HOW’S 4 WINS out of the last 5 for consistency? Donald Scott repeated his victory of a year ago and ran his cache of USA titles to 4 from the last 5 outdoor editions. And his season-best 56-6 (17.22) in the fourth round surpassed the World Champs Q by three-quarters of an inch (2cm).
Favored 4-time winner Will Claye ended up 2nd at 55-8½ (16.98), with Chris Benard 3rd at 54-8¾ (16.68). Cool temperatures in the low 70s and soft swirling winds on the shaded runway provided the conditions for the event.
Benard opened the initial round with what would remain his best for the day. Scott countered at 53-9 (16.38), while Claye took the lead on his first jump with a 55-0 (16.76).
In round 2 Scott unleashed a 56-1¾ (17.11) leader, the only improvement among the top jumpers.
Round 3 began with a foul for Benard. He was followed by veteran Christian Taylor, still on the mend. With two fouls on his card, the 2-time Olympic champion was able to reach 52-10¾ (16.12), sufficient to make him the last of the 8 advancers to the final 3 rounds. Claye improved to his 55-8½ (16.98), but remained 2nd to Scott.
With the reordering came a cool down and there were only two improvements made in the remaining three rounds. In round 4, Omar Craddock moved from 7th to 5th with his 53-9¾ (16.39). Scott ended the round with his 56-6 winner — which made him the only American with a Budapest Q— before closing out the day with marks of 53-11¼ (16.44), and 55-6½ (16.93).
The 31-year-old Scott, new this year to training with Nic Petersen’s stable of jumpers, credited Petersen’s direction and the group spirit for his success. “This is a whole adjustment,” he said, referring to his move from Michigan. “It’s a new training group, in Florida, with Coach Nic and everything he’s done with me.
“You got a lot of champions in that group. Every day, each and every one of those guys is out practicing. It’s very motivating.”
MEN’S TRIPLE JUMP RESULTS
(July 07)
(winds ranged from +1.4 to –1.4)
1. Donald Scott (adi) 56-6 (17.22) (AL)
(53-9, 56-1¾, f, 56-6, 53-11¼, 55-6½) (16.38, 17.11, f, 17.22, 16.44, 16.93);
2. Will Claye (NYAC) 55-8½ (16.98)
(55-0, f, 55-8½, f, f, f) (16.76, f, 16.98, f, f, f);
3. Chris Benard (CVE) 54-8¾ (16.68)
(54-8¾, 54-2½, f, 53-4¼, f, 54-6¾) (16.68, 16.52, f, 16.26, f, 16.63);
4. Salif Mane (FD) 53-11¼ (16.44)
(53-11¼, f, f, 53-¾, p, f) (16.44, f, f, 16.17, p, f);
5. Omar Craddock (unat) 53-9¼ (16.39)
(51-11¾, f, 53-1, 53-9¼, 53-7½, 53-1) (15.84, f, 16.18, 16.39, 16.34, 16.18);
6. Russell Robinson (Mia) 53-8¼ (16.36)
(52-8, 53-8¼, 52-0, 52-9¼, 53-0, 50-11½) (16.05, 16.36, 15.85, 16.08, 16.15, 15.53);
7. Sean Dixon-Bodie (Fl) 53-6¼ (16.31)
(53-3¾, 53-1½, 53-6¼, 45-7¼, 52-10¾, 47-3½) (16.25, 16.19, 16.31, 13.90, 16.12, 14.41);
8. Christian Taylor (Nik) 52-10¾ (16.12)
(f, f, 52-10¾, 52-6¾, f, 52-4½) (f, f, 16.12, 16.02, f, 15.96);
9. Isaiah Griffith (CVE) 52-7½ (16.04); 10. Jalen Tate (unat) 52-3¼ (15.93); 11. Chris Welch (TxT) 51-2¾ (15.61); 12. Christian Edwards (Al) 49-7 (15.11); 13. Kelvin Campbell (KennSt) 49-5 (15.06); 14. Henry Kiner (PittSt) 48-10 (14.88);… nm—Chauncey Chambers (VaT).