EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — This could feel like a road game for Allyson Felix.
She has the aching right ankle and Jenna Prandini the crowd support.
The last step on Felix’s road to the 200-400 double figures to finally feature some drama Sunday at the U.S. Track and Field Trials.
Granted, Felix is the favorite — always is in her signature event, the one she captured gold at the 2012 London Games. But she’s far from a lock with an ankle that made winning the 400 earlier in the week troublesome and running the curve in the 200 less than ideal.
What’s more, this is Prandini’s house. The former University of Oregon standout will have about 100 friends and family in attendance to watch her race. They even designed T-shirt with “Go, Jenna, Go” stenciled on them.
“I’m at my home track, my whole family is here,” Prandini said. “I’m set up well.”
Felix just wishes her ankle would’ve allowed her more time to work on the curve of the 200, the spot where this race could be won or lost.
“I mean, unfortunately, that’s an area we haven’t had the luxury of working on,” Felix said. “Just trying to get through with what I have.”
Heading into Trials, one of the big topics was whether Felix could make the team in both the 200 and 400. She breezed in the 400.
But someone beat her to qualifying in both — LaShawn Merritt, who finished second in the 200 on Friday after winning the 400.
In addition to Prandini, Tori Bowie will be a threat to Felix, along with Oregon Duck Deajah Stevens and 19-year-old Ariana Washington, the Oregon runner who captured the 200 title at NCAA championships last month.
Missing from the field will be Candace Hill, a 17-year-old high school who didn’t make it out of the semifinals.
“It was a great experience. I’m glad I went,” said Hill, who turned pro last December and signed a 10-year deal with ASICS. “This really helped me learn how pro meets are run. High school meets were getting too easy for me. This is the next level for me.”
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