2007 was a year of highlights in track and field and cross country.  With an incredibly exciting fall under our belts, we look forward to the 2008 track and field season and what can happen.  Here are our top ten athletes/events to watch in 2008.

Top 10 Athletes/Events to Watch in 2008

10. Connor McCullough (CA) & Hannah Carson (AZ)

  Some events in track and field go un-noticed by most during the season due to a variety of reasons, but usually because the event is contested in few states.  Two events that annually receive little recognition are the hammer throw and javelin throw.  While both events are seen rarely, two athletes this year plan to make their mark on them.

  McCullough threw the hammer in '07 a distance of 243' 11", only twelve feet off the national record.  The surprising thing is that the California thrower was only a sophomore.  McCullough has a great shot to set the national record this year, while putting it out of reach for a while his senior season. 

  Carson meanwhile finished less than three feet off of the high school girls javelin record with her throw of 173' 7".  Like McCullough, the surprising thing about Carson is her age.  She threw that mark in '07 as only an eighth grader and has high hopes for 2008.  Her throw put her seventh in the nation last year on the senior lists, however she will have to petition the USOC in order to get into the Olympic Trials this year since she does not meet the age requirement of being 16 years old by the time the Trials roll around.

9. Chalonda Goodman (GA)

'07 sprint champ Chalonda Goodman (GA) looks to repeat in '08

(Photo by Brandon Miles)

  While this junior from Newnan, Georgia may get a bit overlooked this spring with other top sprinters squaring off more often and other events taking some of the spotlight, Goodman needs to be watched closely after winning both the 100 and 200 dashes at Nike Outdoor Nationals in 2007.  It is a rare feat that both sprints are won by the same person, but Goodman showed her strength.  She upset North Carolina sprint sensation Gabby Mayo last year and looks to continue that momentum this spring.

8. Girls Mile & Two Mile

Do any girls have what it takes to beat Hasay on the track?

(Photo by Scott Bush)

  California junior Jordan Hasay nearly took this spot on the list for herself after a monster '06-'07 track season saw her win the USATF Junior National 1500m race and earn the top spot in the 3200/two-mile rankings as well.  However, if Foot Locker National indicated anything, it's that a handful of girls this year can make a lot of noise nationally on the track.