American Record: Jenn Stuczynski, 16-0.75
2007 U.S. Champion: Jenn Stuczynski, 14-7.25
2004 Olympic Trials Champion: Stacy Dragila, 15-7
Top 5 Seed Marks
1.) Jenn Stuczynski, 16-0.75
2.) Jillian Schwartz, 15-6
3.) Lacy Janson, 15-2.75
4.) April Steiner Bennett, 15-5.25
5.) Erin Asay, 15-3
Jenn Stuczynski has owned the event for the past two seasons, winning back-to-back U.S. outdoor titles in 2006 and 2007, plus setting and re-setting her own American record. At 26, she still has plenty of opportunities at other Olympic Trials to attend, but expect her to make the team this year. On the global stage, Stuczynski has the top two vaults in the world this year, including her record-breaking leap on May 18 in Carson, Calif.
Second-seeded Jillian Schwartz has come close to the top woman in the world a few times, but hasn’t jumped higher than 15-2.75 this season.
Chelsea Johnson isn’t seeded in the top five, yet has the fifth-highest clearance in the world this year, jumping 15-6.25 just on June 26. Any other year she might be a lock to be a champion, but not with Stuczynski in the picture.
Two former Oregon stars will be in the competition, as well. Becky Holliday and Nikki McEwen have the eighth and tenth best jumps so far this year in the U.S., and McEwen is even seeded seventh. Both are considered darkhorses to watch in the competition.