Another weekend, another high caliber meet on deck. 

This Friday, the Payton Jordan Invitational will see hundreds of athletes gather in Palo Alto, California to chase fast times and great marks.

The variety of talent set to compete is impressive to say the least, as Olympians, global medalists and NCAA champions are found scattered throughout the entries.

Here are three of the biggest storylines to watch at the 2024 Payton Jordan Invitational.

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Courtney Frerichs And Courtney Wayment Are Set For Steeple Debut

Two of the most accomplished steeplechase athletes are back at it again, as a trip to Paris is on the line in just a few months time.

Courtney Frerichs is looking to get back into form after having to scratch out of the US Championship final due to an ankle injury last June. It's also going to be the two-time Olympian's first time racing the event since leaving the Bowerman Track Club in January. 

Needless to say, Frerichs has underwent a lot of change over the last year, but her track record indicates she'll be more than ready when the time comes, and what better place to get ready than the Payton Jordan Invitational? Frerichs has only raced once since last June, an indoor 5000m that she won in 15:01. The reigning Olympic silver-medalist will look for a strong season opener in Northern California.

Alongside Frerichs will be a familiar face, as NCAA record holder Courtney Wayment is entered as well. Wayment has had quite the campaign already this year, running PB's from the 1500m up to the 5000m, all while ultimately focusing on the steeple. 

Last summer, Wayment made her second consecutive World Championship final, finishing 15th in the world. The former BYU star has established herself as one of the best and most consistent steeplers in the country, and will surely be one of the contenders for one of the three US spots at the trials in June. 

Don't be surprised if both stars opt to take it out hot, or if they choose to race tactical and slowly move up over the course of seven-and-a-half laps.

Additionally, current Brigham Young star Lexy Halladay-Lowry is the top American in the world so far this year, as she clocked 9:26.55 just a few weeks ago at the Bryan Clay Invitational. She'll more than likely be a force upfront as well.

NCAA Champs Houser & Waskom Highlight 1,500m Field

Training partners Joe Waskom and Luke Houser are two of the top dogs in a 1500m field that could see multiple records fall if all goes well. 

Houser comes into the meet as the reigning NCAA mile champion, and one of the best mid-distance runners in the country. He's only raced one 1500m so far this spring, but a 3:42.12 is nothing short of a solid rust buster. Waskom was right there with him, clocking. 3:43.38 as the duo were two of five Huskies under 3:45.

As of now, Houser sits 18th in the West Region, while Waskom is just out of a qualifying spot in 28th. Ideally, the pair would like to dip under 3:40 to truly solidify their spot for regionals, so they could very well take this race out pretty quick from the gun. 

The NCAA 10l/5k champ Ky Robinson (Stanford) is slated to compete, as well as 2022 US runner-up Jonathan Davis. 

Sinclaire Johnson Ready For 2024 Opener

A year ago, Sinclaire Johnson made it into the semi-finals in Budapest, but came up just short in qualifying for what would have been her first global final. Even though she didn't make the final, she clocked the No. 8 time in American history just a few weeks later, running 3:59.19 at the Brussels Diamond League.

In an incredibly competitive year for American mid-distance running, Johnson finds herself among the favorites for the US team, and her goal of becoming an Olympian officially starts this weekend.

Johnson, representing the Nike Union Athletics Club, is easily the top seed, but after spending the beginning of the year coming back from an injury, there's a great chance Johnson will look to get her body adjusted to racing again before tackling anything crazy.

Then again, she's one of the best in the country, so it'd  be ignorant to completely rule anything like that out. 

She's entered in both the 1500m and 800m double this Friday.

How To Watch The 2024 Payton Jordan Invitational

For those in the United States, the 2024 Payton Jordan Invitational will be broadcast live on FloTrack.

FloTrack also will provide results, editorial content and more.

Results For The 2024 Payton Jordan Invitational

Results for the 2024 Payton Jordan Invitational will be available here.

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