• ALL THE BEST IN , JUMPING & THROWING •

www.trackandfieldnews.com

MAY 2021 The U.S. Outdoor Season Explodes Athing Mu Sets Collegiate 800 Record American Records For DeAnna Price & T&FN Interview: Special Focus: U.S. Women’s 5000 Scene Finally Makes Its Debut NCAA Formchart Faves: Teen LSU Men, USC Women Sensation Athing Mu Track & Field News The Bible Of The Sport Since 1948 AA WorldWorld Founded by Bert & Cordner Nelson E. GARRY HILL — Editor JANET VITU — Publisher

EDITORIAL STAFF Sieg Lindstrom...... Managing Editor Jeff Hollobaugh...... Associate Editor

BUSINESS STAFF Ed Fox...... Publisher Emeritus Wallace Dere...... Office Manager Teresa Tam...... Art Director

WORLD RANKINGS COMPILERS Jonathan Berenbom, Richard Hymans, Dave Johnson, Nejat Kök

SENIOR EDITORS Bob Bowman (Walking), Roy Conrad (Special AwaitsAwaits You.You. Projects), Bob Hersh (Eastern), Mike Kennedy (HS Girls), Glen McMicken (Lists), Walt Murphy T&FN has operated popular sports tours since 1952 and has (Relays), Jim Rorick (Stats), Jack Shepard (HS Boys) taken more than 22,000 fans to 60 countries on five continents. U.S. CORRESPONDENTS Join us for one (or more) of these great upcoming trips. John Auka, Bob Bettwy, Bret Bloomquist, Tom Casacky, Gene Cherry, Keith Conning, Cheryl Davis, Elliott Denman, Peter Diamond, Fleishman, John Gillespie, Rich Gonzalez, , Ben Hall, Sean Hartnett, Mike Hubbard, ■ 2022 The U.S. Nationals/World Champion- ■ World Track2023 & Field Championships, Dave Hunter, Tom Jennings, Roger Jennings, Tom ship Trials. Dates and site to be determined, Budapest, Hungary. The 19th edition of the Jordan, Kim Koffman, Don Kopriva, Dan Lilot, but probably Eugene in late June. 4-5 day IAAF World Championships will be held Paul Merca, Larry Newman, Lee Nichols, Rich tour. This is certain to be a fantastic meet at the Hungarian capital’s beautiful track Perelman, Becca Peter, Jack Pfeifer, Shawn Price, as it will determine the team for the World stadium, August 19-27 (new dates). Buda- Harv Rentschler, Kirk Reynolds, Michael J. Roth, Championships in Eugene in July. $100 pest is a delightful travel destination, with Brian Russell, Rich Sands, Kevin Saylors, Charles deposit per person now accepted. lots to see and do. And we’re sure to offer Shaffer, Jim Spier, Jesse Squire, Don Steffens, Larry Story, Paul Swangard, Carol R. Swenson, Gary an attractive extension ■ World Track & Field Championships. Trigueiro, Jules Trigueiro, Steve Vaitones, Howard before or after the Championships. $250 Willman, David Woods Eugene, OR, July 15-24, 2022. The first out- per person deposit now accepted. door Worlds to be held in the USA. Lodging INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS at the Village Green resort in Cottage Grove (busing included) and at motels in Eugene. Ian Hodge, Jonas Hedman, Mike Hurst, Mirko ■ 2024 Jalava, Paul Jenes, Alfons Juck, A. Lennart Julin, Almost 300 signed U.S. Olympic Trials. Dates and site to Duncan Mackay, Peter Matthews, Phil Minshull, up already. Current be determined. Probably late June. $100 deposit now accepted. Jon Mulkeen, K. Ken Nakamura, Bob Ramsak, deposit require- Sergey Tikhonov, Chris Turner, Mel Watman ment is $2,100 per ■ person for this his- 2024 Games, . Dates are July 26-August 11. $100 deposit now accepted. PHOTOGRAPHERS PARIS toric meet. Claus Andersen, Errol Anderson, Greg Armstrong, John Burke, Gladys Chai, Rich Clarkson, BUDAPEST Colombo, Tony Duffy, Jean-Pierre Durand, Don www.trackandfieldnews.com/tours Gosney, Jeff Jacobsen, Anthony R. Jones, Kirby EUGENE Lee, Bill Leung, Jiro Mochizuki, Kevin Morris, David Peterson, Shawn Price, Victor Sailer, Mike TRACK & FIELD NEWS TOURS Scott, Mark Shearman, Kim Spir 2570 W El Camino Real, Suite 220 Track & Field News was published continually as Mountain View, CA 94040 a print magazine from its inception in February of 1948 through the December 2017 issue. The Phone 650-948-8188 / Fax 650/948-9445 2018 issues (January through December) were E-mail: [email protected] produced in digital-only format.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Volume 74, No. 5 May 2021

From The Editor — What’s Your Favorite Olympic Men’s 1500?...... 4

Texas Relays — Joins The 23-Foot Club...... 5 Hayward Field Is Once Again Open For Business! ...... 8 JTG #1 — Hurdler Kenny Selmon Is Back...... 9 JTG #2 — Blistering 100 For Sha’ Richardson...... 11 DeAnna Price Raises Her American Hammer Record...... 12 Johnnie Blockburger Emerges As 400 Find Of The Year ...... 14 Collegiate & American Junior Records For Athing Mu...... 15 Tom Jones Memorial — Much Speed On Display ...... 16 JoVaughn Martin Dashes Out Of Nowhere To Share World Lead...... 18 /JTG #3 — The Pros Show Fine Form ...... 19 U.S. Men’s 5000 Scene: The Kids Are Alright...... 21 USATF GP/JTG #4 — Shaunae Miller-Uibo Blazes A 49.08...... 22 High Schooler Hobbs Kessler Mixes It Up With The Pros...... 24 LSU Alumni Gold — Collegiate 400 Lead To Noah Williams...... 25 Keturah Orji Raises American Record...... 27 2021 NCAA Men’s Formchart #2 — LSU Looks Unbeatable...... 28 2021 NCAA Women’s Formchart #2 — USC Has New Challenger ...... 30 2021 NCAA Outdoor Time Schedule...... 32 ’s Olympic Warmup: 2:04:30...... 33 Paige Sommers Scales New Prep Outdoor High Of 14-8½ ...... 34 Focus On The U.S. Women’s 5000...... 35 Is Ready For Some Real Racing ...... 37 — Not Fade Away...... 38 Still Going Strong… But In Which Event? ...... 39 Rachel Schneider Turns To Longer Distances...... 41 T&FN Interview — Shalane Flanagan...... 42

ON YOUR MARKS...... 47 LANDMARKS...... 48 STATUS QUO...... 49 TRACK SHORTS...... 50 LAST LAP...... 52 FOR THE RECORD...... 54 U.S. CALENDAR...... 55

• cover photo of Athing Mu by Errol Anderson/The Sporting Image •

Track & Field News May 2021 — 3 FROM THE EDITOR

— What’s Your Favorite Olympic Men’s 1500?

TACTICS? Based on recent conversation on our Message Board, themselves in the foot by not selecting Seb Coe… /Cordner Nelson/ there are still those who think that Matthew Centrowitz’s Rio 1500 1992 — Fermín Cacho 3:40.12 win was a rather feeble performance, based on how slow it was. I, The victory of wildly popular Fermín Cacho was not really a on the other hand, rate it as the second best Olympic men’s 1500 I’ve generous gift for his own achievement and the glory of . It seen in my 50-plus years at T&FN. only looked that way. To begin with, the field was so decimated by What a masterful display of tactical running it was! One of those injuries and accidents as to become the weakest of the men’s events, races where — for me at least — the clock was completely irrelevant with a crop of young runners taking over… /Cordner Nelson/ as Centro outthought a high-powered field in the beginning and outraced them at the end. The fact that his winning time was the 1996 — 3:35.78 slowe s t s i nc e 1932 i s i r r e le va nt; it wa s rac i ng e nt e r t a i n me nt at it s f i n e s t . Even slow pacing and a late-race melee couldn’t obscure a mag- So which of the 12 Games 1500s I’ve seen since starting at the n i f ic e nt p e r for m a nc e. No u r e dd i n e Mor c e l i, s o s or e ly d i s app oi nt e d i n magazine was more entertaining than Centro’s? That would have to , romped the final 800 in 1:48.8 to emphatically nail down be vs. , ’04. I wasn’t in the the only missing link in his legacy as the world’s greatest miler. announcing booth at that point, and was standing about 20 rows from “It was a very special moment in my life,” he said… /Sean Hartnett/ the track about 50m from the finish. The perfect vantage point as 2000 — 3:32.07 OR the two superstars went at it, hammer & tongs, up the final straight. One of the great finishing duels of all time, in any event at any meet. The 1500 echoed of Noureddine Morceli in ’92, prematurely an- But the bottom line is that there are no bad Olympic 1500s; some nointed by virtue of his undefeated world champion season in ’91. are just greater than others. To illustrate what I mean, what follows, There were also echoes of in ’68, also undefeated in the c h r o nolog ic a l ly, a r e t h e op e n i ng s e nt e nc e s of e ac h of t h e doz e n me n’s pre-Olympic year and holder of the 1500 and mile World Records. 1500s during my magazine career, with the author’s name, as they Hicham El Guerrouj, the consensus favorite, lost in … /Sieg appeared in our Olympic Editions: Lindstrom/ 1972 — 3:36.33 2004 — Hicham El Guerrouj 3:34.18 Bearded, golden-haired Pekka Vasala, one of the new breed of Prevailing in an epic homestretch footrace with his prime ri- fast-finishing Finns, overpowered defending champion Kip Keino val, Hicham El Guerrouj won his first Olympic title, erasing what to win the Olympic 1500. The 24-year-old Vasala, far from a favorite had been the one nagging reservation about his claim to being the last spring and not at all confident of his ability to run well on the greatest miler of all time. The 29-year-old Moroccan controlled the third day of 1500s, thus ran his way to instant greatness with the race from 600m on and held off Sydney bronze medalist Bernard speediest last 800 ever… /Cordner Nelson/ Lagat… /Sieg Lindstrom/ 1976 — 3:39.17 2008 — *Rashid Ramzi 3:32.94 Muscular John Walker of New Zealand, fastest miler of all time, Viewed as an Olympiad-long plotline, the men’s 1500 was a won the slowest Olympic 1500 in 20 years. His 3:39.2, probably the proper drama even though the final act, the competition most disappointing mark in the beautiful Stade Olympique, was the lost much of its tension in the semis. In the end Rashid Ramzi, the result of three factors… /Cordner Nelson/ Moroccan-turned-Bahraini overcame aggressive Kenyan pacing in the last 200 of an Olympic final faster than any other save those in 1980 — Seb Coe 3:38.40 Los Angeles (Seb Coe) and Sydney (Noah Ngeny). Ramzi, 28, kicked This was to be a classic duel, the greatest 1500 ever run, between to gold in 3:32.94 ahead of Kenyan — at 19 years and the two fastest runners of all time. But , not quite 24 50 days the youngest 1500 medalist ever… /Sieg Lindstrom/ years old, had proved himself to be, at best, an inept tactician in the (* The next year, retesting of Beijing samples found Ramzi guilty of 800 and, quite possibly, not in the condition he was when he set his doping and he was stripped of the gold, which went to Kiprop. Ironically, 4 World Records… /Cordner Nelson/ Kiprop is now serving a doping ban of his own.) 1984 — Seb Coe 3:32.53 OR 2012 — 3:34.08 Recipe for a great champion: 1. Into a large bowl filled with The Kenyans may have lined up as the three fastest, favored for 92,000 howling spectators and spiced with all the importance of the an almost unprecedented sweep by Asbel Kiprop, and Olympics and the attention of the most TV viewers in history, place Nixon Chepseba, but in his semifinal, Taoufik Makhloufi stamped the fastest batch of milers ever assembled; 2. Filter out any obviously himself as the man to beat… /Jeff Hollobaugh/ defunct ingredients… /Cordner Nelson/ 2016 — Matthew Centrowitz 3:50.00 1988 — 3:35.96 We will be talking about Matthew Centrowitz’s Olympic mas- Riddle: For Pete’s sake, how could attrition mean three medals? terpiece for years to come. The 26-year-old American delivered one Attrition destroyed what should have been the greatest 1500 field of the most impressive tactical performances in the history of the in history: world champion broke his leg; WR holder Saïd event… /Jeff Hollobaugh/ Aouita aggravated a hamstring in a foolhardy attempt to win the Forget binge-watching: now if I can only find the time to reread 800; WR miler suffered from a leg injury which saw him each of those stories in its entirety as a prelude to the next awesome helplessly eliminated in a weak 800 performance; The Brits shot chapter, to be written in . Can’t wait.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 4 Relays — Tara Davis Joins The 23-Foot Club

better than Nationals,” Dav i s s a id. “I e xe c ut e d ev- erything to the perfect T.” Soaring through the sunny Texas air, “I was

KIRBY LEE/IMAGE OF SPORT like, ‘Wow, I’m still going … I’m still going … holy crap … holy crap!’ “When I hopped out of the pit, it was like, ‘Welcome to the 23-foot club, baby!’” She almost didn’t get there — fouls in the first two rounds gave the third some drama, but she topped her indoor mark with a 22-10 ½ (6.97), setting the stage for her winning fourth-rounder. Behind her, Texas Tech’s Ruth Usoro put together wh at o n a not h e r d ay m ig ht h ave b e e n a n e ye - g ra bbi ng series — 3 jumps over 22 and a fourth that fell only a quarter-inch short. The way Davis has come roaring out of the gat e at Te x a s i s a l l t h e mor e Tara Davis replaced legendary Jackie Joyner-Kersee as the Collegiate Recordholder in the . impressive considering she has missed even more now-former CR was a centimeter short of 7m collegiate competition than most — her last by Lee Nichols and ¾” shy of 23ft. NCAA season was with Georgia in ’18. She was The mark also puts the Texas soph No. 5 out in ’19 due to transfer rules (although she AUSTIN, TEXAS, March 25–27 — “I literally on the all-time U.S. performers list, and has to h ad s ome me e t s u n at t ac hed), a nd l i ke ever yone felt like I was flying. I’ve never felt this feeling put her sights beyond Eugene and all the way else, missed the ’20 outdoor season due to the before.” across the Pacific to Tokyo. pandemic. No, Tara Davis wasn’t literally flying at the She’s on a roll — she came to Austin fresh There were no other major records set here, , but she was closer to doing so off a n i ndoor CR 22-9 (6.93) at t he NCAA Indoor but there were a lot of strong opening statements than any previous college athlete. She instantly just two weeks ago in Fayetteville. But she told for the outdoor campaign. became a club of one — her 23-5¼ (7.14) makes the Longhorn Network even that performance LSU’s Terrance Laird ripped a half-lap t h e lo n e me m b e r of t h e c ol le g i at e 2 3 -Fo o t / 7-Me - didn’t compare to this. world leader in 19.81. Like every race but one ter Club. Membership even excludes legend of “It was the speed, it was the takeoff, the on Saturday, it was wind-legal, and crowned a legends Jackie Joyner-Kersee (UCLA) — JJK’s foot placement, everything I did today was way mostly terrific weekend overall for the Tigers.

TEXAS RELAYS INVITATIONAL 4 x 100: 1. 40.01. 1500: 1. ***Cruz Gomez (Tx) 3:43.78 PR. MEN’S RESULTS 4 x 400: 1. UTEP 3:05.84; 2. Texas A&M B 3:07.41; 3. St: 1. ***Nicodemus Rotich (AMC) 8:50.48 PR; 2. Baylor B 3:07.61. Justin Domangue (UTA) 8:53.73 PR. 100(1.4): 1. Ronnie Baker (Nik) 9.94 (WL, AL); PV: 1. Scott Houston (unat) 18-4½ (5.60); 2. Reese 5000: 1. ***Yusuf Bizimana’ (Tx-GB) 14:12.70 PR. 2. Bryce Robinson (unat) 10.10. Watson (unat) 18-½ (5.50); 3. Luke Winder (unat) 18-½. 10,000: 1. **Isai Rodriguez (OkSt) 28:08.70 PR (CL); 200: I(1.4)–1. E.J Floreal (unat) 20.29; 2. (Nik) 20.65. TEXAS RELAYS OPEN MEN’S RESULTS 2. ***Alex Maier (OkSt) 28:48.88 PR. II(1.3)–1. Brandon Carnes (adi) 20.22; 2. Aldrich (3/25—1500, 5000, 10K, HT, JT; 3/26—100h, PV, LJ, DT) 110H(1.3): 1. *Damion Thomas’ (LSU-Jam) 13.22 Bailey (unat) 20.35; 3. Bryce Robinson (unat) 20.64. 100(1.3): 1. Jackson Webb (Ok) 10.22 PR; 2. Bryan PR (WL, CL) (=10, x C); 400: 1. Bryce Deadmon (TxAM) 44.62 PR (WL, Henderson (SHous) 10.29;… dnc—***Benjamin Azamati’ 2. ***Brithton Senior’ (SD-Jam) 13.54 PR; 3. **Eric AL, CL); (WTxAM-Gha). Edwards (LSU) 13.56; 4. *Rasheem Brown’ (NCAT- Cay) 13.68 PR; 5. ***Connor Schulman (TxAM) 13.81. 2. Wil (unat) 45.62; 3. *Howard Fields (Bay) Heats: VIII(1.5)–1. Azamati’ 9.97 NR (WL). 45.79. 200(0.8): 1. *Terrance Laird (LSU) 19.81 PR (3, 4 C; 400H: 1. **James Smith (TxAM) 49.99; 2. *Moitalel Mpoke’ (TxAM-SA) 50.01 PR; 3. Shakeem Smith’ 800: 1. Ayman Zahafi’ (Mor) 1:48.66. 2, 2 AmC) (WL, AL, CL); (UTEP-Bah) 50.45 PR. Mile: 1. Jake Johnson (B2R) 4:07.33 PR. 2. ***Devon Achane (TxAM) 20.31 PR; 3. ***Shaun Maswanganyi’ (Hous-SA) 20.31 PR; 4. **Chevannie 4 x 100: 1. Houston 38.49 (Alexander, Collins, Sumler, 110H(2.3): 1. Bashiru Abdullahi’ (UTSA-Ngr) 13.84w. Hanson’ (UTEP-Jam) 20.67 PR; 5. Jackson 20.80 PR. Maswanganyi’); 2. LSU 38.70 (Hislop’, Williams, Pee- 400H: 1. (unat) 49.99; 2. Quivell Jordan bles, Laird); 3. Texas A&M 38.79 (Comick, Yeboah’, 800: 1. ***Adam Swanson (EnIl) 1:47.66 PR; 2. **Butare (Hous) 50.50. Achane, Broome); 4. North Carolina A&T 38.85 Rugenerwa (WTxAM) 1:48.33 PR.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 5 (Wright, Ross, Stokes, Harding); 5. TCU 39.16; 6. 400: 1. (adi) 50.19 PR (WL, AL); Carolina A&T 44.19; 5. Baylor 44.65. Northwestern Louisiana 39.92. 2. Shiann Salmon’ (Jam) 51.74 PR; 3. Gianna Woodruff’ 4 x 400: 1. Arkansas 3:26.63 (out WL, CL) (Maloney’ 4 x 400: 1. North Carolina A&T 3:00.23 (WL, AL, (Pan) 52.78 PR; 4. Maggie Barrie’ (SL) 53.07. 51.5, Peoples 52.5, Effiong 52.00, Campbell 50.58); CL) (Stokes, Ross, Young 45.73, Stewart 44.34); 800: 1. Allie Wilson (AtlTC) 2:02.56 =PR; 2. Olivia Baker 2. Texas 3:28.10 (Douglas, Simon, Flannel 52.69, 2. LSU 3:01.00 (Camel, Burrell, Terry 45.84, Williams (GardStTC) 2:03.04; 3. Kendra Chambers (Ois) 2:03.47; Adeleke’ 50.77); 3. LSU 3:32.28; 4. Kansas 3:32.64; 43.76); 3. Texas 3:01.28 (Maas, Harris, Jones’ 44.19, 4. Megan Malasarte (AtlTC) 2:05.32; 5. **Valery Tobias 5. Texas Tech 3:32.85; 6. Baylor 3:33.31; 7. Houston Wright 45.13); 4. Baylor 3:02.19 (Barr, Croson, Be- (Tx) 2:05.52 PR. 3:34.91; 8. Oklahoma State 3:37.78. dell 44.98, DuPree 45.15); 5. TCU 3:03.59 (Seete, 1500: 1. Sarah Lancaster (unat) 4:14.87 PR; 2. Yolanda Field Events Andrews, Gregory 45.56, Mokaleng’ 45.93); 6. Texas Ngarambe’ (Swe) 4:17.30. Tech 3:07.18; 7. Kansas 3:08.23;… dnf—Houston, HJ: 1. Rachel McCoy (unat) 6-2 (1.88) (out AL) Texas A&M. 400H: 1. Sparkle McKnight’ (Tri) 57.27. (5-9¼, 5-11½, 6-2 [2], 6-3¼ [xxx]) (1.76, 1.82, 1.88 [2], 1.91 [xxx]); Field Events 4 x 100: 1. UT Elite 42.71 (WL); 2. *Abigail O’Donoghue (LSU) 6-2 (1.88) out PR HJ: 1. ***Ushan Perera’ (AMC-SrL) 7-5¾ (2.28) NR; 2. TBB TC 42.90 (Burton’, Thomas, Akinosun, Hen- (out CL; =out AL) (5-9¼, 5-10½, 5-11½, 6-¾, 6-2 2. Zack Anderson (SD) 7-2½ (2.20); 3. **Vernon derson). [xxo], 6-3¼ [xxx]) (1.76, 1.79, 1.82, 1.85, 1.88 [xxo], Turner (Ok) 7-2½. 4 x 400: 1. Hurdle Mechanic 3:30.76 (Abbott, Woodruff’, 1.91 [xxx]); PV: 1. **KC Lightfoot (Bay) 19-¼ (5.80) (out AL, Little, Hailey). 3. **Lamara Distin’ (TxAM-Jam) 6-¾ (1.85). CL; =out WL) (17-8½, 18-4½, 18-8¼, 19-¼ [2], PV: 1. **Nastassja Campbell (Ar) 14-9½ (4.51) PR PV: 1. *Nathalie Elliott (HPt) 13-9¾ (4.21) PR. 19-3 [xxx]) (5.40, 5.60, 5.70, 5.80 [2], 5.87 [xxx]); (out CL); LJ: 1. **Tara Davis (Tx) 23-5¼ (7.14) CR (old CR 2. tie, ***Zach McWhorter (BYU) & Hussain Al Hizam’ 2. tie, ***Sydney Horn (HPt) & *Tuesdi Tidwell (Bay) 22-11¼/6.99 Jackie Joyner-Kersee [UCLA] ’85) (Ks-Sau) 18-8¼ (5.70) (Al-Hizam NR); 4. **Zach 14-5½ (4.41) (Horn =PR [=7, =9 AJ] (Tidwell out PR); 4. (WL, AL, CL) (5, x A) (f, f, 22-10½ PR [=2, =2 C], Bradford (Ks) 18-8¼ out PR; 5. ***Eerik Haamer’ Lauren Martinez (Ar) 14-1¾ (4.31) out PR; 5. ***Gennifer 23-5¼, p, p) (f, f, 6.97, 7.14, p, p); (SD-Est) 18-½ (5.50) (out PR); 6. *Kyle Rogers (Ks) Hirata (SD) 14-1¾ (4.31) out PR. 18-½ =PR; 7. tie, * (SHous) & Ethan 2. *Ruth Usoro’ (TxT-Ngr) 22-2¼ (6.76) PR (22-1, 22- Elite PV: 1. (Pum) 15-9 (4.80) (AL) (14-9, Bray (SD) 18-½; 9. ***Alexander Slinkman (Rice) ¾w, f, 21-11¾w, f, 22-2¼) (6.73, 6.72w, f, 6.70w, f, 15-1, 15-5 [3], 15-9 [2], 16-1¾ [xxx]) (4.50, 4.60, 4.70 17-8½ (5.40) PR; 10. **Caleb Witsken (BYU) 17-8½ 6.76); 3. Sha’keela Saunders (adi) 21-11¾w (6.70); 4. [3], 4.80 [2], 4.92 [xxx]); out PR; 11. ***Kyle Rademeyer’ (SAl-SA) 17-8½; 12. Sydney Conley (unat) 21-7¼ (6.58); 5. *Monae Nichols Sean Clarke (TxAM) 17-8½. 2. Bridget Guy (unat) 15-5 (4.70) =PR (14-5¼, 14-9, 15- (TxT) 21-5½ (6.54) PR; 6. Jasmyn Steels (NWnLa) LJ: 1. Steffin McCarter (Tx) 26-9¾ (8.17) (26-¾, 26- 1, 15-5 [3], 15-9 [xxx]) (4.40, 4.50, 4.60, 4.70 [3], 4.80 21-5¼w (6.53) (20-11¾/6.39); 7. Mercy Abire’ (LSU- 9¾, 26-1w, 26-6½w, p, 26-7¼) (7.94, 8.17, 7.95w, [xxx]); 3. *Lisa Gunnarsson’ (LSU-Swe) 14-9 (4.50); 4. Ngr) 20-11¾ (6.39) PR; 8. Destiny Longmire (TCU) 8.09w, p, 8.11); 2. *Rayvon Allen (Ok) 26-4½w (8.04) Morgann LeLeux (unat) 14-5¼ (4.40). 20-8½ (6.31); 9. Baileh Simms’ (Can) 20-7¼ (6.28). (25-7¼/7.80); 3. Justin Hall (TxT) 25-10¼ (7.88); 4. TEXAS RELAYS OPEN WOMEN’S RESULTS TJ: 1. *Deborah Acquah’ (TxAM-Gha) 45-5¾ (13.86) Rodney Ruffin (SELa) 25-8¼ (7.83); 5. *Jalen Seals PR (out CL) (43-4¼, 45-5¾, 45-1¾, 43-7¾, 45-1¾, (TxT) 25-6¾ (7.79) PR; 6. Rayvon Grey (LSU) 25-5½ (3/25—1500, St, 5K, 10K, HT; 3/26—PV, LJ, DT) 43-7¼) (13.21, 13.86, 13.76, 13.30, 13.76, 13.29); (7.76); 7. O’Brien Wasome’ (Tx-Jam) 25-3½ (7.71); 100(1.8): 1. **Tiana Wilson (Ar) 11.12 (=WL; lo-alt 8. *Ja’Mari Ward (Mo) 25-3½ (7.71). 2. ***Mikeisha Welcome’ (Ok-Can) 44-6¼ (13.57) WL; AL, CL); PR; 3. Michelle Fokam (Rice) 43-10½ (13.37); 4. TJ: 1. **Georgi Nachev’ (Mo-Bul) 53-5½ (16.29) 2. ***Thelma Davies (LSU) 11.21 PR; 3. **Cambrea St- *Essence Thomas (Ok) 43-7 (13.28) PR; 5. **Jonon PR; 2. **Jequan Hogan (TxT) 52-8¾ (16.07); 3. urgis (NCAT) 11.23; 4. ***Jonah Ross (NCAT) 11.30 PR; Young (UNLV) 43-3¼ (13.19) PR; 6. **Arianna Fisher ***Sean Dixon-Bodie (LSU) 52-7½ (16.04) out PR; 5. ***Camille Rutherford (Hous) 11.32 PR; 6. **Kamaya (Mo) 42-11¾ (13.10) PR. 4. Wasome52-6¾ (16.02). Debose-Epps (NCAT) 11.35; 7. Cassondra Hall (UNLV) SP: 1. **Payden Montana (Ok) 56-9½ (17.31) PR; SP: 1. *Kyle Mitchell (Lib) 61-11½ (18.88) PR. 11.38; 8. **Immanuela Aliu’ (TxAM-Ngr) 11.43. 2. Elena Bruckner (Tx) 56-4¾ (17.19) PR; 3. *Kayli DT: 1. Reggie Jagers (Iron) 198-10 (60.61); 2. Josh 200(0.8): 1. Sturgis 22.87 (out CL); Johnson (TxT) 55-10½ (17.03) PR; 4. *Zada Swoopes (WTxAM) 55-0 (16.76) =PR; 5. **Faith Ette (Ok) 54-2½ Boateng’ (Grn) 192-10 (58.79); 3. ***Mitchell Weber 2. Davies 22.89 PR; 3. *Delecia McDuffie (NCAT) 23.04 (16.52) PR; 6. **Erna Gunnarsdóttir’ (Rice-Ice) 53- (Mo) 189-0 (57.61). PR; 4. ***Kavia Francis’ (Bay-Jam) 23.14 PR; 5. *Cecilia 3¾ (16.25); PR 7. *Annina Brandenburg’ (ACU-Ger) HT: 1. Sean Donnelly (adi) 248-0 (75.60) (AL) (236- Tamayo-Garza’ (Hous-Mex) 23.16 PR; 6. ***Rhasidat 52-1¼ (15.88); 8. Autavia Fluker (SAl) 52-¾ (15.87). 0, 241-6, 245-0, f, f, 248-0) (71.95, 73.62, 74.69, Adeleke’ (Tx-Ire) 23.27 PR. DT: 1. Valarie Allman (Asics) 218-0 (66.46) (AL) (x, f, f, 75.60); 400: 1. **Paris Peoples (Ar) 51.67 PR (out CL); 13 A) (218-0, 216-3, f, 209-2, f, f) (66.46, 65.93, f, 2. Michael Shanahan (CVE) 227-5 (69.32); 3. Jon 2. Shafiqua Maloney’ (Ar-StV) 51.72 PR; 3. **Tierra 63.75, f, f); Nerdal’ (LSU-Nor) 226-5 (69.03) PR; 4. *Decio Robinson-Jones (TxAM) 51.94 PR; 4. ***Amber An- 2. *Seasons Usual (TxT) 184-3 (56.16); 3. Nora Monie Andrade’ (Ang-Por) 225-11 (68.87); 5. *Jake Norris’ ning’ (LSU-GB) 52.08 PR; 5. *Morgan Burks Magee (Hous) 183-1 (55.81) PR; 4. Bruckner 179-9 (54.80); (LSU-GB) 225-0 (68.59). (Ar) 52.61 PR. 5. *Lauren Jones (Ok) 177-1 (53.98); 6. Swoopes JT: 1. Anderson Peters’ (Grn) 270-8 (82.51) (267-11, 800: 1. **Katy-Ann McDonald’ (LSU-GB) 2:06.84; 2. 173-8 (52.94). 270-8, 269-7, 248-2, 259-10, 262-1) (81.67, 82.51, **Stephanie Moss’ (OkSt-GB) 2:06.84 PR. 82.16, 75.65, 79.20, 79.88); HT: 1. Fluker 219-6 (66.90) PR; 2. Jones 212-11 1500: 1. *Aaliyah Miller (Bay) 4:23.73 PR. (64.91); 3. *Kaila Butler’ (BG-Can) 212-10 (64.88); 2. (NYAC) 265-9 (81.01) (AL) (f, 232- 4. ***Emma Robbins (LSU) 211-2 (64.36) PR; 5. 7, f, 265-9, f, f) (f, 70.91, f, 81.01, f, f); St: 1. *’ Millenaar’ (SAl-Den) 10:26.13 PR. Mikaila Martin (Hous) 210-5 (64.15) PR; 6. ***Tara 3. Curtis Thompson (unat) 258-11 (78.92); 5000: 1. **Florance Uwajeneza’ (WTx-Rwa) 16:29.50 PR. Simpson-Sullivan’ (Rice-GB) 205-5 (62.61); 7. Jordan McClendon (Mo) 205-5 (62.61); 8. Taylor Scaife (Hous) 4. ***Arthur Petersen’ (UTA-Den) 255-1 (77.75) (CL); 10,000: 1. *Madeline Vondra (Tx) 33:55.72. 200-8 (61.16); 9. *Quiara Wheeler (CMi) 198-6 (60.50). 5. ***Devoux Deysel’ (Ang-SA) 242-2 (73.82) PR; 6. 100H(1.6): 1. Tonea Marshall (LSU) 12.75 (AL, CL); JT: 1. (unat) 204-8 (62.38) PR (AL) Donovan Banks (McN) 235-6 (71.79); 7. ***Tzuriel 2. ***Alia Armstrong (LSU) 12.85 PR; 3. **Yoveinny Mota’ (5, x A) (176-4, f, f, 191-7, 188-0, 204-8) (53.75, f, Pedigo (LSU) 231-1 (70.43). (Ar-Ven) 12.97 PR =NR; 4. * Young (LSU) 13.06 PR; f, 58.41, 57.30, 62.38); Dec(3/25-26): 1. Asani Hylton’ (SFA-Jam) 7536 5. ***Daszay Freeman’ (Ar-Jam) 13.08 PR; 6. *Naomi 2. (Vel) 194-8 (59.35) (f, 178-7, 194-8, f, PR (CL); Taylor (Hous) 13.21; 7. Madeleine Akobundu (NCAT) 13.26; 8. Brittley Humphrey (LSU) 13.41; 9. *Kennedy f, f) (f, 54.44, 59.35, f, f, f); 2. Rodney Littlejohn (IncW) 7250 PR. Smith (TxAM) 13.42. 3. *Ashton Riner (BYU) 188-0 (57.31) PR (AmCL); TEXAS RELAYS INVITATIONAL 400H: 1. *Jurnee Woodward (LSU) 56.64 PR (CL); 4. ***Skylar Ciccolini (Mo) 175-2 (53.39); 5. Avione WOMEN’S RESULTS 2. Young 56.94; 3. *Faith Roberson (UTSA) 57.54 PR; Allgood-Whetsto (USAr) 174-3 (53.11). 100(1.7): 1. (Asics) 11.20. 4. Humphrey 57.54; 5. **Lexye Price (TxT) 58.05 PR; Hept(3/25.26): 1. Taliyah Brooks (Asics) 6252 PR 6. ***Leah Phillips (LSU) 58.19 PR; 7. *Ashton Woods (AL) (12.95w, 5-11½/1.82, 39-2½/11.95, 24.07 200(0.7): 1. Gabby Thomas (NBal) 22.17 PR (WL, (SMU) 58.31 PR; 8. *Sydni Townsend (NCAT) 58.32. [3767], 21-10¼/6.66, 126-9/38.63, 2:22.89 [2485]); AL); 4 x 100: 1. LSU 42.87 (CL) (Marshall, Ofili’, Mason, 2. ***Kristine Blazevica’ (Tx-Lat) 5813 PR (CL); 2. (Pum) 22.43; 3. Davies); (Nik) 22.53; 4. ***Kevona Davis’ (Tx-Jam) 22.93; 5. 3. Grace McKenzie’ (McN-Ire) 5734 PR; 4. ***Annika Keni Harrison (adi) 23.04; 6. (Nik) 2. Texas 43.04 (Douglas, Adeleke’, Davis’, Flannel); 3. Williams (Ky) 5361 PR; 5. *G’Auna Edwards (Ar) 5326 23.22; 7. (UArm) 23.35. Texas A&M 43.87 (Smith, Owens, Aliu’, Hall); 4. North PR; 6. *Hanna-Mai Vaikla’ (SAl-Est) 5307.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 6 ERROL ANDERSON/THE SPORTING IMAGE

Only 2 other collegians have ever run faster than Terrance Laird’s 19.81.

Laird, a junior, said that coach Dennis Shav- Marshall’s world-leading 12.75 improved upon homa State’s Isai Rodriguez led wire-to-wire in er’s game plan wasn’t complex. “Just relax and her 12.87 from the prelims) and 1-2-4-6 in the his debut track 10K, his 28:08.70 coming only ,” he said. The mark made him the No. 3 400H. The Bengals’ only stain was a dropped 10 days after his 8th in the XC Championships all-time collegian, with the No. 4 performance. final baton exchange in the 4×4, which erased a and missing Michael Musyoki’s meet record by Teammate Damion Thomas also claimed possible challenge to Arkansas’s 3:26.63. less than 4 seconds. a spot on the college list, his 13.22 in the 110H The Tiger men might have impressed in the On the pro side, notable statements came tying no less than for 10th. Fellow 4×4, but North Carolina A&T was here to prove from Ronnie Baker (9.94 WL in the 100), AR Tiger Eric Edwards got the better start, but it s NC A A I ndo or t it le wa s no flu ke — t h e i r 3:0 0. 2 3 holder Valarie Allman in the discus (218- Thomas’ much longer legs helped him quickly turned back a determined 3:01.00 by LSU and 0/66.46) and world champion Anderson Peters erase the deficit. 3:01.28 by Texas. A&T got a sharp 44.34 anchor of Grenada in the javelin (270-8/82.51), holding “Eric is always a great starter, so I know from Trevor Stewart, but the day’s biggest burner off a challenge from Michael Shuey (265-9/81.01 he’ll usually get out in front of me and I know was LSU’s Noah Williams, with a 43.76 carry. AL). In the women’s spear, Maggie Malone got I just gotta ride him,” Thomas said. O t her h i nt s of a n i nter e st i ng NCA A me e t i n her first PR in 5 years, reaching 204-8 (62.38) to It wa s a l s o a d ay i n wh ic h LSU’s wome n to ok less than three months: Texas’ Steffin McCarter improve her hold on the No. 5 position on the the 4×1 (42.87), went 1-2-4 in the 100H (Tonea lodged a 26-9 ¾ (8.17) in the long jump and Okla- all-time U.S. list.

The Ultimate Guide To Mile/1500 Racing Strategy and Tactics.

Based on interviews with some of the world’s best—includ- “A significant work, both practical and ing Olympic and World Champions and WR holders, the book pleasurable.” Paul O’Shea, Cross Country Journal. shares the combined experience and wisdom accumulated Available from Amazon.com, or for a signed copy: by these champions in thousands of races. In addition, Hol- www.howtoracethemile.com lobaugh analyzes more than 60 famous races, showing the advantages and disadvantages of various racing strategies and styles. Important information for every middle distance HOW TO RACE THE MILE runner, and a fun read for any fan. By JEFF HOLLOBAUGH Learning Effective Tactics From Great Runners and Races

Track & Field News May 2021 — 7 Hayward Field Is Once Again Open For Business! KIM SPIR

Oregon’s state-of-the-art track palace was missing only spectators as things got up and running.

by Roy Conrad the rest of their lives. But wait until we have the of confidence in what I’m able to do at the end r e a l Hay wa rd a nd p e ople a r e h e r e, a nd yo u c a n’t of races especially when I’m in peak shape.” hear the person next to you because it ’s so loud. One of the best matches came in the 5000, EUGENE, OREGON, April 02-03 — A Cole That’s the Hayward Field they remember, and where recent NCAA XC champ Conner Mantz Ho c ke r m idd le - d i s t a nc e do uble h ig h l ig ht e d t h e the Hayward Field I want them to experience.” of BYU was outkicked on the final stretch by Hayward Premiere as Oregon’s $200M track I n Fr id ay ’s 15 0 0, Ho c ke r bl it z e d h i s f i n a l l ap Colorado’s Eduardo Herrera, 13:24.46–13:24.78. mecca reopened for business, nearly 3 years in 55.22 to top BYU’s Talem Franco (3:39.79) and Herrera had finished 106 places behind Mantz a f t er R aev y n Roger s del iver e d a bl a z i ng a nc hor Iowa State’s Festus Lagat (3:39.93) with a 3:38.99, on the overland course. for t he Duck 4×4 in t he last race r un on t he track an outdoor PR still well shy of his indoor 3:35.63. The 10,000 saw Iowa State put a pair under before the massive reconstruction project. The next day he came back to dominate the 28: Wesley Kiptoo (27:58.10) and Edwin Kurgat Because of C19 restrictions attendance was 800 field with another big , again besting (27:58.33). limited to friends and family of the participants. Lagat, 1:46.60 –1:47.15. Sa id Hoc ker a f ter c ut t i ng One collegiate leader came out of the women’s But Duck head Robert Johnson countered, “This almost 2 seconds off his PR, “Having speed at action. In the first significant steeple of the season, was an experience, and they’ll remember this for this point so early in the season gives me a lot New Mexico’s Charlotte Prouse ran 9:54.65.

***Lexy Halladay (BYU) 10:12.36; 6. Abby Caldwell Young (Ar) 28:41.94; 8. *Emmanuel Cheboson’ (Ar-Ken) HAYWARD PREMIERE MEN’S RESULTS (IaSt) 10:19.34. 28:43.91; 9. Aidan Reed (SnUt) 28:44.68; 10. Gilbert Boit’ (4/02—1500, St, 5K, 10K, PV, HT, JT) (Ar-Ken) 28:46.31; 11. *Peter Lynch’ (Tulsa-Ire) 28:53.12; 5000: 1. Whittni Orton (BYU) 15:42.33; 2. *Poppy 800: 1. ***Cole Hocker (Or) 1:46.60 (out CL); 12. ***Christian Allen (Web) 28:54.58; 13. *Mitchell Day Tank’ (Ut-GB) 15:45.07; 3. Abby Gray (Ar) 15:48.53; 4. *Rachel McArthur (Co) 15:53.06; 5. ***Alessia Zarbo’ 2. Festus Lagat’ (IaSt-Ken) 1:47.15; 3. ***Luis Peralta’ (IaSt) 28:55.03; 14. *Michael Ottesen (BYU) 28:55.84. (Or-Fra) 15:54.05; 6. Abby Nichols (Co) 15:54.90; 7. (Or-DR) 1:47.55; 4. Roshon Roomes (IaSt) 1:47.87. 110H(3.4): 1. Sam Brixey (WaSt) 13.88w. ***Gracelyn Larkin’ (NM-Can) 15:55.56; 8. Summer 1500: 1. Hocker 3:38.99 (out CL); 400H: 1. *Colten Yardley (BYU) 50.96. Allen (Web) 15:59.34. 2. Talem Franco (BYU) 3:39.79; 3. Lagat’ 3:39.93; Field Events 10,000: 1. Clare O’Brien’ (Boise-Aus) 32:43.70; 2. 4. *Colton Johnsen (WaSt) 3:40.72; 5. *Reed Brown PV: 1. ***Zach McWhorter (BYU) 18-6½ (5.65). Lexie Thompson (Web) 32:49.62; 3. Carmela Carda- (Or) 3:40.90; 6. *Amon Kemboi’ (Ar-Ken) 3:41.60; 7. TJ: 1. ***Emmanuel Ihemeje’ (Or-Ngr) 52-¾ (15.87). ma Baez’ (Or-Spa) 32:57.01; 4. **Aubrey Frentheway Paul Ryan (WaSt) 3:41.63; 8. **Zach Stallings (WaSt) (BYU) 33:03.49; 5. *Cailie Logue (IaSt) 33:09.99; 6. 3:42.21; 9. ***Lucas Bons (BYU) 3:42.31. HT: 1. *Michael Bryan (Wich) 224-10 (68.54); 2. ***Ruben ***Molly Born (OkSt) 33:10.77; 7. *Anna Pataki’ (Port- St: 1. ***Clayson Shumway (BYU) 8:47.48 (CL); Banks’ (Ar-GB) 211-2 (64.37). Hun) 33:11.30; 8. *Bella Williams’ (Ut-GB) 33:17.07; 2. David Too’ (IaSt-Ken) 8:47.58; 3. Garrett Marsing JT: 1. **Cameron Bates (BYU) 253-2 (77.17) (AmCL); 9. *Katie Izzo (Ar) 33:18.62; 10. Caitlin Klopfer (Tulsa) (BYU) 8:50.98; 4. *Tracen Warnick (Web) 8:52.70. 2. **Dalton Rasmussen (Or) 227-9 (69.42); 3. **Taran 33:33.86; 11. Billie Hatch (Web) 33:39.68; 12. Hannah Reinhardt (Or) 33:45.02; 13. Hannah Miller (NM) 5000: 1. Eduardo Herrera (Co) 13:24.46 (out CL); Taylor (Wich) 226-10 (69.14). 33:49.73; 14. Kaila Gibson (PortSt) 33:55.99; 15. 2. *Conner Mantz (BYU) 13:24.78; 3. ***Casey Clinger HAYWARD WOMEN’S RESULTS ***Grace Brock’ (Boise-GB) 33:59.31. (BYU) 13:24.90; 4. *Brandon Garnica (BYU) 13:26.62; (4/02—1500, St, 5K, 10K, HT, JT) Field Events 5. *Luke Meade (Ar) 13:34.70; 6. John Dressel (Co) 800: 1. Anna Camp (BYU) 2:03.91; 2. *Alena Ellsworth 13:36.29; 7. Nate Osterstock (SnUt) 13:42.32. TJ: 1. **Charisma Taylor’ (WaSt-Can) 42-5½ (12.94). (BYU) 2:04.40; 3. *Kennedy Thomson’ (Ar-Can) 2:05.42. 10,000: 1. **Wesley Kiptoo’ (IaSt-Ken) 27:58.10 HT: 1. Lindsay McShane (OrSt) 208-3 (63.48). 1500: 1. *Courtney Wayment (BYU) 4:16.10; 2. Camp (CL); JT: 1. *Ashton Riner (BYU) 165-0 (50.30); 2. **Jordynn 4:16.12. 2. Edwin Kurgat’ (IaSt-Ken) 27:58.33; 3. Patrick Slater (OrSt) 157-9 (48.08). St: 1. Charlotte Prouse’ (NM-Can) 9:54.65 (CL); Dever’ (Tulsa-GB) 28:28.13; 4. Christian Ricketts (SnUt) 28:40.62; 5. Connor Weaver (BYU) 28:41.30; 2. *Aneta Konieczek’ (Or-Pol) 9:59.42; 3. *Sara Musselman 6. **Scott Beattie’ (Tulsa-GB) 28:41.38; 7. *Matt (BYU) 10:01.88; 4. Rebekah Topham (Wich) 10:04.38; 5.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 8 JTG #1 — Hurdler Kenny Selmon Is Back KIRBY LEE/IMAGE OF SPORT

Kenny Selmon capped his last full campaign, 2018, with a World Cup win.

fall of ’19 after two right hamstring tears and a great,” he says, “and it’s been a blessing to be by Sieg Lindstrom s er ies of compen sat ion i nju r ies l i m ited h i m to 4 reminded of feeling healthy, because there European races in the early summer of that year. were so many days for the past two years I was PRAIRIE VIEW, TEXAS, April 03 — In ’20 Page, astute followers of the sport will know, waking up and I’m like, ‘I can’t move. Literally, few events took a C19 depth-hit as hard as the was quite a 400 hurdler himself, World Ranking I just don’t feel like I can run fast again.’ So 4 0 0H d id. But h e r e at t h e USAT F Spr i nt Su m m it, 3 years straight 1989–91 after earning a pair of right now, healthy, strong, I’m ready to keep the kickoff meet to the federation’s “Journey To Rankings in the in ’80 & ’81. this thing going.” Gold — Tokyo Outdoor Series,” Kenny Selmon A f t e r mov i ng bac k to At l a nt a, S e l mo n r e c og- H i s c ol l a b orat io n w it h Page i s, i nt e r e s t i ng ly stepped out as just the fourth man since ’19 nized from afar there was a coach nearby who enough, not Selmon’s first with a coach of elite ended to crank out a sub-49 time. might be a perfect fit. “He was a 400 hurdler, a athletic pedigree. Erstwhile women’s 400 WR Selmon broke to the lead mid-race and beast, very, very good, he’s coached incredible holder coached him as an hurdled home in a world-leading 48.87, his at h le t e s, a nd h e ’s r ig ht h e r e i n t h e s m ac k m idd le prep to a World Youth (U18) bronze in ’13 and fastest time since winning the ’18 USATF title of my hometown,” Selmon reasoned. the No. 1 High School All-America rating for a s a Nor t h C a r ol i n a s e n ior. He won f r om A mer e Selmon’s dad knew an athlete Page had ’14, Selmon’s senior season. Lattin (49.93) by more than a second. for me rly worke d w it h a nd m ade t h e c o n n e c t io n . Nor has the new coaching arrangement Says the 24-year-old Georgia native, who Page, Selmon says, “was not moving out of the fostered a total reinvention of the wheel. Says earned the No. 8 spot in the World Rankings in professional circle, but he used to have big, big Selmon, “One thing about becoming a profes- ’18, “Oh my gosh, It ’s really kind of crazy to just pro groups and now he kind of has reduced the sional is you figure out your strengths and you be gone for so long. In 2019 I got hurt, obviously. size of his professional group. But he k new that figure out what you’re good at, and you want I ran a little bit but it was pretty plagued with he wanted to have an athlete on this Olympic to make those as strong as possible and then be injury. And then in 2020 I switched up coaches team and so he said, ‘Let’s see what we can good at the rest of it. and came back to Atlanta and was ready to make happen.’” “It’s been no secret that I’m just very strong run. And then COVID happened so that just Healthy again and now in an Olympic season — like how I run. I run very strong and I can knocked everything down. So it’s been really where there are actual meets to enter, Selmon finish a race. So we took that and just piled on to come back in that fashion.” is enthused about the fruits of his labors so far some just crazy workouts: over-distance stuff, Selmon has worked with veteran elite coach with Page. 600s and 800s, mileage, hill work, just so much and Georgia Tech assistant Nat Page since the “I mean, knock on wood, I’m feeling really strength work. I will say I’ve done the most

Track & Field News May 2021 — 9 distance that I’ve ever done with Coach Page. a bunch of dogs, right. We had a lot of quar- Big Kahuna is the Olympic Trials in June.” Out of all my coaches I’ve never done as much termilers. And so I do prefer to have people With elite U.S. 400H races having been an volume as I’ve done with him, which is great. training with me. exceedingly rare species for the past year and a “So that’s one of the main differences and “But I will say that after going through my half-plus, the crystal ball for Eugene is cloudy, now we’re kind of just trying to piece it all to- injury, it was nice to kind of stay at my own pace mysterious. gether. We knew that we were capable of [48.87] a nd t h e n pr og r e s s w it h i n my ow n r ig ht . B e c au s e “ T h at i s t h e t h i ng w it h t h e hu r d le s ’c au s e it ’s and so the way that I ran it, obviously we have a sometimes when you have other athletes on such a hard race,” Selmon agrees, “kind of like race model and I’m getting my 13-stride pattern you r plate next to you a nd you’r e t r y i ng to come the perfect combination of speed and strength dow n. But we foc us on just kind of being strong back from injury and get things back right, you and endurance. So it’s kind of hard to find that and being able to maintain a pace, and that’s push things too hard and you just don’t realize, mix. But those who do… , he’s a exactly what I did.” ‘I need to take a step back.’ good friend of mine and we’ve been racing Triple jumper Alphonso Jordan and Jamai- “So it’s really good in some ways. But there pretty much our whole lives. He’ll be ready. can hurdler Jeanine Williams are the other a r e s ome d ays wh e r e I go i nto a Mo nd ay worko ut But I do think the second and third spots are post-collegians in Page’s group — fine athletes and I’m, ‘OK, I’m about to die by myself.’ up for grabs. though neither a perfect match for Selmon in “But you know, it has its benefits and it has “There are respectable competitors who training sessions. He is OK with that. its disadvantages as well.” will be in the mix for sure, but I do think if I “I’m not foreign to training alone,” Selmon Now eyeing the Miramar, , stop for continue on my path and I succeed in what I says. “Now, do I prefer having athletes near the next JTG event (April 10) and the Drake need to execute, I definitely plan on having a my side? Yes. At UNC at every practice we had Relays (April 24), Selmon says, “Obviously the spot on that team.”

JOURNEY TO GOLD #1 MEN’S RESULTS DT: 1. Reggie Jagers (US) 209-0 (63.71); 2. Brian Williams (US) Williams (US) 13.62. 197-2 (60.10); 3. Alex Rose (AmS) 195-10 (59.70); 4. Duke Kicinski 100(-0.7): 1. Emmanuel Matadi (Lbr) 10.29; 2. 400H: 1. (US) 56.36; 2. Shiann Salmon (Jam) (US) 195-2 (59.50); 5. Kord Ferguson (US) 193-10 (59.08); 6. (US) 10.35; 3. Mario Burke (Bar) 10.51; 4. Odean Skeen 56.90; 3. Gianna Woodruff (Pan) 57.22; 4. Sparkle McKnight Colin Quirke (Ire) 181-2 (55.22). (Jam) 10.55. (Tri) 57.40; 5. Nnenya Hailey (US) 57.57. 200(-0.9): 1. Andrew Hudson (US) 20.90; 2. Matadi 20.97; JTG #1 WOMEN’S RESULTS 4 x 100: 1. Star Athletics 42.70 (WL, AL) (Johnson, Oliver, 3. Brandon Carnes (US) 21.06. 100(-1.3): 1. Morolake Akinosun (US) 11.26; 2. Gabby Thomas Bryant, Richardson); 400: 1. Emmanuel Korir (Ken) 46.06; 2. Marcus Chambers (US) 11.38; 3. Caitland Smith (US) 11.66; 4. Tawanna Meadows 2. All-Stars 45.94 (Sember’, Cunningham, Smith, Gaither’). (US) 46.12; 3. Rashard Clark (US) 46.21; 4. Quintaveon (US) 11.70; 5. (Bah) 11.71; 6. Kiara Parker (US) 4 x 200: 1. Star Athletics (US) 1:32.64 (Richardson, Oliver, Poole (US) 46.52. 11.74; 7. Leya Buchanan (Can) 11.96. Bryant, Johnson). 1500: 1. Isaiah Harris (US) 3:42.63 PR; 2. Craig Nowak 200: I(-1.4)–1. Thomas 23.04; 2. Akinosun 23.45; 3. Jaide Stepter 4 x 400: 1. USA Blue 3:31.86 (Whitney, Rogers, Chambers, (US) 3:43.04; 3. Nanami Arai (Jpn) 3:44.75; 4. Michael (US) 23.86; 4. Smith 24.18; 5. (US) 24.36; Baker); 2. Hurdle Mechanic (US) 3:33.64 (Abbott, Muhammad, Saruni (Ken) 3:50.97. 6. Chloe Abbott (US) 24.78. Woodruff’, Hailey); 3. USA Red 3:42.17 (Baisden, Beckles, 110H(-0.9): 1. (Bar) 13.82; 2. Ryan Fon- II(-1.2)–1. Gabrielle Farquharson (US) 24.00; 2. Farquharson, Mecke). tenot (US) 14.00. (US) 24.40; 3. Jasmine Blocker (US) 24.65; 4. Briyahna Des- Field Events rosiers (US) 24.87. 400H: 1. Kenny Selmon (US) 48.87 (WL); TJ: 1. Thea Lafond (Dom) 47-1 (14.35); 2. Lynnika Pitts (US) 400: I–1. Beard 52.38; 2. (Jam) 52.47; 3. 43-6½ (13.27); 3. Domonique Panton (US) 43-2½ (13.17) PR; 2. Amere Lattin (US) 49.93; 3. CJ Allen (US) 50.07; 4. Dave Stepter 52.54; 4. (US) 53.52; 5. Muhammad Kendziera (US) 51.52; 5. Jordin Andrade (CV) 51.57. 4. Kelly McKee (US) 42-7 (12.98); 5. Thelma Nohemí Fuentes 53.77; 6. Abbott 55.97. (Gua) 42-6¼ (12.96); 6. Shardia Lawrence (Jam) 41-10 (12.75). 4 x 100: 1. Star Athletics 38.89 (Young, Gatlin, Eaddy, Brown). II–1. Kaylin Whitney (US) 52.72; 2. Gabby Scott (PR) 53.94; DT: 1. Shadae Lawrence (Jam) 189-6 (57.76); 2. Rachel 4 x 200: 1. Star Athletics 1:22.16 (King, Gatlin, Bednarek, 3. Olivia Baker (US) 54.19; 4. (US) 54.40; 5. Dincoff (US) 189-4 (57.72); 3. (US) 182-1 (55.50); Brown). Blocker 54.72. 4. Tatyana Zhuravlyova (Rus) 175-6 (53.51); 5. Chioma Field Events 1500: 1. Dana Mecke (US) 4:17.14; 2. Molly Sughroue (US) Onyekwere (Ngr) 171-11 (52.40). PV: all entrants nh—Andrew Irwin (US), Reese Watson (US), 4:18.72; 3. Kendra Chambers (US) 4:31.41 PR. HT: 1. (US) 245-11 (74.96) (f, 240-6, Jacob Wooten (US), Tray Oates (US), Carson Waters (US). 100H(-1.4): 1. Cindy Sember (GB) 13.02; 2. Gabriele Cun- 245-11, f, f, 239-10) (f, 73.31, 74.96, f, f, 73.10); 2. Janee’ LJ: 1. Charles Brown (US) 24-¾ (7.33); 2. Malik Moffett ningham (US) 13.22; 3. (GB) 13.23; 4. Ebony Kassanavoid (US) 226-3 (68.96); 3. Whitney Simmons (US) (US) 23-3½ (7.10). Morrison (US) 13.37; 5. Evonne Britton (US) 13.56; 6. Kendell 211-7 (64.50) PR.

HIGH SCHOOL TRACK 2021 HST’S 63rd (!) edition is now ‘Run available. It has a complete statistical wrap-up of the historic 2020 prep season, men & women, indoors and out. National, age and with class records. 2020 and all-time performance lists. An indispensable resource for the high school track fan. 68 pages. $12.00, includes postage/handling. me.’ Prepared by T&FN HS editor Jack Shepard.

Make checks payable to and order from Jack Shepard • 14551 Southfield Dr. • Westminster, CA 92683

Back issues and volume discounts available—write for quotes TheMiler.com or e-mail: [email protected]

Track & Field News May 2021 — 10 JTG #2 — Blistering 100 For Sha’Carri Richardson KIRBY LEE/IMAGE OF SPORT the 100 straight in work to do. And I’m gon na defin itely agree wit h A 10.72 by Sha’Carri Richardson 10.72, the world’s him. There’s more work to be done, there’s ways fastest clocking to get faster, there’s ways to become better. So in Miramar made her the first since Rio Olym- we’re going back to the drawing board.” ever to run a 10.7 in April. pic champ Elaine In another closely watched race, the 110H, Thompson-Herah world champion moved on from blitzed 10.70 in July his WR-setting indoor season to his fastest-ever of ‘16. outdoor opener, 13.04w (wind 2.2). The Gator The just- a lu m e x plo de d f r om t h e blo c k s to a n i n s t a nt le ad turned-21 Texan’s and by hurdle 6 was roaring away from erstwhile blazing time — with collegiate nemesis (13.30w). appropriately hued “It’s a season opener so I’m ecstatic,” said fire-red tresses trail- Holloway, who also noted tailwinds are not ing behind her and overly friendly to hurdlers his size. “Of course, a 1.6mps w i nd read- we’ll find something. We’ll watch film, we’ll ing — moved her to see what we did wrong — we have [the Tom No. 6 all-time in the Jones Invitational on Holloway’s home track at dash and was the Florida] next weekend — and correct it. But stay fastest 100 ever run in that consistent 13.0, 13.1, and then let ’s just be so early in the year. ready for Trials. I still have to make the team.” T he prev ious leader Of Roberts Holloway observed, “Daniel’s i n t hat categor y wa s a phenomenal athlete but the biggest thing is I a May 09 Marion gotta worry about my lane, my space, I gotta be Jones time back in able to execute to the max when I start going ’98. Each of the 5 against Omar Ortega, Sergey [Shubenkov], the women now ahead of Richardson on the ATL list goes on and on.” by Roy Conrad won Olympic or World Champs gold, or both, In the women’s barrier race Keni Harrison’s in her career. 12.38w gave her a convincing win after she had MIRAMAR, FLORIDA, April 10 — “What ‘18 USATF indoor 60 champ lowered the world lead to 12.54 in the heats. e l s e c a n I do? ” T h e s p e a ke r wa s S h a’C a r r i R ic h a r d- claimed 2nd in a PR 11.07. In the full-lap hurdles, Kenny Selmon, who son for the April issue of T&FN, and she offered a What did Richardson’s time tell her? “That had starred in the first JTG race a week ago, partial answer: “Knowing I can improve, knowing my season is going to be unbelievable, some- improved his yearly world lead to 48.81. wh at I c o u ld’ve r u n i f I h ad r u n t h r o ug h [ h e r 10.75 thing that I haven’t been expecting, something Another 400H star, Shamier Little, running race at the ‘19 NCAA], it all just makes me more the world hasn’t been expecting,” Richardson a lap without hurdles, joined the sub-50 club excited about training and actually doing what told usatf.tv. with her world-leading 49.91, edging Quanera I can do with my talent and my potential.” Here Asked by commentator what Hayes by 0.01. at the Miramar Invitational, the second meet in critique of the race she expected to hear from Super-vet , now 39, sprinted a USATF’s Journey To Gold series, she provided a coach , Richardson said, “He’s close 2nd to Kyree King in the men’s 100, their mor e c o nc r e t e a nd st u n n i ng r e ply. S h e tor e dow n goi ng to b e pr oud, b ut h e ’s go n n a s ay t h e r e ’s mor e times 9.97 and 9.98.

JOURNEY TO GOLD #2 MEN’S RESULTS 400H: 1. Kenny Selmon (unat) 48.81 (WL, AL); 2. Quanera Hayes (Nik) 49.92; 3. Kendall Ellis (NBal) 50.48; 4. Stephenie Ann McPherson’ (Jam) 51.09; 5. Kaylin Whitney 100: I(1.9)–1. Kyree King (Nik) 9.97; 2. Justin Gatlin (Nik) 9.98; 2. Craig Allen (unat) 49.70; 3. Amere Lattin (Nik) 49.71. (Nik) 51.34; 6. Chrisann Gordon-Powell’ (Jam) 51.39; 7. 3. Cejhae Greene’ (Ant) 10.00; 4. Emmanuel Matadi’ (Lbr) Field Events Micha Powell’ (Can) 53.54. 10.01; 5. Aaron Brown’ (Can) 10.08; 6. (unat) HJ: 1. Shelby McEwen (unat) 7-5 (2.26); 2. Donald Thomas’ (Bah) 800: 1. Ajee’ Wilson (adi) 2:00.57; 2. Natoya Goule’ (Jam) 10.09; 7. (Nik) 10.13. 7-3¾ (2.23); 3. David Smith’ (PR) 7-2½ (2.20); 4. Luis Castro’ 2:00.92; 3. Allie Wilson (AtlTC) 2:02.58; 4. *Laurie Barton II(3.0)–1. Isiah Young (Nik) 10.02w; 2. (Nik) (PR) 7-2½; 5. Roderick Townsend (unat) 7-½ (2.15); 6. Stefan (Clem) 2:04.21; 5. Andrea Foster’ (Guy) 2:04.34; 6. Ce’Aira 10.05w; 3. Maurice Eaddy (unat) 10.26w; 4. Mario Burke’ Duvivier’ (Can) 6-10¾ (2.10); 7. (unat) 6-10¾. Brown (Hoka) 2:04.50; 7. Hannah Segrave’ (GB) 2:04.73; (Bar) 10.27w; 5. Rob Moise’ (Hai) 10.31; 6. (unat) LJ: 1. Tajay Gayle’ (Jam) 27-1¾ (8.27) (out WL) (f, 27-1¾, 8. Yolanda Ngarambe’ (Swe) 2:06.66; 9. Julia Rizk (UArm) 10.34w;… dnc— (NikRB). 26-10w, f, f, f) (f, 8.27, 8.18w, f, f, f); 2:08.44. 200(4.0): 1. Kenny Bednarek (Nik) 19.65w (a-c WL, AL); 2. 2. Holland Martin’ (Bah) 26-9w (8.15); 3. Damarcus Simpson 100H(2.7): 1. Keni Harrison (adi) 12.38w; 2. Cindy Sember’ Matadi’ 20.20w; 3. EJ Floréal’ (Can) 20.41w; 4. Jaylen Slade (unat) 26-5w (8.05); 4. (unat) 26-3¾w (8.02) (GB) 12.55w; 3. Tiffany Porter’ (GB) 12.57w; 4. Taliyah Brooks (FlHS) 20.51w; 5. Jerome Blake’ (Can) 20.57w;… dnf—Akeem (26-2¾/7.99); 5. Trumaine Jefferson (unat) 26-3 (8.00); 6. (Asics) 12.75w; 5. Gabriele Cunningham (Nik) 12.77w; 6. Bloomfield’ (Jam). Charles Brown (unat) 26-1½ (7.96); 7. (unat) Devynne Charlton (Bah) 12.85w; 7. Pedrya Seymour (Bah) 400: 1. Justin Robinson (unat) 45.23; 2. Wil London (Nik) 25-2¾ (7.69). 13.00w; 8. Ebony Morrison (TruF) 13.18w.Heats: II(2.0)–1. 45.31; 3. Kahmari Montgomery (Nik) 45.39. JTG #2 WOMEN’S RESULTS Harrison 12.54 (WL, AL). 800: 1. Abraham Alvarado (AtlTC) 1:47.29; 2. Kameron Jones 100(0.6): 1. Ángela Tenorio’ (Ecu) 11.30; 2. Destiny Smith-Bar- Field Events (Clem) 1:47.33; 3. Rajay Hamilton’ (Jam) 1:48.32; 4. Robert nett (unat) 11.36; 3. Dezerea Bryant (Nik) 11.39; 4. Kasheika HJ: 1. Rachel McCoy (unat) 6-2¾ (1.90); 2. Shelley Spires Downs (GSTC) 1:49.34; 5. Andrés Arroyo’ (PR) 1:50.21; 6. Cameron’ (Jam) 11.41. (USAF) 6-1½ (1.87); 3. Ty Butts-Townsend (unat) 6-1½; 4. Matthew Centrowitz (NikBowTC) 1:50.97; 7. Brandon Lasater Nicole Greene (unat) 5-9¾ (1.77). (AtlTC) 1:51.19. II(1.6): 1. Sha’Carri Richardson (Nik) 10.72 PR (WL, AL) (6, x W; 4, =11 A); LJ: 1. Christabel Nettey’ (Can) 21-9w (6.63) (21-8¼/6.61); 2. 1500: 1. Michael Saruni’ (Ken) 3:45.84; 2. Nanami Arai’ (Jpn) Sha’keela Saunders (adi) 21-6¾w (6.57) (20-11¼/6.38); 3. 3:46.20; 3. Peter Callahan’ (Bel) 3:46.67; 4. Rob Napolitano’ 2. Javianne Oliver (Nik) 11.07 PR; 3. Natalliah Whyte’ (Jam) Taliyah Brooks (Asics) 21-6¾ (6.57); 4. Tiffany Flynn (unat) (PR) 3:46.78; 5. (unat) 3:46.89; 6. James 11.16; 4. Natasha Morrison’ (Jam) 11.19; 5. Kortnei Johnson 20-10w (6.35); 5. ’ (Fra) 20-8 (6.30). Randon (SaucF) 3:47.45. (Nik) 11.22; 6. Kiara Parker (Asics) 11.27; 7. Teahna Daniels (Nik) 11.29; 8. Kristina Marie Knott’ (Phi) 11.35. SP: 1. Danniel Thomas-Dodd’ (Jam) 62-10¾ (19.17); 110H: I(1.9)–1. Isaiah Moore (unat) 13.77; 2. Jeffrey Julmis’ (Hai) 13.80. 200(2.3): 1. Jenna Prandini (Puma) 22.29w; 2. Brittany Brown 2. Maggie Ewen (Nik) 61-4 (18.69) (out AL); (Nik) 22.39w; 3. (Asics) 22.43w; 4. Elaine Thomp- II(2.2)–1. Grant Holloway (adi) 13.04w; 2. Daniel Roberts 3. (adi) 61-¾ (18.61); 4. ’ (Can) son-Herah’ (Jam) 22.44w; 5. (unat) 22.80w; 60-9½ (18.53); 5. Chase Ealey (Nik) 60-1 (18.31); (Nik) 13.30w; 3. Ruebin Walters’ (Tri) 13.37w; 4. Ronald Levy’ 6. ’ (Jam) 22.93w; 7. Marizol Landázuri’ (Ecu) (Jam) 13.39w; 5. Andrew Riley’ (Jam) 13.42w; 6. Wellington 23.22w; 8. Srabani Nanda’ (Ind) 23.27w. 6. Lloydricia Cameron’ (Jam) 59-5 (18.11); 7. Zaza’ (Lbr) 13.52w; 7. Nick Anderson (unat) 13.70w; 8. Eddie (Nik) 58-10¾ (17.95). Lovett’ (VI) 13.75w. 400: 1. Shamier Little (adi) 49.91 PR (WL, AL);

Track & Field News May 2021 — 11 DeAnna Price Raises Her American Hammer Record MIKE SCOTT

Reigning world champ DeAnna Price is closing in on the 260-foot barrier.

by Jeff Hollobaugh In round 4 she nailed a PR 254-7 (77.61) to ball up, pull to the line, and hold that entry.” move to No. 7 ever. Her big throw came in the Throw 1 did not go well. Her disappointment next, and she closed at 253-4 (77.23). showed. Then she looked to her mother among Price and Andersen now own the longest t h e s p e c t ator s — t h e y h ad not s e e n e ac h ot h e r for U.S. WOMEN’S HAMMER PROSPECTS throws in the world in the last 2½ years, a a 6-month stretch during the pandemic — and were great coming into this season, what with period that coincides with WR holder Anita her mother was “literally shaking her body.” D e A n n a P r ic e b e i ng t h e r e ig n i ng World c h a mpi- Włodarczyk’s knee troubles and resulting sur- More code. Explains Price, “She was telling me on. However, big throws in a pair of early-season gery. (Polish media have called Włodarczyk’s to just shake it off. Whatever had to happen, just Midwest meets by Price and Brooke Andersen form “a great mystery,” noting that she started throw and have fun.” have made the event even more promising. working with a new coach last year.) Then came round 5 and the big one. Only At the Tom Botts Invitational (Columbia, it didn’t feel at all like a big throw. “I turned Missouri, April 09), Price added more than a Friday: DeAnna Price 257-10 to JC and literally said, ‘That sucked.’” He told foot to her own American Record with a toss DeAnna Price didn’t go into her meet with her not to worry, because it was, “probably like of 257-10 (78.60). That big one was unlooked for, the highest of hopes, despite having a great 76m. It’s not a big deal.” she admits. She had opened up at 237-11 (72.52) winter of training. “My numbers have been She asked if she should just foul it and save and then kept going farther: 241- 0 (73.46), 250-3 indicating really big things,” she says. the officials some time. Lambert said, “Nah, it’s a (76.29) and 253-3 (77.20) for the No. 9 U.S. mark But t h e B ot t s c omp e t it io n c a me a f t e r ge t t i ng go o d t h r ow,” a nd s h e le f t t h e r i ng f r om t h e bac k. ever, before nailing the record on her fifth her second C19 jab. “It kind of knocked me “Then the measurement came up and I was attempt. She closed out the day with a 247-9 down a little bit,” she explains. “So that week like, ‘Oh my god. Oh wow.’… I didn’t even hit (75. 53). T h e i mpr ove me nt t ig ht e n e d P r ic e ’s hold of training wasn’t the best. I was still throwing that big and I wasn’t even close.” on the No. 3 spot in world history (see chart). s ome s e a s o n b e s t s w it h my ba l l s b ut t e c h n ic a l ly After her win, she says, preparing for The next day at Wichita State, Brooke An- I just wasn’t really happy with anything. the Olympics was everything, “It was exciting. dersen made a big jump up the all-time world “I was at the point where I was like, ‘Do It was like getting ready, guns blazing kind of list, going from No. 14 to No. 4 with a 256-6 I go to Columbia?’ And [husband/coach J.C. thing.” Then came the rest of ’20. Price found (78.18). She also skipped over to Lambert] was like, ‘You need to get the meets herself doing much of her training in an open claim status as No. 2 American ever. in.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, you’re completely right.’” field that’s adjacent to a mental health facility. After an opening foul, Andersen hit 249-2 As is her habit, she wrote down on her Fortunately, she and Lambert had scrimped (75.95) and another foul. Then she caught fire, arm the code for the three things she needed and saved and could afford to turn their ga- churning out three marks beyond her old best to concentrate on in the competition: “Put the rage into a gym and their spare bedroom into of 251-9 (76.75).

Track & Field News May 2021 — 12 a therapy room. “Without those things, there’s no way I’d be able to be successful. JC was like, ‘You know Americans Big On The All-Time Hammer List what? This is a blessing and we’re really gonna Team USA has become a major force in women’s hammer circles, now holding positions Nos. focus on technique. You have all the strength in 3, 4 & 6 on the all-time list. The world top 10, noting that No. 3 American Gwen Berry has yet the world.’” The two honed technique all year. to throw this year: “It definitely has been paying off. The biggest thing was getting back into the competitive Mark Athlete Site Date zone. My husband would put on his throwing shoes and we would compete. He’s 4–1; he’s 1. 82.98 | 272-3 Anita Włodarczyk () Warsaw 8/28/16 winning. It’s a lot of fun.” 2. 79.42 | 260-7 () Halle 5/21/11 Price, 27, adds, “It’s just really early in the season and I’m really excited. Having two 3. 78.60 | 257-10 DeAnna Price (US) Columbia 4/09/21 American women throwing 78m in April is 4. 78.18 | 256-6 Brooke Andersen (US) Wichita 4/10/21 amazing. I don’t like putting out numbers, but I will say I can see the American Record being 5. 77.80 | 255-3 Tatyana Beloborodova () 8/15/06 broken many times this year. 6. 77.78 | 255-2 Gwen Berry (US) Chorzów 6/08/18 “I think you’re going to see some pretty crazy throwing, not only in the , 7. 77.68 | 254-10 Zheng Wang (China) Chengdu 3/29/14 but a lso i nter nat iona l ly. Def i n itely people have 8. 77.33 | 253-8 Wenxiu Zhang (China) Incheon 9/28/14 been working on what they needed to fix and it’s definitely showing.” 9. 77.26 | 253-6 Gulfiya Khanafeyeva (Russia) Tula 6/12/06 Saturday: Brooke Andersen 256-6 10. 77.13 | 253-0 Oksana Kondratyeva (Russia) Zhukovskiy 6/30/13 Br o oke A nde r s e n s ays s h e wa s e xc it e d wh e n she got the news of Price’s AR: “I was like, I want to hit that one day, and then a day later… I was to practice safety while we’re throwing. But get us into the meet. super excited. DeAnna and I are in a race, only usually there’s no one there except for me, my “My warmups were kind of iffy. They were she still has a little bit on me. It’s great having partner and my coach.” OK, a couple of them, but nothing spectacular. her to motivate me. It’s nice to look up to her Andersen has been working afternoons and And then I fouled my first throw [in the com- and follow hopefully in her footsteps.” evenings as a cashier in a Chipotle restaurant, petition]. I hate that, because it puts so much It had been a challenging pandemic year for and training in the mornings with Nathan Ott pressure on you. But then my second one went A nders en. Muc h of her t ra i n i ng ha s t a ken place — now the throws coach at Kansas State — who almost 76—I was really surprised at that. I was in a public park, throwing from a sidewalk. guided her when she emerged at Northern like, ‘What the heck?!’ I was happy with that Since the nearby community center has been Arizona. for the day, it was like, ‘Oh it’s a season best!’ turned into a vaccination center, she’s getting Practice, she says, has been going well. “And then I kind of relaxed a little more more spectators. “During this past week of training leading up and when I saw 77, I was like, ‘OK, maybe we’ll “Most people are just excited and they like to the meet, I was feeling like I was clicking try a little harder.” Then came her second PR to watch it while they’re waiting in line for really well. My distances in practice with my of the day, and the promotion to No. 4 all-time. their vaccines. There have been some people heavy ball, middle ball, light ball, they were all “I was a little surprised that they went that far; that don’t feel safe with us doing it. We just try trending really well. So we decided at the last but I wasn’t too surprised because my training to reassure them that we are doing all we can minute that Monday to contact Wichita State to the day before had been right around there for premeet. I was super-excited to finally hit it in the meet.” Andersen says there is more to come, she hopes. “There’s a lot of things I could have done better on the throw, I feel like… KIRBY LEE/IMAGE OF SPORT I am over-critical on myself a lot. Nathan kind of balances me and he’s the optimistic one most of the time.” Now 25, Andersen is looking forward to Tokyo and the chance to redeem herself from a bitter- sweet WC experience where she c omp e t e d w it h a n i n j u r e d h ip a nd didn’t make the final. “I was on the verge of getting better, and on my first warmup throw, it tweaked again. So I had a rough time in Doha.” The takeaway is that she has got ten ver y ser ious about get t i ng massage, going to the chiroprac- tor, and dealing with every niggle before it becomes a problem. She says she has no regrets about Doha: “It brought me to where I am today, so I wouldn’t honestly change it.” Brooke Andersen began the weekend 4’11” behind DeAnna Price and came out just 2’4” shy.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 13 Johnnie Blockburger Emerges As 400 Find Of The Year SIMON ASHER/ARIZONA ATHLETICS after his smokin’ lap by Sieg Lindstrom lowered his 200 best to 20.70. WE ALL FIGURED 2021 might be a season Arizona’s head of surprises, what with 2020 going down as a coach Fred Harvey, virtual non-season. No one, though, can say however, knew be- they were quite ready for the explosive 400 fore Blockburger ar- emergence of Joh n nie Blockburger to equal-9th r ive d o n c a mp u s t h at on the all-time Junior (U20) list. the Wildcat yearling An 18-year-old Arizona frosh, Blockburger possessed uncom- to ok to t h e blo c k s at t h e Ji m C l ic k S ho oto ut home mon gifts. “With meet (April 10), stormed through the lap’s first Johnnie Blockburger half and rolled home in 44.71 to an 0.93 victory and his twin Alyssa, margin over BYU’s Michael Bluth. we always knew the The time took him to No. 4 on the all-time talent was there, U.S. Junior list (see chart) behind a pair who won even though [every- Olympic gold in their careers ( and one] may not have LaShawn Merritt) and , whose s e e n it c o m i n g ,” H a r - Just a 48.02 performer as 44.69 has stood as the High School Record for vey says. an 11th-grader 2 years 39 years. “There’s one mo- ago, Johnnie Blockburger What?! Blockburger’s prep best as a Tucson ment that I really is now a 44.71 guy. High junior in ’19 was a mere 48.02. The C19 saw it coming in. It lockdown, of course, closed off his high school may not mean much senior season along with everyone else’s. to anyone, but last year indoors in Albuquerque Blockburger got out blazing fast by all “Definitely going into my senior year, I was he ran a 200m. In the race, when you looked at accounts. “It was weird,” he recalls, “’cause really excited for it,” Blockburger says. “I knew it, it was one of those things, he ran 21.9 indoors when I got to the 200 mark, I was already past I was going to do something better than junior and it looked like he was literally striding. Right everyone kind of, and I was like, ‘Oh, I’m really year, but when that all got canceled, I was like, then and there, I saw, ‘Yeah, there it is. This is doing this, I’m doing it.’ And then I come off ‘Alright, I have to do something big outdoors of exceptional talent.’” the final curve and I get like 20, 30m into the my f r e s h m a n ye a r b e c au s e t h at ’s wh e r e I c a n m a ke Now in his 19th year guiding the Wildcats finish and I see like 38 on the clock. my mark kind of.’ after 15 seasons with the program as an assistant “I was like, ‘Oh man, I’m really close. Let me “But I didn’t think I’d go from a 48.1 my junior and associate head coach, Harvey had a vision keep going.’ And then before I knew it, I was across year to a 44. I didn’t know I’d PR by that much.” of Blockburger that also jibed with memories of the line and they said, I came in at like 20.9 for my Don’t say you knew unless you are Francesca legends he watched train back when he was in first 200. So I was like, ‘That’s really big.’ I never Green, Arizona’s sprints coach, and even she was high school. ran 20 in the open 2 so it was crazy to do it in a 4.” probably stunned by Blockburger’s time. “Being the head coach and director of track & As you may guess, there is almost a making of What the world had known was that - field and having an opportunity to coach so many a decathlete story here. “My parents always pushed burger has athlete genes working for him. His talented athletes for so long — and growing up in me to do some sport as long as I’m doing some- dad is 7-time U.S. Ranker Sheldon t h e S a n Jo s é a r e a a nd L e e Eva n s t ra i n i ng at o u r h ig h thing,” Blockburger says. “So I did baseball, flag Blo c k b u r ge r, a l s o a c ol le g i at e c o ac h w it h a le ng t hy school, Tommie Smith, John , and having football, , but in I guess sixth or seventh résumé. LSU alum Sheldon U.S.-Ranked 7 times vivid memories of those folks — you know, looking grade, I actually got into it and I started just high 1987–94, Ranked No. 2 in ’89 and cranked his at Johnnie’s talent, really, it’s something special.” jumping and long jumping. Then my freshman 8301w PR placing 3rd at the ’90 USATF Champs. That there’s a trio of sprinter’s it’s good to year I got hurt long jumping ’cause I didn’t have Johnnie has a twin sister with talent, too: be compared with. Understatement alert! enough strength coming out of basketball. Wildcat frosh Alyssa, who has run 2:10.00 for 800 Harvey also says, “I want to make sure “So when I recovered, I was like, ‘Let me go to this spring, her first in the event. that credit always goes where it needs to go. sprints,’ and my first actual 400 was like a 49.79.” To b e s u r e, Blo c k b u r ge r d id n’t c at ap u lt d i r e c t ly I’m the head coach, director of track & field. Blockburger decided, “‘Oh, I guess that’s my new from 48.02 to the U20 all-time list. He sprinted 45.83 I’ve coached some folks and that’s great. As for regular,’ you know, so I started doing that more at the Willie Williams Classic in March, dashed a the inner workings of their relationship and often and then sprints. Then after that I was like, 100 in 10.28 a week after that — and the weekend the development of Johnnie, Coach Francesca ’Wait, I can high jump too.’ So I high jumped like Green has done, I think, a remarkable 6-8 [2.03] my junior year. Blockburger Moves Into Elite Junior Company job with structuring the program, but “And then my dad said, ‘If you really want to, also with that line of communication, you can do the decathlon,’ The only 3 Juniors ahead of Johnnie Blockburger on the U.S. Junior ATL which we all know is so important.” “But I was like, ‘Maybe. It depends how far I have something in common: all went on to win USATF national 400 titles at the Senior level. And the first 2 on the list went on to capture Olympic golds. In fact, a conversation with Green set can go with the 400 before I start doing The all-time U.S. U20 list (A = made at altitude over 1000m): up t h e s ho c ke r t i me at t h e C l ic k S ho o to ut . and hurdles and all that,’ you know.” “After I got the [Arizona] freshman OK. Seems his primary event is set for the Time Athlete Affiliation Date r e c or d,” Blo c k b u r ge r e x pl a i n s, “I wa s l i ke, time being. Rather promisingly. What will be his 1. 43.87 Steve Lewis (UCLA) 9/28/88 ‘Hey Coach, what’s the school record?’” next angle of attack? 2. 44.66 LaShawn Merritt (Nike) 5/07/05 Green shared that the Wildcat best was “Honestly, I think I’m just going to work on 45.31 by Bobby McCoy in ’08 and told 3. 44.69 Darrell Robinson (Washington HS) 7/24/82 finishing,” Blockburger says. “I know after I saw Blockburger, “If you break it, I’ll have him the [clock late in his 44.71] my form got a little worse 4. 44.71 Johnnie Blockburger (Arizona) 4/10/21 come down and meet you personally.” than what it normally is, so hopefully I can just 5. 44.73(A) James Rolle (Santa Fe CC) 7/02/83 S o u nde d go o d to Blo c k b u r ge r: “I wa s get the form towards the end of the race better and 6. 44.75 Deon Minor (Baylor) 6/05/92 like, ‘Oh, I’ll go do it right now. Let’s go.’ then maybe get out of the blocks a little faster. I’m 7. 44.82 (Florida) 6/21/13 “A nd I k i nda got out a nd I j u s t wa nt- wanting to go for 43 next week. So that’s my goal.” 8. 44.84(A) Justin Robinson (Missouri HS) 6/08/19 ed to go fast t he whole t ime for t he f irst Not exac t ly a baby step, but for Bloc kburger 200. That’s kind of an understatement 9. 45.01 (Connecticut HS) 6/24/95 his frosh campaign has already been a giant for it, but I just wanted to go fast.” leap. =10. 45.04(A) Wayne Collett (UCLA) 9/13/68 45.04 Brandon Couts (Baylor) 4/25/98 Track & Field News May 2021 — 14 Collegiate & American Junior Records For Athing Mu

A 1:57.73 found Athing Mu winning the 800 by more than 3 seconds. ERROL ANDERSON/THE SPORTING IMAGE ERROL ANDERSON/THE SPORTING

JOHNSON INVITATIONAL MEN’S RESULTS (4/16—1500, HT, JT) 100(1.4): 1. Emmanuel Matadi’ (Lbr) 10.12; 2. Brandon Carnes (adi) 10.19. 800: 1. ***Brandon Miller (TxAM) 1:47.33 PR. 1500: 1. ***Yusuf Bizimana’ (Tx- GB) 3:42.90 PR. 400H: 1. *Moitalel Mpoke’ (Tx- AM-SA) 50.53. PV: 1. **Zach Bradford (Ks) 18- 8¾ (5.71); 2. Kyle Pater (AFWC) 18-4¾ (5.61); 3. **Branson Ellis (SFA) 17-9 (5.41). TJ: 1. *Tejaswin Shankar’ (KsSt- Ind) 52-1¼ (15.88) PR. DT: 1. *Gabriel Oladipo (TxT) 185- 11 (56.67). HT: 1. Gleb Dudarev’ (Ks-Blr) 229-10 (70.06). by Roy Conrad Aaliyah Miller of Baylor (2:00.87 PR), as Olicia JT: 1. **Zion Hill’ (NTx-Bar) 222-9 (67.89); 2. *Cord Williams took 3rd (2:01.78 PR). Neal (SFA) 220-9 (67.29). Mu took down her own CR of 1:58.40, set JOHNSON WOMEN’S RESULTS WACO, TEXAS, February 17—In a breath- indoors this winter. The previous fastest out- (4/16—HT, JT) taking display of frontrunning power, Athing door mark belonged to Raevyn Rogers, who Mu crushed the Collegiate and American Junior ran 1:59.10 for Oregon in ’17. The old AJR was 100(1.5): 1. Gabby Thomas (NBal) 11.21; 2. Morolake Akinosun (Nik) 11.23; 3. Tynia Gaither’ (Bah) 11.42. (U20) Records in the 800 with a world-leading Ajee’ Wilson’s teen best of 1:58.21 from the ’13 200(1.9): 1. Thomas 22.92; 2. ’ (GB) 1:57.73 at the Michael Johnson Invitational. Worlds. She also moved to No. 6 world Junior 23.23;… 8. Dalilah Muhammad (Nik) 24.00. Texas A&M’s prize frosh led from the start, ever (see chart). passing the 200 in 28.0 and the 400 in 59.7. 800: 1. ***Athing Mu (TxAM) 1:57.73 CR, AJR (old Said Mu, “I didn’t really have a goal, I kind CR 1:58.40i Mu ’21; old AJR 1:58.21 Ajee’ Wilson However, she didn’t start to gap the field until of self-consciously thought ‘I may as well just [adi] ’13) (AL) (10, x A; 6, x WJ) (28.0, 31.7 [59.7], she began a strong drive on the backstretch of come out here and run a Collegiate Record at 29.5 [1:29.2], 29.5) (59.7/58.0); the final lap. Her third 200 took 29.5 (1:29.2), 1:59.’ Yo u c o u ld s ay I wa s t h i n k i ng 1:59, b ut I a l s o 2. *Aaliyah Miller (Bay) 2:00.87 PR; 3. Olicia Williams and then she really sped up, covering the final just wanted to come out here to be competitive (unat) 2:01.78 PR; 4. Olivia Baker (GardStTC) 2:02.94. furlong in 28.5. and just run my race. 100H(2.3): 1. * (Tx) 12.85w; 2. Summer By the finish, the 18-year-old yearling had “Going into the race I didn’t know how I Thorpe (TxAM) 13.19w; 3. *Vitoria Alves’ (KsSt-Bra) a lead of about 20m over NCAA Indoor champ was going to run the race. There were other 13.29w. fa st r u n ners i n t he race a nd I d id n’t 400H: III–1. ***Dominique Mustin (TxAM) 58.49. know if I wanted to go out there, IV–1. Gianna Woodruff’ (Pan) 56.22; 2. Ashley Spencer Mu Climbs High On World Junior List pace it myself and go run a fast time. (Nik) 56.63; 3. Melissa Gonzalez’ (Col) 57.89; 4. Nnenya I just wanted to come out here and Hailey (unat) 58.83. Athing Mu moved into elite international company with her 1:57.73, a time see where I’m at, this is my first 4 x 100: 1. Baylor 44.50. only 5 other Juniors in world history have ever bettered. The top 10: 800m this season outdoors. I was 4 x 400: 1. TBBTC 3:35.61; 2. Kansas 3:37.30. Mark Athlete Nation Date kind of skeptical of the first 200m. Field Events 1. 1:54.01 Pamela Jelimo () 8/29/08 I didn’t know if I should go out or HJ: 1. Rachel McCoy (unat) 5-11¼ (1.81). wait for someone else.” 2. 1:55.45 () 8/19/09 PV: 1. **Samantha Van Hoecke (Ks) 13-9¾ (4.21) PR. Baylor head Todd Harbour, 3. 1:56.59 Francine Niyonsaba (Burundi) 9/07/12 TJ: 1. **Chantoba Bright’ (KsSt-Guy) 43-3¼ (13.19) coach of Miller, couldn’t hide his PR; 2. ***Rhianna Phipps’ (KsSt-Jam) 42-4 (12.90); 3. 4. 1:57.45 Hildegard Körner (East Germany) 8/31/78 amazement: “It was an incredible ***Victoria Gorlova’ (Ks-Rus) 42-3¼w (12.88). 5. 1:57.63 Maria Mutola (Mozambique) 8/26/91 performance — 1:57, that’s probably SP: 1. Elena Bruckner (Tx) 56-2½ (17.13); 2. *Kayli a stadium record that’ll never be Johnson (TxT) 53-11 (16.43); 3. **Alexandra Emilianov’ 6. 1:57.73 Athing Mu (US) 4/17/21 broken. That’s probably one of the (Ks-Mol) 53-10½ (16.42). 7. 1:57.74 Sahily Diago () 5/25/14 fastest times this time of the year DT: 1. Bruckner 182-5 (55.61); 2. Emilianov’ 177-4 8. 1:57.86 Katrin Wühn (East Germany) 5/05/84 probably ever. (54.06); 3. *Seasons Usual (TxT) 175-2 (53.39); 4. Ashley Petr (KsSt) 174-11 (53.32); 5. Johnson 173-11 (53.02). 9. 1:58.18 Marion Hübner (East Germany) 8/02/81 Concluded A&M head Pat Henry, “She’s in a league of her HT: 1. Helene Ingvaldsen’ (KsSt-Nor) 215-7 (65.71); 10. 1:58.21 Ajee’ Wilson (US) 8/18/13 own right now.” 2. *Shaelyn Ward (KsSt) 202-3 (61.65). JT: 1. *Rhiley Fritz (Tx) 156-7 (47.74).

Track & Field News May 2021 — 15 Tom Jones Memorial — Much Speed On Display

SHAWN PRICE me in those big races with big people. I think that is my third fastest time ever. It’s still good, but I have to get better.” Jasmin Camacho-Quinn stunned the women’s 100H field, herself and the crowd as she moved to No. 7 on the all-time world list with her year-leading and Puerto Rican Record 12.32. She shrieked wit h delight as the final time was posted and announced and the crowd erupted with applause. T h e Ke nt uc k y a lu m h ad s howe d some indication a fast time was coming 2 hours earlier, easing through her heat in 12.56. JoVaughn “JoJo” Martin of Florida State scorched a 9.94 in the 100 to the thunder from headliners Matthew Bol- ing, Justin Gatlin, , Kenny Bednarek and Andre De Grasse. Originally scheduled to run against Boling and Joe Fahnbulleh in section 1 of the college division, Martin was Grant Holloway’s world-leading 13.07 to win the hurdles missed his all-time low by just 0.09. moved to section 2 after Fahn- bulleh scratched and the races t rac k i s goi ng to bac k it up. You h ave a n ic e day.” were reseeded. by Ricky Quintana In the men’s 200, produced the Martin got away from the field late in the fastest time of the night with his PR-matching race and silenced the stadium when the mark 20.24 out of lane 3 to beat was posted and then announced. The Sam GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA, April 16-17 — (20.30). In the third section, 17-year-old pro Houston State transfer’s previous best was 10.40 First-day conditions at the Tom Jones Memorial Erriyon Knight cranked out an unchallenged (plus a 10.17w). featured drizzling to pounding rain, but that 20.39 to win by 0.52. “I was not expecting that,” admitted Semi- didn’t deter Sha’Carri Richardson in the 200. S at u r d ay ’s we at h e r wa s muc h b e t t e r w it h no nole sprint coach Ricky Argo. “He looked good Fresh off her 10.72 from the Miramar Invitation- rain and conditions in the 70s with little wind in warmups and in the race, once he stood up al the week before, the 21-year-old LSU alum and 80% humidity. The hurdles highlighted a and hit that next gear I thought, ‘This might streaked away from the field, easing up near the second day of speed. be fast.’ He opened up a gap and the gap kept end but still producing the year’s fastest U.S. Grant Holloway lowered the yearly world getting wider. I kept looking at him, looking time, 22.11, just 0.11 off her PR. was l e ad i n t h e 110 s t o 13.17 i n h i s h e at , t h e n i mpr ove d at the clock, then looking at him. In my mind a distant 2nd in 22.57 and in the final, where his 13.07 won handily over I thought I saw 9 seconds. I’m usually pretty took 3rd in 22.66. Florida State’s Trey Cunningham (13.28 PR). reserved, but when I saw the 9.94 on the clock, Afterwards, Richardson spoke confidently Though he equaled his No. 2 time ever, I dropped my bag, I dropped my phone.” f rom u nder neat h a large umbrella, say i ng, “To - Holloway thought there was improvement to In the open race, the ageless Gatlin nipped day was an excellent day. My name is Sha’Carri be made, saying, “It’s in the books. I’ve been Grasse, 9.98–9.99 with Bednarek (10.03) and Richardson and I’m here. My performance… training hard, but I have to just execute in the Lyles (10.08) trailing as Gatlin pointed to the I’ve got something to say. Every time I touch the latter half of the race. It’s going to come up to scoreboard near race’s end.

JONES MEMORIAL OPEN MEN’S RESULTS III(0.5)–1. Erriyon Knighton (adi) 20.39. (NFl-PR) 1:47.76 PR. (4/16—200) 400: 1. Steven Gardiner’ (Bah) 44.71; 2. Matthew Hud- 1500: 1. *Cade Bethmann (Ms) 3:41.96. son-Smith’ (GB) 45.53; 3. Nathan Strother (adi) 45.64. 100: I(1.4)–1. Justin Gatlin (Nik) 9.98; 2. Andre De St: 1. **Andrew Kibet’ (Ar-Ken) 8:53.12 PR. Grasse’ (Can) 9.99; 3. Kenny Bednarek (Nik) 10.03 PR; JONES UNIVERSITY MEN’S RESULTS 110H(1.3): 1. Grant Holloway (adi) 13.07 (WL, AL); 2. 4. Noah Lyles (adi) 10.08; 5. Isiah Young (Nik) 10.18; 6. (4/16—200, 1500, St, 400H, HJ, LJ, SP, DT) *Trey Cunningham (FlSt) 13.28 PR (AmCL); Kyree King (Nik) 10.23. 100: I(0.7)–1. Cravont Charleston (NCSt) 10.15; 2. ***Mat- 3. Nick Anderson (unat) 13.52; 4. **Tre’Bien Gilbert II(0.8)–1. Devin Quinn (Nik) 10.23; 2. Jaylen Bacon (adi) thew Boling (Ga) 10.21; 3. ***Taylor Banks (FlSt) 10.23; 4. (Ar) 13.62 PR; 10.25; 3. Kendal Williams (Pure) 10.29; 4. Christopher *Dedrick Vanover (Fl) 10.28. 5. **Cameron Murray (NCSt) 13.72 PR; 6. Wellington Belcher (Nik) 10.30. II(1.6)–1. **JoVaughn Martin (FlSt) 9.94 PR (=WL, =AL; Zaza’ (Lbr) 13.79; 7. Carl Elliott (Ar) 13.88. III(0.8)–1. Josephus Lyles (adi) 10.26; 2. Jelani Walker’ CL) (8, x AmC) (previous PR 10.40/10.17w); Heats: I(0.8)–1. Holloway 13.17 (WL, AL). (Jam) 10.27; 3. Jerome Blake’ (Can) 10.30. 2. *Roman Turner (Ar) 10.25 PR. 400H: 1. Quincy Hall (adi) 50.29; 2. Shawn Rowe’ 200: I(0.9)–1. Fred Kerley (Nik) 20.24 =PR; 2. Jereem 200(0.2): 1. ***Lance Lang (Ky) 20.39 PR; 2. Boling 20.43; (Jam) 50.55. Richards’ (Tri) 20.30; 3. Aaron Brown’ (Can) 20.43; 4. 3. *Dwight St. Hillaire’ (Ky-Tri) 20.69. 4 x 100: I–1. Tumbleweed TC 39.19 (Bracey, De Divine Oduduru’ (Ngr) 20.46; 5. (NBal) Grasse’, Bromell, Oduduru’); 2. Kentucky 39.26; 3. 20.62; 6. Young 20.63. 400: 1. **Elija Godwin (Ga) 45.34 PR; 2. **James Milholen (Ar) 46.06 PR. Florida State 39.67. II(0.6)–1. J. Lyles 20.61. 800: 1. *Waleed Suliman (Ms) 1:47.74; 2. **Timothy Doyle’ II–1. 39.23 (Ewers’, Taylor’, Givans’, Tracey’).

Track & Field News May 2021 — 16 4 x 400: 1. adidas 3:00.75 (Strother, Hall, Knighton, 12.62; 4. Brittany Anderson’ (Jam) 12.91; 5. Gabby Cun- Odiong’); 2. Miami 44.06; 3. Arkansas 44.62; 4. Mis- Holloway); 2. Tumbleweed TC 3:03.41; 3. Florida State ningham (unat) 13.30. sissippi 44.87. 3:04.29; 4. Georgia 3:05.53; 5. Arkansas 3:05.54; 6. JONES UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S RESULTS 4 x 400: I–1. Jones All-Stars 3:30.53 (Abbott, Collins, Miami 3:07.04. Davis, Edwards). (4/16—200, 1500, St, 10K, 400H, LJ, DT, JT) Field Events II–1. Empire Athletics 3:26.76 (Seymour, Beard, Scott, 100: I(1.4)–1. *Jayla Kirkland (FlSt) 11.13 PR; 2. *Jada Bay- HJ: 1. Clayton Brown’ (Fl-Jam) 7-3 (2.21). Whitney); 2. Florida 3:27.50 (Manson, Lester, Ander- lark (Ar) 11.19; 3. ***Melissa Jefferson (CCar) 11.22 PR; 4. son, Diggs); LJ: 1. *Isaac Grimes (FlSt) 25-11½ (7.91). **Tiana Wilson (Ar) 11.28; 5. *Ka’Tia Seymour (FlSt) 11.35. 3. Arkansas 3:28.20 (Burks-Magee, Wilson, Peoples, TJ: 1. Christian Taylor (Nik) 53-1½ (16.19); 2. Brown’ II(1.5)–1. *Edidiong Odiong’ (FlSt-Ngr) 11.42. 53-¼ (16.16). Maloney’); 4. Miami 3:36.01; 5. South Florida 3:36.26; 200(0.4): 1. **Abby Steiner (Ky) 22.79; 2. ***Talitha Diggs 6. Georgia 3:36.37; 7. Tumbleweed TC 3:37.40; 8. SP: 1. Connor Bandel (Fl) 62-8¾ (19.12); 2. Jonathan (Fl) 23.20 PR. UCF 3:37.42. Tharaldsen (Ga) 62-3¾ (18.99). 400: 1. **Paris Peoples (Ar) 52.14; 2. *Morgan Burks-Magee Field Events DT: 1. Charles Lenford (Ky) 190-7 (58.08); 2. ***Milton (Ar) 52.16 PR; 3. ***Jermaisha Arnold (CCar) 52.63 PR; 4. PV: 1. Lauren Martinez (Ar) 13-11¼ (4.25). Ingraham (FlSt) 186-4 (56.80). **Doneisha Anderson’ (Fl-Bah) 52.77; 5. ***Megan Moss’ HT: 1. Thomas Mardal’ (Fl-Nor) 249-11 (76.18) PR (CL); (Ky-Bah) 53.03. LJ: 1. Jazmin Sawyers’ (GB) 21-6¾ (6.57); 2. Bartoletta 21-2½ (6.46); 3. ***Claire Bryant (Fl) 21-1½ (6.44); 4. 2. Dempsey McGuigan’ (Ire) 225-1 (68.62); 3. ***Ruben 800: 1. Amber Tanner (Ga) 2:01.36 PR; 2. **Gabrielle Thea LaFond’ (Dom) 20-9 (6.32); 5. Darrielle McQueen Banks’ (Ar-GB) 216-4 (65.94) PR; 4. Kevin Arreaga’ Wilkinson (Fl) 2:01.45 PR; 3. Shafiqua Maloney’ (Ar-StV) (unat) 20-7¼ (6.28); 6. ’ (GB) 20-5 (6.22). (Mia-Spa) 215-10 (65.78); 5. **Alencar Pereira’ (Ga- 2:02.54 PR; 4. **Imogen Barrett’ (Fl-Aus) 2:03.22 PR; Bra) 210-7 (64.19). 5. **Sintayehu Vissa’ (Ms-Ita) 2:05.01 PR; 6. *Kennedy TJ: 1. ***Rūta Lasmane’ (FlSt-Lat) 45-3¾ (13.81); 2. La- Fond’ 45-½ (13.73); 3. Alonie Sutton (FlSt) 43-2½ (13.17); JONES OPEN WOMEN’S RESULTS Thomson’ (Ar-Can) 2:05.37 PR. 1500: 1. *Maudie Skyring’ (FlSt-Aus) 4:11.43 PR (CL); 4. Yanis David’ (Fra) 42-9¾ (13.05); 5. Domonique (4/16—200) Panton (unat) 42-9 (13.03); 6. *Adja Sackor (Jack) 42- 2. *Kennedy Thomson’ (Ar-Can) 4:12.38 PR; 3. Carina 100: I(2.2)–1. Javianne Oliver (Nik) 11.12w; 2. Tianna 7½ (12.99); 7. ***Ashley Moore (Mia) 42-7½ (12.99). Viljoen’ (Ar-SA) 4:14.36 PR; 4. Abby Gray (Ar) 4:15.80 PR. Bartoletta (unat) 11.16w; 3. Daryll Neita’ (GB) 11.26w; SP: 1. Lloydricia Cameron’ (Jam) 58-10¼ (17.94); 2. St: 1. *Krissy Gear (Ar) 9:45.10 PR (AmCL); 4. Kortnei Johnson (Nik) 11.31w; 5. Kelly-Ann Baptiste’ ***Jalani Davis (Ms) 55-9¾ (17.01) PR; 3. Nicole Fautsch (Tri) 11.33w; 6. Dezerea Bryant (Nik) 11.41w; 7. Shania 2. *Gracie Hyde (Ar) 9:57.88 PR; 3. **Hayleigh Palotti (Ky) 54-7½ (16.65); 4. *Molly Leppelmeier (Ky) 53-1 Collins (adi) 11.45w. (Jack) 10:09.25 PR; 4. *Kristel van den Berg’ (Ms-Neth) (16.18) PR; 5. **Tedreauna Britt (Ms) 52-10 (16.10) 10:17.46 PR. II(3.1)–1. Shannon Ray (EmpA) 11.35w; 2. Cindy Sem- PR; 6. Rashida Harris (Louis) 52-5¼ (15.98); 7. ***Thea ber’ (GB) 11.45w. 5000: 1. Katie Izzo (Ar) 16:05.81 PR. Jensen’ (Fl-Den) 51-11 (15.82). 200(1.0): 1. Sha’Carri Richardson (Nik) 22.11 (AL); 10,000: 1. Devin Clark (Ar) 33:48.90. DT: 1. Shadae Lawrence’ (Jam) 189-10 (57.86). 2. Lynna Irby (adi) 22.57; 3. Blessing Okagbare’ (Ngr) 100H(1.3): 1. *Tiara McMinn (Mia) 12.94; 2. ***Daszay Free- HT: 1. *Shey Taiwo (Ms) 217-8 (66.35) PR; 2. *Molly 22.66; 4. Bryant 23.07; 5. Kyra Jefferson (Nik) 23.08. man’ (Ar-Jam) 12.96 PR; 3. **Masai Russell (Ky) 13.00 PR; Leppelmeier (Ky) 211-10 (64.58); 3. *Jade Gates (Ky) 209-2 (63.76) PR; 4. *Makenli Forrest (Louis) 206-1 400: 1. Jessica Beard (adi) 51.00; 2. Kaylin Whitney (Nik) 4. ***Rayniah Jones (UCF) 13.04 PR; 5. **Yoveinny Mota’ (62.83); 5. ***Jasmine Mitchell (Ms) 205-8 (62.68); 6. 51.04 PR; 3. Na’Asha Robinson (unat) 52.24; 4. Chloe (Ar-Ven) 13.12; 6. ***Akira Rhodes (NCSt) 13.13; 7. Faith ***Charlotte Williams (Ga) 200-11 (61.25); 7. *Debbie Abbott (OnR) 52.77; 5. Jordan Lavender (LSpeed) 52.78. Ross (Ky) 13.15. Ajagbe (Mia) 198-3 (60.43). 100H(1.7): 1. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn’ (PR) 12.32 400H: 1. Aminat Yusuf Jamal Odeyemi’ (Bhr) 57.63; 2. JT: 1. Marie-Therese Obst’ (Ga-Nor) 192-1 (58.54); 2. NR (WL) (7, x W); Kiah Seymour (unat) 58.37; 3. Russell 58.73. **Arianne Duarte-Morais’ (Fl-Bra) 180-10 (55.13) PR; 4 x 100: 1. Florida State 43.70 (Hyde’, Kirkland, Seymour, 2. Tiffany Porter’ (GB) 12.62; 3. Cindy Sember’ (GB) 3. **Kayla Merkel (VaC) 159-3 (48.55) PR.

CLEARANCE SALE All DVDs created by Championship Productions WHILE THEY LAST!

Track & Field News Presents Series Rotation Shot Jim Aikens 93 min. Teaching and Coaching Series Scott Cappos 42 min. Long Jump “Boo” Schexnayder 30 min. Triple Jump “Boo” Schexnayder 35 min. World Class Series Shot Put Don Babbitt (w/) 75 min. High Jump Gary Pepin (w/Dusty Jonas) 91 min.

DVDs Order by regular mail from Track & Field News, 2570 W. El Camino Real, Suite 220, Moun- tain View, CA 94040. Phone: 650/948-8188. Add $5.00 per DVD postage/handling. Send per- $15 each sonal check or credit card information (Visa/MC/Amex). www.trackandfieldnews.com

Track & Field News May 2021 — 17 JoVaughn Martin Dashes Out Of Nowhere To Share World Lead

by Ricky Quintana

THERE WAS SPEED GALORE at the Tom Jones Memorial, some looked for and some FLORIDA STATE ATHLETICS FLORIDA STATE not. Prime in the latter category was the 9.94 co-world leader by Florida State’s JoVaughn (“JoJo”) Martin, who had a previous PR of just 10.40 from 2 years ago. The 21-year-old Seminole soph had been scheduled to run in the fast section against known entities and Joe Fahn- bulleh, but after Fahnbulleh scratched the sections were reseeded and Martin ended up in the second group. So Florida State sprint coach Ricky Argro, the captain of FSU’s ’06 national c h a mpio n s h ip t e a m a nd a 10. 5 4 s pr i nt e r h i m s e l f, readjusted his plans. Just a 10.40 sprinter in He explains, “We looked at it as an oppor- ’19, JoVaughn Martin tunity to go out there and execute a good race. didn’t run any 100s last A lot of times when athletes are young and get into a race with other talented runners, they year but in his ’21 debut naturally start racing and forget about a race cranked out a 9.94. plan and technique. In this race with him being in the second heat — and this is no disrespect to the other talented runners in that heat — it was more of a calming factor to him. He looked at it as, ‘They‘re good and I know I can run with them so now I can just go out and focus potential, but to see that in his very first race, implementation of the dribble series from an- on execution.’ was very special for me.” kles to wider range of motion accentuated the “We talked about the race plan 30 minutes Argro, who had made it part of his routine to upright position Martin needed to maximize b e for e h e ra n a nd h e lo oke d go o d i n h i s wa r mup. check the transfer portal for potential recruits, power in his stride. He looked good in his block starts. It wasn’t the fo u nd a 5 -10/16 4 (1.78/ 75) s pr i nt e r c om i ng o ut of By mid-January Martin had returned to best start, but he was hitting positions that we S a m Ho u s to n St at e. M a r t i n , who h ad pr e pp e d at off- s e a s o n t ra i n i ng. T h e fi r s t t e s t of h i s h a m s t r ing had talked about in practice. I thought, ‘If we Conroe HS in Texas, was one of the kids Argro and his fitness came at the Tyson Invitational. can just duplicate that in a race, today might be a had been watching and when the name came Martin ran a 400 in 48.81. He passed the test. good day.’ I definitely did not see that coming.” up on the portal he began speaking with him. Two weeks later at the ACCs, Martin ran Nothing was really expected in section II For his part, Martin was looking for some 20.72 in the 200 heats, but his legs were sore after Cravont Charleston outdueled Boling in elite-level guys to push him and he wanted to and the decision was made to scratch from the section I, 10.15–10.21. be a part of a bigger team. It worked out per- final, let him rest and focus on the Nationals. Argro’s take on Martin’s race as it evolved: fectly for both. There he beat Fahnbulleh in the heats with a “When he got out to the 40- or 50-meter mark, he Though Argro typically starts training in 20.51 in only his third race of the season, but started out from behind and then when he got the end of August, this year’s workouts began in was DQed for running out of his lane. eve n w it h eve r yb o dy a nd I c o u ld s e e t h at h e wa s October because of the pandemic. Argro thought Argro’s plan was to open up the outdoor going through his transition and accelerating they might be behind, but Martin caught on season with the Jones 100. He had Martin run properly. Once he stood up and hit that next quickly to the regimen. In an early-November t he open i ng leg on t he 4×4 at t he Florida Relays. gear, I looked at him and thought, ‘Oh wow! time trial, Martin “obliterated” a 300, running He split 47-point there, claiming he did not This might be fast.’ 32.3–32.4. know how to run it, Argro says with a laugh. “He opened up a gap and the gap kept Right before the Thanksgiving break, Martin considers his best event to be the getting wider. I kept looking at him, looking however, he suffered a hamstring injury doing 200, where his PR is a 20.51 from ’19, so the 9.94 at the clock. When he initially crossed the line, 180-meter repeats. Argro said the sprinters were was extra surprising. Argro tells his sprinters in my mind I thought it said 9 seconds, but I joking around prior to the workout saying who that the 100 is a long race and not short. Some was like ‘OK, I’ve seen this happen before and would beat whom. In one of the runs, Martin of the best 100-meter runners, and then it pops up and it ’s 10.08,’ which still would eased up and then began to limp. Argro didn’t , were not known for their starts and have been an amazing time. I would have been think too much of it, but after the injury wasn’t were dominant in the later phases of the race. ecstatic with that. healing, he began to wonder. Treatment was slow He thinks Martin fits that mold with a high “When the 9.94 popped up… I’m normally to begin because the holidays and the school’s top-end speed. even-keeled when it comes to track. I try to following 2-week C19 quarantine kept a proper Argro recruited Martin as a 100/200 runner keep my emotions intact as much as possible d i ag no s i s f r om b e i ng m ade. A f t e r a n M R I, it wa s and thinks he can do both well. The 9.94 was because I never want the athletes to get too found that Martin had a Grade II tear. cause for a recalibration of his training but high or get too low in a race. In track, anything Rehab started with pool workouts, biking the goals have not changed: the ACC, NCAA can happen. This was one of those moments and eventually dribble series in December Regionals and Nationals, the Olympic Trials when I lost it for a second. I dropped my bag, I t h r o ug h Ja nu a r y. A r g r o c r e d it s t h e d r i bble s e r ie s and the are all on the docket. dropped my phone. It was like, ‘Man, I did not that he learned from Dan Pfaff for improving Though the timeline of Martin’s success see that coming.’ Martin’s technique. He noticed that his pupil is moving in fast motion, Argro has found the “I knew JoJo was a phenomenal talent. I’ve wasn’t running upright and wasn’t using his journey thus far to be especially rewarding, known that from the moment he transferred larger quadriceps and gluteus muscles. That saying, “That’s the best part. I love coaching a to us. But to open up that fast, that was what led to added strain on his hamstrings which kid who seemingly comes out of nowhere and was truly amazing. I knew he had that kind of he thinks resulted in the injury. The gradual accomplishes a goal.”

Track & Field News May 2021 — 18 Drake Relays/JTG #3 — The Pros Show Fine Form

wanted me to practice going from 600 out,

CHRIS DONAHUE so I knew I was going then. A move like that, you want to be the last p e r s o n m a k i ng it, wh e n you’re showing all your c h ip s. S o yo u h ave to b e confident.” There are some e ve nt s t h at h ave a lways been Drake favorites, most notably all four hurdles races, both vaults and the men’s shot. Look up “shot put” in your Funk & Wag- nall’s a nd Rya n C r o u s e r lo ok s l i ke t h e de f i n it ive definition. The 28-year- old Olympic champ popped four throws over 70ft, including a world-leading 71-11½ (21.93) on his fourth. Ho-hum, just anoth- er day in the ring at Drake, where he has Leah Falland appeared to walk on water as she produced a U.S.-leading steeple time. now won t h r e e st ra ig ht Relays titles plus the USATF crown in ’19. by Don Kopriva yearling Nico Young, who gamely hung on to Nick Ponzio’s 69-5¼ (21.16) second toss made the leader. him a far-back runner-up. The Aussie claimed a 13:21.96 win while The men’s vault was again a showcase of DES MOINES, IOWA, April 22-24 — While Lumb clocked a PR 13:24.25 to edge the fearless American strength, with clear- the pandemic may have thrown the sport for a Young, who at just 18 is clearly not intimidated ing every bar up to 19-2¾ (5.86), which he made loop last year, track & field came roaring back by his elders and ran 13:24.26 for an American on his third try to take the world lead. The win at the 111th edition of the Drake Relays, with Junior Record. over good rival Chris Nilsen (19-¼/5.80), who fell a slew of world-leading performances making Said McDonald, “Those guys are damn beh i nd a f ter f i rst-at tempt m i ss es over low ba rs, for a rollicking weekend. good, they gave me a scare out there. My coach made Kendricks a 4-time Drake winner. “We’re The meet, which also served as the third stage of USATF’s Journey To Gold series and CHRIS DONAHUE had Continental Tour silver status, could easily have been called “Back With A Vengeance.” After more than a year of inaction, some of the world’s best showed they’re ready to make up for lost time. Despite the lack of the usual loud and appreciative Drake crowd because of capacity restrictions, the competition was high-level with the Trials only 8 weeks away. Setting the tone Friday night for the next day’s onslaught were two veterans showing their racing acumen in the steeple and 5K. Leah Falland, whose 9:18.85 PR came in ’16, two years after she won the ’14 NCAA for Michigan State as Leah O’Connor, is no longer under the radar and said she felt in control in surging to a 9:32.53 win over Briton Aimee Pratt (9:35.34). “Every time someone made a move, I covered it,” Falland said. “It feels great to close fast.” Four-time NCAA champ Morgan McDon- ald celebrated his 25th birthday in fine style. The Wisconsin grad unleashed a strong and sustained kick over the last 600, including a 55.3 last lap, to take the measure of Canadian Kieran Lumb and precocious Northern Arizona A list-leading 19-2¾ gave Sam Kendricks his fourth Drake Relays title.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 19 JOURNEY TO GOLD #3 MEN’S RESULTS St: 1. Leah Falland (OnAC) 9:32.53 (AL); Field Events (4/23—5K, 110Hh) 2. Aimee Pratt’ (GB) 9:35.34; 3. Grayson Murphy (Sauc) HJ: 1. Zack Anderson (SD) 7-4½ (2.25); 2. **Slavko Stević’ 9:37.25 PR; 4. Alicja Konieczek’ (Pol) 9:37.42; 5. Lizzie Bird’ (SEnLa-Ser) 7-1½ (2.17). 1500: 1. (Nik) 3:39.12; 2. Charles Phi- (GB) 9:38.25; 6. Mel Lawrence (OisLWA) 9:38.39; libert-Thiboutot’ (Can) 3:39.34; 3. Abe Alvarado (AtTC) PV: 1. ***Eerik Haamer’ (SD-Est) 17-11¼ (5.47). 3:39.70 PR; 4. Nanami Arai’ (Jpn) 3:39.95; 5. Brett Meyer 7. Gabrielle Jennings (Furm) 9:43.48 PR (AmCL); SP: 1. **Kristoffer Thomsen’ (NDSt-Den) 64-1¼ (19.54); 2. (unat) 3:40.94 PR; 6. Rob Napolitano’ (PR) 3:41.17; 7. Colin 8. Paige Stoner (ReebB) 9:48.54; 9. Tori Gerlach (unat) 9:51.31; *Alex Talley (NDSt) 63-3½ (19.29); 3. ***Maxwell Otterdahl Abert (MnDE) 3:41.73 PR; 8. Jeff Thies (unat) 3:42.78;… 10. Eilish Flanagan’ (Adams-Ire) 9:52.70; 11. ***Elise Thorner’ (NDSt) 62-11½ (19.19); 4. *Darius King (NnIa) 62-3¾ dnf—Eric Avila (adi). (NM-GB) 9:52.90 PR; 12. Adva Cohen’ (NM-Isr) 9:56.00; (18.99); 5. **Triston Gibbons’ (Hous-Bar) 61-11¾ (18.89). USATF Road Mile Champs(4/21): 1. Avila 3:59.0; 2. Craig 13. Kerry O’Flaherty’ (Ire) 10:04.66; 14. ***Andrea Modin DT: 1. ***Mitchell Weber (Mo) 199-10 (60.91). Engesaeth’ (NM-Nor) 10:06.58. Engels (Nik) 3:59.3; 3. Murphy 3:59.6; 4. Alvarado (AtTC) HT: I–1. Talley 222-1 (67.70); 2. Vlad Pavlenko (IaSt) 219-6 4:00.4; 5. Daniel Herrera (unat) 4:00.5; 6. Abert 4:00.7. 100H(1.8): 1. Cindy Sember’ (GB) 12.57 PR; 2. Christina (66.90); 3. Kyler Yodts (NnIa) 209-10 (63.97). Clemons (adi) 12.59; 3. Tiffany Porter’ (GB) 12.80; 4. Devynne 5000: 1. Morgan McDonald’ (Aus) 13:21.39 (55.3); 2. Kieran II–1. Jacob Cornelio (ConcNb) 208-5 (63.52). Lumb’ (Can) 13:24.25 PR; Charlton’ (Bah) 12.84; 5. Gabbi Cunningham (Nik) 12.88; 6. Pedrya Seymour’ (Bah) 12.93; 7. Dawn Harper Nelson (HSI) JT: 1. ***Arthur Petersen’ (UTA-Den) 245-2 (74.74); 2. 3. ***Nico Young (NnAz) 13:24.26 AJR (old AJR 13:25.46 13.28;… dnf—Keni Harrison (adi). **Benji Phillips (NDSt) 229-2 (69.86). [OkSt) ’09); 400H: 1. Gianna Woodruff’ (Pan) 55.02 NR (WL); 2. Ashley 4. Ben Flanagan’ (Can) 13:25.39 PR; 5. ***Abdihamid DRAKE COLLEGIATE WOMEN’S RESULTS Spencer (Nik) 55.52 (AL); Nur’ (NnAz-Som) 13:26.74 PR; 6. (USAr) (4/22—St; 4/23—400, 1500, 4x1h, 4×8, SM, 4×16, SP, DT) 13:28.04; 7. Girma Mecheso (USAr) 13:28.61 PR; 8. 3. Shiann Salmon’ (Jam) 56.02; 4. Nielsen’ (GB) 56.19 PR; 100(0.8): 1. *Symone Darius (NCAT) 11.45; 2. Madison Blaise Ferro (NnAz) 13:31.54 PR; 9. Frank Lara (RootsR) 5. Sage Watson’ (Can) 56.31; 6. Tia Adana Belle’ (Bar) 56.35; Meredith (MoSt) 11.47; 3. **Cambrea Sturgis (NCAT) 11.48; 13:36.40 PR; 10. Sam Parsons’ (Ger) 13:38.15; 11. Dillon 7. Kiah Seymour (unat) 57.41; 8. Kaila Barber (unat) 57.92. 4. **Kamaya Debose-Epps (NCAT) 11.49. Maggard (Hoka) 13:42.92. Field Events 400: 1. Olivia Bechtel (MiaO) 52.72. 110H(2.9): 1. Daniel Roberts (Nik) 13.39w; 2. Aaron PV: 1. Sandi Morris (Pum) 15-5 (4.70) (14-9, 15-1 [3], 15-5 800: 1. **Sarah Hendrick (KennSt) 2:03.62. Mallett (Tracksm) 13.41w; 3. *Jamal Britt (Ia) 13.45w; 4. [3], 15-11 [xxx]) (4.50, 4.60 [3], 4.70 [3], 4.85 [xxx]); 2. Katie Shane Brathwaite’ (Bar) 13.45w; 5. Jaylan McConico (Ia) Nageotte (Nik) 15-1 (4.60); 3. Kortney Oates (RPerf) 14-9 1500: 1. Katie Wasserman (NDm) 4:14.43; 2. ***Olivia 13.56w; 6. David King’ (GB) 13.71w; 7. Ruebin Walters’ (4.50); 4. tie, Bridget Guy (unat) & Olivia Gruver (Nik) 14-9. Markezich (NDm) 4:15.76; 3. Mahala Norris (AF) 4:15.98; (Tri) 14.05w;… dnc— (Nik). 4. *Jennie Baragar-Petrash’ (NDSt-Can) 4:16.70; 5. LJ: 1. (Nik) 21-5½ (6.54); 2. Christabel Nettey’ *Annasophia Keller (NDm) 4:17.04; 6. Petronela Simiuc’ Heats: I(-1.2)–1. Mallett13.54; 2. Roberts 13.57; 3. (Can) 21-4 (6.50); 3. Sha’Keela Saunders (adi) 21-3¼ (6.48); (Tol-Rom) 4:17.44. Brathwaite’ 13.65; 4. McConico 13.78; 5. King’ 13.82. 4. (adi) 20-10 (6.35); 5. Yanis David’ (Fra) II(-1.6)–1. Britt 13.75; 2. Allen 13.76; 3. Walters’ 13.79. 20-8 (6.30); 6. Chanice Porter’ (Jam) 20-5¼ (6.23). St: 1. Abby Caldwell (IaSt) 10:05.62; 2. *Jonna Bart (SD) 10:14.58. 400H: 1. Alison Dos Santos’ (Bra) 48.15 PR (WL); DRAKE COLLEGIATE MEN’S RESULTS 100H(3.7): 1. *Naomi Taylor (Hous) 12.84w; 2. TeJyrica 2. Kenny Selmon (unat) 48.87; 3. Amere Lattin (unat) 49.69; (4/22—St; 4/23—1500, 4x1h, 4×8, SM, 4×16, PV, SP, DT, JT) Robinson (NCAT) 13.01w; 3. *Paula Salmon (NCAT) 13.07w. 4. CJ Allen (unat) 49.74; 5. Khallifah Rosser (unat) 50.37; 6. David Kendziera (unat) 50.56; 7. Rilwan Alowonle’ 1500: 1. Ryan Adams (Furm) 3:38.74; 2. **Adam Fogg’ (Drake- 4 x 100: 1. North Carolina A&T 43.95 (Sturgis, McDuffie, (Ngr) 50.84. Aus) 3:38.79; 3. **Sam Gilman (AF) 3:40.39; 4. Takieddine Debose-Epps, Ross). Hedeilli’ (TxT-Alg) 3:41.60; 5. Sean Torpy (MiaO) 3:42.27; Field Events 4 x 400: 1. North Carolina A&T 3:37.30 (Sturgis, Darius, 6. ***Juan Diego Castro’ (OkSt-CR) 3:42.66; 7. **Cameron Ross, McDuffie). PV: 1. Sam Kendricks (Nik) 19-2¾ (5.86) (out WL, AL) Ponder (Furm) 3:42.99. (17-6½, 18-½, 18-4½, 18-8¼, 19-¼, 19-2¾ [3], 19-5 4 x 800: 1. Oklahoma State 8:39.83 (Rigdon, Larson, St: I–1. Dan Michalski (Tracksm) 8:29.83 (AL); 2. Joshua Salek, Moss); 2. Utah 8:53.26. [xxx]) (5.35, 5.50, 5.60, 5.70, 5.80, 5.86 [3], 5.92 [xxx]); Yeager (SDSt) 8:48.70; 3. Jackson Neff (unat) 8:51.37; 4. 2. Chris Nilsen (Nik) 19-¼ (5.80); 3. Matt Ludwig (unat) 18- Haran Dunderdale’ (GB) 8:51.88; 5. Justin Domangue (UTA) 4 x 1600: 1. Oklahoma State 19:27.09 (Hentemann, Born, 8¼ (5.70); 4. Scott Houston (Vaulth) 18-4½ (5.60); 5. Cole 8:52.07; 6. ***Ahmed Sado (Adams) 8:52.60. Demeo, Roe); 2. Utah State 19:50.04. Walsh (Nik) 18-½ (5.50); 6. Jacob Wooten (unat) 18-½; 7. II–1. ***Reece Smith (NWMo) 8:51.83; 2. *Bryce Grahn SpMed: 1. North Dakota State 3:55.87 (Zimmerman, Lind, Audie Wyatt (unat) 18-½; 8. Nate Richartz (RPerf) 17-6½ (PittSt) 8:54.39. Graham, Bye); 2. Iowa State 3:57.13. (5.35);… nh—Andrew Irwin (ArVC), KC Lightfoot (Puma). 110H(3.7): 1. *Rasheem Brown’ (NCAT-Cay) 13.68w. DisMed: 1. Notre Dame 11:03.25 (Markezich, Hart, Sulli- SP: 1. (Nik) 71-11½ (21.93) (out WL, AL) van, Wasserman); 2. Oklahoma State 11:11.25; 3. North (68-9¾, 71-8¼ [out WL, AL], f, 71-11½, 71-3½, 70-3¾) 4 x 100: 1. Houston 39.15 (Alexander, Collins, Sumler, Dakota State 11:15.89; 4. Iowa State 11:21.33; 5. Illinois (20.97, 21.85, f, 21.93, 21.73, 21.43); Maswanganyi); 2. North Carolina A&T 39.15 (Wright, Ross, State 11:23.52. Stokes, Sirleaf). 2. Nick Ponzio (HVIIIVel) 69-5¼ (21.16); 3. Chuk Enekwechi’ 4 x 100H: I–1. North Dakota State 57.55 (AL) (Schug, (Ngr) 69-2 (21.08); 4. Payton Otterdahl (Nik) 67-8¼ (20.63); Heats: I–1. North Carolina A&T 39.72. II–1. Houston 39.98. Kes, Dierks, Korgho); 5. Josh Awotunde (unat) 67-7½ (20.61); 6. Dotun Ogundeji’ 4 x 400: 1. North Carolina A&T 3:02.14 (Ross 45.73, Stokes 2. South Dakota 58.12. (Ngr) 64-9¾ (19.75); 7. Nick Scarvelis’ (Gre) 62-6½ (19.06). 46.11, Sirleaf’ 45.81, Stewart 44.49); 2. Southeastern Loui- siana 3:04.98 (Benson 45.30). II–1. South Dakota State 57.37 (WL, CL) (Mottinger, JTG #3 WOMEN’S RESULTS Risseeuw, O’Connor, Wolfe); 4 x 800: 1. Iowa State 7:12.57 (WL, CL) (5 C; #5 school) (4/23—St) (Gomez 1:48.66, Nixon 1:48.52, Roomes 1:47.88, Lagat’ 2. Indiana State 59.77. 1500: 1. Josette Norris (ReebB) 4:06.17 PR; 2. Rachel 1:47.51); Field Events Schneider (UArmDS) 4:06.51; 3. Shannon Osika (Nik) 2. Bradley 7:21.91; 3. Illinois State 7:22.58; 4. Western Illinois SP: 1. **Akealy Moton (NDSt) 56-11½ (17.36); 2. Shelby 4:06.84; 4. Laura Galvan’ (Mex) 4:09.09; 5. Amanda Ec- 7:22.80; 5. Indiana State 7:22.93; 6. Iowa State 7:23.41. Gunnells (NDSt) 56-5¾ (17.21); 3. Tasha Willing’ (NDSt- cleston (Brk) 4:09.55; 6. Alexina Wilson (Tracksm) 4:11.16 4 x 1600: 1. Miami/Ohio 16:40.84 (WL, CL) (Schroff, Mc- Can) 51-11 (15.82). PR; 7. Sammy George (unat) 4:13.76 PR; 8. Heather Kampf Ginness, Harders, Camerieri); DT: 1. Nora Monie (Hous) 190-5 (58.05); 2. **Amanda An- (AsicsMDE) 4:15.72; 9. Mariah Kelly (NBal) 4:16.18; 10. 2. Oklahoma State 16:43.54. derson (NDSt) 175-8 (53.55); 3. *Destinee Rose-Haas (ND) Allie Wilson (AtlTC) 4:17.23. 173-8 (52.93); 4. ***Michaela Hawkins (NDSt) 173-3 (52.81). USATF Road Mile Champs(4/21): 1. Rachel Schneider SpMed: 1. Iowa State 3:22.06 (WL, AL, CL) (Clay, Nelson, Fogltanz, Roomes); HT: 1. Maddy Nilles (NDSt) 222-6 (67.83); 2. Jordan (UArmDS) 4:30.3; 2. Shannon Osika (Nik) 4:31.3; 3. Heather McClendon (Mo) 212-5 (64.74); 3. Mikaila Martin (Hous) Kampf (AsicsMDE) 4:33.2; 4. Sara Sutherland (Boss) 4:33.8; 2. North Dakota State 3:23.20. 210-8 (64.21); 4. Willing’ 205-1 (62.51); 5. Taylor Scaife 5. Sara Vaughn (unat) 4:34.1; 6. Grayson Murphy (Sauc) 4 x 110H: 1. Indiana State 59.89 (WL, AL, CL) (Lewis-Banks, (Hous) 201-8 (61.47); 6. Gunnells 198-2 (60.41). 4:35.2; 7. Sammy George (unat) 4:35.3; 8. Anna Shields Taylor, Black, Armstrong). (Tracksm) 4:38.0; 9. Allie Wilson (AtlTC) 4:38.4. JT: 1. *Kari Wolfe (NDSt) 174-4 (53.14). a l l t r y i ng to ge t b e t t e r for t h e Oly mpic s,” h e s a id. Ashley Spencer (55.52 AL). failed in her bid for a fifth Drake victory, hit- Olympic silver medalist Sandi Morris real- The men’s race also produced a world lead- ting the first barrier with her trail leg and then ly-really-really likes vaulting at Drake, taking er as 20-year-old Brazilian Alison Dos Santos wiping out at the second. her record 5th straight women’s title. Her zipped 48.15 in his first race since ’19 to upend Daniel Roberts, who won the USATF 110H third-attempt clearance at 15-5 (4.70) made the erstwhile global leader Kenny Selmon (48.87). title the last time on the Drake track, ran a difference after she trailed early On the straight Cindy Sember (née Ofili) windy 13.39 out of lane 3 as he recovered from at 15-1 (4.60), where she had also needed a trio. notched a PR 12.57 to run down Christina a slow start and closed strong over the last 40m Back on the track, the hurdlers ruled both Clemons (12.59) and Sember’s sister, Tiffany to overtake Aaron Mallett (13.41) in the next on the straight and the oval. ’s Gianna Porter (12.80), in 3rd. Said the winner, “Today lane. “I felt Aaron right there,” Roberts said. “I Woodr u f f led f rom t he g it-go a nd c la i med a W L has been a long road. My start wasn’t the best, feel like I’m really fast and I’m strong. The only with a 55.02 effort that held off a fast-closing but I kept my focus. WR holder Keni Harrison thing left is to be a better hurdler.”

Track & Field News May 2021 — 20 U.S. Men’s 5000 Scene: The Kids Are Alright CHRIS DONAHUE A PA I R O F YO U NG S T E R S d e l i v e r e d a bright promise for U.S. 5000 running in races more than 1700M apart on Friday night as they produced the two fa s t e s t t i me s eve r by A me r ic a n 19 -ye a r- olds (see chart). Northern Arizona’s Nico Young produced an American Junior Record 13:24.26 in finishing 3rd at the Drake Relays. Some 4½ hours later, Oregon’s Cole Hocker won a dazzling Oregon Relays race at Hayward Fie ld i n 13:19.98. Young’s race represented a 20-sec- ond reduc t ion on h is prep PR a nd ca me as a result of aggressive running in the final mile. For two-thirds of the race he played it conservatively as steepler Dan Michalski led the field through 7 laps. Northern Arizona’s Abdihamad Nur took over through 4K before Wis- consin alum Morgan McDonald made his move to the front. Young followed him to the front and at the bell was on his shoulder. But the Aussie’s superior kick showed on the last lap, a 55.35 that gave McDonald a 13:21.39 win. That left Young in his wake, to be nipped at the line by ’s Kieran Lumb, Aussie Morgan McDonald won the Drake 5000, but Nico Young 13:24. 2 5 –13:24. 26 a s 7 br oke 13:3 0. Yo u ng claimed the American Junior Record. broke German Fernandez’s AJR of 13:25.46 set in ’06. In Eugene, Hocker and teammate Cooper (13:20.48) PRed, with Kiptoo 4th at 13:21.02. guys, but I can always count on Cole pushing Teare took on the powerful Iowa State duo of The Oregon runners admitted they hoped me that last lap, and it was no different today.” Edwin Kurgat and Wesley Kiptoo. Oregon’s for an early pace that would deliver an Olympic Hocker added, “I just know when he’s there, James West towed the field through 2600 and standard 13:13.50 or better. That didn’t happen. I’ve been doing the same training and there’s Kiptoo led the crowded pack through 3K in Said Teare, “Every race I’m in with Cole, no reason I shouldn’t be there too. It’s nice to 8:04.68, followed by Teare and Hocker. I always figure it’ll be down to me and him. have him there, and then in the final stretch Eve nt u a l ly K ip to o ge s t u r e d for Te a r e to t a ke Obviously, there’s a bunch of really talented we’re both just giving it our all.” over, he stayed there until the final straight, when Hocker moved wide to finish off a 56.84 final circuit for the win in a collegiate leader. Behind him, both Teare (13:20.24) and Kurgat Hocker & Young Top All-Time U.S. Teen List It’s easy to be confused by the Junior category, even after WA changed the name to U20. In Oregon Relays 5000 Results either case, being a teenager isn’t enough to make the lists. You can’t turn 20 at any point 1. ***Cole Hocker (Or) 13:19.98 PR (CL) (8, x AmC); during the calendar year. Thus it is that while Cole Hocker is still 19, by 5+ months his June 06 2. *Cooper Teare (Or) 13:20.24; 3. Edwin Kurgat’ birthday will make him ineligible for Junior status. And so 18-year-old Nico Young is now the (IaSt-Ken) 13:20.48 PR; 4. **Wesley Kiptoo’ (IaSt- claimant to the American Junior Record. Ken) 13:21.02 PR; 5. Euan Makepeace’ (Butler-GB) 13:30.55 PR; 6. *Simon Bedard’ (Butler-Fra) 13:34.83 Here’s the 9 fastest U.S. teens ever (¶ = 20 later in that same year; + = converted 3M time): PR; 7. **Barry Keane’ (Butler-Ire) 13:35.00 PR; 8. **James Mwaura (Gonz) 13:36.18 PR; 9. Jack Time Athlete Affiliation Date Yearian (Or) 13:44.76 PR; 10. ***Ezekiel Kibichii’ (IaSt-Ken) 13:45.85 PR; 11. *Colton Johnsen (WaSt) 1. 13:19.98 ¶Cole Hocker (Oregon) 4/23/21 13:46.90 PR; 12. Paul Ryan (WaSt) 13:47.94; 13. Jackson Mestler (Or) 13:47.99; 14. Jonas Gertsen’ 2. 13:24.26 Nico Young (Northern Arizona) 4/23/21 (Den) 13:51.37 PR; 15. **Yacine Guermali (Gonz) 13:52.54 PR. 3. 13:25.46 German Fernandez (Oklahoma State) 6/26/09 Drake Relays 5000 Results 4. 13:27.77 ¶ (Colorado) 5/03/02 1. Morgan McDonald’ (Aus) 13:21.39; 2. Kieran Lumb’ (Can) 13:24.25 PR; 5. 13:28.45 ¶ (Minnesota) 5/02/09 3. ***Nico Young (NnAz) 13:24.26 AJR (old AJR 13:25.46 German Fernandez [OkSt) ’09); 6. 13:29.98 (Stanford) 5/02/09 4. Ben Flanagan’ (Can) 13:25.39 PR; 5. ***Abdih- 7. 13:30.13 (Stanford) 6/10/16 amid Nur’ (NnAz-Som) 13:26.74 PR; 6. Leonard Korir (USAr) 13:28.04; 7. Girma Mecheso (USAr) 8. 13:32.2+ Gerry Lindgren (Washington State) 7/10/65 13:28.61 PR; 8. Blaise Ferro (NnAz) 13:31.54 PR; 9. Frank Lara (RootsR) 13:36.40 PR; 10. Sam Parsons’ 9. 13:32.73 ¶Cooper Teare (Oregon) 4/20/19 (Ger) 13:38.15; 11. Dillon Maggard (Hoka) 13:42.92.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 21 USATF GP/JTG #4 — Shaunae Miller-Uibo Blazes A 49.08

A nde r s o n (12 . 82). C lo s e behind were Taliyah KEVIN MORRIS Brooks (12.83) a nd Syd- ney McLaughlin (12.87 for her third straight PR). “It started rain- ing right when we were walking out,” said Camacho-Quinn, “but we came here for Nationals in college a nd I’m u s e d to t h e c old and the rain.” Laura Muir wasn’t having anything to do with rabbits in the women’s 1500. The Scots charged to the f r o nt s o fa s t t h at s h e le f t the pacemaker behind and kept going. The race evolved into a bi- zarre procession: Muir blistering the pace up f r o nt, wh i le n e a rly 4 0 m behind Laurence Côté brought the rest of the field along. Shaunae-Miller Uibo’s year-leading 400 winner was the No. 4 time of her career. On the final lap, Muir had showed little sign of a kick, but that by Jeff Hollobaugh was a little nervous for my first couple throws still was not enough to give any of her pursuers so mostly I just focused on trying to manage hope. She made it to the line in 4:01.54, off a that. My last couple throws I executed the way 64.58. The fastest closer behind her was Helen EUGENE, OREGON, April 24 — Cool temps I wanted.” Schlachtenhaufen, who used a 62.38 to place a nd l ig ht ra i n p ut a d a mp e r o n s ome of t h e ac t io n The women’s hammer matchup between 2nd in 4:04.36, outkicking Cory McGee (4:05.00), at the USATF Grand Prix, which was also the DeAnna Price and Brooke Andersen didn’t (4:05.27) and (4:05.84). fourth stop on the federation’s Journey To Gold disappoint. Andersen took the lead in round Said Muir, “I was hoping to run really, circuit, but the meet roster brimmed with stars 3 and kept improving, topping out at 255-10 really fast. My shape’s quite good right now. and by and large, they delivered. (77.99), the No. 5 U.S. performance ever. Price’s I was actually on pace for the first lap, it was None more so than Olympic 400 champ best also came in that round, a 249-10 (76.15). just really windy and it was difficult in those Shaunae Miller-Uibo. She has declared that she It was Andersen’s first-ever win over Price in conditions to be at top-end speed.” w i l l mo s t l i ke ly b e r u n n i ng t h e 20 0 i n Tok yo, b ut their 9 meetings. The men’s 1500 also posed a pacing pre- a world-le ad i ng l ap i n 49.0 8 pr ove d t h at s h e w i l l The 100 was billed as a showdown between dicament, as only Ollie Hoare of and remain more than relevant in the longer event. comebacking Trayvon Bromell and world 200 Canada’s Justyn Knight went with hare Craig T h e fa s t- s t a r t i ng Ba h a m i a n wa s c h a l le nge d b e s t champ Noah Lyles. The start was all Bromell’s, Nowa k. By t h e t i me Nowa k st e pp e d of f, t he t wo by Ly n n a I rby o n t h e f i n a l t u r n , b ut s t i l l f i n i s h e d though. He blitzed the early strides and by 20m had a lead of 15m over 800 stars Bryce Hoppel more than a second ahead of Irby’s 50.28. had built a margin that Lyles and company and . While Hoppel faded (but S a id t h e w i n n e r, “ T h e 4 0 0 i s my favor it e rac e. were u nable to overcome. He c ross ed t he l i ne i n still PRed at 3:42.62 in 9th), Brazier chased over I’m always trying to figure it out and having 10.03—not as fast as his 10.01 heat but tempera- the final lap. It wasn’t nearly enough. some fun with unraveling the mysteries of it. I tures had dropped a bit in the meantime and Hoare took the win in 3:33.54, Knight ran think we’re in a good spot right now.” he ran into a slight (-0.2) wind. Lyles finished 3:35.85, a nd Bra zier us ed a 56.14 f i na l lap to t a ke On the hammer field just outside the main a well-beaten 2nd in 10.17. 3rd in 3:37.58. Farther back, finishing even faster stadium, produced a brilliant “We knew that the weather was going to at 56.06, was Michigan prep Hobbs Kessler, series that included three world-leading marks, be a factor,” said Bromell. “We just wanted to who passed 6 men in the final 300 en route to topped by the farthest throw of his life, a 268-11 make it through the race healthy.” his 3:40.46, making him the No. 3 prep ever, (81.98) PR heave that made him the No. 2 U.S. The women’s century featured a powerful trailing only legends and Jim Ryun. performer ever. performance from long-striding Blessing Okag- Said the winner, “I wanted to go out fast The Cornell alum opened up with a list-top- bare, whose 10.97 easily dominated Morolake and try to maintain that speed, try to get close pi ng 2 55 -10 (7 7.9 9). He fol lowe d t h at w it h a 2 55 - 0 Akinosun (11.09) and Britain’s Daryll Neita to 3:30. With the rain and the wind it’s hard on (77.73) and 254-9 (77.65). After a foul in round (11.18). yo u r ow n wh e n yo u’r e bat t l i ng it o ut a nd t h e r e ’s 4 he added more than two meters to his world Jasmine Camacho-Quinn showed that her not too much competition up front.” lead with a powerful; 262-9 (80.09). Then on his recent 12.32 world leader wasn’t a one-off. The men’s steeple showed that the event final throw he passed on the ATL. Ru n n i ng i nto a n 0. 3 w i nd i n c o n s ide ra bly c o ole r — after hibernating for all of ’20 — may be “My training has been really good so I circumstances, she topped the hurdles in 12.46 ready to show some new faces near the front at had high expectations for today,” he said. “I for a 0.36 margin ahead of Jamaica’s Brittany the Trials. Michigan alum Mason Ferlic found

Track & Field News May 2021 — 22 JOURNEY TO GOLD #4 MEN’S RESULTS Field Events 2:03.89 (61.81/62.08); 4. Melissa Bishop-Nriagu (Can) 2:04.18; 5. Olivia Baker (US) 2:04.23; 6. (US) (Continental Tour Gold) LJ: 1. Marquis Dendy (US) 26-2¼ (7.98); 2. Charles Brown (US) 25-8 (7.82); 3. Damarcus Simpson (US) 25-3½w (7.71); 4. 2:04.55; 7. Kendra Chambers (US) 2:05.60; 8. Sammy Wat- 100(-0.2): 1. Trayvon Bromell (US) 10.01; 2. Noah Lyles Holland Martin (Bah) 25-2½ (7.68); 5. Jacob Fincham-Dukes son (US) 2:06.91; 9. Síofra Cléirigh Büttner (Ire) 2:07.04;… (US) 10.17; 3. Emmanuel Matadi (Lbr) 10.19; 4. Mike (GB) 25-2 (7.67); 6. Mohammed Abubakar (Gha) 24-11¼ rabbit— (US) (28.07, 31.26 [59.33]). Rodgers (US) 10.24; 5. Divine Oduduru (Ngr) 10.25; 6. (7.60); 7. Trumaine Jefferson (US) 24-11¼ (7.60); 8. Jarvis 1500: 1. Laura Muir (GB) 4:01.54 (64.58, 2:10.97, 3:16.08); Cravon Gillespie (US) 10.35; 7. Jaylen Bacon (US) 10.38; Gotch (US) 24-9¾ (7.56). 2. Helen Schlachtenhaufen (US) 4:04.36 (62.38); 3. Cory 8. Chris Belcher (US) 10.46; 9. Cameron Burrell (US) 10.52. TJ: 1. Donald Scott (US) 55-5 (16.89) (out AL) (54-6½, McGee (US) 4:05.00 (63.43); 4. Dani Jones (US) 4:05.27 Heats: I(0.3)–1. Bromell 10.01; 2. Matadi 10.21; 3. Bacon 54-11½, 54-4½, 55-5, 54-9½, 54-1¼) (16.62, 16.75, 16.57, (63.90); 5. Nikki Hiltz (US) 4:05.84; 6. Lucia Stafford (Can) 10.36; 4. Oduduru 10.39; 5. Gillespie 10.40; 6. Andrew 16.89, 16.70, 16.49); 4:08.25; 7. Alli Cash (US) 4:08.37; 8. Sage Hurta (US) Ewers (Jam) 10.63. 4:08.38 PR; 9. Jenny Simpson (US) 4:10.07; 10. Weini 2. Clive Pullen (Jam) 54-3¾ (16.55); 3. Christian Taylor (US) II(-0.9)–1. Lyles 10.29; 2. Burrell 10.35; 3. Rodgers 10.42; Kelati (Eri) 4:10.88; 11. Marta Pen Freitas (Por) 4:20.56;… 54-2½ (16.52). 4. Belcher 10.44; 5. (Jam) 10.46; 6. dnf—Kaela Edwards (US);… rabbit—Laurence Côté (Can). HT: 1. Rudy Winkler (US) 268-11 (81.98) PR (WL, AL) (2, Jermaine Brown (Jam) 10.61; 7. Marvin Bracy (US) 10.63; 5000: 1. Eilish McColgan (GB) 14:52.44; 2. 6 A) (255-10 [WL, AL], 255-0, 254-9, f, 262-9 [WL, AL], 8. Demek Kemp (US) 10.72. (US) 15:13.27; 3. Amy-Eloise Markovc (GB) 15:17.13; 4. 268-11) (77.99, 77.73, 77.65, f, 80.09, 81.98); 200(-1.3): 1. Jereem Richards (Tri) 20.26; 2. Josephus Lyles Ednah Kurgat (US) 15:18.35 PR; 5. Natalia Hawthorn (Can) (US) 20.46; 3. Christopher Taylor (Jam) 20.73; 4. Rodney 2. Denzel Comenentia (Neth) 251-8 (76.72); 3. Daniel Haugh 15:18.67 PR; 6. (US) 15:22.55; 7. Elvin Kibet Rowe (US) 20.76; 5. Jimmy Vicaut (Fra) 21.05; 6. Senoj-Jay (US) 250-10 PR (76.47) (247-5, 242-10, f, 248-8, 250-10, (US) 15:51.42; 8. Alia Gray (US) 16:09.06. 250-4) (75.41, 74.02, f, 75.80, 76.47, 76.30); 4. Brock Eager Givans (Jam) 21.05; 7. Remontay McLain (US) 21.47. 100H(-0.3): 1. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PR) 12.46; 2. (US) 248-7 PR (75.76) (236-6, 247-9, 248-7, f, 236-1, 243-0) 400: 1. Michael Norman (US) 44.67; 2. Rai Benjamin (US) Brittany Anderson (Jam) 12.82; 3. Taliyah Brooks (US) (72.08, 75.53, 75.76, f, 71.97, 74.07); 5. Sean Donnelly (US) 44.98; 3. Justin Robinson (US) 45.55; 4. Emmanuel Korir 12.83; 4. Sydney McLaughlin (US) 12.87 PR; 5. Payton 248-4 (75.71) (239-1, 241-2, f, 248-4, f, f) (72.88, 73.50, f, (Ken) 45.79; 5. (US) 45.90; 6. Matthew Chadwick (US) 12.95; 6. Tobi Amusan (Ngr) 13.10; 7. 75.71, f, f); 6. (US) 246-10 (75.25) (239-9, 239- Hudson-Smith (GB) 45.91; 7. Nathan Strother (US) 47.06; Emily Sloan (US) 13.22; 8. Andrea Vargas (CR) 13.43; 9. 0, 245-0, f, 246-10, 231-3) (73.08, 72.85, 74.69, f, 75.25, 8. Rashard Clark (US) 47.36. Rushelle Burton (Jam) 13.79. 70.48); 7. Marcel Lomnický (Svk) 244-11 (74.67); 8. Michael 800: 1. Michael Saruni (Ken) 1:46.64 (25.15, 28.14 [53.29], Shanahan (US) 229-0 (69.80). Field Events 26.99 [1:20.28], 26.36) (53.29/53.35); 2. Isaiah Harris (US) JT: 1. Anderson Peters (Grn) 271-5 (82.72) (269-4, f, 264-6, HJ: 1. Rachel McCoy (US) 6-1½ (1.87); 2. Shelley Spires 1:46.92 (25.30, 27.76 [53.06], 26.38 [1:19.44], 27.48) f, f, 271-5) (82.11, f, 80.62, f, f, 82.72); 2. Riley Dolezal (US) (US) 5-11½ (1.82); 3. Ty Butts-Townsend (US) 5-11½; 4. (53.06/53.86); 3. Charlie Hunter (Aus) 1:47.21 out PR; 4. 256-10 (78.28); 3. Curtis Thompson (US) 252-0 (76.81); 4. Inika McPherson (US) 5-11½; 5. Amina Smith (US) 5-11½; Erik Sowinski (US) 1:47.73; 5. Sam Ellison (US) 1:47.75; Michael Shuey (US) 245-5 (74.81); 5. Sam Hardin (US) 244-10 6. Maruša Černjul (Slo) 5-9¾ (1.77); 7. Anna Hall (US) 5-9¾. 6. Guy Learmonth (GB) 1:48.22; 7. Luca Chatham (US) (74.64) PR; 6. Justin Carter (US) 226-4 (68.98). TJ: 1. (US) 46-3¼ (14.10) (45-8½, 45-10, 1:49.65;… rabbit—Will Mundy (US) (23.73, 28.17 [51.89]). 45-3¾, f, 46-3¼, 44-½) (13.93, 13.97, 13.81, f, 14.10, 1500: 1. Olli Hoare (Aus) 3:33.54 out PR (finish—57.09, JTG #4 WOMEN’S RESULTS 13.42); 2. Kim Williams (Jam) 45-8½ (13.93); 3. Thea 1:55.17, 2:52.50); 2. Justyn Knight (Can) 3:35.85 PR (59.00, 100(1.2): 1. Blessing Okagbare (Ngr) 10.97; 2. Morolake LaFond (Dom) 45-2½ (13.78). 1:57.24, 2:54.57); 3. Donavan Brazier (US) 3:37.58 (56.14, Akinosun (US) 11.09; 3. Daryll Neita (GB) 11.18; 4. Jenna SP: 1. Chase Ealey (US) 62-1¼ (18.93) (out AL) (62-1, 1:55.05, 2:55.24); 4. Sam Prakel (US) 3:37.74 (56.11, Prandini (US) 11.22; 5. Kemba Nelson (Jam) 11.22; 6. Teahna 62-1¼, 59-3, f, f, 57-0) (18.92, 18.93, 18.06, f, f, 17.37); 1:55.08, 2:55.21); 5. Talem Franco (US) 3:39.19; Daniels (US) 11.22; 7. (US) 11.30; 8. Tianna 2. Danniel Thomas-Dodd (Jam) 60-6¾ (18.46); 3. Jessica 6. Hobbs Kessler (US) 3:40.46 PR (5, 10 AJ; 3, 4 HS) Bartoletta (US) 11.30; 9. (Jam) 26.21. Ramsey (US) 60-4½ (18.40); 4. Sarah Mitton (Can) 59- (56.06, 1:56.75, 2:56.57); Heats: I(0.6)–1. Okagbare 11.01; 2. Daniels 11.18; 3. Akinosun 2¼ (18.04); 5. Rachel Fatherly (US) 57-10½ (17.64); 6. 7. Johnny Gregorek (US) 3:40.89; 8. Geordie Beamish (NZ) 11.21; 4. Candace Hill (US) 11.29; 5. Hannah Cunliffe (US) Jessica Woodard (US) 57-9¾ (17.62); 7. 3:41.84; 9. Bryce Hoppel (US) 3:42.62 PR; 10. Emmanuel 11.40; 6. Kayla White (US) 11.43. (Can) 56-1¼ (17.10); 8. (US) 56-1 (17.09); Bor (US) 3:42.77; 11. Tripp Hurt (US) 3:42.95; 12. Eric II(2.4)–1. Nelson 11.08w; 2. Neita 11.19w; 3. Prandini 11.20w; 9. Michelle Carter (US) 55-7 (16.94); 10. Haley Teel (US) Jenkins (US) 3:43.60. 4. Bartoletta 11.24w; 5. Felix 11.25w; 6. Williams 11.28w; 7. 54-11¼ (16.74). St: 1. Isaac Updike (US) 8:17.74 PR (WL, AL) (59.13); Briana Williams (Jam) 11.29w; 8. Kiara Parker (US) 11.33w. HT: 1. Brooke Andersen (US) 255-10 (77.99) (x, 5 A) 2. Mason Ferlic (US) 8:18.49 PR (59.52); 3. (US) 400: 1. Shaunae Miller-Uibo (Bah) 49.08 (WL); (f, 237-10, 254-5 [x, 8 A], 255-2 [x, 5 A], 255-10, f) (f, 8:22.55; 4. Obsa Ali (US) 8:22.81 PR; 5. John Gay (Can) 2. Lynna Irby (US) 50.28; 3. Jessica Beard (US) 50.38; 4. 72.49, 77.56, 77.79, 77.99, f); 8:23.96 PR; 6. Alex Rogers (US) 8:27.29 PR; 7. Stanley Kendall Ellis (US) 51.27; 5. (US) 51.40; 2. DeAnna Price (US) 249-10 (76.15) (232-3, 239-0, 247-10, Kebenei (US) 8:30.57; 8. (US) 8:36.21; 6. Jaide Stepter (US) 51.67; 7. (US) 53.04. 242-1, 249-10, f) (70.79, 72.85, 75.54, 73.80, 76.15, f); 3. 9. Frankline Tonui (US) 8:38.97; 10. Benard Keter (US) 800: 1. Adelle Tracey (GB) 2:03.25 (61.96/61.29); 2. Jemma Janee’ Kassanavoid (US) 238-10 (72.81); 4. Erin Reese 8:39.38; 11. (US) 8:39.45; 12. Haron Reekie (GB) 2:03.26 (61.74/61.52); 3. Raevyn Rogers (US) (US) 237-1 (72.27) PR. Lagat (US) 8:52.82.

himself leading after three laps and stretched KIRBY LEE/IMAGE OF SPORT out the pace. By lap 6, Hillary Bor moved to the front, then little-known Isaac Updike passed him at the bell. On the final lap, Updike and Ferlic kicked away from Bor, both getting under the Olympic standard with PRs of 8:17.74 and 8:18.49 as Bor finished in 8:22.55. “I had hoped I was in 8:18 shape coming in,” s a id t h e 29 -ye a r- old Up d i ke, who ra n for Ea s t e r n Oregon in the NAIA and had a PR of 8:25.38 from ’18. “I wasn’t expect i ng to r un t h is today.” The day’s action might have concluded on a wet and cold note, but training partners Michael Norman and Rai Benjamin delivered a stirring 1-lap race. Norman jumped to the lead early and appeared to have the race in hand by the 200 mark. He couldn’t see Benjamin, a lane to his inside, crush the final turn until the two we r e n e a rly o n t h e s t ra ig ht away, w it h B e n ja m i n having stolen the lead. Norman fought back, winning 44.67–44.98. A f t e r wa rd s, h e s a id h e h ad m i xe d f e e l i ng s a b o ut it: “I have to go back and watch the film and see how I executed the race. I feel like my effort was at 100%, I think.” “I’m used to the cold and the rain,” said hurdle winner Jasmine Camacho-Quinn.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 23 KEVIN MORRIS High Schooler Hobbs Kessler Mixes It Up With The Pros

by Jeff Hollobaugh

MAK ING HIS HAY WARD FIELD DEBUT, Hobbs Kessler got another chance to race with the big boys at the USATF GP, finishing 6th in the wet and windy 1500 in 3:40.46, a time that made the senior from Skyline (Ann Arbor, Michigan) No. 3 all-time among pr e p s, a f t e r o n ly A l a n We bb a nd Ji m Ry u n (s e e c h a r t). “It went out super-fast,” he says. “I was hanging way off the back, but I went through in like 43, so I wasn’t super worried about it. Then the pace kind of slowed a little bit, but I didn’t feel it too much.” That first 300 of 43.89 had Kessler in dead last in the 14-man field (2 were rabbits). His next full lap, a 59.82, kept him there. He didn’t pass anyone until the next go-round, which he covered in 60.69. Then it was panic time: “I thought, ‘I really got to go for the 3:40.’ Mason [Ferlic, a sometime training partner] was yelling at me with 300 to go, ‘Go now! Go now!’ “I don’t really remember muc h about t he last 150. I was gritting it out.” That meant passing another half-dozen competitors, including notable names such as Johnny Gregorek, Geordie Beamish, Bryce Hoppel, and so on. The 18-year-old phenom covered his final lap in 56.06. It was t he fastest of a nyone i n t he race, w it h t he next best belonging to fellow Michigander Donavan Brazier (56.14), who hadn’t followed the rabbit and led the charge of the second pack in chasing those who did, Ollie Hoare and Justyn Knight. “In my mind I was pretty happy with the race. I thought I was going to run 3:38 or 3:37. And I thought

A 56.06 gave Hobbs Kessler the fastest last lap in the USATF Grand Prix 1500.

Kessler Trailing Only A Couple Of Legends I was going to be almost dead-last. So it was a little bit of a tradeoff that I beat fulltime pros On The All-Time List but I didn’t run as fast as I wanted to.” Not to put pressure on Hobbs Kessler, but note that the only two runners ahead of him on the all-time HS list If he had the chance to do it over again, he both went on to run the Olympic 1500. The metric mile’s top 10 (* = Ryun’s mark made as a junior): says, “I almost went on the third lap, to pass a few people and move up earlier. I’d do that next Time Athlete School Year time. I can’t decide if I’m just not strong enough. 1. 3:38.26 Alan Webb (South Lakes, Reston, Virginia) 2001 It felt like I was going hard, but as soon as the 2. 3:39.0 *Jim Ryun (East, Wichita, Kansas) 1964 bell hit, I had more gears. “So I don’t know if that’s me being more 3. 3:40.46 Hobbs Kessler (Skyline, Ann Arbor, Michigan) 2021 sp e ed-ba s ed or ju st a ps yc holog ic a l ex p er ie nc e. 4. 3:41.85 (Loudoun Valley, Purcellville, Virginia) 2016 I’d go a little harder to pass more people and leave a little less work for the last lap.” 5. 3:42.40 Michael Slagowski (Rocky Mountain, Meridian, Idaho) 2016 For now, t he Nor t her n Ar i zona-bou nd Kes- 6. 3:42.54 Matthew Maton (Summit, Bend, Oregon) 2015 sler will return to local high school racing with h i s t e a m a nd wo n’t ge t t h e c h a nc e to t r y a not h e r 7. 3:42.70 (Big Bear, Big Bear City, ) 2001 strategy with the big boys for a month or so. 8. 3:42.89 Grant Fisher (Grand Blanc, Michigan) 2015 To g u a ra nt e e a s p ot i n t h e Oly mpic Tr i a l s h e will need an auto-Q of 3:37.50 (which, inciden- 9. 3:43.18 (Brookline, Massachusetts) 1997 tally, would give him the High School Record 10. 3:43.4 Matt Centrowitz (Power, New York, New York) 1973 to go with the indoor mile standard he claimed over the winter).

Track & Field News May 2021 — 24 LSU Alumni Gold — Collegiate 400 Lead To Noah Williams ERROL ANDERSON/THE SPORTING IMAGE ERROL ANDERSON/THE SPORTING

In the process of turning back A&M’s Bryce Deadmon, Noah Williams lowered his outdoor PR from 45.72 to 44.30.

Williams passed his rival on the final turn he easily cleared his 19-8¼. by Roy Conrad and built a lead of about 4m, but Deadmon fought Yet it was on the track that the talent-heavy back, cutting the margin in half but Williams Tige r s q u ad k e p t p ut t i ng o n a s how. S e a n Bu r r e l l , held on for the win in a world-leading 44.30 to better known as a 400 prospect, continued his BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, April 24 — the A&M star’s PR 44.58. foray into the long hurdles with a performance With a head-spinning array of dazzling marks, That wasn’t the only world leader on the that made hurdle technical fans cringe and the annual LSU Alumni Gold meet turned out day. T he women’s 4 x 10 0 st a r ted t he ba l l rol l i ng future opponents worry. Running from lane 3, to be Continental Tour Platinum-worthy as a with a tie in that department as LSU clocked leading with only his left leg, nailing hurdles nu m b e r of at h le t e s i n t h e s p e e d eve nt s up e nde d 42.70 to beat an all-star Tiger Olympians crew all the way — he reportedly broke the second p o d iu m for mc h a r t s for t h e big me e t s c om i ng up. that ran 43.05. barrier — the 19-year-old frosh clawed his way None more so, perhaps, than Noah Wil- T hen JuVaugh n Harr ison, a n NCAA Indoor to a 49.12 in just his fourth race ever, moving to liams, who won the NCAA Indoor 400 title in HJ/LJ doubler, concentrated on the long jump. No. 10 on the all-time U.S. Junior list. a world-leading 44.71. Expectations ran high A l r e ady t h e ove ra l l world le ade r w it h h i s i ndo or Bu r rel l, holder of t he n at ion a l age -15 record her e for t he LSU s oph a f ter h i s f i rst t wo outdo or 27- 8¾ (8.4 5), h e n a i le d a 27- 8¼ (8.4 4) o n h i s fo u r t h in the flat 400, anchored the 4×4 at the end of meets of the season produced half-lap clockings leap to claim the outdoor lead as well. the day, showing he has lost none of his speed of 20.28w and 20.36 PR. Making his outdoor debut was local hero on the flat, his 44.24 punctuating LSU’s 3:01.85 Williams, a 22-year-old New York native, Mondo Duplantis. Vaulting into the wind, he win over Texas A&M (3:03.86). s t a r t e d i n l a n e 4, w it h Te x a s A& M’s Br yc e D e ad- recorded an outdoor WL with his 19-4¼ (5.90). Tonea Marshall of the home team topped mon i n 5. Dead mon h ad won t he Te x a s Rel ays i n He took one attempt at 19-8¼ (6.00) before call- Tara Davis of Texas in the hurdles. With the wind a world-leading 44.62. Williams got out fastest, ing it quits. Then, reportedly unsatisfied with blowi ng at 2.6, she f lew to a n all-condit ions col- nearly making up the stagger on the Aggie in his day, he convinced officials to move to the legiate leader of 12.53 with Davis close at 12.61. the first 100. Down the backstretch they battled, southbound pit so he could take an exhibition Another Bengal star, Terrance Laird, had pulling steadily away from the field. leap with the wind at his back. They did, and the wind at his back, 2.4mps of it, as he ripped

Track & Field News May 2021 — 25 LSU ALUMNI GOLD MEN’S RESULTS 2. Rayvon Grey (LSU) 26-10½w (8.19) (25-4¾/7.74); 3. (LSU) 57.09; 3. *Jurnee Woodward (LSU) 57.26; 4. Steffin McCarter (Tx) 25-11½ (7.91). Brittley Humphrey (LSU) 58.16; 5. Eriana Henderson 100(-0.4): 1. Andrew Hudson (EmpA) 10.17; 2. Bismark (Co) 58.75. Boateng’ (Can) 10.23; 3. **Dante Brown (Aub) 10.27; TJ: 1. ***Sean Dixon-Bodie (LSU) 53-7¾ (16.35) PR. 4. CJ Ujah’ (GB) 10.31. SP: 1. * Basso’ (Al-Chl) 62-6¾ (19.07) PR; 2. II–1. ***Dominique Mustin (TxAM) 57.52 PR; 2. ***Adam Strouf (Aub) 60-11¼ (18.57) PR; 3. **Nicholas ***Brooke Jaworski (Tx) 58.43; 3. **Tylar Colbert (Aub) OD 200(1.7): 1. Hudson 20.29; 2. 58.64 PR; 4. ***Leah Phillips (LSU) 58.92. (NBal) 20.30 PR; 3. EJ Floréal’ (Can) 20.46. Hardan (Bay) 60-8½ (18.50). HT(4/23): 1. Johnnie Jackson (unat) 237-2 (72.28) PR; 4 x 100: 1. LSU 42.70 (=WL; CL) (Marshall, Ofili’, 200: I(2.4)–1. *Terrance Laird (LSU) 19.82w (a-c: x, Mason, Davies); 7 C; x, 4 AmC); 2. *Jake Norris’ (LSU-GB) 231-4 (70.53); 3. Jon Nerdal’ (LSU-Nor) 230-9 (70.35); 4. Kieran McKeag (Al) 223-5 2. Tiger Olympians 43.05 (Brisco, Hobbs, Martin, 2. *Micaiah Harris (Tx) 20.08w; 3. ***Devon Achane (68.10); 5. **Bobby Colantonio (Al) 217-0 (66.14). Payne); 3. Texas 43.11 (Douglas, Davis’, Adeleke’, (TxAM) 20.52w; 4. ***Kamden Jackson (Bay) 20.65w. JT: 1. Nils Fischer’ (Aub-Ger) 243-9 (74.30); 2. ***Tzuriel Flannel); 4. Alabama 44.06; 5. Canada 44.06; 6. II(1.8)–1. **Amir Willis (Akron) 20.69 PR. Pedigo (LSU) 239-10 (73.10); 3. ***Sam Hankins (TxAM) Baylor 44.97. 400: I–1. **Noah Williams (LSU) 44.30 PR (WL, AL, 230-1 (70.13) PR. 4 x 400: 1. Texas A&M 3:27.16 (Robinson-Jones 51.16, CL) (12, x C; 9, x AmC); Young’ 53.00, Reed 53.13, Mu 49.87); 2. LSU 3:29.01 LSU ALUMNI GOLD WOMEN’S RESULTS 2. Bryce Deadmon (TxAM) 44.58 PR; 3. *Howard Fields (Mason, Anning’, Young, Ofili’ 51.59); 3. Texas 3:29.85 (Bay) 45.37 PR; 4. Tyler Terry (LSU) 46.07; 5. Devin 100(0.7): 1. (adi) 10.91; (Douglas, Simon, Adeleke, Williams’ 51.25); 4. Alabama Dixon (TxAM) 46.18. 2. *Tamara Clark (Al) 10.96 PR (CL) (=7, =12 C; =6, 3:31.33; 5. Canada 3:33.13; 6. Baylor 3:35.65. II–1. *Jon Maas (Tx) 46.14 =PR. =11 AmC); Field Events III–1. *Willington Wright (Tx) 45.93 PR. 3. Mikiah Brisco (Nik) 11.02; 4. *Symone Mason (LSU) HJ: 1. *Abigail O’Donoghue (LSU) 5-10¾ (1.80); 2. 11.02 PR; 5. Kristina Knott’ (Phi) 11.28; 6. Khamica ***Nyagoa Bayak (LSU) 5-10¾ =PR. OD 400: 1. Norwood 45.17. Bingham’ (Can) 11.31; 7. Shannon Ray (EmpA) 11.38 PR. PV: 1. *Lisa Gunnarsson’ (LSU-Swe) 14-5½ (4.41); 2. 110H(1.9): 1. Robert Dunning (Al) 13.28 (=AmCL); 200: I(0.6)–1. **Kynnedy Flannel (Tx) 22.75; 2. ***Kevona *Tuesdi Tidwell (Bay) 13-11¾ (4.26). 2. *Damion Thomas’ (LSU-Jam) 13.37; 3. **Eric Ed- Davis’ (Tx-Jam) 23.15; 3. ***Thelma Davies (LSU) 23.29. LJ: 1. *Deborah Acquah’ (TxAM-Gha) 22-4¼ (6.81) NR wards (LSU) 13.46. II(1.8)–1. Kristina Knott’ (Phi) 23.17; 2. Karimah Davis (22-2¼w, 22-1¾, 22-4¼, p, f, f) (6.76w, 6.75, 6.81, p, 400H: 1. ***Sean Burrell (LSU) 49.12 PR (CL) (10, (unat) 23.30. f, f); 2. Mercy Abire’ (LSU-Ngr) 20-11¾ (6.39); 3. Taryn x AJ); OD 200(2.0): 1. Tamari Davis (adi) 22.82; 2. Crystal Em- Milton (TxAM) 20-6½w (6.26). 2. *Moitalel Mpoke’ (TxAM-SA) 49.61 PR; 3. Quincy manuel’ (Can) 23.03. TJ: 1. Lynnika Pitts (unat) 44-7½ (13.60); 2. **Lamara Downing (unat) 50.08; 4. Malik Metivier’ (Aub-Can) 400: 1. ***Charokee Young’ (TxAM-Jam) 51.49 PR; 2. Distin’ (TxAM-Jam) 43-5¼ (13.24); 3. Ciynamon 50.35; 5. Dunning 50.45; 6. *Charles Brockman (Tx) ***Favour Ofili’ (LSU-Ngr) 51.49 PR; 3. Natassha McDon- Stevenson (TxAM) 42-6¾ (12.97); 4. *Sophia Falco 50.93. ald’ (Al-Can) 51.94; 4. ***Amber Anning’ (LSU-GB) 51.97 (Tx) 42-2¼ (12.86). 4 x 100: 1. Canada 38.49 (Boateng, Blake, Floréal, PR; 5. **Tierra Robinson-Jones (TxAM) 52.86; 6. **Christal SP: 1. Portious Warren’ (Tri) 59-5½ (18.12); 2. Elena Brown); 2. LSU 38.58 (Peebles, Williams, Camel, Laird); Mosley (Al) 52.98 PR; 7. **Tianna Holmes (NM) 53.00 PR. Bruckner (Tx) 55-11 (17.04); 3. *Taylor Gorum (Al) 3. Texas A&M 39.54; 4. Texas 39.76. OD 400: 1. Chrisann Gordon-Powell’ (Jam) 50.84; 2. 54-10 (16.71) PR; 4. *Cherisse Murray’ (Al-Tri) 54-1¾ 4 x 400: 1. LSU 3:01.85 (Camel 45.65, Williams Maggie Barrie’ (SL) 51.92; 3. Zoe Sherar’ (Can) 52.63; (16.50) PR; 5. Nickolette Dunbar (Al) 53-8½ (16.37); 6. 46.19, Terry 45.77, Burrell 44.24); 2. Texas A&M 4. Alica Brown’ (Can) 52.79. ***Jocelynn Budwig (Aub) 51-11¼ (15.83). 3:03.86 (Mpoke, Miller, Dixon, Deadmon 44.87); 3. 800: 1. *Presley Weems (Aub) 2:03.90 PR; 2. **Katy-Ann DT: 1. ***Mikayla Deshazer (Bay) 174-2 (53.09); 2. Baylor 3:06.73. McDonald’ (LSU-GB) 2:05.74. ***Maura Huwalt (Aub) 171-7 (52.30) PR. Field Events 100H(2.6): 1. Tonea Marshall (LSU) 12.53w (a-c CL) HT: 1. ***Monique Hardy (LSU) 214-11 (65.52) PR; HJ: 1. *Nuh Andu’ (Akron-Qat) 7-1¾ (2.18). (a-c: 9, =11 C; 7, 9 AmC); 2. ***Emma Robbins (LSU) 214-7 (65.40); 3. **Madi Malone (Aub) 210-4 (64.13); 4. ***Samantha Kunza (Al) PV: 1. Mondo Duplantis’ (Swe) 19-4¼ (5.90) (out 2. **Tara Davis (Tx) 12.61w; 3. *Milan Young (LSU) 13.03w; 205-8 (62.69) PR; 5. *Taylor Gorum (Al) 199-2 (60.72). WL) (17-11, 18-4½, 19-¼, 19-4¼ [2], 19-8¼ [xpp]) 4. *Tyra Gittens’ (TxAM-Tri) 13.26w. (5.46, 5.60, 5.80, 5.90 [2], 6.00 [xpp]). JT: 1. Kylee Carter (Aub) 199-1 (60.69) PR (AmCL) II(0.9)–1. ***Ackera Nugent’ (Bay-Jam) 12.87 PR; 2. (8, x A; 6, 9 C; 5, 6 AmC); LJ: 1. *JuVaughn Harrison (LSU) 27-8¼ (8.44) out ***Emelia Chatfield (Tx) 13.18 PR; 3. Brittley Humphrey PR (out WL, AL, CL) (26-9w, 26-10, 26-0, 27-8¼, p, (LSU) 13.19. 2. *Rhiley Fritz (Tx) 173-9 (52.96) PR; 3. *Ashley Carter p) (8.15w, 8.18, 7.92, 8.44, p, p); (Aub) 165-4 (50.41); 4. *Gabby Kearney (Tx) 157-11 400H: 1. (adi) 56.82; 2. *Milan Young (48.15); 5. *Keira McCarrell’ (Aub-Can) 156-8 (47.77). a 19.82 in the 200 to become the No. 7 collegian collegiate leader 10.96; she moved into a tie for all-time, and No. 6 collegian. ever in all conditions. the No. 7 collegian ever. Alabama’s Roger Dunning beat LSU’s Da- LSU alum Aleia Hobbs put on a show of Auburn’s Kylee Carter heaved a big 199-1 m ion T homas over t he men’s h ig h s, 13.28 –13.37. form in winning the 100 in 10.91 (0.7 wind). (60.69) in the javelin, an American collegiate The winning mark tied the collegiate leader. In second was Alabama’s Tamara Clark with a leader that made her the No. 8 U.S. thrower of

TAFNEWS BOOKS NOW AVAILABLE ON This book was formerly out of print and not available, but we have arranged with Amazon. com to print on demand and offer on their AMAZON.COM website. Order directly from Amazon.com. Training Games: Coaching & Racing Creatively, 3rd Edition An imaginative high school coach has compiled various games and methods he and others have used to keep runners motivation and interest high. Invaluable ideas for every coach. This new edition incorporates a number of new ideas and games. 154pp. Available only from www.amazon.com

99 Note: There may be other offers on amazon.com for used copies, but for the new, T&FN-autho- $19 rized, pristine copies look for the entries with the above prices.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 26 Keturah Orji Raises American Triple Jump Record

KEVIN MORRIS like that, but it’s You read that right: husband. Last September kind of just been Orji married Kisean Smith, her fiancé at the time like a 14.50. So his now bride stepped up as our T&FN Interview yeah, I was just subject for the July/August 2020 issue. really happy to Set with her partner in life, Orji is also treading Her 48-11½ AR bound get that mark out a new path in her labors with Fischer. also moved Keturah there, especially “I think the main thing we worked on is my because I feel like approach,” she says. “I wasn’t driving as long as Orji to the top of the I’ve been stuck in I am now. My drive phase is longer with my new yearly world list. t h i s 14.70 ra nge for approach. And I think that’s helped me to be way s o m a ny ye a r s, b ut more consistent and just to have more speed once it’s finally nice to I get to my last steps. And so I feel extremely good get past that.” about my approach now. After foul- “Then we’ve also been working again, like I ing her second said earlier, on that hop. I used to have a really jump, Orji then high hop, which would cause my second phase to skipped out to like kind of crash. I mean, my second phase still 48-4½w (14.74) isn’t anything amazing, but I felt like it it’s more on her third, the comfortable now and that’s because I’m carrying No. 4 all-condi- my s p e e d mor e hor i z o nt a l ly ve r s u s goi ng upwa rd s tions leap ever into my hop.” by an American With the Olympic Trials TJ Q-round now less (see chart). After a than 8 weeks away, Orji has a few May meets couple more fouls, penciled in for polishing her technique. she wrapped her “Hopefully I’ll do Mt. SAC,” she says. “And series with a 47-9¼w (14.56) in the final round. then I also may do the Diamond Leagues in Gates- by Sieg Lindstrom “My series was honestly great,” she assesses. head [May 23] and Doha [May 28].” “Most of my fouls were baby fouls and the jumps Through the training grind Orji feels blessed looked pretty close to the 14.90 or 15-meter mark. to have Reese — she of 7 Worlds LJ golds indoors THE TIMING WAS PERFECT for Keturah So honestly I might’ve had a couple of fouls over and out plus the ’12 Olympic crown — by her side. Orji’s first American Record in the triple jump. She 15m and even my third jump that was 14.74, that Reese, Orji says, is “extremely supportive. set that in ’16, the summer after her soph season still would’ve been a PB for me [albeit wind-aid- She pushes me. She’s the type of person that has at Georgia, in the grandest setting imaginable, the ed]. So just to be able to get two jumps at least that button. If things aren’t going well, she’s just Olympic final. Now, on her first jump at the Chula over my PB and just feel great about myself — I gonna hit the button and turn things on. And so Vista High Performance II meet (April 25), she for felt overall it was an extremely strong series and just being able to see her work; if a day’s not going a second time bounced to an AR, flying 48-11½ very consistent.” too well, she can work through that and turn it (14.92). Great timing once more, for an Olympic “I had competed in some smaller meets in around. Yeah, just supportive and encouraging. Games is again nigh. 2020,” says Orji, whose last serious competition, at So I really appreciate that. Orji’s jump to the threshold of 49-foot terri- the ’20 USATF Indoor, saw her come up 1¾ inches “And the funny thing too is I had a poster of tory surpassed Tori Franklin’s former standard short to Tori Franklin’s indoor AR. “but honestly, up on my wall when I was younger (48-8¼/14.84) set in May of ’18 by 3¼ inches and after COVID hit I wasn’t getting much quality and now we’re training partners.” added 8 inches (20cm) to her own best set in ’19. training in, so it is nice After reaching a long jump career best 22-5¾ to be back fully training, (6.85) on April 03 at Chula Vista — where she and two PBs at my first Orji Dominates The U.S. 48-Foot List now trains in her first real season with coach two meets.” Jeremy Fischer — Orji felt ready to work some of The pandemic, you Now on the very cusp of becoming the first American to join triple jumping’s elite 49-foot club, Keturah Orji increased her domination of the nation’s 48-foot that Rio magic. won’t be surprised, de- club, adding 2 more performances in Chula Vista. That was her sixth trip past the “Jeremy and I are new with each other,” she layed the true beginning ac k nowle dge s. “S o I told h i m , ‘I do no t wa nt to fo u l barrier. of her collaboration with Altogether, under all conditions, 3 U.S. woman have now topped 48 (and my first jump,’ because honestly, my first jump is California-based jumps 14.63m) on 10 occasions (! = secondary mark in a series; w = illegally wind-aided; usually one of my best jumps. coach Fischer, who also A = altitude over 1000m): “In Rio, my 14.71 jump that got me 4th place has LJ great Brittney Mark Athlete Site Date was my first jump also. And so I told him, ‘I don’t Reese in his group. “For want to foul my first jump. I just want to get it in 2020, I was kind of back 14.92 | 48-11½ Keturah Orji (Atlanta TC) Chula Vista 4/25/21 and then we can work from there.’ I focused on and forth between Flor- 14.84 | 48-8¼ Tori Franklin (New York AC) Baie-Mahault 5/12/18 just carrying my speed horizontally. That’s one ida and California, but I thing we’ve been focusing on, not having a hop always knew ultimately 14.78 | 48-6 ————Franklin ! Baie-Mahault 5/12/18 that’s too high. And so I really just focused on that I was going to come to 14.74 | 48-4½w ————Orji ! Chula Vista 4/25/21 and everything else kind of carried itself and it California to work full- didn’t feel too difficult. I know there’s some times time with Jeremy,” Orji 14.72 | 48-3½ ————Orji Paris 8/24/19 where I’m really like exerting all my energy to try says. “So, yeah, I’ve just 14.71 | 48-3¼ ————Orji (Georgia) 8/14/16 to jump far, but I felt like it was extremely relaxed done that now. So this and it felt easy. So I was extremely happy with my w i l l b e p r e tt y p e r m a n e nt. 14.66 | 48-1¼w (Reebok) Sacramento 6/17/95 performance.” “My husband and 14.66 | 48-1¼ ————Orji Athens 4/27/19 The 25-year-old Orji has felt that skimming- I bought a house in through-the-phases sensation before. “Yeah, my Atlanta, but Jeremy’s 14.65 | 48-¾ ————Orji ! Athens 4/27/19 American Record 14.71 in Rio felt like that,” she gonna be my coach for 14.64 | 48-½(A) ————Franklin (Nike) Albuquerque 2/14/20 says. “I think there’s other times where it’s felt the foreseeable future.”

Track & Field News May 2021 — 27 2021 NCAA Men’s Formchart #2 — LSU Looks Unbeatable

by Scott Leonard forecasted to win: Terrance Laird (200), Noah Mondo had n’t t u r ned pro!), SP, DT & dec at h lon. Williams (400), Damion Thomas (110H), Sean The 10-deep predictions for each event (‘ = “UNBEATABLE” IS PRETTY STRONG Burrell (400H). athlete not eligible for U.S. international teams): S T U F F, b ut L S U ’s m e n n ow l o o k t o b e r e a dy t o j o i n Overall, the LSU juggernaut is predicted to Further formchart updates closer to the t h e ra n k s of t h e a l l-t i me NC A A C h a mpio n s h ip s have 17 scorers, failing to notch points only in championships will be posted at trackand- powerhouses. Since the current scoring system t h e 8 0 0, 15 0 0, s t e e ple, 5 0 0 0, 10,0 0 0, PV (i m ag i n e i f fieldnews.com. was adopted for t he ’85 meet, no sc hool has ever BRYAN WAYNE broken the 90-point barrier — Dennis S h ave r ’s Tige r s a r e now pr o j e c t e d to not only break that milestone, but also the 100 level, with 103. That would crush the previous best, 88 by Oregon ’14. S o go o d i s LSU t h at it c o u ld ( h e ave n forbid) lose the services of projected HJ/ LJ double winner JuVaughn Harrison and still have a 24-point margin over No. 2 seed Oregon (59). Harrison should have plenty of company on the top step of the podium, as 4 other Bengals are

TOP 10 TEAMS School Score Previous Place 1. LSU 103 (+23) 1 2. Oregon 59 (-7) 2 3. Texas A&M 41 (-3) 4 4. Georgia 38 (-7) 3 5. Texas 35 (-7) 5 6. BYU 32 (-6) 6 7. Florida 30 (-7) =7 8. Florida State 27 (+10) 16 9. Iowa State 25 (+1) 10 Emerging 400H star Sean Burrell figures to be just one of a 10. USC 24 (-13) =7 half-dozen LSU winners in Eugene.

100 METERS 400 METERS 1500 METERS 1. JoVaughn Martin Florida State So 1. Noah Williams LSU So 1. Cole Hocker Oregon Fr 2. Micah Williams Oregon Sr 2. Bryce Deadmon Texas A&M Sr 2. Eliud Kipsang’ Alabama Fr 3. Joseph Amoah’ Coppin State Jr 3. Dwight St. Hillaire’ Kentucky Jr 3. Waleed Suliman Mississippi Jr 4. Terrance Laird LSU Jr 4. Jacory Patterson Virginia Tech Jr 4. James West’ Oregon Sr 5. Cravont Charleston NC State Sr 5. Johnnie Blockburger Arizona Fr 5. Mario García Romo’ Mississippi So 6. Joe Fahnbulleh Florida Fr 6. Trevor Stewart North Carolina A&T Sr 6. Sam Tanner’ Washington So 7. Matthew Boling Georgia Fr 7. Randolph Ross North Carolina A&T So 7. Yared Nuguse Notre Dame Jr 8. Raymond Ekevwo’ Florida Sr 8. Ryan Willie Florida Fr 8. Ryan Adams Furman Sr 9. Shaun Maswanganyi’ Houston Fr 9. Jonathan Jones’ Texas So 9. Casey Comber Villanova Sr 10. Rikkoi Brathwaite’ Indiana Jr 10. Christopher Bailey Tennessee So 10. Kasey Knevelbaard Florida State Sr

200 METERS 800 METERS STEEPLE 1. Terrance Laird LSU Jr 1. Devin Dixon Texas A&M Sr 1. Ryan Smeeton’ Oklahoma State Jr 2. Joe Fahnbulleh Florida Fr 2. Charlie Hunter’ Oregon Sr 2. Kigen Chemadi’ Middle Tennessee Sr 3. Micaiah Harris Texas Jr 3. Finley McLear’ Miami/Ohio So 3. Ahmed Jaziri’ Eastern Kentucky Jr 4. Matthew Boling Georgia Fr 4. Isaiah Jewett USC Sr 4. Parker Stokes Georgetown Fr 5. Lance Lang Kentucky Fr 5. Festus Lagat’ Iowa State Sr 5. Clayson Shumway BYU Sr 6. Devon Achane Texas A&M Fr 6. Takieddine Hedeilli’ Texas Tech Sr 6. Bennett Pascoe Arkansas State Jr 7. Shaun Maswanganyi’ Houston Fr 7. Kameron Jones Clemson Sr 7. David Too’ Iowa State Sr 8. Javonte Harding North Carolina A&T Fr 8. Carlton Orange Texas A&M Sr 8. Colton Johnsen Washington State Jr 9. Cravont Charleston NC State Sr 9. Brandon Miller Texas A&M Fr 9. Jackson Mestler Oregon Sr 10. Joseph Amoah’ Coppin State Sr 10. Samuel Voelz Notre Dame Jr 10. Aidan Tooker Syracuse Jr

Track & Field News May 2021 — 28 5000 METERS 4 x 400 SHOT 1. Cooper Teare Oregon Jr 1. North Carolina A&T North Carolina A&T 1. Turner Washington Arizona State So 2. Nico Young Northern Arizona Fr 2. LSU LSU 2. Tripp Piperi Texas Jr 3. Luis Grijalva’ Northern Arizona Jr 3. Texas A&M Texas A&M 3. Arizona Jr 4. Eduardo Herrera Colorado Sr 4. Texas Texas 4. Jonathan Tharaldsen Georgia Sr 5. Casey Clinger BYU Fr 5. Baylor Baylor 5. Darius King Northern Iowa Jr 6. Edwin Kurgat Iowa State Sr 6. TCU TCU 6. Tyler Blalock Kennesaw State Jr 7. Wesley Kiptoo’ Iowa State So 7. Kentuck y Kentucky 7. McKay Johnson USC Sr 8. Abdihamid Nur’ Northern Arizona Fr 8. USC USC 8. Jordan West Tennessee So 9. Brandon Garnica BYU Jr 9. Tennessee Tennessee 9. Matt Katnik USC Sr 10. Zach Facioni’ Wake Forest So 10. Georgia Georgia 10. Kristoffer Thomsen’ North Dakota State So

10,000 METERS HIGH JUMP DISCUS 1. Conner Mantz BYU Jr 1. JuVaughn Harrison LSU Jr 1. Turner Washington Arizona State So 2. Wesley Kiptoo’ Iowa State So 2. Darryl Sullivan Tennessee Sr 2. Roje Stona’ Clemson So 3. Edwin Kurgat Iowa State Sr 3. Earnie Sears USC Sr 3. Claudio Romero’ Virginia Fr 4. Isai Rodriguez Oklahoma State So 4. Tejaswin Shankar’ Kansas State Jr 4. Elijah Mason Washington Jr 5. Eric Hamer Colorado State Sr 5. Zack Anderson South Dakota Sr 5. Mitchell Weber Missouri So 6. Aaron Bienenfeld’ Cincinnati Sr 6. Ben Milligan Oregon Sr 6. Gabe Oladipo Texas Tech Jr 7. Robert Brandt Georgetown Sr 7. Jonathan Wells Illinois Sr 7. Sam Woodley’ Rice Fr 8. Adriaan Wildschutt’ Florida State Sr 8. Vernon Turner Oklahoma So 8. Jacob Lemmon Virginia So 9. Vincent Kiprop’ Alabama Sr 9. Clayton Brown’ Florida Sr 9. Jonah Wilson Washington Sr 10. Patrick Dever’ Tulsa Sr 10. Brenton Foster’ Virginia Sr 10. Charles Lenford Kentucky Sr

110 HURDLES POLE VAULT HAMMER 1. Damion Thomas’ LSU Jr 1. Zach McWhorter BYU Fr 1. Thomas Mardal’ Florida Sr 2. Trey Cunningham Florida State Jr 2. Zach Bradford Kansas So 2. Gleb Dudarev’ Kansas Sr 3. Robert Dunning Alabama Sr 3. Hussain Al Hizam’ Kansas Sr 3. Israel Oloyede Arizona Sr 4. Jamal Britt Iowa Jr 4. Clayton Fritsch Sam Houston St Jr 4. Jake Norris’ LSU Jr 5. Eric Edwards LSU So 5. Eerik Haamer’ South Dakota Fr 5. Jon Nerdal’ LSU Sr 6. Tai Brown Kentucky So 6. Ethan Bray South Dakota Sr 6. Jordan Geist Arizona Jr 7. Tre’Bien Gilbert Arkansas So 7. Trent Francom South Dakota St Jr 7. Michael Bryan Wichita State Jr 8. Brithton Senior’ South Dakota Fr 8. Kyle Rogers Kansas Jr 8. Manning Plater Illinois Sr 9. Jaylan McConico Iowa Sr 9. Ryan Lipe Alabama Jr 9. Bobby Colantonio Alabama So 10. Carl Elliott Arkansas Sr 10. Tyler Loontjer Nebraska Sr 10. Trey Knight USC Fr

400 HURDLES LONG JUMP JAVELIN 1. Sean Burrell LSU Fr 1. JuVaughn Harrison LSU Jr 1. Sindri Gudmundsson’ Mississippi State Sr 2. Isaiah Levingston Oklahoma Jr 2. Isaac Grimes Florida State Jr 2. Arthur Petersen’ UT Arlington Fr 3. Moitalel Mpoke’ Texas A&M Jr 3. Rayvon Grey LSU Sr 3. DJ Jonsson’ Mississippi State Fr 4. Charles Brockman Texas Jr 4. Steffin McCarter Texas Sr 4. Tyriq Horsford’ Mississippi State So 5. Cameron Samuel USC Sr 5. McLeod’ Tennessee Jr 5. Cameron Bates BYU So 6. Robert Dunning Alabama Sr 6. Rayvon Allen Oklahoma Jr 6. Nils Fischer’ Auburn Sr 7. William Spencer South Carolina Jr 7. Matthew Boling Georgia Fr 7. Tzuriel Pedigo LSU Fr 8. James Smith Texas A&M So 8. Ja’Mari Ward Missouri Jr 8. Donavon Banks McNeese State Sr 9. Denzel Villaman’ Florida Sr 9. Justin Hall Texas Tech Sr 9. Mark Porter Penn State Jr 10. Quivell Jordan Houston Sr 10. John Baker Arkansas Fr 10. Cade Antonucci Auburn Jr

4 x 100 TRIPLE JUMP DECATHLON 1. Houston Houston 1. Emmanuel Ihemeje’ Oregon Fr 1. Johannes Erm’ Georgia Jr 2. LSU LSU 2. Du Mapaya’ TCU Jr 2. Tilga’ Georgia So 3. Texas A&M Texas A&M 3. Jordan Scott’ USC Sr 3. Kyle Garland Georgia Fr 4. North Carolina A&T North Carolina A&T 4. Carey McLeod’ Tennessee Jr 4. Felix Wolter’ Pitt Sr 5. Florida Florida 5. O’Brien Wasome’ Texas Sr 5. Markus Ballengee Arkansas Sr 6. Oregon Oregon 6. Clayton Brown’ Florida Sr 6. Ayden Owens’ Michigan So 7. Texas Texas 7. Owayne Owens’ Virginia So 7. Max Vollmer’ Oregon So 8. Baylor Baylor 8. Sean Dixon-Bodie LSU Fr 8. Daniel Spejcher Arkansas So 9. TCU TCU 9. Christian Edwards Alabama Sr 9. Damien Berthenet’ Cincinnati Jr 10. USC USC 10. Isaiah Griffith Oregon Sr 10. Will Daniels Iowa Sr

Track & Field News May 2021 — 29 2021 NCAA Women’s Formchart #2 — USC Has New Challenger

by Jack Pfeifer up wins in the 800, HJ & , and backup behind at 54, with another 2 points back to LSU. points in the 400 (3rd), 4×4 (4th), HJ (6th), LJ (3rd & There are all kinds of permutations possible there, 7th) & TJ (2nd). The huge key for the challengers all adding up to a slam-bam finish. Hint: no matter I N C H A RT #1, C a r yl Sm it h Gi l b e r t ’s s p e e d-l ad- is Tyra Gittens, slated for 22 points (wins in the how it plays out teamwise, watch out for Athing en Trojans had a tenuous 2-point lead in NCAA HJ and hept, 7th in the LJ). Mu on the A&M anchor! women’s team scoring. The SoCal crew still finds As is so often the case, the team battle is likely The 10-deep predictions for each event (‘ = itself with that same slim margin, but the projected to come down to the climactic 4×4. Based on our athlete not eligible for U.S. international teams):- runner-up has changed from LSU to Texas A&M, current charting, as the teams toe the line A&M Further formchart updates closer to the champi- with the Bengals dropping to No. 3. Previous No. would be leading at 55. USC would be just a point onships will be posted at trackandfieldnews.com. 3 Arkansas dropped to No. 5, behind Texas, which

rose a place. MIKE SCOTT Fie ld e ve nt s? W ho n e e d s fie ld e ve nt s? As in our first prognostications, USC is going to win the national title without a single point from a jumper or thrower. Not to me nt io n s a n s p oi nt s f r om a nyb o dy in a race that’s not run in lanes. Caryl Smith Gilbert’s speed-laden Trojans are currently projected to come away with 4 event wins: 100, 400, 400H, 4×1, plus backup points in the 200 (7th), 400 (4th), 100H (4th & 7th) and 4×4 (2nd). Pat Henry’s Aggies are tabbed to pick

TOP 10 TEAMS School Score Previous Place 1. USC 62 (-9) 1 2. Texas A&M 60 (+5) 4 3. LSU 55 (-14) 2 4. Texas 51 (+13) 5 5. Arkansas 49 (-7) 3 6. Alabama 47 (+17) 7 7. Georgia 45 (+9) 6 8. Florida State 30 (+10) 11 9. Iowa 22 (+1) =9 The favored Trojans will rely heavily on , projected to 10. Arizona 21 (+5) =15 score in both hurdles and be on the 4×4.

100 METERS 400 METERS 1500 METERS 1. TeeTee Terry USC Jr 1. Kaelin Roberts USC Jr 1. Sage Hurta Colorado Sr 2. Kemba Nelson’ Oregon Jr 2. Stacey Ann Williams’ Texas Jr 2. Ella Donaghu Stanford Jr 3. Tamara Clark Alabama Sr 3. Charokee Young’ Texas A&M So 3. Michaela Meyer Virginia Sr 4. Jayla Kirkland Florida State Sr 4. Bailey Lear USC Jr 4. Maudie Skyring’ Florida State Jr 5. Jada Baylark Arkansas Jr 5. Meleni Rodney’ UCLA Sr 5. Presley Weems Auburn Jr 6. Kiara Grant’ Norfolk State Jr 6. Talitha Diggs Florida Fr 6. Kennedy Thomson’ Arkansas Sr 7. Tiana Wilson Arkansas So 7. Paris Peoples Arkansas So 7. Bailey Hertenstein Indiana Fr 8. Cambrea Sturgis North Carolina A&T So 8. Taylor Manson Florida Sr 8. Kaley Richards UMass Lowell Jr 9. Angie Annelus USC Sr 9. Kethlin Campbell Arkansas Jr 9. Katie Camarena UC Santa Barbara Sr 10. Kynnedy Flannel Texas Jr 10. Alexis Holmes Kentucky So 10. Danae Rivers Penn State Sr

200 METERS 800 METERS STEEPLE 1. Abby Steiner Kentucky So 1. Athing Mu Texas A&M Fr 1. Hannah Steelman NC State Sr 2. Tamara Clark Alabama Sr 2. Aaliyah Miller Baylor Sr 2. Joyce Kimeli’ Auburn Jr 3. Favour Ofili’ LSU Fr 3. Avi’Tal Wilson-Perteete UNLV So 3. Krissy Gear Arkansas Jr 4. Cambrea Sturgis North Carolina A&T So 4. Laurie Barton Clemson Sr 4. Courtney Wayment BYU Jr 5. Kemba Nelson’ Oregon Jr 5. Shafiqua Maloney’ Arkansas Sr 5. Gabrielle Jennings Furman Sr 6. Kynnedy Flannel Texas Jr 6. Amber Tanner Georgia Sr 6. Washington Sr 7. Angie Annelus USC Sr 7. Gabrielle Wilkinson Florida So 7. Olivia Markezich Notre Dame Fr 8. Anavia Battle Ohio State Sr 8. Lindsey Butler Virginia Tech So 8. Madie Boreman Colorado Sr 9. TeeTee Terry USC Jr 9. Sarah Hendrick Kennesaw State So 9. Charlotte Prouse’ New Mexico Jr 10. Brittany Aveni Duke Sr 10. Anna Camp BYU Sr 10. Gracie Hyde Arkansas Jr

Track & Field News May 2021 — 30 5000 METERS 4 x 400 SHOT 1. Katie Wasserman Notre Dame Sr 1. Arkansas Arkansas 1. Samantha Noennig Arizona Jr 2. Mercy Chelangat’ Alabama So 2. USC USC 2. Adelaide Aquilla Ohio State Jr 3. Beth Hasz Minnesota Sr 3. Texas Texas 3. Lagi Tausaga Iowa Sr 4. Esther Gitahi’ Alabama Sr 4. Texas A&M Texas A&M 4. Sade Olatoye’ Ohio State Sr 5. Amaris Tynnismaa Alabama Fr 5. Kentucky Kentucky 5. Khayla Dawson Indiana Sr 6. Whittni Orton BYU Sr 6. LSU LSU 6. Akealy Moton North Dakota State So 7. Abbey Wheeler Providence Sr 7. Alabama Alabama 7. Jorinde Van Klinken’ Arizona State Jr 8. Megan Hasz Minnesota Sr 8. Florida Florida 8. Madison Pollard Indiana Sr 9. Nicole Fegans Georgia Tech Jr 9. UCLA UCLA 9. Latavia Maines Tennessee Sr 10. Lauren Gregory Arkansas So 10. South Carolina South Carolina 10. Taylor Latimer Kansas State Jr

10,000 METERS HIGH JUMP DISCUS 1. Mercy Chelangat’ Alabama So 1. Tyra Gittens’ Texas A&M Jr 1. Lagi Tausaga Iowa Sr 2. Carmela Cardama Baez’ Oregon Sr 2. Abigail O’Donoghue LSU Sr 2. Shanice Love’ Florida State Sr 3. Amanda Vestri Syracuse Jr 3. Alexa Porpaczy’ Arizona So 3. Alexandra Emilianov’ Kansas So 4. Grace Forbes Rice Fr 4. Rachel Glenn South Carolina Fr 4. Jorinde Van Klinken’ Arizona State Jr 5. Clare O’Brien’ Boise Sr 5. Anna Hall Georgia Fr 5. Serena Brown’ Iowa Jr 6. Lexie Thompson Weber State Sr 6. Lamara Distin’ Texas A&M So 6. Seasons Usual Texas Tech Jr 7. Aubrey Frentheway BYU So 7. Esther Isa’ Middle Tennessee Jr 7. Nora Monie Houston Sr 8. Katie Izzo Arkansas Sr 8. Jamari Drake New Mexico Sr 8. Zakiya Rashid Miami Sr 9. Aiobhe Richardson’ USF Sr 9. Nyagoa Bayak LSU Fr 9. Debbie Ajagbe Miami Jr 10. Logue Iowa State Jr 10. Morgan Smalls USC Fr 10. Desirea Buerge UT Rio Grande Valley Sr

100 HURDLES POLE VAULT HAMMER 1. Tonea Marshall LSU Sr 1. Lisa Gunnarsson’ LSU Sr 1. Camryn Rogers’ Cal Jr 2. Tara Davis Texas Jr 2. Kayla Smith Georgia Sr 2. Alyssa Wilson UCLA Jr 3. Chanel Brissett Texas Jr 3. Nastassja Campbell Arkansas So 3. Beatrice Llano’ Arizona State Jr 4. Anna Cockrell USC Sr 4. Rachel Baxter Virginia Tech Sr 4. Sade Olatoye’ Ohio State Sr 5. Ackera Nugent’ Baylor Fr 5. Sydney Horn High Point Fr 5. Maddy Nilles North Dakota State Sr 6. Daszay Freeman’ Arkansas So 6. Tuesdi Tidwell Baylor Jr 6. Jillian Shippee North Carolina Jr 7. Jasmine Jones USC Fr 7. Lauren Martinez Arkansas Sr 7. Autavia Fluker South Alabama Sr 8. Tiara McMinn Miami Sr 8. Helen Falda’ South Dakota Sr 8. Shey Taiwo Ole Miss Jr 9. Rayniah Jones UCF Fr 9. Ariádni Adamopoúlou’ Oklahoma State So 9. Helene Ingvaldsen’ Kansas State Sr 10.Yoveinny Mota’ (Ar) So Sr 10. Julia Fixsen Georgia So 10. Tara Simpson-Sullivan’ Rice Fr

400 HURDLES LONG JUMP JAVELIN 1. Anna Cockrell USC Sr 1. Tara Davis Texas Jr 1. Marie-Therese Obst’ Georgia Sr 2. Shae Anderson UCLA So 2. Claire Bryant Florida Fr 2. Kylee Carter Auburn Sr 3. Jurnee Woodward LSU Jr 3. Deborah Acquah’ Texas A&M Sr 3. Alexandra Roberts’ Wake Forest Fr 4. Shannon Meisberger Arizona Jr 4. Jasmine Moore Georgia Fr 4. Skylar Ciccolini Missouri Fr 5. Brittley Humphrey LSU Sr 5. Ruth Usoro’ Texas Tech Jr 5. Kelechi Nwanaga’ Florida State Jr 6. Ashton Lindley South Carolina Fr 6. Jasmyn Steels Northwestern Louisiana Jr 6. Ashton Riner BYU Jr 7. Andrenette Knight’ Virginia Sr 7. Tyra Gittens’ Texas A&M Jr 7. Madison Wiltrout North Carolina Jr 8. Lauren Hoffman Duke Jr 8. Monae’ Nichols Texas Tech Sr 8. Rhema Otabor’ Florida International Fr 9. Milan Young LSU So 9. Aliyah Whisby LSU Sr 9. Kari Wolfe North Dakota State So 10. Darhian Mills Washington Jr 10. Destiny Longmire TCU Sr 10. Roosa Ylönen’ UTEP So

4 x 100 TRIPLE JUMP HEPTATHLON 1. USC USC 1. Ruth Usoro’ Texas Tech Jr 1. Tyra Gittens’ Texas A&M Jr 2. LSU LSU 2. Deborah Acquah’ Texas A&M Sr 2. Anna Hall Georgia Fr 3. Arkansas Arkansas 3. Rūta Lasmane’ Florida State Fr 3. Michelle Atherley Miami Sr 4. Texas Texas 4. Jasmine Moore Georgia So 4. Kristīne Blaževiča’ Texas Fr 5. Alabama Alabama 5. Charisma Taylor’ Washington State Jr 5. Lauren Taubert Kansas State Sr 6. Miami Miami 6. Mikeisha Welcome Oklahoma So 6. Erin Marsh Duke Sr 7. Florida State Florida State 7. Titiana Marsh Georgia Jr 7. Jenny Kimbro Iowa Sr 8. North Carolina A&T North Carolina A&T 8. Bria Matthews Georgia Tech Sr 8. Jadin O’Brien Notre Dame Fr 9. Houston Houston 9. Natricia Hooper’ Florida Sr 9. Mathilde Rey’ Oregon Fr 10. Texas A&M Texas A&M 10. Eszter Bajnok’ Virginia Tech Sr 10. Grace McKenzie’ McNeese State Sr

Track & Field News May 2021 — 31 2021 NCAA Outdoor Time Schedule Prior to Eugene, the preliminaries (2 rounds of most running, qualifying in the field) will be held at the Regionals on May 27–29 (Jacksonville, The ’21 NCAA Championships (Eugene, June 09–12) will once again Florida, for the East, College Station, Texas, for the West). be divided by sex, following the setup initiated in ’15. Other than some dec/hept crossover, the meet will again be men on Wednesday The Eugene timetable, with color-coded finals (blue = men; red = & Friday, women on Thursday & Saturday. women):

Wednesday Men Thursday Men Thursday Women Saturday Women 1:00...... Decathlon 100 09:30.... Decathlon 110 Hurdles 1:00...... Hammer F 11:00....Heptathlon Long Jump 1:40...... Decathlon Long Jump 10:20...... Decathlon Discus 3:32...... 4 x 100 SF 12:15...... Heptathlon Javelin 2:30...... Hammer F 11:30...... Decathlon Pole Vault 3:46...... 1500 SF 2:30...... High Jump F 2:55...... Decathlon Shot 2:00...... Decathlon Javelin 4:00...... Pole Vault F 2:35...... Discus F 4:10...... Decathlon High Jump 5:56...... Decathlon 1500 4:02...... Steeple SF 3:02...... 4 x 100 F 5:02...... 4 x 100 SF 4:32...... 100 Hurdles SF 3:20...... Triple Jump F 5:16...... 1500 SF Friday Men 4:45...... Javelin F 3:11...... 1500 F 5:30...... Pole Vault F 4:30...... High Jump F 4:46...... 100 SF 3:24...... Steeple F 5:32...... Steeple SF 4:35...... Discus F 5:00...... Long Jump F 3:42...... 100 Hurdles F 6:02...... 110 Hurdles SF 5:02...... 4 x 100 F ...... 400 SF 3:52...... 100 F 6:15...... Javelin F 5:11...... 1500 F 5:14...... 800 SF 4:02...... 400 F 6:16...... 100 SF 5:20...... Triple Jump F 5:30...... 400 Hurdles SF 4:14...... 800 F 6:30...... Long Jump F 5:24...... Steeple F 6:40...... Shot F 4:27...... 400 Hurdles F ...... 400 SF 5:42...... 110 Hurdles F 5:44...... 200 SF 4:37...... 200 F 6:44...... 800 SF 5:52...... 100 F 6:08...... 10,000 F 4:43...... Heptathlon 800 7:00...... 400 Hurdles SF 6:02...... 400 F 6:48...... 4 x 400 SF 4:55...... 5000 F 7:10...... Shot F 6:14...... 800 F Friday Women 5:21...... 4 x 400 F 7:14...... 200 SF 6:27...... 400 Hurdles F 12:00...Heptathlon 100 Hurdles 7:26...... Decathlon 400 6:37...... 200 F 1:00...... Heptathlon High Jump as of April 23 7:38...... 10,000 F 6:55...... 5000 F 3:00...... Heptathlon Shot (always subject 8:18...... 4 x 400 SF 7:21...... 4 x 400 F 6:43...... Heptathlon 200 to change)

Hayward Field will be hosting the NCAA for a record 17th time, for the first in the new configutation. VICTOR SAILER/PHOTO RUN

Track & Field News May 2021 — 32 Eliud Kipchoge’s Olympic Warmup: 2:04:30 NN RUNNING TEAM

Globe-trotting to traditional is not back quite yet so Kipchoge made do by circling on airport tarmac.

by Sean Hartnett weather that has enveloped Europe, and the crossed in 1:13:17 — 2:03:42 pace — and slipped race went off under gray skies and a brisk 40 to 2:04 flat at 30K. degrees (c5C). Not the cold and rain combo that Sans pacer, Korir could only manage another Kipchoge experienced in his 2:06:46 stumble in kilometer of accompaniment before falling off ENSCHEDE, , April 18 — London, but definitely chilly — and evident in the pace. Kipchoge soloed the final 10K in 29:46, Reigning Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge t h e op e n i ng 3K (9:0 4) a s t h e c omp e t itor s wa r me d slowing a bit but never really struggling. Putting returned to competition, of sorts, and logged up at 2:07:31 pace. a little zip into the final kilometer he stopped a 2:04:30 tune-up at the NN Mission . With a nudge from the WR holder, pacers the clock in a world-leading 2:04:30 and noted, Three months out from the Tokyo/Sapporo Philemon Kacheran and Noah Kipkemboi got “The race was really perfect. It was a bit windy Olympic race, it appears the 36-year-old Ken- after it, rattling off a string of low 2:50 kilos to but I have no complaint.” yan is back on form after an inner-ear issue cross 10K in 29:15, a 2:03:35 pace. Zipping the Korir held on for 2nd in a PR 2:06:40. In derailed his efforts last October in a London ensuing 3K in 8:37, the pace dipped to 2:02:54, total, 15 bettered the 2:11:30 Olympic standard, Marathon event. w it h o n ly o n e ot h e r c omp e t itor, Jo n at h a n Kor i r, including 2012 London champ Stephen Kipro- “It’s mission accomplished,” Kipchoge said in the lead quartet. tich (2:09:04). Nine women bettered the 2:29:30 of his return-to-form effort, adding “the NN Kipchoge, running in his familiar white kit, Olympic standard with German Katharina Mission Marathon was the real test for the To- arm warmers and hat, ran ever-efficiently, in Steinruck taking the win in a PR 2:25:59. kyo Olympics. It was good a few months before form reminiscent of his pre-pandemic 2:01:39 Overall, it is hard to say how significant Tokyo to test our fitness.” WR race at ’18 and claiming his fourth a gauge this was of Kipchoge’s Olympic pros- With pandemic-induced cancellations of London title the following April in a CR 2:02:37. pects. The chilly conditions made for tough most mass-participation marathons, Kipchoge’s While the eyes saw the Kipchoge of old, running, and scant few athletes could crank management team at Global Sports Communi- the clock began to tell a different story as a out a 2:04:30 time-trial effort. While Kipchoge cation staged this Olympic Qualifying event 2:55 for the 14th K gave way to a string of high is well accustomed to these staged races, you at the Twente Airport. Contested on a 5K loop 2:50s. The pace crept over 2:03, and halfway s e n s e d a mot ivat ion a l void a s he c i rc le d a r ou nd around the tarmac, this event was a quick fix was passed in 61:43. t he t a r mac w it h no compet itor i n sig ht a nd on ly a week after the originally planned race in D o f f i n g h i s h a t a n d g l o v e s , K ip c h o g e s e e m e d the ghosts of decommissioned 747s looking on. Hamburg was scrapped and forced to relocate determined to stop the slide, but neither the Two years is a long time from his last major across the border. weather nor the pace warmed up and the sec- win in London and his 10-race . While the organization sorted out the ond half of this morning run turned into a cold O n ly t i me, a nd Oly mpic c omp e t it ion , w i l l t el l i f venue, they could not escape the cold spring grind. With only Kacheran left to pace, 25K was we saw the Eliud of old, or an older Kipchoge.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 33 JIMMY SU Paige Sommers Scales New Prep Outdoor High Of 14-8½

“After those two The Olympic Trials and before that achiev- bad meets, I was ing its qualifying standard of 15-1 stand as the just kind of deter- apogee goals for the year. Sommers’ senior mined on making season is — no matter where and how high she [the Menifee comp] ends up vaulting — an extension of the flight a good meet,” Som- of imagination she launched upon seeing dad’s mers says. “So I kind vaulting shots on the wall. of just gave myself When John got Paige a pole at her urging and t h at e x t ra c o n fide nc e took her to an all-comers meet that summer after before the meet and her 6th-grade year, she won… against high school- I was like, ‘This is ers. Her dad was pleased though not shocked. going to be good.’ I “You know, I’ll tell you,” he says. “I mean, just kept telling my- I’m not surprised because Paige, I knew from s e l f t h at. I t h i n k f r om e a rly o n t h at s h e wa s j u s t a r e a l ly s p e c i a l at h le t e. having those two bad I mean, she, her whole life, sports she did, she meets, it was just a did very well in. She played club soccer, she learning experience. pl aye d c lub ba ske t ba l l a nd s h e e xc e l le d at t ho s e. “I kind of fig- You k now, we’re a family t hat does a lot of snow Vaulting runs in Paige Sommers’ family; that’s her dad and ured out that the skiing and water skiing, wakeboarding, and coach John, himself a 17-9 performer, watching the show. poles I was on for all that type of stuff. And she’s just a beautiful the heights were snow skier and water skier, very coordinated just not the ones I was supposed to be on. So I and just picks things up really easily.” by Sieg Lindstrom just made those adjustments for this new meet. “I knew she’d be good and I knew she’d have And just kind of put trust in my training and the body type of a pole vaulter so I thought she’d AS SOON AS SHE NOTICED the photos, high from figuring everything out, just kind of put do well. I didn’t think she’d do this well. I mean, schooler Paige Sommers (Westlake, Westlake it together and it just happened to work.” you’re never expecting her to jump a national Village, California) conceived a vision that is Standing 5-11½, Sommers, who will head record — especially when she was in 6th grade. pl ay i ng o ut to t h i s d ay. He r 14 - 8½ (4.4 8 5) vau lt a s to Duke for college next fall, is a tall drink of “We were just hoping to do well and use it to Apr i l b ega n m ade h e r t h e h ig h e s t-fly i ng o utdo or water among women vaulters of any level. She get into college and that type of thing, and maybe vaulter in prep history and carried her to No. 2 has nearly an inch on ’s 5-10¾ and as have a college career pole vaulting and so forth. on the absolute all-time list (see chart). her PRs climb higher finds herself in the early “But yeah, she definitely broke me down. And The photos in question were shots hung on s t age s of work i ng w it h s ome ve r y le ng t hy p ole s. so we started at the end of 6th grade. Obviously t he wall of her attor ney dad’s home office, images Prior to the crucial height at the Menifee with pole vault, you don’t have a pole vault pit in f r om Joh n S om me r s ’ c ol leg i at e vau lt c a r e e r i n t h e meet Sommers had never before vaulted with your backyard. So we just waited until the local ’90s. Sommers père had reached the NCAA Indoor the 14-7 (165) pole she used for her big clearance h ig h s c ho ol s p ut t h e i r pit s o ut a nd we ac t u a l ly h ad and then set a PR 17-9 outdoors as a UCLA senior there, and at home in the family garage she has to scale fences and we got kicked out of multiple in ’94. Looking at the photos as an elementary an even stiffer 14-7 (170) stick. high schools that first year, but it was a lot of fun schooler, Paige found herself entranced. “I think I’ll probably now be bringing the and that’s kinda how we got started.” “I mean, there’s just no sport like pole 170 to meets,” she says. “I haven’t ever brought Chasing records, motivating as that is, is vaulting,” says the talented senior, who is now it to meet s just because it ’s my bigger pole t hat ’s not a l l t h at ke e p s S om me r s i nve s t e d. “ T h e t h i ng coached by her dad. “It’s so different. And I think just for the higher heights I’ve been blowing that I really like about pole vault,” she says, “is just even seeing an image of someone kind of through. I haven’t been able to use it yet, but that there’s kind of no limit to how high you like flying through the air just kind of sparks hopefully in meets where I’m going for PRs can go — because you can always increase your something in me that shows how it’s different again I’ll be able to jump on it.” speed, get more power, get faster. There’s so than others and just made me want to try it.” The heavy lumber may come in handy for many factors that go into it. She was determined to fly too. h e ig ht s l i ke 14 -10 — a n i nc h a b ove C h lo e Cu n l i ffe ’s “So yea h, t here’s always somet h i ng to work That she has done. On April 03 in a meet at absolute HSR of 14-9i — where Sommers recorded on, which is kind of exciting for me because I the Vault Club facility in Menifee, California — three misses to close out the Menifee meet. like to try to perfect things.” the same site where T&FN’s ’20 HS Girls MVP Of the biggest guns in his daugh- L e a h Pa s q u a le tt i s o a r e d 14 - 8¼ , h e r e tofor e t h e top ter’s pole collection, John Sommers outdoor mark in girls’ prep history — Sommers says, “We have them in the bag for The All-Time HS Girls Top 10 Vault List went a quarter-inch higher. meets, but you know, we never even After the five early heights she went get on those in practice because you Now the highest outdoor prep vaulter ever, Paige Sommers is just a fraction of an inch behind the highest ever, indoors or out. The Absolute top 10 (i = mark through, needing two tries at a pair of them, at really need to be in the moment with made indoors): 14-4 Sommers went over on her third attempt the bar up there, with the crowd, you Mark Athlete School Year and after conferring with her dad asked to go know, and have the adrenaline of a next at the outdoor-best height. meet to even get on these poles.” 1. 14-9i Chloe Cunliffe (West, Seattle, Washington) 2019 One and done. Over she went on first time While the C19 lockdown closed off 2. 14-8½ Paige Sommers (Westlake, Westlake Village, California) 2021 of asking, barely jiggling the crosspiece on her spring opportunities just as Sommers 3. 14-8¼ Leah Pasqualetti (Orchard Park, New York) 2020 way down. From the pit she bounded into an had started to roll with a 14-6 in late 4. 14-7½ Lexi Jacobus (Cabot, Arkansas) 2015 exultant bear hug from her dad. February of ’20, claiming both the na- 5. 14-7¼ Desiree Freier (Northwest, Justin, Texas) 2014 Both athlete and coach were ecstatic she had tional age-16 and junior-class records, climbed spectacularly out of a winter slump that this year she eyes a somewhat fuller 6. 14-5½ Rachel Baxter (Canyon, Anaheim, California) 2017 included a couple of disappointing meets. At Feb- local schedule ahead for April, May and 7. 14-4i Tori Hoggard (Cabot, Arkansas) 2015 ruary’s adidas Indoor Nationals she had placed 2nd June. Planned stops include the Redondo 8. 14-3¾ ***Amanda Moll (Capital, Olympia, Washington) 2020 after topping out at 13-9¼. She won at the outdoor Track Festival (April 30–May 01) and 9. 14-3 Olivia Lueking (Clear Creek, League City, Texas) 2021 NSAF Meet of Champions a month later but flew the esteemed (set 10. 14-2¾ Morgann LeLeux (Catholic, New Iberia, Louisiana) 2011 home less than thrilled by her 12-11½ best. for May 08 as a California-only affair).

Track & Field News May 2021 — 34 Focus On The U.S. Women’s 5000 MIKE SCOTT Shelby Houli- han is key to the con- versation. Now 28, s h e s e t t h at A me r ic a n Record of 14:23.92 last summer in Portland. S h e op t e d for t h e 5 0 0 0 at the ’16 Olympics and ’17 Worlds. In ’18 she won both events at t h e USAT F C h a mp s and racked up some big finishes in Eu- rope. In ’19, having won the USATF dou- ble again, she opted for the shorter race in Doha, placing 4th in an AR 3:54.99. Her plan when Houlihan spoke with T&FN a year ago was to double at the Trials. We’re now guessing she might be leaning to t h e 15 0 0 t h e s e d ays, b ut we h ave no r e a s o n to b e c o n f ide nt i n t h at guess. Karissa Sch- weizer i s a s u r e t h i ng for the 5000, and she says the big question & could be major players in the OT 5000… is whether she will come back for the or concentrate their efforts elsewhere. 10,000. Last summer she was right behind side has been significantly affected by the Houlihan in that 5K, moving to No. 2 among by Jeff Hollobaugh change in the meet schedule which puts both Americans with her 14:26.34. The 24-year-old’s it and the 1500 in the first few days of the Tri- recent breakthrough includes a 4:00.02 and a als. The finals are now scheduled 35 minutes 30:47.99. In other words, should she make the TRUTH: the women’s 5000 has not been apart on Day 4. team, she’s fast enough and strong enough to be America’s best event historically. Not even That means that assuming the schedule is a podium contender on the world stage. close, in an event which debuted in the World running like clockwork, a wannabe doubler Shannon Rowbury is a formidable 5000 Championships in ’95 and in the Olympics a would have less than a half hour after an ex- threat, even at age 36. She has a PR of 14:38.92 year later. In the history of the OG/WC, some tremely competitive 1500 to gather herself for (’16), t wice she’s been a WC f i nalist i n t he event, 19 races, not once has an American woman an extremely competitive 5000. and given that she twice placed 4th in the OG even stepped on the podium, the high in each Fuhggedaboutit! None of the top contenders 1500, she clearly knows how to race in a fast meet being a 9th. a re look i ng at t hat as a possibi l it y, t houg h some crowd. Stronger than ever after the birth of But one race last summer is among our of the longer distance types are contemplating her daughter, last summer she ripped times of reasons for excitement about the 12½ lapper. another double, whether to run the 5000 final 4:02.56 and 14:45.11 on the Euro circuit. Two American women went under the AR and 5 days before the 10,000 final. Elise Cranny, 25, put herself in the conver- moved to spots 12 and 14 on the all-time world Which leads the wily prognosticator to the sation with a 14:48.02 PR last summer in Port- list. Si nce t he f lame lef t R io’s Oly mpic cauldron next conundrum: who’s going to choose the land, finishing just ahead of steepler Courtney in ’16, only 7 other women on earth have run 5000 over the 1500? At least three of our top Fr e r ic h s. P r i m a r i ly a 15 0 0 r u n n e r i n t h e pa s t, t h e as fast. They won’t all be contesting the Tokyo. c o nt e nde r s i n e ac h a r e fac e d w it h t h e c hoic e, a nd Stanford alum looks like a threat at both the 5K Suddenly, it seems America is in the game they’re all waiting to get some serious racing and 10K (where she is now the No. 3 American and not just because of the two who broke in before making their decision. ever at 30:47.42). the record most recently. The event boasts a Vanessa Fraser, also 25, produced a big wealth of talent, and some of these athletes The Contenders 14:48.51 indoors in early ’20, but lost a good have proven themselves to be savvy racers on chunk of time in the summer with Achilles the international scene. In all, 7 of the top 10 in At first, we wanted to divide this into the problems and double surgery on her heels. U.S. history, including the top 4, are potential- 1500 types and the 5000 specialists, but there’s Since then, she’s run one 10K (32:09.57 PR) and ly still in the mix; No. 5 all-time at 14:44.80 is really no such thing as a 5000 specialist these worked through a stress reaction in her femur. this month’s T&FN Interview subject, recently days. It seems like they all share an affinity If her Instagram posting is any indication, she retired Shalane Flanagan. with Jenny Simpson, who says, “My heart is can’t wait to get to a starting line. If healthy, However, the narrative for the event state- in the 1500.” she’s a team contender.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 35 Jenny Simpson has made no secret of the her 15:06.71 PR at 5000 by a healthy margin. i n t he 5 (15:08.28) might g ive her t he impet us to fact that she prefers the shorter race, but she is Alicia Monson, 22, an NCAA Indoor champ double. The gold medalist from Rio, keeping the door open to the 5000. While her for Wisconsin, is training in Colorado under the she has skipped the Nike Bowerman Club’s 5K PR (14:56.26) dates back to ’13, she ran an guidance of Dathan Ritzenhein as part of the a lt it ude ph a s e a f t e r s h e a nd h e r c o ac h e s ag r e e d indoor 14:58.67 in early ’20. Whether or not she new O n At h let ics Club. She’s already improved it hasn’t worked well for her. makes the jump to the longer event at age 34 her PR to 15:07.65 and last December she took , 29, has been flourishing in depends on what she a nd her coaches see as she nea rly 2:0 0 of f her 10K best w it h a 31:10.84. She’s the longer distances, but a recent visit to the starts raci ng t h is season. A rough open i ng 1500 probably a good bet to double t hough her coach 5000 gave her a surprise PR 14:55.82. However, in Eugene did not settle the question. “I’ll call says the decision still has to be made. s h e h a s s a id s h e wo n’t b e do ubl i ng. A w i n i n t h e that a rust-buster,” she says. Lauren Paquette, 34, has U.S.-Ranked in recent USATF 15K Championships in a snappy Allie Buchalski, 26, hasn’t been U.S.-ranked the 5000 on 3 occasions and last summer ran a 48:09 speaks well for her strength. yet but is improving quickly as a member of t he PR 15:10.01. Since then she has fought through , though she’s run a 14:51.91 Br o ok s B e a s t s. La s t s u m me r s h e ove r c a me i n j u r y some hamstring problems but says she is ready indoors (’20), tends to opt for the 10K in the big problems and worked with a sports psychologist to race again. meets, where she won the World bronze in ’15. to get her edge back. It seems to be working; the At 31 s h e r e p or t s t h at t ra i n i ng i s goi ng we l l a nd Furman grad ripped off a quick 14:57.54 PR for her speed is progressing. Two February races 2nd behind Emily Sisson in March. The 10,000 Types looked quite good: an 8:51.63 for 3K and a PR Elle Purrier, 26, chose the 5000 as her main Then there are those that are fuzzy crystal 31:08.57 for 10. event in ’19, placing 3rd at USATF and 11th in ball says may be more likely to focus solely on has been a 2-time Olympian Doha in a PR 14:58.17. However, her splash of the 25-lapper. in the 5000. At 35, will she concentrate more big speed in the pre-pandemic ’20 indoor circuit , now 36, has plenty of good on the 10,000? Don’t ask us. We’re just guessing probably has her looking much more closely at credentials at 5000, with a 14:42.64 PR (’14) and here. In March she ran a 4:16.14 for 1500 in a the 1500 now. She ran a an AR 4:16.85 to win several Olympic/World finals to her credit. low-key meet in Scottsdale, so she has some the Millrose mile. Then in August, after a quiet Yet she has done better on the world stage at speed. And her 5000 seasonal best is 15:17.66, pandemic spring 2020 at home in Vermont, she the 10,000 and says her training is focused on not too terribly far from her ’19 PR of 15:05.20. cruised a low-key local 1500 in 4:00.77. Report- that event. She’s a gritty racer and should have an impact edly her coach, , says she’s leaning , 29, is probably also a better in whatever she chooses. 75% toward the 1500. pick at the 10,000, where she placed 8th at the Whoever shows up on the Hayward Field Rachel Schneider i s s how i ng mor e s t r e ng t h ’19 Worlds in a PR 31:05.71. However, with the starting line for the last race of the day on June than ever at age 29. While she might be tempted 5000 first, she might consider the double. Her 21, we k now t hat it w i l l probably t a ke sub -14:45 to t r y t h e 15 0 0 — wh e r e s h e ra n a 4:02 . 26 e n r o ut e 5K best, 15:02.27, is from ’19. So far this year, f it n e s s to f i n i s h i n t h e top 3. T h e rac e — wh e t h e r to a 4:20.91 mile in in ’19 — she says she’s shown us a 9:05.72 and a 31:21.78 in her fast from the gun or slow and tactical — will she’s more likely to attempt the 5K/10K double. specialty. likely give us our finest 5000 team ever. And that Bet ween her 1500 best a nd her December 10K of , 35, has been generally bodes well for the possibility that an American 31:09.79, it would seem she is ready to improve assumed to be a 10K hopeful, but a recent PR might finally step on that podium. KIRBY LEE/IMAGE OF SPORT

Molly Huddle will come into the OT as reigning 5000 champ, but will she run it?

Track & Field News May 2021 — 36 Karissa Schweizer Is Ready For Some Real Racing

on trying to break the current record [14:34.45]. Let’s not go crazy.’ “We were both itching for a little more but he was definitely trying to keep us grounded.” The 1500 PR? Let’s just say Schweizer, just a

VICTOR SAILER/PHOTO RUN 4:10.68 performer when she wrapped her colle- giate career, has mixed feelings on the 4:00.02: “That one kills me. I think that’s my least favorite of all time, but Jerry was really happy with that one. He’s like, ‘I never would have thought that you from college would be a 4-flat 1500 runner, and the way you ran it, I know you’re sub-4.’ “It was just really frustrating because I was coming down the homestretch and the clock was delayed. When I crossed it said 3:59 but then it corrected itself to 4:00.02 and it was just heartbreaking. I was like, ‘Omigosh!’ I think back, if the clock wasn’t delayed, would I have run faster? But at the same time I was very well spent on the line. “That was a tough race, especially because I was just kinda out on my own at the end. It’s always nice to have someone pushing you to get those extra little 0.02 seconds.” The 10,000 in February: “We planned to run Despite the lack of “outside competition,” Karissa Schweizer has racked up an a fast 10K for a while and we didn’t really know impressive set of PRs in the last year. how fa s t it wa s goi ng to b e. We we r e t a l k i ng a b o ut trying to get the Olympic standard and that’s a pretty big PB already. We were doing these Cit y, Ut a h, du r i ng one fi na l a lt it ude pha s e before workouts and Jerry was like, ‘You’re really ready by Jeff Hollobaugh the “real” racing begins, Schweizer finds herself for a fast 10K!’ I think he just wanted everything powering through a little more snow than ex- to be perfect. pected. “I don’t know if we’ve ever been up here “We had our pacers through 4M or so and AFTER A YEAR of dazzling times in the this early. They just closed the ski slopes for the after that the instructions were for me to take midst of the pandemic, Karissa Schweizer is season, but we just got dumped on.” over and then for Elise to take over. We just kept more than ready to race for real. Still just 24, the Even with the winter cold, it’s a more opti- swapping the lead and cranking it down. I was Nike Bowerman runner burned her way to the mistic time than it was a year ago. Then, with her impressed at how much we were able to wind it higher reaches of the all-time U.S. lists in all her fi r s t ye a r u nde r h e r b e lt a s a pr o — a nd a 9 t h -pl ac e dow n at t he end. I defi n itely d id n’t t h i n k we were key events over a 12-month span. finish in the Doha 5000 — Schweizer had aimed goi ng to go u nder 31. It was exc it i ng to k now how The onslaught started in late-February ’20, for big things heading in to the Tokyo Olympics t h at felt a nd t h at we a r e r eady for t ho s e big 10K s.” when she broke the absolute American Record only to see the schedule turned upside down. Of all of her races, Schweizer looks back to for 3000m (Mary Slaney’s last record) with a “There was a time in the spring where I was the 3000 AR as the one that’s most meaningful: shocking 8:25.70 in . Racing was sparse just like, ‘Gosh, I feel like nothing’s going for us.’ “T he whole race i n it s el f, I su r pr i s ed mys el f. A lot over the pandemic summer, but she made it A nd we r e a l ly d id n’t k now wh at we we r e goi ng to of people were foc used on Shelby or ot her people count, hitting 14:26.34 over 5000m in placing 2nd do with everything being postponed. And Jerry breaking the record and I just kind of went into to training partner Shelby Houlihan’s AR. Eleven was like, ‘We should go up to altitude still and it like, ‘Why not me?’ I stuck my nose in it and I days later she sizzled a 1500 in 4:00.02, moving just try to mimic a normal year.’ was really happy with the outcome.” to No. 8 all-time in the U.S. “I know personally I was pretty unmotivated Clearly, Schweizer has found the right mix On February 20 of this year, she placed 2nd to go up. It was so hard to be committed and in her current training environment. The 6-time to teammate Elise Cranny in the 10K in San dedicated when you don’t even know if you’re NCAA champion for Missouri has blossomed far Juan Capistrano, her 30:47.99 making her No. 4 going to be able to race. So we just kind of went beyond her collegiate expectations. Her timing all-time U.S. With the exception of the 3000 right up with the hopes of having a time-trial event couldn’t be better for the upcoming stretch of before the pandemic shut things down, all of the [that summer] and Jerry was going to time it. I’m 5 straight years with global championships, marks came in choreographed events that for all grateful that it turned into something way more starting with an anticipated 5K/10K double at purposes were basically time trials. than just that.” the Trials. “After that whole summer, I was just “I’ve t a l ke d to [c o ac h Je r r y S c hu m ac h e r] a b o ut The 5000 performance in July vaulted Sch- itching to race other people to see how we stack t h is,” she says, “a nd it ’s l i ke, I’m just so f r ust rated wei z er i nto t he eve nt ’s el ite, w it h on ly 13 hu ma n s up to them because we finally ran these times that we have to just keep racing our team. At ever faster, all but two of them born in Africa. and have this confidence. We’re going into a big some point, you don’t want to keep racing against “I wasn’t super-surprised because Shelby and I year and I can put myself into the mix because the same people. You just want that getting on were training very hard throughout the whole I’m confident. I’ve run those times.” the line and not knowing anything about your spring and summer and just kind of felt we Of her improvements, she adds: “I think competitors and just going out there and seeing were on another level. We went and paced the those jumps are super-exciting and every time what you can do for the day. other girls in a 5K the week prior to our race. We I’ve made a big jump, I was kind of expecting it “He just keeps telling us, ‘This is setting you paced them through 4K and we were like, ‘That in a weird way. You see these workouts and you guys up for when everything does go back to felt really good.’ see all the training going into it. normal. And we’ll just be that much more ready “That gave us a ton of confidence. We told “It’s been exciting and on paper, it looks for when things do return to normal.’” Jerry, ‘We think we can run sub-14:30’ and he crazy. But when you see the training, it all Now training with her teammates in Park just shook his head. He’s like, ‘Let’s just focus makes sense.”

Track & Field News May 2021 — 37 Shannon Rowbury — Not Fade Away leading up to the Olympics.” For Rowbury, the approach to what would MIKE SCOTT be her fourth Olympics might at times seem like old hat — she’s the consummate veteran. Yet no road is the same twice and in uncertain times that is doubly true. Crucially, there is the decision on whether she w i l l r u n t he 1500 or t he 5000. T he t wo events overlap impossibly at the Trials, their finals starting just 35 minutes apart. She says she w i l l ma ke t he dec i sion a f ter her next races, in May and June. Currently she has the 5000 standard for Tokyo, but her fast 1500 times last summer fell in WA’s dead zone when marks didn’t count for qualifying. “If I get the 1500 standard [4:04.20], then I’ll have the privilege of deciding between the two,” she says, admitti ng t hat her heart st ill favors t he 1500, all other factors being equal. “That will always be my favorite event,” she says of the one that saw her finish 7th in the ’08 Games and then 4th in both ’12 and ’16. “It’s a challenging event because it can be so heartbreaking. I’ve set the American Record and I’ve also come in 4th at the Olympics. It’s At 36, Shannon Rowbury is optimistic about making her fourth Olympic squad. one I’ve really enjoyed because of the intensity of it. But the more I do the 5K, the more I am being a mother — it happened because of it, u nde r s t a nd i ng it a nd t r y i ng to p e r f e c t my a bi l it y by Jeff Hollobaugh Rowbury explains. “It’s given me a new per- to execute a good one.” s p e c t ive: t h e r e ’s c e r t a i n t h i ng s t h at I e x p e r ie nc e d Over the winter, Rowbury reupped her “AS SOON AS SHE CAME into the world, during my running career that felt wrong or contract with Nike. It’s a 1-year deal — or 2, if running would never come first.” So Shannon were painful or challenging, but in my brain she makes the Olympic team. Rowbury describes the transformation that it was, ‘OK, I’m tough enough. I can take this. “I had planned for my running career to be came over her with the arrival of her daughter, It’s fine. This is the price I have to pay to be an done in the fall of 2020. I’d wrapped my head Sienna, in ’18. athlete at the highest level.’ around that. It was very emotional to process Yet if anyone thinks the 3-time Olympic 1500 “Now as a mother, looking back on those that. Then the world turned upside down. I fi na l ist, now 36, is a ny less of a racer as a mot her, experiences, I’m imagining what if that had spent a lot of time talking to my husband and they weren’t paying attention to her ’20 season. been my daughter Sienna and unequivocally just soul searching on runs. S h e op e n e d up w it h a to u r of t h e Sm a l l Tow n saying I would never let her be treated that way. “Did I want to pursue this extended season O r e go n Pa nde m ic C i r c u it, h itt i ng 8:4 0. 26 for 3 0 0 0 “So that ’s really created a motivation for me and all of the implications that it had, both good in Blue River and 4:03.62 for 1500 in Newberg. to continue the work that I’ve done in trying to and bad, for my family?” She pauses before Then she made her way to Europe and kept i mp r o ve t h e s p o r t i n g wo rl d t o b e a m o r e e q u it a bl e recounting what she’s happy about at this stage racking up the fast times: 14:45.11 for 5000 — place and to be one that’s more welcoming to a of her career: “I’m really proud of what I’ve her No. 2 time ever — in Monaco; a 4:03.04 in woman athlete’s experience and more inclusive accomplished. I think my consistency is among ; a 2:04.46 in Gothenberg, her first 800 than it has been. That’s given me a different the best in the sport, and while consistency isn’t in 4 years. She closed out the campaign with a kind of motivation. I want to be successful; I always valued as high as a shining star moment, 4:02.56 in Berlin. want to set an example for her. I want to show that is really who I am and what I stand for.” “When the pandemic first hit,” the Duke grad her the challenges and the joys of pursuing a S h e a l s o p oi nt s to h e r work i n advo c at i ng for says, “there was this limbo. I had to do all my multifaceted life. women athletes and helping with the eventual training alone, and then there were still about a “Really, that motivation to make the world creation of USATF’s maternity policy. She notes couple of weeks where it looked like maybe the better if and where I can really was crystallized that her work there stems from a conversation Oly mpic s wo u ld h app e n . A nd t h at wa s l i ke, ‘OK , through her coming into my life.” she had with coach Pete Julian. head down, just grind it out, whatever you have O ne offshoot of t h is evolut ion ca me over t he And then there is the historical context of to do.’ Then once the Olympics were postponed, winter, when Rowbury took a part-time role at a her racing: “When I started in 2008, we weren’t it all became real. startup called Parity, which, she says, “is working getting any American distance women in the “So really having to adjust my training sig- to create more sponsorship opportunities for [WC/OG] finals. Since that time, it’s been a whole nificantly from about March until June, I wasn’t women athletes.” new era that I’m really proud to have been a part on a track, I just did fartlek. So, when I look at the She notes, “That’s definitely been a new of and help usher the way forward.” results that I ultimately had, I wanted quicker challenge in terms of balancing my day and “ I m e a n , lo ok , t h r e e Oly mp ic t e a m s i s a l r e ady because I’m competitive like that. And, you know, trying to fit in my training as well as the work above and beyond. A fourth is like a cherry on you’re always driven to try to PR or come close that I’m doing. And fortunately, I really love top. I want to make that team because I think I to a PR . Howeve r, wh e n I t h i n k a b out t h e c o nt e x t both the running and the work with Parity. The can and I’ve worked for it. It’s an opportunity and the sort of highly disjointed training and work that I’m doing is fun, but it’s a lot, trying to really live this season with all its ups and lead up that I had had, I’m extremely proud of to fit it all into the schedule.” downs and highs and lows, really trying to my ability to run compelling times despite the She couldn’t do it all — and parent — with- soak it all in.” circumstances.” out the support of husband Pablo Solares and In other words, Shannon Rowbury is not The inspired racing didn’t happen despite fa m i ly: “It ’s b e e n a l l h a nd s on de c k i n t he p er io d fading away. Not even close.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 38 Jenny Simpson Still Going Strong… But In Which Event? KIRBY LEE/IMAGE OF SPORT

Jenny Simpson was blown away when she broke 4:00 at the ’09 Pre Classic. To this day she remains the only collegian ever to break 4:00 and the call of the 1500 remains strong. But what about the 5000?…

“[Whether] I won’t miss a beat, or if it’s really ‘You deserve a summer off; just stay home and by Jeff Hollobaugh going to take a toll, I will know that better once enjoy your life. You deserve a break.’ I get out there and start racing again.” “It’s not that we shut down and stopped “IT HAS BEEN THE LONGEST stretch of In any case, one of the many effects of the training, but we didn’t look for racing oppor- my career, probably since middle school, that pandemic was that Simpson enjoyed the rare tunities. I got to spend the summer here just I’ve gone without racing,” notes Jenny Simpson. treat of staying home over the summer. “Your t ra i n i ng , p ut t i ng i n m i le s a nd ge t t i ng to b e k i nd “Since the dawn of my interest in running at goal is to be healthy and be racing and making of a normal person with a dog [Truman, a Jack all, I’ve never gone this long without racing.” teams. And I’ve had this incredible fortune of Russell Terrier] and yard projects. We last saw America’s most bemedaled a long streak of summers where I’m out on the “It was my first summer home since I’ve woman distance runner on the track back in road. In 2019, I remember we were headed to been married, my first summer home as an Febr ua r y of ’20, whe n she made a ra r e foray i nto the U.S. Championships and it was the first adult. I’ve really tried to just revel in that the 5000 and came away with a 14:58.67 best, time it felt like this streak of consistently being and be appreciative of it. Looking back on it, then the No. 3 U.S. indoor performance ever. gone and traveling… it was the first year that I wonder if having that release valve is going Of her hiatus the 34-year-old Colorado alum it felt like a lot. to give me more years in my career, because I says, “You’re not the first person to ask, ‘What’s “When the pandemic hit and we started don’t feel tired anymore and I feel eager again, t h at l i ke? ’ a nd I f e e l I do n’t r e a l ly k now ye t .” S h e ’s to evaluate what options we would have as I feel really ent husiast ic about get t i ng out t here looking forward to racing at the end of April to the dominoes fell, my coaches were just really and racing again.” straighten out her thoughts on the time away. thoughtful and really incredible and they said, As usual, last year coaches Mark Wetmore

Track & Field News May 2021 — 39 and Heather Burroughs had Simpson take an adds, “I’m qualified in the 5K and the 15 for medal is that they — and I don’t think this is e nd- of- s e a s o n br e a k , b ut t h i s t i me it c a me e a rl ie r the Trials. So I’ll keep my options open and be just in me but I do think I’ve experienced this — August — and lasted longer than ever. And watching how the training goes. If the 15 looks over and over — you just always think you can she still started on her fall base-training earlier shaky for any reason…” she pauses, then says win. Even when the odds didn’t dictate that I than usual. “It kind of shook up the schedule “but so far, the 1500 hasn’t let me go.” should feel that way. It doesn’t mean that I feel and I won’t really know if we did it right until Yet as any armchair coach is absolutely that way every day or that I feel that way when I start racing again. But along the way I felt like convinced, Simpson could be so much better the plane lands at the location of the next race. we made really good decisions.” at 5000 if only…! But when I toe the starting line, I just always She put together a solid winter of training, She laughs. “The candid truth is it’s more t h i n k t h at I wo u ld p ut my mo n e y o n me a nd t h at t hough she says t hat t he unpredictabilit y of t he frustrating — or alluring, depending on the has to come from a really genuine and sincere pandemic resulted in challenges using indoor way you look at it — to my coaches than it is to place to work. facilities at the right times and sometimes me. I look at my career and the finish lines I’ve “I don’t know if that’s good parenting or complicated workouts with training partners. r u n t h rough, a nd I t h i n k, ma n, I’ve got ten more good coaching or what, but somewhere along “That’s where some of my experience came than I ever dreamed and more than I think I the way and probably all along the way, I’ve in as a strength,” she explains. “If everyone’s deserve. And I’m never going to look back and had good people speaking into my life and dealing with this, then I’m no worse for it. The say, ‘What if?’ because the version of the career encouraging that part of me that has maybe an person that will get through it the best is the I’ve run, I’m so grateful for. unjustified confidence that then t ur ns out to be person who doesn’t let it rattle them. So I just “The people that bring it up often are Mark a really great asset.” tried to go with the flow, but even for me, it was and Heather. Even with just a little bit of training Wit h g lo ba l c h a mpio n s h ip s now h app e n i ng hard at times.” last January I ran under 15:00, so it’s out there. I annually through ’25, Simpson will have plen- Now looking ahead to the racing season definitely could focus on the 5K and run another ty more podiums to aim for. She says, “I plan — finally — Simpson is faced with the same PR, and just the curiosity to see what that PR could on racing until my talent runs out. That’s my mandated choice as many in her event group: lo ok l i ke. But I do n’t k now. I’m c u r io u s, b ut it ’s no t plan, and kind of tongue in cheek, but kind of 1500 or 5000 at the Trials? And though it has something that drives my training personally.” seriously, I say I thought I would have gotten been 10 years since she won her World title in However that choice plays out, Simpson’s slower by now. I mean, I’m going to be 35 this the 1500, she still is not sold on the notion of opponents know to never count her out. Her s u m me r a nd I’m doi ng worko ut s t h at a r e a s go o d moving up. c a r e e r h a s b e e n f i l le d w it h s uc c e s s e s i n t h e mo s t as ever for the 1500. Who would have thought “I’ve tried to imagine my life apart from pressure-filled scenarios. She has qualified for that my body and my mind and my will could [the 1500] and it just never seems to work out. the last 10 World/Olympic teams up for grabs, last this long?” [Howeve r] I a lways ke e p my m i nd a nd my h ea r t a nd t h e n m ade t h e f i n a l s 8 t i me s, w it h 4 p o d iu m She mentions her father, who has had the op e n to t h e p o s s i bi l it y t h at t h e r e c o u ld b e a no t h - appearances topped, of course, by her ’11 gold. longevity conversation with her many times er event that’s better suited. It’s just prudent to Always introspective and candid, Simpson over the years. “The last time we were together not be so addicted to one thing if your training will, when asked, explore the reasons she has during the pandemic, he said to me, ‘I don’t tells you could be good at something different. found so much success. “So few people medal, think you know why you have this longevity’ I really encourage young people to keep your you kind of have to have everything to make it and that’s the closest thing to the truth. mind and heart open to the possibility that you happen,” she responds. “There’s certainly an “S o ye a h , I do n’t k now wh at t h e f ut u r e hold s, may be great at something else. That’s because amount of talent that you get or you don’t get b ut I’m c om m it t e d to t h i s. I f I s t i l l h ave t h i s t a le nt I experienced it, going from the steeplechase and that’s not determined by you. And then and I still have people like Mark and Heather, [where she finished 8th in the ’08 OG and 4th t h e r e ’s a work e t h ic a nd t h e n t h e r e ’s a n ap t it ude people at the Olympic Training Center, people in the ’09 WC] to the 15. for some of the technical aspects of it. at the University of Colorado that are willing “But the 1500 has my number and that’s “But I think the greatest attribute for a to dedicate part of their life to my talent, then what I’m trained for and excited about.” She person who is eventually going to go on to I’ll keep going.”

The Offical Technical Publication of USA Track & Field

This quarterly digital publication is designed to keep coaches up to date on the latest ideas about track & field technique and training, with articles from U.S. and foreign coaches and researchers.

Track Coach is sent at no charge to everyone on the USATF Coaches Reg- istry. Track & Field News digital subscribers have free access to all Track Coach digital issues (#210-present). Others (U.S. or foreign) who wish to subscribe should send $19.95 per year, along with your e-mail address, No. 235 to Track & Field News, 2570 W. El Camino Real, Suite 220, Mountain View, (Spring 2021) CA 94040, or subscribe online.

Subscribe online at https://trackandfieldnews.com/subscribe/

Starting with TC #210 (Winter 2015), Track Coach became a digital-only publication available only by e-mail.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 40 Rachel Schneider Turns To Longer Distances KEVIN MORRIS athletes will really feel by Jeff Hollobaugh that. I think that what helps them thrive so “IF YOU WOULD HAVE ASKED ME in much is they feel seen college if I were to ever run a 10K or if I would and cared for. like a 10K, I probably would have laughed at “He’s really al- you, like, ‘No way, that’s not for me!’” ways had that at the Back when she was at Georgetown, Rachel center of his philoso- Schneider was a 5-time All America who spe- phy. He’s grown as a cialized in the 1500, where she ran in the World coach in a lot of beau- Juniors as a frosh and event ually hit a collegiate t i f u l ways over t he l a st low of 4:10.53 in ’13 for the Hoyas. few years.” Since those days, the New Hampshire native, She adds, “Shortly now 29, has transformed herself into one of after we both moved A me r ic a’s top d i s t a nc e r u n n e r s, o n e who s e n a me out to Flagstaff — crops up in serious Olympic Trials 5000/10,000 at that point in our discussions. coach-athlete relation- Last December, in her first-ever track 10,000, ship, we had become she showed what a force she has become, run- way more collabora- ning 31:09.79 in standard Under Armour spikes tive — we started de- to outkick youngsters Weini Kelati and Alicia veloping a friendship Mon son a nd at t he t i me move to No. 8 Amer ica n and then we started ever. Super-shoe performances since then have dating about 4 years bumped her from the top 10. ago.” Schneider’s incarnation as a 1500 runner Over the past win- She’ll definitely run the Trials 10K, says Rachel Schneider, but eventually took her to the ’16 Trials, where she ter, the two got en- still hasn’t decided whether to pair that with the 5K or 1500. failed to clear the semis. Now she says, “It’s crazy gaged, with plans for to believe that the 2016 Trials were 5 years ago a wedding in the fall. now. I feel like a totally different runner than I “We’re really excited,” she says. race days, a one-day indoor double at Camel was back then.” “Being his fiancée, it’s a really intimate City where she captured both the mile (4:30.54) Since that season, Schneider has pounded look into the ways that he coaches his college and 3000 (8:57.01). Then a week later she placed out a steady drumbeat of leaps forward. In ’17 it athletes and other people and it feels like it’s a 4th in the 5000 at the Texas Qualifier in 15:23.25. wa s a 4:25.62 m i le a nd a 31- s e cond i mproveme nt privilege to get to witness it and be a part of it “ Te x a s wa s a l itt le d i s app oi nt i ng b e c au s e my in the 5000 to 15:33.06. and to bounce ideas off each other. We talk a lot fit n e s s wa s i n a muc h b e tte r pl ac e t h a n t h at r e sult The next year she got even faster: 15:15.88. about coachi ng philosophy a nd just philosophy indicated, so that was a bummer. But between In ’19, she ran 15:06.71 before making her first in general.” Camel City and that I feel pretty confident that Worlds team, going out in the heats in Doha. No t t h at a l l of t h e i r t a l k i s a b o ut r u n n i ng. S h e t ra i n i ng ’s b e e n goi ng r e a l ly, r e a l ly we l l t h e s e l a s t Notably, she also raced the mile in Monaco, explains, “So much of our passions and interests couple months and I’m super fired-up targeting hitting a PR 4:20.91 (and 4:02.26 en route). are actually outside of the sport. We love spending the Trials.” Perhaps no one expected big things out of time with the dogs and garden and going on all As for which event she is liable to focus on her in ’20 once the news of the Olympic post- these outdoor adventures and going camping in Eugene, she says, “That’s a good question. ponement hit. And when she ran herself into an and stand-up paddleboarding. I feel like a lot of Definitely I’ll be doing the 10K because it’s last. Achilles injury over the summer, even more of our time is actually spent not revolving around There’s nothing to lose in that one. But the 1500 the pressure went away. running, which is really healthy for both of us.” and the 5000, those are at the beginning and S o wh e n s h e d r opp e d h e r D e c e m b e r 31:0 9.79 One theme that keeps emerging is that she they overlap, so I have to choose between the in San Juan Capistrano, that was, indeed, another has found her happy place in Flagstaff, from the 1500/10K double or the 5K/10 double. big step forward. outdoor opportunities to the running communi- “We’re goi ng to wa it to see where we see ou r “I think the way that my strength has start- ty to the fact that her sister/best friend has just biggest strength is. If I had to decide right now, ed to shine through has been a really exciting moved t here w it h her fa m i ly. Sc h neider had ju st my guess would be 5K/10K double.” element for me just to build confidence,” she finished a training run with marathoners Sara That jibes with the math of her PRs, where says. “I’ve seen that in training throughout the Hall and Diane Nukuri when she was inter- the confluence of her mile and 10,000 bests would years just with some of my threshold workouts v iewe d for t h i s a r t ic le. “A not h e r r e a l ly b e aut i f u l seem to indicate another big performance jump and sub-thresholds… Some of the things we’ve part of Flagstaff is just that there are so many in the 5000 is in the cards. “You never know been doing in training have definitely led me to incredible runners who I’m able to train with.” until you actually do it, but my training would believe that I could be competitive in the 5K to Meanwhile, the coaching bug has rubbed off have indicated that we were in sub-15:00 shape half-marathon, and to see that come out in race on Schneider, who herself coaches 10 runners quite a few times in the last few years and had results and performances, it’s been an exciting of varying ages and abilities online. “It’s a wide not capitalized on the few opportunities I’ve part of my growth.” range of goals but it actually gives me a lot of had. That’s something I desire to do hopefully The transformation has come in a large part good energy. It’s really uplifting to help people this outdoor season, is to actually get to run a due to her work with Mike Smith, who started take down their personal goals.” really fast 5K and go after some of the goals and g u id i ng h e r c a r e e r bac k i n h e r G e or ge tow n d ays Speaking of which, Schneider has goals of things I believe I can do in that event.” and is now the acclaimed coach of the Northern her own that are coming into sharp focus with Through it all, Schneider’s relentless pos- Arizona program that just won another NCAA the approach of the Olympic Trials. “I get really itivity is the force that drives her. “I am still men’s cross country crown. excited about thinking of moving into the roads feeling like there are very few runs I don’t look “He’s always done a phenomenal job of always and the trails someday but there’s still definitely forward to,” she says. “I feel like as long as I’m p utt i ng t h e p e r s o n a b ove p e r for m a nc e,” s h e s ays. a few t h i ngs I wa nt to accompl ish on t he t rac k or excited about why we’re doing the workout and “He cares so much more about the person than he at least go after before hanging up the spikes.” who I’m meeting up with, I love getting out and does about the performance and any one of his So far this year, Schneider has only had two doing it.”

Track & Field News May 2021 — 41 T&FN Interview — Shalane Flanagan MIKE SCOTT

The long and storied running career of Shalane Flanagan wrapped up with a 3rd in the ’18 NYC Marathon.

by Sieg Lindstrom No fan can forget Flanagan’s stirring and that looks like in the next couple of years for nat iona l ly telev ised st retc h dr ive t h roug h Cen- them. We’re super proud of them.” From there tral Park to win the ’17 Marathon. the conversation moved on to coaching and SCORE A WIN-WIN for t he sport a ny t ime Thereafter she picked herself up for two more career reflection. a great athlete doffs the spikes and racing flats buildups toward the storm-battered ’18 Boston T&FN: Thank you for doing this. I know moments after a long, tough-as-nails run but keeps her race, in which she placed a physically bedraggled to spare for a chat can be scarce for new parents. hand in. That ’s exactly what Shalane Flanagan, a nd hy pot her m ic 6t h, fol lowed by her not-bow- That’s an awesome life change. You’re coming up on Olympic 10,000 silver medalist turned marathon ing-out-on-a-downbeat NYC swan song race, a the one-year anniversary of parenthood and Jack’s star — the premier U.S. 26-miler of the Teens 3rd-place showing in the Big Apple’s autumn first birthday, yes? Decade — has done since announcing her com- spectacular the next fall. ’19 was given over to petition retirement in the fall of ’19. bilateral knee reconstruction and a year after Flanagan: Yeah, that’s right. We’re pretty ex- While Flanagan and husband Steven Ed- that last race, Flanagan made her retirement cited. We’ve kept him alive and he seems to be wa rd s welc ome d new baby Jac k i nto t he i r home official. happy and thriving. via adoption at the end of April ’20 — perhaps As you follow expected Bowerman TC T&FN: Excellent. That’s the goal, right? I guess life’s greatest role change — the 12-time No. 1 magic at the Olympic Trials and Games that’ll be welcoming a baby must have been a super satisfy- U.S. Ranker across the 3000–marathon range here before we know it, rest assured that squad ing way to shift gears and start a new life chapter also took up a new post as a coach on Jerry has one more eminently qualified set of hands Timing threw your family right into it there, in a Schumacher’s Bowerman TC staff alongside on board to guide and support their efforts. very positive way, though, I guess. fellow assistant and former elite steeplechaser Flanagan shared thoughts on all of this . by phone from her Portland area home on a Flanagan: Yeah, the process of adoption is Flanagan, now 39, attests in the conver- late-March afternoon after putting infant Jack lengthy, however, so we’ve known for a long sation that follows that C19 year 2020 threw down for a nap. time that my husband and I wanted to adopt. up enormous challenges for a first-year coach We started on the new-parenthood topic. But obviously we also kind of wanted to make as it did for anybody working any job, but the The new mom & dad had put in some “training” sure that we were adopting when my career pre-Olympic season that was supposed to be for the event fostering a pair of teen sisters in ’16 was over. So thankfully, I retired and Jack soon an Olympic campaign brought her a rewarding and ’17. “Now they’re in the process of getting thereafter entered our life, and I am so grateful professional transition. degrees,” Flanagan says, “and we’ll see what to have him in our life. Especially [with his

Track & Field News May 2021 — 42 arrival happening] last year, which was such a tough year. It was honestly such a blessing to have him during a pandemic. We spent so much Shalane Flanagan In A Nutshell time bonding as a family in the last year and Personal it made the life transition away from athletics, Shalane Grace Flanagan was born in Boulder, Colorado, July 8, 1981; 5-5/110 (165/50); Ins- my own personal athletics, to the next chapter tagram @shalaneflanagan Twitter: ShalaneFlanagan of my life so much easier. It’s so much better Schools because he was part of it for sure. Marblehead (Massachussets) HS ’00; North Carolina ’04; represented Nike, now a Bowerman T&FN: I’d kind of guessed that might be the case. TC coach You officially announced your retirement in the fall Coaches of 2019 although clearly you had been contemplating Michael Whittlesey (North Carolina), John Cook (pro), (pro); Agent it for some time. You cranked out two great mara- thons there at the end. Was the adoption in process Tom Ratcliffe already then? PRs Flanagan: Just gathering all the paperwork and 1500—4:05.86 (’07); 3000—8:33.25i (7, x A); 5000—14:44.80 (’07) (5, 7 A); 10,000—30:22.22 (’08) (2, 2 A); HMar—67:51 (’16) (8, x A); Mar—2:21:14 (’14) (4, 4 A). t h e c o u r s e work t h at ’s r e q u i r e d a nd bac kg r o u nd checks takes a very long time, especially just Note: 3000, 5000 & 10,000 times were ARs at the time. because of the nature of the work I was doing. Major Meets When I was home my husband and I would work 1500—1)ACC, 10)NCAA ’01; 1)ACC, 3)NCAA ’02; 1)ACC, 5)USATF ’03; 6)Olympic Trials ’04. on chunks of the adoption process. And then I’d 5000—1)ACC, 2)NCAA, 2)USATF ’03; 3)Olympic Trials, 11h)OG ’04; 1)USATF, 7h)World Champs take off to go train at altitude for a few months, ’05; 1)USATF, 8)World Champs ’07; 3)Olympic Trials, 10)OG ’08. and then not a lot of progress was made. So it 10,000—1)Olympic Trials, 2)Olympic Games ’08 was probably a lot longer process than it could Cross Country—29)World Junior Ch ’00; 1)NCAA ’02; 1)NCAA ’03; 1)USATF, 14)World Champs have been because I also was unsure of when I (short course) ’04; 1)USATF, 20)World Champs (short course); 2)USATF ’07; 1)USATF ’08; 1) was going to retire. But it should be a difficult USATF, 12)World Champs ’10; 1)USATF, 3)World Champs ’11; 1)USATF ’13 process. It shouldn’t be easy to adopt, to be honest. Not everyone should probably adopt, but Major Marathons it’s so rewarding. So 2019, I officially retired. I 2)New York ’10; 1)Olympic Trials, 9)Olympic Games ’12; 4)Boston ’13; 5)Boston, 3)Berlin ’14; 9) b e l ieve eve r y t h i ng wa s h a nde d i n ba s ic a l ly t h at Boston ’15; 3)Olympic Trials, 6)Olympic Games ’16; 1)New York ’17; 6)Boston, 3)New York ’18 fall. We handed in our paperwork and then in World/U.S. Rankings January of 2020, we were notified that we were 1500: 03—x/6; ’04—x/9; ’07—x/2; ’10—x/9; ’11—x/6 matched with Jack’s birth mom. And then he 3000: ’03—x/5; ’05—x/3; ’07—x/1 was obviously born at the end of April. So once 5000: ’03—x/4; ’04—x/3; ’05—x/1; ’07—10/1; ’08—x/3; ’09—x/2; ’10—x/2; ’11—x/1; ’15—x/6; we submitted our paperwork and everything, ’17—x/5 it actually moved fairly quickly. 10,000: ’08—3/1; ’09—x/2; ’11—6/1; ’12—x/3; ’13—9/1; ’15—6/3; ’17—x/4 But yeah, to me it seemed forever. I think it’s like I had been yearning to be a mother for Marathon: ’10—x/2; ’12—x/1; ’13—x/1; ’14—10/1; ’15—x/3; ’16—x/1; ’17—5/1; ’18—x/3 so long that it felt like forever. But when I think about t he t i mel i ne i n ter m s of whe n we ac t ua l ly handed in all the paperwork and our profile was out in the world to adopt possible birth moms, like two hours of his birth. And then Steven met do have something to look forward to. I knew then it actually did move fairly quickly. him shortly thereafter, but it was outside in the Nike was excited about me coaching and Jerry parking lot. We literally got a phone call that [S c hu mac her] a nd Pa sc a l [Dob er t] a nd t he tea m T&FN: I sort of guessed Jack’s arrival early in the mor n i ng f rom t he bi r t h mom a nd her mom, a nd were all very much supportive of the idea of me pandemic might have been a welcome chance to focus I talked to our birth mom bet ween contractions helping out and being a coach. However, when on something positive. Was there also some anxiety and she literally within 30 minutes gave birth it did come time to transition into that, it still with doctor visits and all that stuff in the beginning? to Jack. And then we were over at the birthing wa s u nc om for t a ble j u s t s w itc h i ng r ole s a nd k i nd Flanagan: Our main concern was for the birth center a few hours later, once everything was of knowing exactly where I fit within the team. mom. She handled it like a champ. She just had good. Then we took him home and I think he I knew my role and how to operate on a daily this really nice calmness about her, but I think was in our home at like 3:00pm. It blew my mind. basis as an athlete and it was very clear cut. that we were more concerned about her health But yes, there definitely were concerns around Howe ve r, wh e n I t ra n s it io n e d to a c o ac h , I t h i n k and Jack’s health. So as we were entering into COVID just ’cause we just didn’t know much I was very unsure about what my assets were the pandemic, yeah, it was kind of unknown. about this virus. and where I contributed and trying to navigate We had met her for a few visits in a traditional T&FN: Understandable, for sure. I’d like to ask what exactly I should be doing. So even though doctor’s office, and then quickly thereafter we about your transition to coaching and what that’s it seems really intuitive, it can kind of feel like weren’t allowed to go to the doctor’s appoint- been like. It’s obviously been an atypical year and a little bit of an imposter syndrome. At least ments. And then she actually had to switch to I can’t imagine how much that would have affected that’s what I felt like. a birthing center and not a traditional hospital the normal dynamics of TC. Have you Like people would call me “Coach” and I’d because the hospital restrictions were really had any adjustment issues on race days since you look around for Jerry or Pascal, not assuming c ompl ic at e d a nd s h e f e lt l i ke it wa s j u s t no t goi ng personally no longer get to let it all out on the track? it was me. So even though I was really excited to be a good situation to give birth there. So we by the idea and the potential, it just still felt a had to completely switch the birthing plan. A Flanagan: I had been mentally preparing myself little weird at first not being the athlete. lot evolved and happened. for retirement. And as you had alluded, I kind I really think the pandemic made it a little But t h a n k f u l ly s h e ’s ve r y yo u ng , s h e ’s o n ly of had shared the fact that I felt like each race bit harder, to be honest, because we were so 19, s o j u s t r e a l ly s t r o ng a nd h e a lt hy. A nd s h e h ad was probably going to be my last and that’s restricted in seeing athletes and working with a very smooth birth process. But that being said, how I went into each race so I could maximize our athletes. So I felt very under-stimulated in I was the only one allowed to go in and meet myself and just throw myself into the training terms of work. I think a lot of people miss their Jack and his birth mom at birth. Steven had to and into the race and really ultra-focus on the j o b s a nd c e r t a i n a s p e c t s, a nd I t h r ive of f of b e i ng wait out in the parking lot to meet Jack because t a sk at h a nd a nd k i nd of s avor i ng eac h mome nt. around the athletes. And so not to have our big there were restrictions concerning how many So even though I was really excited about the prac t ic e s w it h 20 -plu s at h le t e s, i nt e rac t i ng w it h people were allowed in the birthing center. next chapter, transitions, regardless, are still them and getting feedback; that’s my favorite S o I got to me e t Jac k i n t h e bi r t h i ng c e nt e r w it h i n uncomfortable and can be hard even if you part.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 43 MARK SHEARMAN I love the daily grind with them and the training aspect even more so than the racing. If I had to pick one or the other, I like going to training camps and I love watching them work hard — even more so than the glamorous Olym- pics and World Championships. Those are great to be there and fun. So that being said, it was a tough year. I think for everyone obviously, but yeah, I wasn’t able to experience what a true coach would get to do. So I think I definitely struggled more than I anticipated because I couldn’t do my job like I was envisioning and planning for. It was this strange year to be starting a new job because I didn’t really get to do it, to be honest. T&FN: I want to ask you more about your coaching role. First, I’m curious about the end of your running career. You ran New York, obviously, in 2018 and you finished 3rd after winning the previous year. You didn’t officially announce your retirement until the fall of 2019. Remind us what was happening during that time. Flanagan: So I won New York and then the thought of trying to obviously turn around and run really well in Boston and even poten- tially win was on my mind. That’s what kind of kept me going. You know, “Win in Boston, wouldn’t that be magical and incredible?” I felt actually at the top of my fitness and capabilities in marathoning. It’s like it had culminated in New York. And I finally actually felt like I was a really good, strong marathoner. And so I got greedy and I said, “OK, now let’s turn around and run Boston and I’ll just take one marathon at a time.” So 2018 Boston, as we know, was horrific weather and unpredictable, you know, in terms of just being able to execute my race. I mean, hypothermia took over and I was just lucky to finish. That’s by far the hardest race I’ve ever run. I wouldn’t even call it racing, I would call it surviving. Then that was kind of deflating after New York. You know, win on a high and then to go into Boston and run just so terribly. Obviously not exactly my fault, but then I was like, “Oh m a n , I c a n’t e nd o n t h at.” T h at ’s not a f u n e nd i ng to finish on: hypothermia and just surviving, In Beijing Flanagan celebrated a bronze-medal finish that not thriving. subsequently turned to silver.. So I was like, “OK, you know what? I can get excited about coming back to try to defend T&FN: Back off my sidetrack. What is your current thriving and are happy and emotionally stable. my win in New York. That makes me excited.” role on the Bowerman TC staff? Do you work with So there’s a lot of communication on that end. Every time I just turned around [and asked particular athletes or across the board? Perhaps I also didn’t realize as an athlete how much myself], “What’s exciting to me?” And so that better to ask what your role has evolved into so far? management goes on behind the scenes of a was exciting. But I started to experience some team like this where you’re doing things like knee pain in that build up, pretty severely. Flanagan: I think it’s going to be constantly ordering equipment for a gym that we had to I had to really compromise my training evolving, to be honest. Jerry and Pascal, I look build this year because we haven’t had gym leading into 2018 New York. And to me that at them as my mentors and, you know, I’ve ac- access, booking housing for our altitude camps, was just kind of a sign, like not only do I keep c u mu l at e d a t r e me ndou s a mou nt of k nowle dge helping organize for flights or athletes getting searching for reasons to keep going, that excite t h r o ug h my ow n c a r e e r a nd t h r o ug h t h e c o ac h e s blood work done. It ’s a huge undertaking when me, it wasn’t coming to me naturally to be super t hat I have been luc ky enough to work w it h. But you’re helping to manage. I call Jerry like our excited. And then with the knee pain, I was there’s definitely strengths and weaknesses to general general manager and I’m helping with like, “This is kind of a sign. I think I need to all of us and what we can offer. just all the different aspects. probably move on. The writing is on the wall. I’m definitely finding my way. I work with all You know, we had to put on a lot of races, My body is starting to show signs of needing of t he at hletes 100%. I t hin k my strengt hs are in as well, so we’ve had to make sure everyone’s more rest and I’m searching for reasons to get c om mu n ic at io n w it h t h e at h le t e s. I l i ke to c h e c k ge t t i ng COV I D t e s t e d a nd m a k i ng s u r e we h ave excited, which I never really had to do before.” up o n t h e m a nd m a ke s u r e t h at t h e y a r e me nt a l ly the timing system and everything is legal. And S o t h at ’s whe n I wa s pr e t t y c er t a i n t h at t h at wa s doing well. You know, there’s obviously a lot there’s so many things behind the scenes that going to be my last race — which it was. And of physical focus. I took for granted and I didn’t realize that was then shortly thereafter I had knee surgery the Je r r y i s g r e at at phys ic a l ly pr e pa r i ng t h e m. done for me. whole next year on both my knees. Pascal and I just make sure that the athletes are

Track & Field News May 2021 — 44 So it goes beyond just what happens at the track. It’s a lot of work that goes on at home, making sure that things are organized as an Should She Have Hung Them Up After NYC? entity, as the . So I feel Most U.S. marathoners would give their eye teeth for a 3rd-place finish, a podium performance on the like I do a little bit of everything, to be honest. grand stage of the nation’s world-class metropolitan center and Shalane Flanagan bowed out with her There are times when Jerry may ask my input glass more than half-full. Even Usain Bolt left the building with a bronze medal. We asked, though, if on a workout and we tweak things based on in retrospect she wishes she made her exit after that steely-eyed late drive to drop the entire NYC field my feedback. I’m out there timing with him, in 2017? Flanagan is a runner’s runner for whom the chase has always meant more in the big picture to then also helping make sure we hire the than the catch. So her answer was unequivocal: right physical therapists for the athletes, and massage therapists. Hopefully that answers it. “No. It was just like I needed to process and have no regrets. I went back to Boston [2018] and I feel like I do wear a lot of hats and do a little it wasn‘t meant for me, it didn‘t happen. So no regrets; it‘s not like I left something, that fitness bit of everything. and that dream, on the table. It just wasn‘t meant to happen. So I felt really good about that. And then coming back to New York, it was very cathartic. T&FN: I think anybody who has been a distance run- ner on a team can relate. Are there any observations “Each day in that buildup I was really just savoring what I was doing ’cause I knew I would you can make about the way the athletes have dealt never be that fit again. I would never be doing that, I would never have embraced that life- with this pandemic? Anything you’re proud of them style again. So it was like literally every day was just kind of building this memory and just for or real challenges you can cite? savoring what I had done and what I was doing. And so I think it was the perfect ending I had. Flanagan: Ye a h . I t h i n k e ve r y at h le t e de a l s w it h “I wish I could have been fully healthy. I‘m not saying I would have won, but I could have run uncertaint y, and with COVID specifically, they better, probably made it a better race overall. So that‘s my only regret is that I started to have all grieve differently. Some of our older athletes, some physical failings, but overall I think it was perfect for me and that‘s all that matters.” knowing that they’re at the tail end of their ca- reer, I think definitely had a harder time with the delay in the Olympics. Whereas maybe our and we’re able to still thrive despite kind of a things not going the way we had thought.” I younger athletes look at it as an opportunity to crappy year, a bummer of a year. And I think t h i n k we did a rea l ly good job of it, to be honest. get stronger and better. that that’s because we have great leadership. I was super proud of our group last year. So everyone grieved different aspects of Je r r y ’s a g r e at le ade r, a nd Pa s c a l a nd I hop e f u l ly T&FN: We’re starting to see some light at the end this past year — just hopes and dreams that bring just a lot of positive energy. So we’re able of the C19 tunnel. That’s a good thing. Is there they had and a vision for what they thought to pivot and create new goals and dreams. anything that especially excites you as you look was going to be. And so we’ve had to help ev- They weren’t the same but we were able to forward to this season and coming seasons for the ery athlete process it a little bit differently and focus on what we could control and that was, Bowerman athletes? just allow them to grieve the way they need to “OK, well, let ’s just see how fast we can r un. We grieve. But in general, I feel like as a team, it may have to run against each other and with Flanagan: Yeah. I mean, already we have been actually made us a lot closer because we had to each other and be paced by each other. And it able to get in a few races where we’ve had some really rely on each other because we couldn’t m ay not lo ok l i ke t h e s e a s o n we c ou ld eve n h ave o ut s t a nd i ng p e r for m a nc e s. We for s u r e h ave o n e see a lot of our family. dreamed of, but we’ll make the best of it. And athlete going to the Olympics for Thailand. So A lot of us are not from Portland, Oregon. we need to focus on making ourselves better that’s great. We’ve got at least one athlete and And so we had our own little pod and bubble people and better athletes in this year despite then we’ve got a whole bunch more. But every- one seems very excited and healthy for the most part. You know, you’re always going to have a few niggles at this point i n t h e s e a s o n . I f e e l l i ke eve r yo n e ’s s o f it. It’s like, as a coach, I always have this MARK SHEARMAN visual in my head of wanting to just bubble-wrap everyone and then deliver them to the start line of the big race. I wish we could just fast-forward, like three months ’cause they’re all in such great shape right now. We’re just putting the finishing touch- es on by going to altitude camp soon and just sharpening up. There’s still gains to be made, but they’re already in a really great position. I’m excited by where they’re at so far. We don’t have a lot of work to do in front of us, just like a little bit. But we still have a few more races that I think people are going to get in. Pretty much everyone on our team has the Olympic standard and qualifiers. So that’s a great position to be in. We m ayb e o n ly h ave l i ke t wo p e ople, m ayb e two or three, that need a standard, but out of 20 -plus people t hat ’s pret t y good. Basically, we’re just waiting for a few steeplechase races so that we can have our steeplers get their times in. T&FN: I get that. Steeplechasers had essen- tially zero opportunities in 2020. The versatile Flanagan raced to a bronze in the ’11 World XC Champs.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 45 so it was super solid but nothing earth-shatter- ing. I think I ran like a 4:09 out of college, which Coach & Participant Conversationalist is good, but, yeah. Then I switched over to the We wondered, does Flanagan still jump in on some Bowerman team workouts? Long runs, maybe, 5K my senior year and made my first Olympic where any XC runner, present or former, knows camaraderie and conversation are part team. So obviously the method and parcel of the workout? worked well, but yeah, I experimented, I did a lot of 1500-meter running combined with cross “Yeah, that’s my favorite time to actually get the scoop on how they’re doing: during a run. country running. And I think it just set me up So yes, I try to stay fit enough that I can hop out there and go run with them on any given rea l ly wel l for hav i ng a lot of upside a nd room for day. “You know, I had this delusional idea at one point, ‘Oh, maybe I’ll stay fit enough so I improvement once I actually got out of college, can maybe rabbit some of their races and help them out.’ But they’ve become way too fast. which was also a goal: to do just enough to be I can’t even get fit enough to rabbit their races. good but still keep improving. “But I very much enjoy running with them and feel like I get a greater perspective of what ’s T&FN: I actually remember that Olympic Trials going on with them when I do run with them. So it’s at least once a week where I hop in 5000 in 2004 fairly vividly. I thought you were re- for a run and just check in with people. That’s probably my favorite time. Otherwise it’s ally gutsy as the collegian in there against a pack of phone calls and text messages, but truly there’s something, really. “People really open up veterans. You were the one who made it a 3-woman and are very unguarded when you’re out running with friends. And, you know, I think race, savvy-savvy move in an OT competition. they think of me as a friend, as well, and share.” Flanagan: I did, yeah. That also is one of my favorite races. I probably should have listed that one. I had redshirted in my senior year to Flanagan: Yes. We’ve been using a lot of high my career and how I thought of myself as an try to make the Olympic team. So my dad and school facilities and high school tracks really athlete. My dreams became a lot bigger. I ran I flew around the country, getting the Olympic do n’t h ave s t e e ple c h a s e pit s. S o we ’ve b e e n ve r y 8:33 and was really close to , I got standard. He went with me ’cause I wasn’t with limited. Really the best tracks that we’ve been 2nd. It was just a huge breakthrough and just t h e u n ive r s it y t h at s pr i ng. He a nd I f lew a r o u nd able to use are private Catholic schools and to have it in Boston and my family was there. the country to get the standard, and I got my they just don’t have steeplechase pits. So that’s Like I said, it was very crucial, pivotal moment standard. I think I ended up running like 15:05 why we need a few of our men to go run some after a surgery on my foot to regain confidence and on paper I wasn’t in the top 3 going into steeples and Courtney [Frerichs] hasn’t steepled and then not only that, but think of even bigger that race, but I was just determined to control in over a year either. We’re basically waiting, goals, which led to, I think, believing in myself the race and my destiny. So yeah, after like and then we’ll have everyone pretty much check to do really well in longer distances. maybe, I don’t know, a lap, I took over and I that box to get their Olympic standards so that I t h i n k t h at le d to t h e c o n fide nc e of t h e a bi l it y secured my spot with like 200 to go. I think when they stand on the [OT] start line they’ve to run great 5Ks and 10Ks on the track too. So I’d and took off got that, they don’t have to worry about it, they say those are two of my favorites outside of the sprinting. They had great kicks — especially just have to be top 3. obvious of an Olympic medal and New York. Shayne Culpepper. So I just hung on for dear T&FN: It would be great to hear a little reflection T&FN: You’ve mentioned how much you loved high life and managed to defend my third spot and on your own competitive career. Can you identify school cross country. Anyone who’s ever competed in made the team and yeah, great race. one or two or three, whatever, races that were the it knows it’s such a cool sport. Was there any moment T&FN: It was cool to see the young college senior have most exhilarating for you at the time or that give in high school or college that in effect set your course the presence of mind that pressure-cooker situation you goosebumps when you think about them now? to pursue running passionately for two decades? to grab the lead and drop most of the field. Makes Flanagan: Yeah. I would say one that’s an ac- Flanagan: My mentality in college was, yeah, for an appropriate point to ask what advice you colade I don’t usually mention just because it the Olympic dream was very much part of my have for today’s young athletes to stay centered doesn’t resonate with a lot of people except for vision. I didn’t know how I was going to get there, and happy and succeed in such a hyper-competitive the nerds and the geeks of the running world is what t hat looked l i ke. I did n’t k now exac t ly. But environment? getting a bronze medal at World Cross Country. I was so willing to do whatever it would take. Flanagan: Gosh, I could write a book on that, That for sure was exhilarating. When I first You know, my vision was like, “OK, well, even but, you know, I think my, my pro tip of the started running, I was really a cross country if I graduate college and I could just like live day is to always make decisions where you runner. I didn’t start running track. I ran cross out of a van and maybe work at a run ning store, have no regrets. I’ve told [that to] a lot of our country first and that was kind of my gateway I don’t know if I’ll get sponsored.” athletes or athletes that have sought my advice into the sport. And it’s like my ultimate love. I d id n’t k now i f I wa s go o d e noug h. I d id n’t that aren’t Bowerman. I always say to chase the I always would joke with Jerry that if there was know what it would take to be a professional dream and not the money. I always feel like a cross country marathon on grass, I’d be the athlete. I knew in my heart that I wanted to I’ve made choices to surround myself with the World Record holder. I just loved cross cou nt r y. pursue running beyond college but I didn’t best possible people and be in the best possible So getting a medal at World Cross to me just understand the mechanics of how that works. position to achieve my goal. I haven’t let any blew my m i nd. It ’s o n e of my pr o ude s t mome nt s. So that was my thought: “OK, well, do as best outside factors in to change that direction. And I guess what’s full circle about that as well as I can in college, maybe I can get a contract. And I feel really good. I feel like I did make a is that that’s how my parents met: at a World I don’t know if I’ll be good enough.” really good transition out of the sport with my Cross Country meet and they both represented At the time I had won an NCAA title in own career because I really feel like I have no Team USA. That’s also kind of funny to me. c r o s s c o u nt r y, b ut I d id n’t k now i f t h at wa s go o d regrets. I feel really good about what I did and S o c r o s s c o u nt r y r u n s de e p, l i k e i n my blo o d enough or not. I just had no idea. I was pretty I feel like I didn’t leave anything on the table a nd b e i ng I r i s h or s ome t h i ng. I do n’t k now wh at naïve. So my vision was to live out of a van and I’m not, you know, lying awake at night it i s, b ut t h at to me i s o n e of my favor it e p e r s o n a l and work at a running store and maybe travel bothered by things I didn’t get to do. I feel like ac h ie ve me nt s. It do e s n’t ge t me nt io n e d a lo t a nd around the country and chase good weather so I really did it all. But I stayed very focused on I probably don’t talk about it a lot, but it’s just I could train. So that was my vision. those factors of always keeping my dream of the because the masses don’t understand it. And you know, I was pretty much a 1500m utmost importance first and foremost. And then probably my other one is running runner in college because I wanted to be like when I set the 3000 American Record indoors Bob Kennedy. I idolized him. I thought, “Well, T&FN: OK. Well thank you so much for your time. at Reggie Lewis in Boston [8:33.25 in ’07]. It was he ran a lot of 1500s before he became a really I really appreciate it. Great talking to you, and I one of my first big breakthrough races. great 5K runner so I’m going to take a page out know our readers will enjoy reading everything I just had foot surgery that fall and was at of his career and I’m going to just run the 1500 you’ve just had to say. t h e b e g i n n i ng of my c a r e e r. It wa s pr e t t y pivo t a l a lot, which I was not very good at.” Flanagan: Great. I appreciate it. Thanks for because I feel like it changed the trajectory of I h ad l i ke a lo t of 3r d-pl ac e fi n i s h e s at NC A A s, thinking of me.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 46 ON YOUR MARKS CHARLES SHAFFER

Fans were restricted at the 101st staging of the Washington/Washington State dual; ’14 Pac-12 800 champ Derrick Daigre got creative in getting a clear view.

JAMAICAN POLICE have dropped their ’03 NCAA 10,000 titles for Eastern Michigan, have made the podium… investigation into Usain Bolt’s birthday party is facing felony drunk driving charges after In an important step for a possible Brisbane l a s t Aug u s t wh ic h le d to h i s b out w it h COV I D… allegedly crossing the center line and crashing Olympics in ’32, the Australian prime minister Triple jumper Tori Franklin has lef t Frenc h into 4 other vehicles, killing a mother of 2… has pledged government support to cover half coach and is now training with A masters cyclist set a dubious record of the costs… Sterling Roberts, who also coaches Donald sorts when he was banned by USADA for 4 The USATF Junior Championships for this Scott… years after testing positive for no fewer than year were canceled, but the federation has Marathoner has joined Team 10 different prohibited substances… announced it will stage a Youth (U18) cham- Bosshard… Federal agents recently arrested former pionship in , Georgia, on June 23-26. The The Tinman Elite training group, includ- Northeastern track assistant Steve Waithe, USATF Junior Olympics will be in Jacksonville, ing its star, Drew Hunter, has split from coach c h a r g i ng h i m w it h c yb e r s t a l k i ng a nd w i r e f raud Florida, July 26–August 02. And its Junior XC Tom “Tinman” Schwartz in a dispute that has for allegedly trying to obtain naked photos of championships are set for Paris, Kentucky, on gotten acrimonious on social media. Hunter and female athletes at the school… December 11… company are now being coached by Cory Leslie Des Linden has become the first woman to The ’26 is without in consultation with Joan and Marc Hunter… break 3:00 for the rarely run 50K with a 2:59:54 a bidder for host as Hamilton has withdrawn Irish distance great Sonia O’Sullivan will run in Oregon in April, passing through the its bid after the Ontario government refused to be taking an assistant coaching position with marathon mark in 2:31:13. The old 50K best was back it. Hamilton will try again for ’30… the Nike club that is coached in Portland by Pete 3:07:20 by Britain’s Aly Dixon in ’19… Canceled competitions: the Mt SAC Relays Ju l i a n . O u r s o u r c e s t e l l u s t h at t h e lo ng- awa it e d With her recent 12.92, Sydney McLaughlin HS Division (May 15); Copenhagen Marathon a n n o u nc e m e nt o f a n ac t u a l n a m e f or t h e t ra i n i n g becomes the first woman to break 13 in the 100H, (May 16); Racers GP, Kingston, Jamaica (June group is coming soon… 23 in the 200 & 53 in the 400H… 05); the European Youth (U18) Championships, Heptathlete Nina Schultz has switched al- Olympic stat maven Bill Mallon reports that set for Rieti in August… leg ia nce f rom Ca nada to C h i na a nd w i l l appea r the next nation to win its first Olympic medal The World University Games (Chengdu, under the name Ninali Zheng… in track at the Tokyo Olympics will be the 100th China) have been postponed from this summer Roseli Machado, a ’96 Oly mpia n at 50 0 0 for to do so in the history of the Games. The next to ’22… , died of C19 in April at 52… biggest sport in terms of national diversity in The National Scholastic Athletics Foun- Boaz Cheboiywo, winner of the ’02 and the medals count is boxing, where 63 nations dation has revealed the dates of its summer

Track & Field News May 2021 — 47 nationals, June 30-July 03, but has not final- American Billy Mills (10,0 0 0) a nd Br it a i n’s A n n perwork to run as governor of California in a ized a location yet… Packer (800) had been expected to be guests of recall election… German Olympic officials have proposed honor this summer in Tokyo, but both invites The Boston Marathon has announced that that the 2036 Olympics — on the 100th anni- have been rescinded, as the two don’t have ad id a s h a s e x t e nde d it s s p o n s or s h ip of t h e e ve nt versary of the Nazi-hosted Games of 1936 — be “essential and operation roles.”… through ’30… hosted jointly by Berlin and Tel Aviv. Acknowl- North Korea h a s a n no u nc e d it s w it hd rawa l UMKC has reinstated its cross country edging the challenges of selling the idea, the from Tokyo, citing COVID concerns… teams for the ’21 season. Still on hold are the officials acknowledged in their editorial, “It ’s a Planners of the Olympic Marathon had set track programs, both men’s and women’s, that vision, nothing more.” Israeli officials endorsed t hei r qua l i f y i ng st a nda rds to h it a ma x i mu m 80 were suspended last fall… the concept of a Berlin-hosted Games, but didn’t runners in each race. However the populariza- Clemson has backed down from the threat nibble on the idea to co-host… tion of super-shoes means that both races have of a Title IX lawsuit and reinstated its men’s The NCAA Board Of Governors has said already surpassed that number, with the quali- track program… it will not host championships in states that fying period not finished till the end of May… Sportswear manufacturer Under Armour is discriminate against transgender athletes. A H i s tor i a n R ic h a r d Hy m a n s ’ e s s e nt i a l work , b u i l d i n g a n e w g l o b a l h e a dq u a r t e r s i n B a l t i m o r e, spokesperson said that no sports-specific de- Progression Of Records, is now and it will include an outdoor track facility on cisions have been made, but it would appear to available as an eBook through WA… the 50-acre project. The track will be shared potentially affect future Indoor championships Also available as an eBook is the European with the community… in Fayetteville, as Arkansas has recently passed Athletics Annual Review 2020, which can be Razorback women’s coach Lance Harter such a bill… found on that organization’s website… has been inducted into Arkansas’s state Sports T h i s ye a r ’s pr e s t ig io u s pr e p Arcadia Invita- What Mad Pursuit: Short Stories About Runners Hall of Fame… tional has been limited by the California Health by Rich Elliott is now available on Amazon. Too good to be true: a reported 8:21.49 stee- Department to in-state athletes only; normally Elliott, the nation’s second-fastest prep 2-mil- ple PR for Craig Nowak at Eastern Kentucky, 200-plus out-of-state schools attend… er in ’68, is also the author of the classic The t ur ned out to be bog us. The start ing line for t he It’s hard to put a specific financial cost on Competitive Edge: Mental Preparation for Distance s t e e ple o n t h e n ew t rac k wa s i n t h e w r o ng pl ac e. the pandemic, but one estimate by Athletics Running… Likewise into the bin goes the 9:48.60 recorded Kenya est imates t hat Kenya n r u n ners have lost T h e IO C h a s s ig n e d of f o n t h e WA g u ide l i n e s by women’s winner Amy Cashin… a total of $46.5 million in prize money… for Russian neutral participation in the Tokyo 2-time Boston Marathon champ Moses Ta- The International Testing Agency has had Games, allowing the athletes to compete under nui is pushing for an athlete’s welfare fund in its credentials cut by 20% for the Tokyo Olym- the flag of the Russian Olympic Committee. Kenya, to help support retired athletes such as pics. WADA has also had its numbers cut but Instead of the national anthem, any Russian He n r y Ro no, who r e c e nt ly r e t u r n e d home at age both organizations insist they can still secure w i n n e r s w i l l h e a r a s n ipp e t f r om Tc h a i kovsk y ’s 69 a nd i s fac i ng me d ic a l a nd f i n a nc i a l t r o u ble s… a drug-free Games… Piano Concerto #1… The Brazilian Olympic Committee is re- An outbreak of COVID r e p or t e d ly d i s r up t- The uniforms for Russia’s “neutral” Olympic quiring anti-racism training for the 650 people ed the Turkish training camp of Dutch sprinters team have been revealed, and they look an awful it intends to send to the Tokyo Games… who were preparing for the World Relays… lot like the Russian flag, which is banned at 2000 Olympian is currently The Associated Press reported that the the Games. Though the design is controversial, competing on the cooking reality show Top NCAA has not conducted any drug testing at the uniforms have been approved by the IOC… Chef. She is in the process of opening up her any of its championships since the pandemic Sofía Sakoráfa has been elected president first independent restaurant, called Late August, h it. T he orga n i zat ion, a s a lways t ig ht-l ipped on of the Greek federation. She set a World Record in Houston… its testing protocols, has refused to confirm or in the javelin in ’82 and earned No. 1 in our Kentucky’s Centre College is building a deny the situation… World Rankings… new $50 million indoor athletic center that will The mayor of Paris has announced that Airbnb has signed on as an IOC partner. For include a 200m flat track… that preparations for the ’24 Games remain on a n 8 -ye a r p e r io d t h e ho u s i ng pr ov ide r w i l l of f e r The Expo Centre in is consider- track, with C19 causing no significant delays up to 50 0 at h letes a yea r $20 0 0 i n c redit s towa rd ing adding a 200m banked hydraulic track to in construction of the facilities… accommodations for training and competing… its features, according to a proposal the city is Two surprise winners of the ’64 Olympics, Caitlyn (né Bruce) Jenner has filed pa- considering.

LANDMARKS

Died: RaNae Bair, 77 COVID. In ’61, the San José State speedster be- shot and disc thrower of her era, she won On January 23; in San Diego, California; came the first man to run 100y in 9.3 four times, Oly gold in the shot and silver in the discus of cancer. The 2-time Olympic javelinist rep- all equaling the WR. He Ranked No. 2 in the in ’60 for the , then gold in both resented the U.S. in the ’64 and ’68 Games, world that year. The next season he placed 3rd four years later. She also won two European finishing 11th in the latter. She won the World in the NCAA 100. He created a stir during his titles in the discus and one in the shot. In all University Games in ’67, the same year she record surge by being very slow to rise to the she set 12 World Records, 6 each in each of captured Pan-Am silver. A 3-time World set position, causing a T&FN headline to ask, her specialties. She World Ranked 10 times Ranker, she was No. 3 in ’67. “Is Johnson’s Start OK?” in the shot, 7 times at No. 1. In the discus she made the Rankings 11 times, 3 times at No. 1. Died: Martin Hyman, 87 Died: Antal Kiss, 85 On April 03; in Livingston, . A On April 07; in Tatabánya, Hungary. The Thomas Saisi, 75 4-time World Ranker in the 10,000, the Briton silver medalist in the 50K walk at the ’68 Olym- In March; in Kapenguria, Kenya. A 2-time was No. 2 in ’59. The next year he claimed 9th pics, he also competed in ’64 and ’72, essaying Olympian in the 800, Saisi took 7th in ’68 in the Olympics. a 20K/50K double all three times.. but didn’t advance beyond the heats 4 years later. He twice World Ranked, claiming No. Died: Dennis Johnson, 81 Died: , 83 8s in both ’68 & ’71. He also ran on Kenya’s On April 22; in Kingston, Jamaica; of On April 26; in . The dominant WR-setting 4 x 880y team in ’70.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 48 STATUS QUO THE LATEST in the aches, pains & eligibility departments:

me from continuing my preparation normally.” Jamaica’s Akeem Bloomfield was felled KIRBY LEE/IMAGE OF SPORT by a bad-looking ham- string pull at the Mira- mar meet, but an MRI showed no major dam- age. “ My r ig ht g lut e a nd hamstring contracted really bad and as of right now are just really in- flamed,” he says. “I am expected to make a full recovery and hopefully I w i l l b e bac k i n t ra i n i ng soon.” Euro 60 champ has con- tracted COVID but still expects to compete at the World Relays. Yohan Diniz, the 50K walk WR holder, plans to retire after the Olympics. The French- man will be 43. Hammer thrower Bence Halász of Hunga- Baylor vault star KC Lightfoot decided to earn pro before finishing this season of eligibility. ry, the bronze medalist from Doha, has had knee surgery. Andy Bayer has retired at age 31. A finalist standard 4-year sanction, in part because of “the German javelinist Andreas Hofmann had in the Doha steeple, where he placed 12th, the substantial assistance that Igbokwe provided.” elbow su rger y ea rly i n t he yea r a nd i n pla n n i ng I nd i a n a g rad wa s c ut by Ni ke a nd s topp e d t ra i n - The penalty was backdated to begin on May 26, on resuming normal training this month, with ing in January. “I feel like I had accomplished ’20, and any results achieved since then have hopes of competing in Tokyo. a lot of what I wanted,” he told the IndyStar. “I been disqualified. Russian high jumper Yelena Kulichenko is was proud of my career, basically. While mak- A 10.23 sprinter in high school, Kentucky’s in the process of transferring to Cyprus. ing an Olympic team would be great, it’s still Langston Jackson st i l l h a s n’t got te n t he c h a nc e Clarence Munyai, who blazed a South just a sport and another thing. And I felt like to run the 100 for the Wildcats, despite taking African Record 19.69(A) last year, injured a setting up for my family to succeed was more 4th in the SEC Indoor 60 in ’20. His coaches say hamstring in April. important to me.” he’s now recovered from the hamstring injury Yekaterina Zavyalova, the ’12 Olympic sil- 2-time NCAA decathlon champion Curtis that shut him down indoors and will return to ver medalist at 800 who had a 2-year ban from a Beach has announced his retirement at age 30, competition. ’14 posit ive test, i s i n t he proces s of t ra n sfer r i ng saying, “Wrapping up the track career. Over KC Lightfoot (see “Last Lap”) has turned allegiance to Turkey at age 30, where she will the past year, I had more fun coaching and trail pro at age 21 a nd w ill no longer vault for Baylor; compete under the name Guliyeva. She married running than training for the decathlon. Huge he has signed with Puma. Turkish 19.76 sprinter Ramil Guliyev in ’19. thank you to all those who spent countless The year’s fastest high school 2-miler at hours with me to make this pursuit possible 9:47.95, Sydney Thorvaldson (Rawlins, Wyo- Doping Suspensions and so much fun over the years. On to different ming) hasn’t raced since February because of 8 years — Yelena Soboleva (Russia, 1500); track stuff!” a stress reaction. 4 years — Lyukman Adams (Russia, TJ), His ban was originally due to run until (Russia, 400H), Oksana Kon- May 13 of ’22, but after a CAS appeal was only Internationally… dratyeva (Russia, HT), Anastasiya Mazurina partially successful (see (Belarus, HT), Andrey Silnov (Russia, HJ), “Last Lap”) will now have his penalty end on German decathlete Arthur Abele will be Patrick Terer (Kenya, distance), November 14 of this year. challenged to make Tokyo. Still needing the (Russia, HJ); After spraining her left ankle early in the Olympic standard, he is due for shoulder sur- 30 months — Obi Igbokwe (U.S., sprints); indoor season, Kentucky quartermiler Alexis gery in May. 2 years — Ophélie Claude-Boxberger Holmes is ready to compete again. World hammer silver medalist Quentin (, steeple), Marina Pospelova (Russia, Long sprinter Obi Igbokwe has been Bigot of France was hit by C19 in March and 800); banned for 30 months after a positive for a will pass on May’s Euro Throwing Cup, saying, 18 months — Christian Coleman (U.S., steroid metabolite. USADA said the 2½-year “I have developed symptoms that have laid me sprints). sentence was decided upon, rather than the out for a good dozen days, and have prevented

Track & Field News May 2021 — 49 TRACK SHORTS KIRBY LEE/IMAGE OF SPORT

World 200 champ Noah Lyles never could catch up with quick-starting Trayvon Bromell in the USATF GP 100.

PRO VAX! One vote in favor of vaccinating Comebacking long jumper Marquis Dendy mone-suppressing drugs which might let her athletes before Tokyo comes from Ethiopian confesses that he prefers training to competing, return to the 800. “It’s taking the soul out of my superstar , who says, “I think saying “I’m a meathead. I love to train. I pretty body,” she says. “They want me to take my own it’s safe and more comfortable to manage, to much go into that Zero-Dark-30 where I just system down. I’m not sick. I don’t need drugs. me et w it h t he ot her at h letes… Bet ter to t a ke t he train, really focus. I don’t have to go out and I will never do that.” vacc i ne. She adds, “It ’s ha rd to feel sa fe because worry about traveling, booking flights, and German putter David Storl is concerned it’s a virus and you can get it at any minute. now with COVID, I definitely don’t want to that unscrupulous athletes may be using C19 But since it’s the Olympics, I know they will do catch anything at airports, so training for me is quarantines to avoid drug testers. He contracted everything they can to protect us.” super-important. I get more work done training the virus himself and had to be in isolation for Norwegian phenom Jakob Ingebrigtsen than competing back-to-back-to-back.” two weeks, during which time he had to refuse opined to Britain’s Athletics Weekly that the Caster Semenya, forced to move up or down entry to German testers. most painful event is the 1500: “It’s difficult in events to stay clear of WA’s DSD rule, has “I realized during my quarantine that we to describe but the 1500m is probably the most c ho s e n t h e 5 0 0 0 ove r t h e 20 0, s ay i n g , “ I’m g e t t i n g certainly won’t have a level playing field at painful race because you are going out at such old‚ I’m scared to tear my muscles. We had to the Olympic Games, if they take place,” says a high speed and after 500m you are really sit down and make sure that the decision that the former world champ. “My skepticism has hitting a wall. But then, when you continue you we make makes sense. Distance makes sense. risen a lot, because there are no doping tests don’t slow down, you just run faster and faster. I am 30 years old and if I were to do sprints it for athletes in quarantine. “Or at least that’s my experience. If you wou ld b e a r i sk to my mu s c le s. I n d i s t a nc e, t h e r e “At that moment I became really aware of are really well prepared and you do what you is more time to find consistency.” how far a quarantine can open the door for need to do going into that race it’s going to Her first attempt to hit the 5000 standard cheating. At home and in total isolation there end up pretty good and you’re not going to of 15:10.00 fell markedly short at 15:52.28 in are all the possibilities in the world to improve feel that much pain after all. But I know, going winning the South African title; she ran it in certain capabilities with forbidden substances. into my next race, I get really nervous because the 1333m altitude of Pretoria, however. “I don’t want to suspect anyone in the world, of the pain.” Semenya says that she will never take hor- but I can well imagine that there are some who

Track & Field News May 2021 — 50 use the quarantine as a loophole.” Shamier Little tried something new in April: her first 800 race. The 400H ace won her World Relays Hit By Major Defections 2-lap debut at the McDonnell Invitational in As the meet approached, the list of nations pulling out of the World Relays in Chorzów, 2:0 4. 39. A n e nt e r t a i n i ng s o c i a l-me d i a pr e s e nc e, Poland, got longer and longer. Prominently, the no-show list includes the two nations that have she explained on Twitter, “Coach and I are on captured the most medals since the meet’s inception, the United States and Jamaica. a mission, and every move made thus far has a Also pulled out: Australia, Bahamas, Canada, India & Trinidad. And as we go to press Kenya purpose. I’m so pleased with the direction that is still listed as attending, though various athletes have dropped from the squad. things are going. 2:04 in an off-event with com- Most of the team statements cited safety first. From the Canadians: “Though showing signs petitive effort, and I’m actually crazy enough of improvement, Poland is reporting a very high level of COVID-19 and travelers are strongly to wanna do it again and go faster.” encouraged to avoid all non-essential travel in and out of Poland, even those who are fully vac- She added, “Also the 400 hurdles [is] more cinated. Most of the Canadian team is not vaccinated, neither are most of the people who will brutal than the 800. I will happily settle that be involved with the competition, therefore, there are increased risks associated with gathering debate for y’all. And if you still want to talk, alongside others from different parts of the world.” go debate your mother.” One key factor that many have cited is the need to quarantine upon return from Poland and She followed up by tweeting, “I just how badly that could affect preparation for the upcoming Olympics. wanted to hush the people in the back with In the case of India, the trip was canceled when the Dutch government pulled the plug on 800/400 career change talk. The hurdles is my KLM flights out of India because of the massive C19 surge there. bread and butter. Next time is dropping very SOOOOON.” Meanwhile, on the catwalk, both U.S. and on one or the other, we will make that decision.” jump in Eugene. One thing that didn’t get him Canadian outfits for the Tokyo Opening and UCLA thrower Alyssa Wilson is back in rattled was the cold, rainy weather: “Where Closing have come under fire from critics. Said training after battling C19 for three weeks. “It I’m from, I’m in Michigan. It’s pretty cold. It one writer, “There is something deeply funny was rough. I was totally alone in my room. I ac t u a l ly s nowe d wh e n I j u s t le f t, s o t h i s we at h e r about dressing the fittest folks on the planet in couldn’t leave at all. People would come and is nothing to me. The rain kind of bothered the least flattering looks possible.” One tweet drop off three meals a day, knock on my door me, but I just threw it out the window because aimed at the U.S. outfit in particular: “Our and leave. I lost my sense of smell, I had head- everybody’s jumping in the same weather.” athletes deserve better than low-rise jeans.” aches and I was super tired. All I wanted to do Brooke Andersen o n h e r w e t r i n g e x p e r i e n c e World heptathlon champ Katarina John- was sleep, and that’s so unlike me. I definitely in the Eugene hammer: “The meet started out son-Thompson has said that should she win a lost my appetite. I lost some weight because I a little rough with a fall and hitting my head medal in Tokyo, she is open to taking a knee on wasn’t able to eat like I normally would. I’m on the ring when I fell… but I luckily was able the podium. “From a very young age. I was one struggling right now. Slowly, I’m starting to to battle back and shake it off to throw the of the only people of color in both my primary feel a little bit better.” second-best series of my career!” and secondary schools and you realize you are Auburn’s Joyce Kimeli successfully doubled Most elite athletes have struggled to deal the odd-one-out. It doesn’t have to be attacks at the SEC Indoor despite losing over a month with the pandemic while preparing for the or murder to be racism. It can affect people’s of training when she traveled back to Kenya in Olympics. Chaunté Lowe had to deal with that self-worth and how they see themselves. It’s December after the death of her father to C19. on top of her recovery from breast cancer and important for me to shine a light on it. I never “Even if it’s painful, I’m tough,” she says. The a double mastectomy in ’19. “When I faced my get used to it but I feel I have to do it on certain word ‘tough’ means a lot to me because my late own health challenge, I got to the point where subjects. I’m proud to be in a position where I dad used to tell me, ‘Joyce, are you not tough?’ my fitness level was back to where it was when am able to do that.” “Even if it’s the middle of the race, I remind I was a freshman in high school,” the 4-time Tok yo w i l l b e t h e f i n a l Oly mpic s for Allyson myself of that word. I flash back to how much Olympian told Fansided. “It was horrifying Felix. As for retirement, we’ll see. “I don’t know work my coach has been giving me. I don’t want to me to be at a great sense of fitness and then for how much longer than this year I will run,” to take anything for granted but I always try overnight to feel like it was all gone.” she says at age 35. “I’m just going to take it as my best to produce the best.” British miler Jake Smith has paced some it comes as far as that goes. I don’t see myself Washington miler Sam Tanner is un- marathons before; in fact, he has run 60:31 for doing another Olympics, but I haven’t laid out derstandably excited to be selected to New the half-marathon, but at the recent Cheshire an end date.” Zealand’s Tokyo team: “I don’t have any real Elite Marathon in Wales, he was taken by a whim She added that she is planning on entering expectations on myself. Any result coming out when his pacing duties were done: “Looked both the 200 and 400 at the Trials, even though of the Olympics will be sweet. Going, alone, is down at the watch at mile 17 and thought ‘sod an Olympic double is impossible, explaining, like ‘wow,’ Not many people ever get to expe- it,’ let’s try to run the Olympic time.” He did “I’m just going to see how training unfolds. I rience anything like that so I am very stoked.” just that, finishing his debut in 2:11:00 for the would like to participate in both at the Trials Donald Scott was thrilled with his consis- win. “I swear I’m doing a 1500m track season,” and see the outcome of that. If I need to focus te nc y e n route to t he w i n i n t he USAT F GP t r iple he insisted.

$29.95 With 2017 updates Back in print! Available only from www.amazon.com Enter “Track & Field News’ Big Gold Book”

Track & Field News May 2021 — 51 LAST LAP

HERE’S THIS MONTH’S collection of short takes on generally off-track activities that have gone/will go a long way towards shaping the way the sport is headed.

“We expect the contract to be honored and the event to take place at the Olympic Stadium as do the athletes, broadcasters, sponsors and most importantly the fans… GLADYS CHAI/ASVOM AGENCY “It would be a travesty for the sport after such a long wait for world-class athletics to re- turn to the Olympic Stadium if o u r a t h l e t e s a n d f a n s a r e d e n i e d a crucial sendoff to Tokyo.” The Shoes Are Indeed Super In a case of science proving wh at we a l r e ady k now, a g r o up o f r e s e a r c h e r s h ave de t e r m i n e d that “super-shoes” incorporat- ing a carbon-fiber plate give elite runners faster times. The study analyzed times from the 10K, and marathon and found a s ig n i f ic a nt d r op i n t i me s b ega n in ’17, the year that the Nike Vaporfly 4% premiered. The lead author of the There will be no Olympic joy for Christian Coleman like that paper, Dr. Stéphane Bermon, he experienced at the World Champs. is director of the WA Health & Science Department. He said, “As far as chronometric performance is concerned, it is in our opinion No Olympics For London’s Diamond League a major advancement.” Christian Coleman Hosting In Doubt Interestingly, women benefitted more than men, with times dropping from 1.7 to 2.3%, Sprinter Christian Coleman caught a break, As if the sport isn’t having enough trouble compared to men’s improvements of 0.6 to 1.5%. but it wasn’t the one he was looking for. CAS gett ing its big meets off on t ime and in t he right E x pl a i n e d B e r mo n , “ Wome n a r e l ig ht e r a nd reduced his ban for breaking whereabouts rules place, the London DL set for July 13 is the focus could possibly benefit more from the en hanced f rom 2 yea rs to 18 mont h s, but t he U.S. sta r, now of a bat t le br ew i ng over it s home i n t he Oly mpic effect achieved by the foam/stiff plate 2 5, w i l l s t i l l m i s s t h e Oly mpic s. O r ig i n a l ly s e t to Stadium. The corporation that runs the facility combination. Their slightly different running conclude May 13, 2022, the ban will now expire has balked on this year’s hosting because of the pattern, compared to men, could represent November 14 of this year. $ 4.1 m i l l io n c o s t of r e c o n f ig u r i ng t h e s e at s f r om a more favorable condition for this footwear The CAS panel agreed that Coleman, the it s nor ma l s o cc er s et up to t he 20,0 0 0 - s eat layout technology to play its ergogenic role.” reig n i ng world 10 0 c ha mpion, had com m it ted a used for track and other events. v iolat ion but fou nd h is “deg ree of negl igence to Normally that cost is spread among a num- Are The Shoes Skewing be lower than that established in the challenge ber of events, but many usual summer events decision.” have been canceled because of the pandemic. World Records? Said Coleman, “While I appreciate the Said a stadium rep, “For the stadium, and Should WA reset the World Records for the arbitrators correctly found that I am a clean ultimately the taxpayer, to face costs of around £3 s up e r - s h o e e r a? T h a t ’s w h a t Br it i s h c o m m e n t a t o r athlete, I am obviously disappointed that I will million [c$4.2M] to prepare for just one evening Tim Hutchings thinks. miss the Olympic Game this summer. I look of athletics… seems disproportionate in these Hutchings, himself an Olympic 4th-placer forward to representing the United States at extraordinary times.” (’8 4 5 0 0 0), m a i nt a i n s t h at h ig h -t e c h c a rb o n -f i b e r both World Championships in 2022, especially The corporation has offered to cover the shoes have so dramatically sped up perfor- the first-ever World Championships held in costs of the Anniversary Games being held mance times that it’s only fair to the athletes the United States next summer where I plan to elsewhere, presumably Manchester, with Gates- to distinguish this as a new era so that great defend my world title against a new Olympic head already having picked up the Rabat meet performances of the past don’t get lost in this champion in the 100m.” (see sidebar). explosion. On a related note, at the end of April CAS UK Athletics and the DL aren’t having any “People from many quarters are saying, held a 2-day hearing on the matter of Salwa of it. The response from UKA: “This would ‘Stop fussing about the shoes, just move on and Eid Naser’s whereabouts case. No timeline was be an unacceptable breach of a longstanding enjoy the racing.’ To which I’d respond, ‘I’ve given for resolution of the matter. agreement that forms an important part of the always enjoyed the racing and will continue 2012 Olympic legacy plans… to,’” Hutchings told the London Times.

Track & Field News May 2021 — 52 “But I want to enjoy and respect times as well, not just cast aside that element. A reset would enable this. The shoes are here to stay, Diamond League Schedule In A State Of Flux sadly the genie is out of the bottle.” “Let folk race and record new era personal For a variety of reasons, the Wanda Diamond League schedule has been tweaked in bests… A date needs to be identified retrospec- several ways since we first reported the slate of meets here in the January issue. t ive ly, t h e n eve r yo n e wo u ld r e s p e c t t i me s i n t h e Rabat has been canceled and replaced by Gateshead… Rome has moved to Florence right context. Athletes deserve that.” and will be a week later… has moved 3 weeks later… London (see separate article) may have to pull up stakes… The site for the second Chinese meet still hasn’t been named. Namibia Uncovers Young With all that in play, the picture looks like this: Women 400 Talents May One of the big finds of the U.S. domestic 23 — Gateshead; 28 — Doha season is quartermiler Johnny Blockburger. June But a s su r pr i si ng a s h i s brea kt h roug h ha s be en, 10 — Rome eyebrows have been raised even more by two July Namibian teenagers who are now the Nos. 1 & 01 — Oslo, 04 — Stockholm; 09 — Monaco; 13 — Britain (London?) 3 on the all-time women’s World Junior (U20) list in the 400. August Christine Mboma, just 17, has twice broken 14 — Shanghai; 21 — Eugene; 22 — China2 (city tbd); 26 — Lausanne; 28 — Paris the WJR, running 49.24 (taking down German September ’s longstanding 49.42 from ’91) and 03 — ; 08-09 — Zürich (first day is 7 street events) 49.22. Both times were altitude-aided. Mboma began the year with a PR of 51.57(A) and chopped that to 50.97(A) in her second race this year before getting the first WJR in her third. sponsors are becoming common. But it’s rare “Threatening to sanction athletes who Te a m m a t e B e a t r i c e M a s i l i n g i w a s r u n n e r - up for the story to go public as it did in Britain, peacefully protest on issues such as racism is in both the record races, her PR 49.53 in the first where the winner of the marathon trials has not only inconsistent with human rights, but coming on the day before her 18th birthday. admitted to painting a pair of Nikes black with also goes against the values that the IOC claims M a s i l i ng i wa s a l r e ady a k now n q u a nt it y, h av i ng the blessing of his shoe sponsor, On. to support.” run 50.42(A) last year. Chris Thompson, 39, surprised many Both of the breakout stars are coached by with his clutch 2:10:52 race. He was wearing a Long-Sprint Double Still On For Henk Botha, who said after the first of the disguised pair of Nike Vaporfly Next% shoes. WJRs, “The race was unbelievable — the start, van Niekerk A spokesperson for On admitted that while eve r y t h i ng wa s j u s t t e x t b o ok s t u f f. O ve r t h e l a s t While a woman’s doing the 200/400 double the company makes carbon-fiber shoes, “it has 20m anyone could still win, but Christine was in Tokyo is virtually impossible because of the taken our research and development team a the hungriest to win it on the day.” s c h e du le — a s S h au n ae M i l le r-Ui b o h a s fo u nd — little longer than expected to perfect… the road remains viable for a man, and 400 WR “Chris therefore had to compete in an al- Vault Star Lightfoot To Jump holder Wayde van Niekerk has not ruled it out. ternative running shoe that isn’t our own that That’s not to say that doubling wouldn’t be still enabled him to perform in the latest-gen- For Cash challenging for the 28-year-old South African, eration shoes.” The NCAA lost its top men’s vaulter when or anybody else who might try it. The timetable Said Thompson, “I’m proud to work with a Baylor’s KC Lightfoot surprisingly opted to turn would call for 5 straight days of racing, with 400 company who care about the athletes they work pro with only 2 months to go in the collegiate heats/semis on August 01/02, the 200 heats/semis with. I can’t thank them enough.” o utdo or s e a s o n . I ndo or s, h e h ad wo n t h e NC A A of t he 200 on Aug ust 03, t he 200 final on Aug ust t it l e a n d b r o k e t h e C R 3 t i m e s , u lt i m at e l y at 19 - 8¼ The Oly Protest Question Stil 04, and the 400 final on August 05. (6.00). Counting this year, he would have been van Niekerk, who recently won the South eligible for 3 NCAA Outdoor meets. Much Alive African half-lap crown with a 20.38(A), was “I feel the best situation will be back in In late March the USOPC issued new guide- asked if he will try both in Japan. “I’ll most my hometown [Lees Summit, Missouri] where l i nes on at h lete protest s t hat condoned protest s likely focus on the 400 when it comes to the I would like to return to working with my related to racial and social justice while forbid- Olympic Games, but we’ll see,” he responded previous coach who taught me how to vault ding anything that might “advocate against with a laugh. when I started,” the 21-year-old Lightfoot said. people”; i.e., hate speech. For now, he’s heading to Florida, where he “He has continued to be a guiding force in my The IOC did not follow suit, and has made w i l l be t ra i n i ng w it h coac h La nce Brau ma n a nd development. it c lea r t hat a ny for ms of protest on t he Oly mpic a crew that includes 200 gold medalist Noah “ Ma ny w i l l a sk why I do n’t s t ay i n Wac o a nd stage will be punished. Lyles. van Niekerk’s 200 PR of 19.84 dates from finish the remainder of the season with Baylor, The IOC Athletes’ Commission polled ath- ’17, the year after he set his 400 WR of 43.03. but i n l ig ht of t he st reng t h of t he Amer ica n pole letes and came out in support of the ban. The vault right now, I feel that the timing of finishing survey, it should be noted, had heavy participa- WA Says No To Leeper’s this year and then moving on may not provide t io n f r o m C h i n a , wh ic h c a m e i n ove r wh e l m i n g ly the best opportunity for preparation for the Latest Prosthetics op p o s e d t o pr o t e s t s or e ve n s a nc t io n e d mo me nt s summer season, Olympic Trials and hopefully Blake Leeper’s hopes of running in the of support for human rights. the Olympic Games.” Olympics have been shut down, for now at The EU Athletes federation, representing Two weeks later came the announcement le a s t, a s World At h le t ic s h a s r e j e c t e d t h e do uble 25,000 athletes from a variety of sports, was t h at h e h ad s ig n e d w it h P u m a, wh ic h i s b u i ld i ng amputee’s application to use his latest running not pleased. “We are deeply concerned by the quite the vaulting corps. specific prosthesis (RSP). decision taken by the IOC and believe that the The WA panel said that the MASH rule (Max- When Your Closet Doesn’t Have consultation process and the rule 50 itself are imum Allowable Standing Height) is designed n o t c o mp at i bl e w it h t h e h u m a n r i g ht s o f at h l e t e s . to prevent athletes from “overcompensating The Right Shoes “The IOC’s approach to freedom of speech for the absence of a missing limb” and that it Stories about athletes competing in “dis- and expression consists of an attempt to restrict, appl ied to Leeper ’s prost het ics, wh ic h g ive h i m guised” high-performance shoes made by redefine and control the way that the athletes a leg length of 41 inches (104cm) and a standing another manufacturer so as not to offend their exercise their fundamental human right. height of 6-½ (184cm).

Track & Field News May 2021 — 53 “ T h e o n ly c o nc lu s io n t h at i s op e n i s t h at M r. go, it would be a mistake to confuse that with son s had be en lea r ned f rom t hat event. For one Leeper is running unnaturally tall in using his “smooth sailing.” Japanese authorities have thing, all athletes will now be tested daily… new RSPs,” said the WA report. applied new restrictions in the Tokyo area Olympic organizers are considering using He is banned from competing in the Olym- as C19 cases rise in a nation where only 1.3% a hotel near the Olympic Village to isolate pics or any World Athletics Series events. Last have received the first vaccine dose. Set to run athletes testing positive… October, Leeper, 31, lost a CAS appeal on the through May 11, the new restrictions limit A n o f f i c i a l f r o m t h e I n t e r n at i o n a l Mo n e t a r y case involving his prior prosthetics. large events to 5000 people. Many businesses Fund has declared that the economic impact Now he plans to immediately appeal the including restaurants must close early… of a fanless Games would be minor for the latest WA decision to CAS, while concurrently A Japanese infectious disease expert said, Japanese economy. A decision on domestic pursing a challenge to the October CAS ruling “Japan is dangerous, not a safe place at all.” spectators will come in June… in the Swiss Supreme Court. He added that an Olympics would not be safe A number of cities that were set to host Said Leeper, “It’s not right that World Ath- for Japan until 50–70% of the general public various Olympic teams—including some that letics continues to discriminate against disabled is vaccinated… have already invested millions of dollars into Black athletes, and that the Panel they appoint- The chair of the Tokyo Medical Association facilities, are withdrawing from the program ed has again sanctioned this discriminatory has said that staging the Games will be “really because of the anticipated cost of providing treatment. Basing this decision on standards d i f f ic u lt .”… safe C19 bubbles, testing and medical care… and studies that completely excluded Black A row erupted about a story that the Jap- In a meeting with the Japanese prime athletes goes against common sense and has anese would prioritize athlete vaccinations, minister, U.S. president Joe Biden declared no scientific basis.” making many in the public furious because U.S. support for a “safe and secure” Games… In ’19, Leeper finished 5th in the 400 (44.48 the general population rollout of vaccines has A leading Japanese ruling party official a f t e r a 4 4. 38 s e m i) at t h e USAT F C h a mpio n s h ip s been so slow. Days later, a health expert urged said canceling the Games is still an option, but wasn’t able to be part of the relay pool for the vaccine be made available to athletes… to which the IOC responded, “We do not Doha. Organizers are looking at the threat of false speculate. We are fully concentrated and positive tests derailing competitions in entire committed to the successful delivery of the Tokyo Digest… sports. The problem occurred at the European Olympic Games.” While all signs are that the Olympics are a Indoor, and IOC chief Thomas Bach said les- As they say, stay tuned.

FOR THE RECORD

Records reported since the April issue. W = World; A = American; C = Collegiate; JC = Junior College; J = Junior (U20); Y = Youth (U18); (A) = altitude over 1000m.

MEN ABSOLUTE TRACK

200 20.31 AY Erriyon Knighton (adidas) Clermont, Florida April 04

5000 13:24.76 AJ Nico Young (Northern Arizona) Des Moines, Iowa April 23

MEN ABSOLUTE FIELD

Hammer 76.48 | 250-11 JC Andrei Romanov’ (New Mexico JC) Amarillo, Texas April 02

WOMEN ABSOLUTE TRACK

400 49.24(A) WJ Christine Mboma (Namibia) Lusaka, Zambia April 11

49.22(A) WJ Christine Mboma (Namibia) Windhoek, Namibia April 17

800 1:57.73 C, AJ Athing Mu (Texas A&M) Waco, Texas April 17

WOMEN ABSOLUTE FIELD

Long Jump 7.14 | 23-5¼ C Tara Davis (Texas) Austin, Texas March 26

Triple Jump 14.92 | 48-11½ A Keturah Orji (Atlanta TC) Chula Vista, California April 25

Hammer 78.60 | 257-10 A DeAnna Price (Nike/New York AC) Columbia, Missouri April 09

WOMEN ROAD

Half-Marathon 1:04:02 W Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya) , Turkey April 04

Track & Field News May 2021 — 54 U.S. CALENDAR EVEN WITH THE GREATLY IMPROVED C19 situation, all meets should be considered tentative. Ongoing public-safety orders could cancel meets in a number of states, and even meets that do go off may have spectator restrictions. Pandemic or not, always check with meet hosts before attending any meet.

Relays & Invitationals Mountain West Fresno, California JTG = USATF’s Journey To Gold series; PTS = the independent Ohio Valley Charleston, Illinois Pro Track Series SEC College Station, Texas May Sun Belt Mobile, Alabama 01 Alumni Muster College Station, Texas Vermillion, South Dakota Hayes Invitational Bloomington, Indiana WAC Edinburg, Texas LSU Invitational Baton Rouge, Louisiana 13–16 Conference USA Murfreesboro, Tennessee Tennessee Challenge Knoxville, Tennessee 14–15 Atlantic Sun Jacksonville, Florida 07 Arkansas Twilight Fayetteville, Arkansas Big East Storrs, Connecticut Oregon Twilight Eugene, Oregon 14–16 The American Tampa, Florida Thorpe Open University Park, Pennsylvania Big 10 Champaign, Illinois 08 Aggie Invitational College Station, Texas Big 12 Manhattan, Kansas Big 10 Invitational #5 Bloomington, Indiana Missouri Valley Carbondale, Illinois Invitational Haylett Invitational Pac-12 Los Angeles, California 09 USATF Golden Games JTG Walnut, California IC4A/ECAC New Britain, Connecticut 14–15 Azusa Pacific Twilight & Multi Azusa, California Southland Houston, Texas Cougar Invitational Provo, Utah Pro Track Series PTS Los Angeles, California 18 USATF Open JTG Ft. Worth, Texas TAFNEWS BOOKS NOW AVAILABLE ON 22 USATF Throws Festival JTG Tucson, Arizona 23 adidas Boost Boston Games JTG Boston, Massachusetts 25 USATF Invitational JTG Prairie View, Texas AMAZON.COM 29 Chula Vista Field Festival JTG Chula Vista, California Track Festival PTS Portland, Oregon These books were formerly out of print and not available, but we have arranged with Amazon.com to print them on demand and offer 31 Iowa High Performance PTS Des Moines, Iowa them on their website. Order directly from Amazon.com.

Collegiate Conferences Some conferences may have multi-event competitions on day(s) before listed dates. THE THROWS MANU- May AL. The must-have book 01–02 America East TBD on training and technique Atlantic 10 Fairfax, Virginia for the shot, discus, Northeast Smithfield, Rhode Island hammer and javelin. By Southern Cullowhee, North Carolina George Dunn and Kevin 06–08 Big West Multis Irvine, California McGill. 158pp. SWAC Prairie View, Texas 00 07–08 MEAC Greensboro, North Carolina $ 25 Mid–American Oxford, Ohio 07–09 Horizon League Youngstown, Ohio Available only from www.amazon.com 08–09 Metro Atlantic Lawrenceville, 10 –11 Big South High Point, North Carolina Note: There may be other offers on amazon.com for used 12–15 Big Sky Ogden, Utah copies, but for the new, T&FN-authorized, pristine copies look for the entries with the above prices. Big West Irvine, California 13–15 ACC Durham, North Carolina

Track & Field News May 2021 — 55 Subscribing to TRACK & FIELD NEWS

The basic subscription is Digital. You get full and immediate access to the T&FN articles we post almost daily on our web site. Often results and analyses of a major meet will appear on the site the next day. You’ll also get full access to all current issues of T&FN. And you get eTrack, our weekly results newsletter which keeps you fully informed about all the recent major marks in the sport. For digital, in addition to the annual subscription rate, you can, if you wish, subscribe monthly, and we’ll charge $7.95/month to your credit card (recurring), $12.95 for Monthly Premium Archive Digital.

It is now again possible to get an ink-and-paper issue of Track & Field News each month (starting with the January 2019 issue). Print issues will be put together from articles already posted on the web site and most of the other stories, lists and departments available to digital subscribers. This option has been created for those who have no computer or digital access or are otherwise unhappy with digital only.

Let us recommend: Print + Digital as the best option. You get the timeliness of digi- tal, plus eTrack, and you’ll also get a printed copy for your own archives. This makes you the complete track fan. www.trackandfieldnews.com Let us count the ways. . . Annual subscription — 12 issues per year USA Canada Elsewhere

Digital only • Unlimited Access to Current Articles • Unlimited Access to Current Issues $79 $79 $79 • eTrack Results Newsletter • Unlimited Content from our Technique Journal, Track Coach

Print only • 12 Print Issues $79 $127 $177 • Does not include online access or eTrack Newsletter

Digital + Print • Unlimited Access to Current Articles • Unlimited Access to Current Issues $109 $157 $207 • eTrack Results Newsletter • Unlimited Content from our Technique Journal, Track Coach • 12 Print Issues

Premium Archive Digital Only • Unlimited Access to Current Articles • Unlimited Access to Current Issues $128 $128 $128 • Unlimited Access to Archived Issues, currently back to 2011 • eTrack Results Newsletter • Unlimited Content from our Technique Journal, Track Coach

Premium Archive Digital + Print • Unlimited Access to Current Articles • Unlimited Access to Current Issues • Unlimited Access to Archived Issues, currently back to 2011 $158 $206 $256 • eTrack Results Newsletter • Unlimited Content from our Technique Journal, Track Coach • 12 Print Issues *Currently, there is no app available for either tablets or smartphones.

Track & Field News, 2570 W El Camino Real, Suite 220, Mountain View, CA 94040. 650-948-8188 Track & Field News May 2021 — 56 CHECK OUT THE T&FN WEBSITE

Connect to the track world 24/7 by logging on to the T&FN website: • Our “facts not fiction” message boards, where informed discourse rules • The internet’s best collection of round-the-world breaking headlines • Direct links to all the major-meet results • Yearly-leader and all-time lists at all levels • T&FN’s comprehensive U.S. and high school lists • Complete records section • Stats, Compilations, Form Charts, Meet Calendars, etc.

Sure, it’s all habit-forming, but it’s a positive habit; one that will keep you informed and entertained in-season and out.

LOG ON TODAY AT www.trackandfieldnews.com