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April Anarchy Round of 32: Green Region (Women)
#1 Sally Kipyego (Texas Tech ‘09)
vs
#8 Geena Lara (Michigan ‘09)
Sally Kiyego's dominance as a collegiate distance runner is sometimes underappreciated, even as a #1 seed in our bracket. Her nine NCAA gold medals and consistent ability to defend her national titles was simply incredible. More so, Kiyego collected two of those national titles during cross country, a rare feat that few collegiate women have ever achieved.
However, Geena Lara (formerly Gall) did great things of her own at Michigan with 10 BIG 10 titles and 10 All-American honors. She also won back-to-back national titles in the 800 meters, an event that doesn't offer the same flexibility that the 3k, 5k and 10k do. Lara was a special talent at Michigan and should not be overlooked in this #1 vs #8 matchup.
#4 Betsy Saina (Iowa State '13)
vs
#5 Emma Coburn (Colorado '13)
The name recognition of Emma Coburn will certainly give her an edge in this matchup when it comes to voting, but Betsy Saina's accolades are just as good and maybe even better. Her three national titles, numerous All-American honors, multiple all-time NCAA marks and victories over collegiate elites puts her into a special category. With collegiate bests of 15:12 (5k) and 31:37 (10k), Saina may have enough to take down Coburn in this round.
Of course, Emma Coburn's name recognition was earned, not given. She also won three national titles during her time at Colorado and was a steeplechase star. Prior to graduating, Coburn broke the collegiate record in the steeplechase with a time of 9:25 which now ranks at NCAA #2 all-time. A truly dominant talent who was able to find success outside of the steeplechase, Saina will have a large challenge when it comes to voting in this round.
#6 Tiffany McWilliams (Mississippi State ‘04)
vs
#14 Alysia Montano (California '08)
If I told you that someone won back-to-back NCAA titles and broke a collegiate record, would you be surprised to see them at only a #6 seed? Well, that's the case with Tiffany McWilliams. She was the 2003 and 2004 national title winner in the 1500 meters and was (at the time) the collegiate record holder in the event with a time of 4:06. Montano has a great resume, but what McWilliams accomplished in the early 2000's was uniquely special.
Alysia Montano, however, does have a resume worthy of a potential upset. The former Cal Golden Bear was a superstar in the 800 meters, running a collegiate best of 1:59 which is the NCAA #3 all-time mark. Her pair of indoor and outdoor national titles only emphasized her dominance on the track.
#2 Lisa Uhl (Iowa State ‘10)
vs
#7 Hannah England (Florida State ‘08)
Some people may forget, but Lisa Uhl (formerly Koll) is the 10k collegiate record holder with a time of 31:18. Tack on a collegiate best of 15:17 in the 5000 meters, and you could mark the argument that Uhl is the fastest collegiate long distance runner ever from a resume standpoint. With numerous NCAA Championship titles, it's difficult to envision a scenario where she loses in this round.
However, Hannah England's success in her one year as a Florida State Seminole put her on a pace to match Uhl's long list of achievements had she stayed in the NCAA for longer. England was the mile and 1500 meter national champion in 2008 before eventually returning to the United Kingdom. It's rare to see "one and done" scenarios like hers in the track and field world, but what she accomplished in such a short amount of time may never be seen again.
