NATIONAL CHAMPION Ricardo Chambers will be gunning for his second national title, but most important, he will be out to strengthen his claim for a medal in Osaka, Japan.
Come next week, Chambers, the fastest Jamaican this year over the one-lap distance at 44.62 seconds, barring mishaps, should get the better of the field.
So far this year, Chambers, a junior at Florida State University, has dipped under 45 seconds twice - running 44.62 at the Georgia Tech Invitational in Atlanta and 44.66 to win his second straight NCAA title in Sacramento last weekend.
Described by his coach, Ken Harnden, at this moment as 'one of the best quarter-milers in the world', Chambers is set for serious business after the trials.
Apart from Chambers, who is the fourth fastest man in the world this year, only behind Olympic and world champion Jeremy Wariner of United States (44.02), Angelo Taylor, also of United States (44.35), and Gary Kikaya (44.60) of Congo, no other Jamaicans have broken 45.
Sanjay Ayre, who ran 45.25 for third at the Adidas meet in Carson, California, and Usain Bolt, who finished third at the Jamaica Invitational in a personal best 45.28, are the only other Jamaicans listed in the top 20 of the event.
Bolt is unlikely to start in the 400m.
However, former world number two ranked Michael Blackwood and Ayre, who for two years now has promised to break Jamaica's national record, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jermaine Gonzales, Davian Clarke and youngster Leford Green will be some of the main contenders.
Chambers, who earlier this week announced that he will be turning pro, will, after National Championships, return to training in Tallahassee, Florida, before travelling to Europe for some tune-up races in preparation of the World Championships from August 24-September 2 in Osaka, Japan.
Phillips looks safe
FORMER NATIONAL Junior representative Isa Phillipsis the darkhorse in the men's 400m hurdles at this year's National Championships.
Phillips, who was the last athlete to give St. Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) 14 points at Boys & Girls Champs in 2004, could spoil the party in the men's 400m hurdles.
Based on present form, the former STATHS standout should cross the line first, despite challenges from seasoned campaigners.
Danny McFarlane is the Olympic Games silver medallist, but while you cannot count him out, he has not shown much this season in his limited time out.
In two outings, McFarlane recorded times of 48.83 and 49.28. This was after pulling out of the Jamaica Invitational meet in May.
Kemel Thompson, who won in 2005, is also having a low-key season and his times of 49.62 and 50.53 don't look good going up against Phillips and company.
Markino Buckley, who ran a personal best 49.84 last week, Gregory Little, Dean Griffiths and Josef Robertson, should make it a keen contest.
But at this point, it looks like Phillips of LSU, who has run 47.81 indoors this season, will get the nod. While his indoor time may not be the best guide, his 48.51 seconds to win at NCAA last weekend should tell it all.
Phillips, 22, has improved from 49.36 seconds in 2006 to 49.31 in the heats at NCAA to his personal best of 48.51.
Kerron could surprise
IT IS going to be hard to beat Olympic champion Veronica Campbell and Sherone Simpson in the sprints at next weekend's National Champion-ships.
Of the present crop, they are the only two to have gone under 11 seconds, but don't rule out a Kerron Stewart upset and her first sub-11 seconds effort.
Stewart has twice run 11.10 seconds this season, plus an 11.15, which makes her the second fastest Jamaican behind Campbell (10.93), and this should be a clear indication of her determination.
Last season, after running a personal best 11.03 seconds, her coach Henry Rolle, said: "I think she can run 10.95 this season - given the right conditions."
That did not happen, but after her consistency on the track this season, coach Rolle sees that first sub-11 seconds just around the corner.
He said she will break the 11-second barrier this year.
"She could have done it earlier this year, but I just decided to stay with the gold (World Championships)," he said.
Stewart, a former St. Jago High standout, will also be a force to reckon with in the women's 200m. But, according to Rolle, while a decision on whether she will run both sprints at the Worlds will be taken after the trials, she has an equally good chance in both races.
Her personal best of 22.41 gave her the 200m title at the Mideast Regional meet and she won at last week's NCAA with a time of 22.42.
Keep eye on Facey
WORLD JUNIOR Championships sprint relay gold medallist Simone Facey has been enjoying her best year on the track.
And this Championships could turn out to be a dream come true for the Texas A&M athlete.
Many believe Facey will help form Jamaica's sprint relay quartet which should include Veronica Campbell, Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart.
While several experts expect Simpson and Campbell to fight for the top spot and Stewart to finish third, Facey, it is said, will battle with Aleen Bailey, Commonwealth Games champion Sheri-Ann Brooks and Tracey-Ann Rowe for the fourth spot, which may decide the relay team.
Facey, who ran a personal best 11.19 at the Midwest Regional, is a very good competitor but Bailey will be hard to beat. Bailey is far more experienced and knows what it takes to win.
This, however, is not to say Bailey will beat Facey, who has been consistent on the collegiate circuit.
Facey should also line up in the 200m, and while it's difficult to say which event is her best, the challenge should be tough in both but also good for the 2004 Champs Class One sprint double champion.
In the 200m, again, Simpson and Campbell are the top contenders while Stewart, Bailey, Brooks and Anneisha McLaughlin should provide the main competition.
