Kimberlyn Duncan, junior, LSU
Duncan is the defending champion in the 200-meter dash and last year's runner-up in the 100. She enters with the nation's best times in the 100 (10.96) and 200 (22.22). Duncan's 200 time is the current world leader, and her 100 is the fifth-fastest time in the world to date.
Brianne Theisen, senior, OREGON
Theisen is in search of her third career heptathlon title after winning championships in 2009 and 2010. She missed the entire 2011 outdoor season with a back injury. The Canadian native enters with the nation's best performance of 6353 points, which is also ninth in the world this season.
Brigetta Barrett, junior, ARIZONA
Barrett is attempting to sweep the indoor and outdoor high jump titles in the same season. Barrett won the indoor title with a 6 feet, 5 inches leap. She enters with the best jump in the NCAA and sixth-best mark in the world at 6-4. Barrett is the defending outdoor champion in this event.
Maurice Mitchell, senior, FLORIDA STATE
Mitchell is a strong favorite to double in the short sprints. He is the defending champion at 200 meters and was third in last year's meet in the 100. Mitchell enters with season bests of 10.11 and 20.13. His 200 time is currently the ninth-fastest time in the world.
Tim Glover, junior, ILLINOIS STATE
Glover will compete in his third-straight championship meet for Illinois State. He is the defending champion in the javelin. Glover enters with a season's best throw of 266-9, which came at the Sea Ray Relays meet in Knoxville. Glover is the top javelin thrower in the NCAA and US this season.
Barrett Nugent, senior, LSU
Nugent has appeared in two NCAA short hurdle finals, prior to this year's championships. He won the 110-meter hurdles title last year and was second to Illinois senior Andrew Riley in 2010. Nugent enters as the favorite for the third consecutive NCAA's with a season's best 13.37.