NCAA Preseason Hammer Rankings and Preview
Men's Hammer
- Jake Dunkleberger (Auburn)
- Cory Martin (Auburn)
- Egor Agafonov (Kansas)
- Simon Wardhaugh (Boise State)
- Matej Muza (Virginia Tech)
- Walter Henning (North Carolina)
- Boldi Kocsor (UCLA)
- Matt Wauters (Idaho)
- Jarrod Stevens (Boise State)
- Branislav Danis (Georgia)
Analysis - Jake Dunkleberger is the defending outdoor champion. He also was as consistent as ever indoors. He improved over last season and took home his highest ever indoor finish with a second place performance this past weekend. While this year's competition should be close, he is the early favorite. His teammate Cory Martin has thrown nearly as far outdoors and was the favorite most of last season before placing third outdoors. While he redshirted indoors, he will likely be in top shape this spring and ready to compete for a title again. Agafonov won his second straight indoor title, but did not improve his personal best this season and has traditionally not placed as high outdoors.
While the top three throwers all broke 70 meters last season, no other returning athlete did so. While I have Walter Henning projected lower than he is capable of, I've heard that he will be focusing on the World Junior Championships rather than the NCAA Championships, and this may give an edge to competitiors in a close competition. However, it will also assure that he is in the front running to be the first American hammer thrower to win a medal in international competition in a long time. Matej Muza will be an interesting athlete to watch. As a freshman in 2006, he placed 6th at the NCAA outdoor championships. He had a stronger season in 2007 before fouling out at regionals and failing to qualify for nationals. After redshirting and improving this indoor season, he could be ready to make a big impact outdoors. Matt Wauters also is coming in under the radar since he redshirted the outdoor season last year, but still threw 65.22m. Branislav Danis is a junior college transfer from Central Arizona who surprised many with a throw of 69 meters two years ago. However, he struggled since then and only broke 64 meters twice last season. He did not compete indoors and it will be interesting to see how he opens up outdoors.
Women's Hammer
- Brittany Riley (Southern Illinois)
- Eva Orban (USC)
- Veronica Jatsek (Ohio State)
- Sarah Stevens (Arizona State)
- Loren Groves (Kansas State)
- Jessica Pressley (Arizona State)
- Astin Steward (Purdue)
- Kristen Callan (Virginia Tech)
- Laci Heller (Kansas State)
- Stevi Large (Akron)
Analysis - No one came close to Brittany Riley this indoor season. However, when looking outdoors, we must remember that she has never dominated outdoors like she has indoors. Last season, runner-up Jenny Dahlgren was the favorite heading into the NCAA championships despite losing to Riley by nearly 10 feet indoors. This indoor season, Riley through well, but failed to improve her world record. If one athlete can challenge Riley, it is Eva Orban. Orban placed third at NCAAs last year behind Riley and Dahlgren. Orban does not compete indoors, and started her outdoor season a few weeks ago with a near personal best. This past weekend she threw a new personal best of 70.18m and looks to be in good form.
Two athletes are coming off redshirt seasons. Both Loren Groves and Kristen Callan redshirted last year. Groves threw a new personal best of 63.75m and also improved this indoor season. Callan was slightly off her best with an effort of 62.68m last spring. But she has improved this indoor season and has traditionally thrown better outdoors. Annika Hjelm of Boise State also had one the top returning marks, but has moved back to Sweden and will not complete her eligibility.
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Untitled Comment
22:28, 18 March 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
Pretty sure Henning is redshirting to focus on Juniors.
Untitled Comment
22:55, 18 March 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
He told me at NCAA's that he was going to compete outdoors.
re: Henning
In my original post, I did not include Walter Henning in the rankings since I was told that he will be redshirting. However, I talked to him since then and he told me that he will be throwing at some meets for UNC this season despite focusing on world juniors. His first meet will be on March 28th. Because this ranking is trying to predict an order of finish at NCAAs, I have him lower that you might expect since the NCAA championships will not be the focus of his training.
If something changes and it looks like he won't compete, then I'll update the rankings accordingly.
Edited by bingisser on 20 March 2008 at 16:20
others
23:49, 20 March 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
there may be other unamed throwers who can upset the order in the men's hammer... time will tell
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