Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Williams-Mills ... Everything is going great, so I am happy about that. - file

LOS ANGELES, California:

REIGNING NATIONAL 400-metre champion Novlene Williams-Mills is prepared for what could be her toughest trials next month.

The National Championships, to be held over three days - June 27-29, could see the strongest 400m field assemble in recent times.

Based on the IAAF list, Williams-Mills leads her rivals with 50.38 seconds, which was run at last Sunday's Adidas Classic in Carson, California.

However, Shericka Williams, the 2006 champion, at 50.50, MVP secret weapon Kaliese Spencer (50.55), Shereefa Lloyd, who recorded a personal best of 50.93 for third in Carson and Sonita Sutherland (51.32) will provide strong opposition.

Davita Prendergast (51.88), Clora Williams (51.65), Patricia Hall (52.16), new kids on the block Rose-Marie White (51.71) and Bobbie-Gaye Wilkins (52.46), along with Anastasia Le-Roy (52.57), who was a member of last year's World Championships silver medal winning team, are also contenders.

Williams-Mills is well aware of the talent and depth in the field.

Have to be at 'a' game

"Everybody coming out with their 'A' game this year, so in order for me to be among them (selected ones), I have to be at my 'A' game also," said Williams-Mills.

At last year's National Championships, Williams-Mills, Williams, Prendergast, Lloyd, Le-Roy and Ronetta Smith were the top finishers.

It was with this in mind that Williams-Mills said: "They are the same people running, but I think this year, everybody is more prepared, trying to make the national team. Nothing has really changed ... you just have to be ready."

Williams-Mills, a former Essex Junior College and University of Florida student, is more determined to succeed this year, especially after narrowly missing the gold medal at the World Championships in Osaka last year.

She finished third in a very close race but, according to her, "It was in God's hands, maybe He wants me to work harder this year, so I am prepared to go for it (Olympic gold).

"Everything is going great, so I am happy about that," she said with just four weeks before trials.

"Everything is going great, so I am happy about that," she said with just four weeks before trials.

Williams-Mills, a former Ferncourt athlete, said she will only run in the United States this year before trials.

The Reebok Grand Prix in New York and Prefontaine Classic in Eugene are her two races before the trials.