EAST REGION
800
Pretty much everyone in this field was expected to run this event if they got in. Very few of them qualified in anything else, so it's a pretty logical decision to run the 800 for most of these guys.
1500
This is an interesting field. You have your usual contenders who we expected to enter (Wynne, Engels, Williamsz, Palamer, Bile, etc). Then there were some twists that I definitely didn't expect...like Clayton Murphy and Brannon Kidder.
Murphy and Kidder are two of the most experienced and credentialed 800 runners in the nation who happened to opt out of the 8 in favor of the 1500. For Kidder, it kind of makes sense when you consider that he hasn't been quite as sharp in the 8 as he was earlier this season. Still, a lot of people were expecting him to go 800 (including myself).
Murphy on the other hand, is a HUGE addition to this field. The defending indoor 800 champion is hopping out of the field in favor of the 1500. There had been rumors for a year or two that Murphy may make a transition to the 15. However, when you consider the way he's been running recently, no one thought he would make that transition now.
Could the recent dominance by Brandon McBride be a reason for Murphy and Kidder to make the switch? It's not an unfair question...
Despite the big additions to the field, the lack of a certain entry is what we'll talk about later...
3000 Steeplechase
Nothing here is too surprising. The battle up front will be fast and it will most likely be a preview of what we will see at NCAA's (Ferlic v Seddon v Kibichiy).
5000
This 5k might be the best event we'll see all weekend. Tiernan, Knight, and Curtin headline the race as the top runners in the nation and will most likely make a fast pace early in an attempt to get away from any strong mid-distance runners who could run a fast last mile.
One of those fast milers? Tommy Awad. The man just ran 3:37.5 in the 1500 and qualified for the Olympic Trials. So naturally he should run the 1500 at NCAA's right? Nope! The NCAA leader is leaving his best event behind in favor for what might be the most stacked field in the NCAA. I'm still unsure why he made this move. Before he ran the 3:37, I was convinced he would run the 5k. It looks like I was right, but now I don't understand the reasoning behind it.
Other notable entries include Henry Wynne and Neil Gourley who will only run this if they don't qualify for the 1500.
10,000
The field we have here is pretty much what a lot of us expected. Peterson and Thompson have some of the best times in the nation, while other historically strong pieces are behind them (think Kipkoech, McClintock, and Thomson).
Although, the 10k talent will be deep at Eastern Regionals, it won't have two big names that I felt very confident would run it. Thomas Curtin and Ben Rainero both dropped the 10k in favor of the 5k. What really confuses me about this decision is that the 10k is run on Thursday night while the 5k isn't run until Saturday night. The 5k/10k doublers have adequate rest to prepare for their next race and both of these guys could've been ready by then. Granted, that 5k field is deep and very tough. Being fresh could play a major role.
WEST REGION
800
Like the East region, it's pretty easy to know that most of these guys will be running this event. 800 runners don't often pursue other events, and if they do, they are typically sprints which makes for an easier double.
However, the one surprise here was from Eugene Hamilton III who isn't registered in any event for regionals, despite just running a 1:47 at PAC 12's. Not really sure what is going on there, but the only thing I can think of is that he's hurt.
1500
Yes, there were a couple of big names hopping out of this 1500. Yet, for the most part, I expected the entries to look pretty similar to this. Most of the guys who hopped out of the 1500 did it in favor of the 5k/10k where I believe they will have more success there.
That said, I'm not really sure why Cale Wallace of Arkansas dropped the 1500. He's listed to pursue the steeplechase where he boasts a PR of 8:41, but that isn't nearly as impressive as his 3:40 (in my opinion). He is currently seeded 13th in the steeplechase, but would've been seeded 6th if he decided to run the 1500.
3000 Steeplechase
Out of this entire field, only four guys dropped to pursue something else. This is great news for fans of the steeplechase as we will get to see the best of the best go at it without the worry of another event in the back of their minds.
I am a bit surprised by Aaron Nelson not pursuing the 5000, but both events are about as equally deep. I feel like he'll have the same success in whichever he chooses to do.
5000
Most of the names on this list weren't too surprising and pretty much expected. However, why is Cole Rockhold not running? The man was having a breakout season and would've been my sleeper pick to make NCAA's. Unfortunately, he is not listed for any event despite being ranked 25th in the West Region 5k.
Another interesting scratch came from Brian Barraza. He is one of the top ranked 10k runners in the nation which obviously explains why he's entered in the 10k. However, if the 10k is first and you get to run it fresh, why would you not enter yourself in the 5k? His main event will be out of the way by then, and he would still have a shot to qualify in another event with 2 days of rest! I also have to play devil's advocate and ask what would happen if Barraza doesn't make the NCAA 10k field? Essentially, he has no backup plan and will be sent home with his season ending early if he doesn't qualify in the 10k. Not the smartest move from the guys out in Houston.
10,000
This was another predictable field. Only five men scratched from this field, and most of them did so to stay fresh for the 5k or steeplechase.
The only question I have is with Spencer Hanson of BYU. He wasn't qualified in anything else, so why scratch the 10k? Maybe an injury? Scratches like these leave me...well...scratching my head.
Finally, the most important note out of all of this is that despite a very rough season for King Cheserek, he will be pursuing his expected 5k/10k double. It seems like him and his coaches are confident that he's healthy and fit enough to do it once more. It will be very interesting to see if that's the case.
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