2015 NCAA Women's DMR Preview
2015 NCAA Women's DMR Preview
Stanford University (PB in 2014 10:54.04)
Last Year: 2nd Indoors
The Stanford women ran 10:54.04 in 2014, the #4 DMR in NCAA history. The Cardinal ladies placed 2nd indoors and return everyone except miler Justine Fedronic, but they arguably get an upgrade at that spot with super frosh Elise Cranny (4:10 1500) filling the void. Amy Weissenbach and Claudia Saunders are 800m All-Americans that give this team a huge advantage in the 1200m and 800m legs, respectively.
Georgetown University (PB in 2014 10:55.63)
Last Year: 7th Indoors
The Hoyas return all four runners from their 2014 squad that ran 10:55.63, the #7 DMR in NCAA history. 4:33 miler Katrina Coogan gives Georgetown an excellent anchor leg, as she was the 5th fastest in that event last season. Although this team posted an outstanding mark last season, they were disappointing a 7th at NCAAs. They will finish much higher in 2015.
Florida State University (PB in 2014 11:01.59)
Last Year: DQ Indoors
The Seminoles feature two All-Americans as their bookends in the DMR. 1200m leg Linden Hall finished 3rd in the 1500m outdoors, while seven-time All-American Colleen Quigley has 4:34 mile speed and will anchor. The ladies from Tallahassee were DQ’d at NCAAs last season, but they return 3 of their 4 runners from a team that ran 11:01.59.
University of Michigan (PB in 2014 11:00.20)
Last Year: 5th Indoors
The Wolverines return their entire squad in 2015. Michigan was 5th in 2014, very impressive considering that they featured two sophomores and a freshman at NCAAs. Anchor leg Brook Handler has run a 4:15 1500, and placed 6th outdoors in that event. 1200m leg Jaimie Phelan and 800m leg Danielle Pfeifer have both run 2:06 in the 800m.
University of Arkansas (PB in 2014 10:55.23*)
Last Year: 1st Indoors
The Razorbacks won the DMR at NCAAs last season with a talented group of milers. Grace Heymsfield (4:34.22) and Stephanie Brown (4:35.86) have graduated, but distance standout and anchor leg Dominique Scott returns after an excellent cross country season. The Hogs lost some major depth in Brown and Heymsfield, but there’s no doubt that the champs will reload. This team will also have the crowd behind them at NCAAs in Fayetteville.
University of Oregon (PB in 2014 10:56.77)
Last Year: 6th Indoors
The Ducks lose some huge pieces from their 6th place team in 2014. Gone is Bowerman winner Laura Roesler, 400m leg Chizoba Okodogbe, and 4:38 miler Megan Patrignelli. Those names will be tough to replace, but the Ducks return Annie Leblanc (2:04 800m) as their lead off, and should plug in 4:39 miler Alli Cash to the anchor position. The 400m leg is still a question mark, but sophomore Christian Brennan has a 52.81 PB that would be a great addition for this team.