Unlike last year, where Eva Orban and Brittany Riley battled it out most of the season, this year begins with a clear favorite: Eva Orban.  The defending NCAA champ looks in great position to repeat.  However, the rest of the field is very close and may end up giving her a run for her money.  Wildcards, like NCAA indoor champion D'Ana McCarty (Louiseville) may also emerge to put themselves in the mix.

Eva Orban, Senior, USC - Personal Best: 70.18m, 2009 Best: 67.47m, 2008 Finish: 1

The defending NCAA champ did not compete during the indoor season (as usual), but showed he is still the favorite by opening her season at 67.47 meters in early March.  Orban, a 2008 Olympian for her native Hungary, will be clear favorite this season barring any injury.

Sarah Stevens, Senior, Arizona State - Personal Best: 66.52m, 2008 Finish: 3

The triple threat thrower from Arizona State placed third at nationals last season and won the discus title.  This year, she has proved to be even more consistent.  She led the nation most of the indoor season and placed fourth at NCAAs, up from ninth last indoor season.  Every meet was also an imrpvoement over last season's best.  The only difficulty will be in seeing how Stevens can continue to juggle training for three events.  With three qualifying rounds and three finals at nationals, it could be difficult for her.  However, she has managed in the past.

Loren Groves, Senior, Kansas State - Personal Best 65.36m, 2009 Best: 62.17m, 2008 Finish: 5

Groves came out of a redshirt year in 2008 and jumped to the top of the national scene and placed fifth at nationals.  She was consistent this indoor season, but failed to improve her personal best.  She also placed a disappointing 13th at the NCAA indoor championships.  If she can return to form in the outdoor season, she has a chance to earn the silver.

Dorotea Habazin, Sophomore, Virginia Tech - Personal Best: 65.21m: 15

Habazin arrived at Virginia Tech from Croatia last season and threw well early in the season.  However, she struggled near the end of the season and only placed 15th at the NCAA Championships.  She came back strong during the indoor season, throwing a personal best of nearly two meters and placing ninth at the NCAA Championships.  Watch for her to be throwing in the upper 60 meter range this season.

Stevi Large, Senior, Akron - Personal Best: 63.33m, 2008 Finish: 8

Large has been one of the most consistent performs over the past two years.  The returning All-American was just under her best most of the indoor season, but came through when it counted to throw a personal best at the NCAA Championships and place second.  Her ability to compete well will come in handy in what is expected to be a close competition at nationals.

Ozioma Okolie, Junior, Texas Tech - Personal Best: 63.18m, 2009 Best: 58.02m 2008 Finish: 16

Okolie, on the other hand, has been less than consistent.  She had a great april last year, but only was throwing aroudn 59 meters near the end of the season last year.  She improved her weight throw personal best in January this year, but only managed 14th at the NCAA Championships.  She also opened her season at 58.02 meters in the hammer.  She'll have to show more consistency to be in the mix late in the season.

Zlata Tarasova, Senior, Kansas - Personal Best: 62.95m, 2008 Best: 59.98, 2008 Finish: 27

Tarasova looked to be on the verge of some big throws heading into 2008, but wasn't able to break 60m the entire season.  During the 2009 indoo season, she again struggled and was a meter off of her best.  With the level of competition rising, she will need to find her form outdoors to get back among the nation's elite.

Jennifer Onyeagbako, Senior, Long Beach State - Personal Best: 62.70m, 2009 Best: 58.46m, 2008 Finish: Did Not Compete

After throwing just 55 meters in 2007, Onyeagbako redshirted the 2008 season and threw a personal best of nearly seven meters.  She opened the season this year with an early toss of 58.46 meters.

Brittany Pryor, Senior, Virginia Tech - Personal Best: 62.00m, 2008 Finish: 7

Sharon Ayala, Senior, Fresno State - Personal Best: 61.98m, 2008 Finish: 13

Nicole Lomnicka, Freshman, Clemson - Personal Best: 61.79m, 2008 Finish: Did Not Compete

Jasmie Jennings, Senior, Rhode Island - Personal Best: 61.60m, 2008 Finish: 26

Jere Summers, Senior, Louisville - Personal Best 61.13m, 2008 Finish: 20

Josefin Berg, Senior, Utah - Personal Best: 60.81m, 2008 Best: 60.75m, 2008 Finish: 22

Kimery Hern, Senior, Georgia Tech - Personal Best: 60.33m, 2008 Finish: Foul