat) I probably would have thrown in Terry Gatson, Leslie Djhone, Jerry Harris, Michael Blackwood and Brandon Simpson.

[emceelaszlo]

Is he a football player? If he is...He may not even pursue track after college.


yah he is, a damn good one @ that, but c'mon if your running a 46 low and it isnt even may, your going to the best 400 coach in the world and you are steeming w/ potential i think it is a reasonable assumption sides he'll only be a junior in college, same sitch @s Williamson

[Brumund-Smith]

I can't imagine anybody that fast going to Baylor for FOOTBALL unless they liked to tease track coaches. Just the fact that he's going to Baylor pretty much shows that he is going to run track. If it were Florida or LSU, that might be a different story. Baylor isn't exactly a football power though.

[TrackDaddy]

Good point, BS. He's gonna run.

[emceelaszlo]

definatly nicely put

[Zoom Jasari]

merritt no doubt he's a beast

[Sebrle]

There's a kid from Sudan who ran sub 45 two weeks after his 19th bday, not a favorite but one to keep your eye on.

1 44.93 AJR Ali Babiker Nagmeldin SUD 22 Feb 86 171/61 1 Solidarity Makkah 14 Apr

[correr de milla del norte]

84- 20
--warner--

owned

[ndamix]

I'm gonna go with Darold Williamson on this one. He and Jeremy will definitely be in the top 3. From all the media reports, Clement will be focusing on the 400H and not the flat.

Nationals out in Carson are gonna be smokin!!!!!

[Kniteryder]

I'm gonna go with Darold Williamson on this one. He and Jeremy will definitely be in the top 3. From all the media reports, Clement will be focusing on the 400H and not the flat.

Nationals out in Carson are gonna be smokin!!!!!

One of the 2 will not make top 3...unfortunately, I do not see the both of them making top 3 at US champs. Who will be top 3...that will be decided at US champs, but I will say that the 400m final WILL BLAZE!!!

Think of the top 10 or so 400m runners in the US(in no particular order)...
PR '05 Best
J Wariner - 44.00('04) 45.13
Otis Harris - 44.16('04) ?
Derrick Brew - 44.29('99) ?(44.5 in '04)
Darold Williamson 44.59('04) 45.06(45.24 & 46.01)
Kelly Willie 44.63('04) 44.97- in only 400[10.26/10.11w-20.45]
Andrew Rock 44.66('04) ?
Tyree Washington 44.28('01) ?[20.60]
Kerron Clement 44.57i(05) 51.95H(not running the 400M)
Jerry Harris 44.72('04) 51.95H(new to the event)
LaShawn Merritt 44.93i('04) ? [20.38 & 45.28 WJr Ch. '04]

...and you never know who else may step up between now and then to test the bunch and make a name for themselves!

You may have to PEAK for US champs this year just to make the team!!!

I would think anyone outside of that list has their work cut out for them in making this year's team!!

[maniacmiler]

i think part of the thing people are missing about williamson and wariner is that darold is still in college and his fitness has to be up for the NCAA's, so he is fitter right now, Jeremy is on a pro schedule, therefore his fitness would be a little less. He is still not out of shape though, i wouldn't blame him for not being worried, but why would he get sponserd by addias, meh, should have gone with NIKE!

[Kniteryder]

i think part of the thing people are missing about williamson and wariner is that darold is still in college and his fitness has to be up for the NCAA's, so he is fitter right now, Jeremy is on a pro schedule, therefore his fitness would be a little less. He is still not out of shape though, i wouldn't blame him for not being worried, but why would he get sponserd by addias, meh, should have gone with NIKE!

Simply because Addidas shelled out the LOOT!!!

[vallistastud49]

[QUOTE=Kniteryder]
Jerry Harris 44.72('04) 51.95H(new to the event)
QUOTE]

Wow! I didn't know he was trying his hand with the hurdles. He'll definately be a cause for concern by many. He'll be under 50 really soon.