In one of the most anticipated miles of the summer, the Sir Walter Miler races will feature not only an individual champion, but also a team champion (on the men's side). There will be eight representatives from "Team North Carolina", and nine on "Team USA" Take a look at the projected scorers for each team!
Jack Bolas (3:40 1500m SB)
Jack Bolas is perhaps the most established runner of Team North Carolina. The 27-year-old owns PRs of 3:35.54 in the 1500m, and 3:57.39 in the outdoor mile. Bolas' fastest times this season have been from earlier in the year, running 3:40.70 for the 1500m in May, and 3:58.46 for the indoor mile back in February.
Kyle Graves (4:02 Mile SB)
23-year-old Kyle Graves is one of the younger runners in the group, fresh out of eligibility at Wake Forest, Graves is taking to the track looking for some prize money. His PB in the full mile of 4:00.39 came from 2014, but Graves has also run 4:02 this season. He also owns PB's of 1:49 in the 800m, and 3:41 in the 1500m.
Jake Hurysz (3:41 1500m SB)
One of the bigger names in the field, Jake Hurysz was a part of the 2014 National Championship team for the Colorado Buffaloes in cross country. Hurysz finished 10th in the 2015 NCAA Indoor mile and finished his outdoor season with a 3:41.23 seasonal best.
North Carolina Native Jake Hurysz winning the Arcadia Invitational in 2010.
Isaac Presson (3:37 1500m SB)
Isaac Presson is perhaps the most fit out of anyone on Team North Carolina. Presson ran 3:37.06 in his first outdoor 1500m of the season, and more recently, ran 3:38.19 over in Huesden. His fastest full mile was 4:00.85, which he ran back in May. Look for Presson to be a top scorer for the North Carolina squad.
Joe Stilin (3:42 1500m SB)
Stilins' strength is definitely his strength. He ran a PR of 13:32.21 in the 5K last week in Belgium, and also ran 7:54 in the 3K this past July. Stilin has run 3:58 for the full mile back in 2013, but hasn't showed the same amount of speed anytime recently. His fastest 1500m this season was 3:42.19.
Robby Andrews (3:35 1500m SB)
His name speaks for himself. Andrews' has had one hell of a 2015 outdoor season. His incredible kick at USA Outdoors earned him a potential spot on Team USA. He followed up the next weekend with an IAAF standard mark, officially punching his ticket to Bejing. More recently, Andrews ran 3:35.52 in Stockholm, improving on his seasonal best. It's safe to say Robby Andrews is the favorite to win.
Craig Forys (3:42 1500m SB)
Similar to USA teammate Jake Edwards, 26-year-old Craig Forys has also run personal bests in both the 1500m and the 5K this season. He ran 3:42.47 just a few days ago at the American Track League meeting in Atlanta, and also ran 13:34.21 in the 5K in Huesden. Forys has also represented Team USA in the IAAF World XC Championships.
Cory Leslie (3:35 1500m SB)
Similar to Donnie Cowart on Team North Carolina, Leslie is also a steeplechaser moving down in events. He took home a bronze medal in the Pan Am steeplechase not too long ago, and has already ran 3:56.99 for the full mile in North Carolina earlier this year. He seasonal best in the 1500m is 3:35.36, and has run 8:25 for the steeple. Based on the season he's having, Leslie should be a low stick for Team USA.
Kyle Merber (3:34 1500m SB)
Kyle Merber has the fastest 1500m time in the whole field at 3:34.54. The 24-year-old has had his fair share of racing overseas this summer, running a 7:52 for the 3K, and a 4:01 in a very windy Cork City Sports mile. If the race goes out fast, he could challenge for the win.
Ford Palmer (3:36 1500m SB)
Reigning champion Ford Palmer will return to Raleigh to defend his title. Last year he won in a time of 3:57.61, and has run 3:56.79 indoors this season. This summer, Palmer has run 3:36.98 for the 1500m, and 3:58 for the full mile twice.
Stephanie Garcia (4:05 1500m SB)
Stephanie Garcia is the lone World Championships qualifier lining up to compete at SWM. Coming off a 9:23 PR in the steeplechase, Garcia surely has the most momentum coming into the event. The 27-year-old also owns a seasonal best of 4:05.39. Look for Garcia to be in the mix during the last 200m.
Morgan Uceny (4:29 Mile SB)
While Morgan Uceny might be the most established runner in the field, she hasn't been the "4:00" Morgan Uceny since 2011. She's run 4:09 for the 1500m so far this season, and 4:29 at the Milrose Games this past winter. Despite not being in her top form, she's still a threat to win the title.
Heidi See (4:08 1500m SB)
The SWM defending champ and Australian National Champ Heid See will make the trip back to Raleigh to reclaim her title from 2014. See has been having a stellar season, running PR's of 4:08 in the 1500m and 8:55 for 3K. Look for See to challenge Uceny and Garcia to challenge for the win up front.
Amanda Eccelston (4:29 Road Mile SB)
Amanda Eccelston owns a PB of 4:08.08 in the 1500m, but has only run 4:13 so far for 2015. She failed to make the finals at USA's, but more recently, ran a 4:29 road mile in Michigan just last weekend. While a win over See and Garcia might be a stretch, a top-three finish at SWM is very feasible for Eccelston.
Heather Wilson (4:31 mile SB)
25-year-old Heather Wilson has run under 4:09 for the 1500m this season, only two seconds off of her PB from 2014. On top of her 1500m time, she's also run a personal best of 4:31 for the full mile at the Morton Games. If she can run close to this time again, Wilson could very well compete for a spot on the podium.
The Sir Walter Miler will be LIVE on FloTrack. Streaming starts at 8:30 p.m. ET.
More info on the Sir Walter Miler event can be found HERE.