This week coaches around the country will declare their star athletes in their respective events for the 2018 DI NCAA East and West Preliminary Rounds. For most coaches this process is simple, however for some coaches deciding which event to enter your star athletes in can become quite complicated.

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Most notably, USC’s head coach Caryl Smith Gilbert and Kentucky’s head coach Edrick Floreal will have a very tough decision to make with their star athletes sophomore Michael Norman and freshman Sydney McLaughlin.

Both the USC men and Kentucky women are in the thick of the team title race, thus how they use Norman and McLaughlin will be critical for maximizing team points but also impact their athlete’s ability to win their first NCAA outdoor individual title.

What event(s) will Michael Norman enter?

- 200m | #1 in the NCAA

- 400m | #3 in the NCAA

- 4x100m Relay | #3 in the NCAA

- 4x400m Relay | #1 in the NCAA via indoor mark

For simplicity’s sake let’s assume Michael will run both relays no matter what.

Option #1: 4x100m | 60min rest | 400m | 35min rest | 200m | 44min rest | 4x400m

Pros: Most points possible

Cons: Eight races over two days might be too much

Option #2: 4x100m | 60min rest | 400m | 79min rest | 4x400m

Pros: Manageable race schedule

Cons: 400m field is deeper than the 200m field and would add more fatigue for the 4x4

Option #3: 4x100m | 95min rest | 200m | 44min rest | 4x400m

Pros: 200m field is thinner than the 400m field

Cons: None (in my opinion)

What event(s) will Sydney McLaughlin enter?

- 100m | #11 in the NCAA

- 200m | #4 in the NCAA

- 400m | #2 in the NCAA

- 400m Hurdles | #1 in the NCAA

- 4x100m Relay | #5 in the NCAA

- 4x400m Relay | #1 in the NCAA

For simplicity’s sake let’s assume Sydney doesn’t consider entering the 100m and will run both relays no matter what.

Option #1: 4x100m | 60min rest | 400m | 25min rest | 400H | 10min rest | 200m | 44min rest | 4x400m

Pros: Most points possible

Cons: Ten races over two days is too much

Option #2: 4x100m | 60min rest | 400m | 25min rest | 400H | 54min rest | 4x400m

Pros: More point opportunities

Cons: Eight races over two days will add more fatigue for the 4x4 final

Option #3: 4x100m  | 85min rest | 400H | 10min rest | 200m | 44min rest | 4x400m

Pros: More point opportunities

Cons: 10 min rest after 400H is too short

Option #4: 4x100m | 60min rest | 400m | 35min rest | 200m | 44min rest | 4x400m

Pros: More point opportunities

Cons: Misses out on an almost certain 10 pts in the 400H

Option #5: 4x100m | 85min rest | 400H | 54min rest | 4x400m

Pros: Manageable race schedule

Cons: Misses out on scoring addition points in a fourth event

Option #6: 4x1 | 60min rest | 400m | 79min rest | 4x400m

Pros: Manageable race schedule

Cons: 400m field is deeper than the 400H field

Option #7: 4x1 | 95min rest | 200m | 44min rest | 4x400m

Pros: Manageable race schedule

Cons: 200m field is deeper than the 400H field