American Record: Gail Devers, 12.33
2007 U.S. Champion: Virginia Powell, 12.63
2004 Olympic Trials Champion: Gail Devers, 12.55
Top 5 Seed Times
1.) Michelle Perry, 12.44
2.) Virginia Powell, 12.45
3.) Damu Cherry, 12.47
4.) Lolo Jones, 12.57
5.) Joanna Hayes, 12.64
This field is deep. With the top four women all running under the time that won last year’s U.S. outdoor title, any of the top contenders can walk away with a top-three finish. The champion of the last two world championships, Michelle Perry hasn’t run near her form from a season ago. Damu Cherry, meanwhile, has the top time in the world, set in Fort-de-France on May 8. Lolo Jones of Asics is another favorite for a Beijing team because of her seventh-best time in the world, second-best in the U.S. Don’t count out Virginia Powell, a USC alum who set the collegiate record (shared by herself and Gail Devers) during her senior season of 2006.