US Olympic Track Trials 2012: Best Bets for Drama This Weekend

There are a number of entertaining events scheduled for the final weekend of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Track Trials at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, including a runoff between Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh, who tied for third at last weekend's women's 100-meter dash. 

On the men's side, the 400-meter hurdles and 200-meter dash promise to produce some intriguing results and storylines. Bronze-medal-winning sprinter Walter Dix, who finished dead last in the men's 100-meter dash final last Sunday, will be looking to redeem himself and make his second Olympic appearance this summer in London as a threat in the 200-meter dash. 

Shanay Briscoe leads a group of 13 talented women into the high jump final on Saturday. Briscoe was one of eight qualifiers who cleared 1.83 meters in the prelims. 

Be sure not to miss a minute of the action at the conclusion of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Track Trials. Here is your guide to the best bets for drama this weekend.

Women's High Jump

What: Women's High Jump Final

When: Saturday, June 30, 8:00 PM ET

Live Streaming: NBCOlympics.com

Nike athlete Chaunte Lowe has yet to win an Olympic medal despite having participated in the 2004 Athens Summer Games and the 2008 Beijing Summer Games.

She finished sixth in the high jump final in Beijing four years ago after clearing 1.99 meters, which was better than her result in Athens nearly a decade ago when she failed to reach the high jump final.

At age 28, the time is now for Lowe to capture a piece of hardware on the United States' behalf in London. Lowe was one of eight female jumpers to successfully clear 1.83 meters (the equivalent of six feet) in Thursday's prelims. 

She'll be challenged by Shanay Briscoe, Amy Acuff and Brigetta Barrett—among others—at Saturday night's event. 

Men's 200-Meter Dash

What: Men's 200-Meter Dash Final

When: Sunday, July 1, 7:50 PM ET

Live Streaming: NBCOlympics.com

Walter Dix will be an athlete to watch during Sunday's 200-meter dash. Dix won a bronze medal in the 100- and 200-meter dashes in Beijing four years ago and won silver in both of the same events at the 2011 World Championships. 

Dix's recent accomplishments in the sport have many expecting big things from him in Eugene this weekend. The 26-year-old will first have to win his heat before he can even be guaranteed a spot in the semifinals on Saturday. 

Women's 1500-Meter Run

What: Women's 1500-Meter Run Final

When: Sunday, July 1, 7:23 PM ET

Live Streaming: NBCOlympics.com

The University of Oregon's very own Jordan Hasay will look to chase down Morgan Uceny in the women's 1500-meter run this weekend. Uceny posted the fastest time in the prelims, finishing in 4 minutes, 14.07 seconds.

Hasay wasn't far behind, posting a time of 4:16:06, good enough for 13th fastest in the prelims. Brooks' runners Gabriele Anderson and Katherine Mackey are two other excellent athletes to keep an eye on. They posted the the second- and third-fastest prelim times, respectively, finishing within five one-hundreths of a second of each other. 

Men's 400-Meter Hurdles

What: Men's 400-Meter Hurdles Final

When: Sunday, July 1, 7:12 PM ET

Live Streaming: NBCOlympics.com

Nike athletes Kerron Clement and Angelo Taylor will likely be leading the pack into Sunday's 400-meter hurdles on the men's side. Both hurdlers finished with the two fastest times in the prelims. Clement finished with the fastest time of 49.37 seconds, while Taylor won his heat with a time of 49.53.

Fellow Nike teammate Johnny Dutch will be a factor in the final as well—he posted a time of 49.69 and placed second in Clement's heat.

With the element of obstacles, the men's 400-meter hurdles final promises to produce a thrilling finish to the 2012 Trials on Sunday. 

Women's 200-Meter Dash

What: Women's 200-Meter Dash Final

When: Saturday, June 30, 9:50 PM ET

Live Streaming: NBCOlympics.com

Tianna Madison (22.57 seconds) and Carmelita Jeter (22.63) posted the two fastest qualifying times in the women's 200-meter dash prelims at Hayward Field, but both will find the competition only gets tougher as the stakes get higher.

Jeter took gold in the 100-meter dash at the 2011 World Championships, so she is a legitimate threat to bring home the victory on Saturday night. Meanwhile, Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh will attempt to secure their places on Team USA's roster with a decisive win in the 200-meter event.

Both athletes won their respective heats and finished within four tenths of a second of Madison during the prelims. Felix posted a time of 22.82 seconds, while Tarmoh finished in 22.90.

Settling Third Place in the Women's 100-Meter Dash

Track coach Bob Kersee wants any potential tie-breaking runoff between Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh delayed until Tuesday, according to a Thursday report in The Chicago Tribune.

The third-place finisher could also be determined by a coin flip, according to The Washington Post. 

The two female sprinters tied in last weekend's 100-meter dash at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, setting up an unusual tie-breaking scenario that is sure to produce a bit of drama either way it goes down.

According to The Chicago Tribune, a USA Track and Field spokeswoman said a decision needs to be made by Sunday in order for the USATF's governing body to have enough time to finalize its team for the 2012 London Games.

Regardless of when the decision is made, it is guaranteed to steal the show at the Olympic Track Trials this weekend.