We're days away from the 2024 DI outdoor women's track and field championships. There's no better time than now for my championship predictions, event by event. Let's dive in
4x100 relay — Prediction: LSU
LSU’s quartet of Brianna Lyston, Thelma Davies, Leah Phillips and Tima Godbless will win the 4x1 at nationals. I think Godbless, a freshman, will be the key to victory.
CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATES: Live updates of the 2024 NCAA DI outdoor track and field championships
4x400 relay — Prediction: Arkansas
The Razorbacks set the collegiate record in the 4x4 already this season. I’m not picking against them here.
100 meters — Prediction: Jadyn Mays, Oregon
This was the hardest women’s event for me to pick. Will the indoor champion Brianna Lyston win another title race? Does McKenzie Long get one part of a sprint double? Does Rosemary Chukwuma run 10.8 again? Does Dajaz Defrand bring the title to the Sunshine State?
Any of those could happen and I wouldn’t be surprised. However, I went with Jadyn Mays for my prediction because while her two 10.8 times were windy at regionals, 10.8 is still fast wind or not. She appears to be peaking at the right time and she could finally get that first-place finish at nationals.
100 hurdles — Prediction: Grace Stark, Florida
Grace Stark’s comeback tour will finally culminate with an outdoor NCAA title. Her return from injury has been much discussed, but with an NCAA outdoor title, she’ll be able to close that chapter and allow people to return their focus on her performance on the track. She’s arguably the best hurdler out of the blocks this year.
200 meters — Prediction: McKenzie Long, Ole Miss
It’s hard to pick against McKenzie Long after her 22.03 at the SEC Championships and 22.10 at East regionals. I think that momentum carries over in Eugene.
400 meters — Prediction: Nickisha Pryce, Arkansas
I think the women's 400 meters will be won by an Arkansas Razorback. The question is, which one will win? I think it will depend on the lane draw, which we won’t know until after Thursday’s races.
I’ll do a bit of projection and assume that since Nickisha Pryce will be running with another one of her Razorback teammates in the semifinals, she’ll have the fastest time as they push each other to the next round. That’ll get Pryce a favorable lane in the final, helping her win the title.
400 hurdles — Prediction: Rachel Glenn, Arkansas
Rachel Glenn bounced back with a 53.94 finish at West regionals. I think she’ll go sub 54 again to add another 2024 title to her collection.
RECORDS: Every collegiate track and field record broken in 2024
800 meters — Prediction: Michaela Rose, LSU
Michaela Rose has set the standard in the 800 meters this season with a sub-two minute mark being the time likely needed to win the title. Rose is the best sub-two runner in the country, and she could break the collegiate record en route to the title
1500 meters — Prediction: Maia Ramsden, Harvard
Maia Ramsden has been dominating the 1500 meters this season. I expect another top-10 all-time performance in Eugene.
AWARDS: The 2024 Bowerman Watch List for men's and women's NCAA track and field
3000 meter steeplechase — Prediction: Doris Lemngole, Alabama
Doris Lemngole might only be a freshman, but she’s already one of the best steeplechasers in NCAA history. I think her remarkable season continues with an outdoor title.
5000 meters — Prediction: Parker Valby, Florida
The 5000-meter collegiate record is one of the few that Parker Valby doesn’t have. With the 5K her final event of the season, I think Valby puts an exclamation point on the season with a record, or near record, time.
10,000 meters — Prediction: Parker Valby, Florida
Valby does have the 10,000-meter record. She showed at East Regionals that no matter the conditions, she can find a way to win.
Heptathlon — Prediction: Timara Chapman, Texas A&M
With seven events, the heptathlon can go any which way. While my thoughts on who will win may change after each event, my prediction entering the event goes to Timara Chapman. She not only leads the nation in the event, but she’s also the only woman to score more than 6000 points in the heptathlon twice this season.
NEXT TO FALL: T&F records on notice this postseason
Hammer — Prediction: Shelby Moran
The women’s hammer throw is wide open and could come down to the final attempt. For now, I’ll give the slight edge to Shelby Moran, since she’ll be throwing on her home track
Shot put — Prediction: Jaida Ross, Oregon
Jaida Ross can do something no one else can collegiately in the women’s shot put. Throw 20 meters. Ross can’t be touched in the event.
Discus — Prediction: Alida Van Daalen, Florida
Alida Van Daalen’s progression from her freshman to sophomore season has been impressive, most recently PRing at regionals. I think it’s all leading up to an individual title in the discus in Eugene.
🧹: Here are the DI track and field indoor champions looking for a season sweep in 2024
Javelin — Prediction: Lianna Davidson, Texas A&M
Lianna Davidson finished second at last year’s championships, and I think she’ll move up one spot on the podium this year. Davidson has thrown over 57 meters at five different meets this year and that consistency will pay off
Pole vault — Prediction: Hana Moll, Washington
Hana Moll might not get the glitz and glamor of her freshmen contemporaries in the sprints, but what she’s doing in the pole vault is impressive. After winning the indoor title, she’s led the nation with a 4.60 mark in the outdoor season. I think Moll completes the season sweep.
Long jump — Prediction: Ackelia Smith, Texas
Ackelia Smith entered the year as the projected top long jumper, and she’ll finish the year there. She should be able to reach seven meters and put this one out of reach.
Triple jump — Prediction: Ackelia Smith, Texas
I see Smith doubling in the jumps. While thus far in her career she’s been a better long jumper, she’s far from a slouch in the triple jump, contending for a title in each of the last two seasons. I think Smith can clear 14 meters in a winning effort.
High jump — Prediction: Lamara Distin, Texas A&M
Will the outdoor high jump collegiate record finally fall? It might be what’s needed to secure a win. A jump over 1.90 meters will definitely be needed this year, and I think Lamara Distin pushes the record mark to win the title. She’ll return atop the outdoor podium for the first time since 2022.
: Arkansas, Texas Tech win 2024 indoor titles | Florida, Arkansas win 2024 outdoor titles | How the outdoor championships work
💥HISTORY: Programs with the most titles | Men's champ history | Women's champ history | Bowerman history
🧠 WHAT TO KNOW: Wind and scoring explained | Greatest venues | Best uniforms | The difference between indoor and outdoor seasons
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