EUGENE, OREGON, April 24 — Cool temps and light rain put a damper on some of the action at the USATF Grand Prix, which was also the fourth stop on the federation’s Journey To Gold circuit, but the meet roster brimmed with stars and by and large, they delivered.
None more so than Olympic 400 champ Shaunae Miller-Uibo. She has declared that she will most likely be running the 200 in Tokyo, but a world-leading lap in 49.08 proved that she will remain more than relevant in the longer event. The fast-starting Bahamian was challenged best by Lynna Irby on the final turn, but still finished more than a second ahead of Irby’s 50.28.
Said the winner, “The 400 is my favorite race. I’m always trying to figure it out and having some fun with unraveling the mysteries of it. I think we’re in a good spot right now.”
On the hammer field just outside the main stadium, Rudy Winkler produced a brilliant series that included three world-leading marks, topped by the farthest throw of his life, a 268-11 (81.98) PR heave that made him the No. 2 U.S. performer ever.
The Cornell alum opened up with a list-topping 255-10 (77.99). He followed that with a 255-0 (77.73) and 254-9 (77.65). After a foul in round 4 he added more than two meters to his world lead with a powerful; 262-9 (80.09). Then on his final throw he passed Jud Logan on the ATL.
“My training has been really good so I had high expectations for today,” he said. “I was a little nervous for my first couple throws so mostly I just focused on trying to manage that. My last couple throws I executed the way I wanted.”
The women’s hammer matchup between DeAnna Price and Brooke Andersen didn’t disappoint. Andersen took the lead in round 3 and kept improving, topping out at 255-10 (77.99), the No. 5 U.S. performance ever. Price’s best also came in that round, a 249-10 (76.15). It was Andersen’s first-ever win over Price in their 9 meetings.
The 100 was billed as a showdown between comebacking Trayvon Bromell and world 200 champ Noah Lyles. The start was all Bromell’s, though. He blitzed the early strides and by 20m had built a margin that Lyles and company were unable to overcome. He crossed the line in 10.03—not as fast as his 10.01 heat but temperatures had dropped a bit in the meantime and he ran into a slight (-0.2) wind. Lyles finished a well-beaten 2nd in 10.17.
“We knew that the weather was going to be a factor,” said Bromell. “We just wanted to make it through the race healthy.”
The women’s century featured a powerful performance from long-striding Blessing Okagbare, whose 10.97 easily dominated Morolake Akinosun (11.09) and Britain’s Daryll Neita (11.18).
Jasmine Camacho-Quinn showed that her recent 12.32 world leader wasn’t a one-off. Running into an 0.3 wind in considerably cooler circumstances, she topped the hurdles in 12.46 for a 0.36 margin ahead of Jamaica’s Brittany Anderson (12.82). Close behind were Taliyah Brooks (12.83) and Sydney McLaughlin (12.87 for her third straight PR).
“It started raining right when we were walking out,” said Camacho-Quinn, “but we came here for Nationals in college and I’m used to the cold and the rain.”
Laura Muir wasn’t having anything to do with rabbits in the women’s 1500. The Scots charged to the front so fast that she left the pacemaker behind and kept going. The race evolved into a bizarre procession: Muir blistering the pace up front, while nearly 40m behind Laurence Côté brought the rest of the field along.
On the final lap, Muir had showed little sign of a kick, but that still was not enough to give any of her pursuers hope. She made it to the line in 4:01.54, off a 64.58. The fastest closer behind her was Helen Schlachtenhaufen, who used a 62.38 to place 2nd in 4:04.36, outkicking Cory McGee (4:05.00), Dani Jones (4:05.27) and Nikki Hiltz (4:05.84).
Said Muir, “I was hoping to run really, really fast. My shape’s quite good right now. I was actually on pace for the first lap, it was just really windy and it was difficult in those conditions to be at top-end speed.”
The men’s 1500 also posed a pacing predicament, as only Ollie Hoare of Australia and Canada’s Justyn Knight went with hare Craig Nowak. By the time Nowak stepped off, the two had a lead of 15m over 800 stars Bryce Hoppel and Donavan Brazier. While Hoppel faded (but still PRed at 3:42.62 in 9th), Brazier chased over the final lap. It wasn’t nearly enough.
Hoare took the win in 3:33.54, Knight ran 3:35.85, and Brazier used a 56.14 final lap to take 3rd in 3:37.58. Farther back, finishing even faster at 56.06, was Michigan prep Hobbs Kessler, who passed 6 men in the final 300 en route to his 3:40.46, making him the No. 3 prep ever, trailing only legends Alan Webb and Jim Ryun.
Said the winner, “I wanted to go out fast and try to maintain that speed, try to get close to 3:30. With the rain and the wind it’s hard on your own when you’re battling it out and there’s not too much competition up front.”
The men’s steeple showed that the event — after hibernating for all of ’20 — may be ready to show some new faces near the front at the Trials. Michigan alum Mason Ferlic found himself leading after three laps and stretched 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,” said the 29-year-old Updike, who ran for Eastern Oregon in the NAIA and had a PR of 8:25.38 from ’18. “I wasn’t expecting to run this 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 were nearly on the straightaway, with Benjamin having stolen the lead.
Norman fought back, winning 44.67–44.98. Afterwards, he said he had mixed feelings about 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.”
JOURNEY TO GOLD #4 MEN’S RESULTS
(Continental Tour Gold)
100(-0.2): 1. Trayvon Bromell (US) 10.01; 2. Noah Lyles (US) 10.17; 3. Emmanuel Matadi (Lbr) 10.19; 4. Mike Rodgers (US) 10.24; 5. Divine Oduduru (Ngr) 10.25; 6. Cravon Gillespie (US) 10.35; 7. Jaylen Bacon (US) 10.38; 8. Chris Belcher (US) 10.46; 9. Cameron Burrell (US) 10.52.
Heats: I(0.3)–1. Bromell 10.01; 2. Matadi 10.21; 3. Bacon 10.36; 4. Oduduru 10.39; 5. Gillespie 10.40; 6. Andrew Ewers (Jam) 10.63.
II(-0.9)–1. Lyles 10.29; 2. Burrell 10.35; 3. Rodgers 10.42; 4. Belcher 10.44; 5. Tyquendo Tracey (Jam) 10.46; 6. Jermaine Brown (Jam) 10.61; 7. Marvin Bracy (US) 10.63; 8. Demek Kemp (US) 10.72.
200(-1.3): 1. Jereem Richards (Tri) 20.26; 2. Josephus Lyles (US) 20.46; 3. Christopher Taylor (Jam) 20.73; 4. Rodney Rowe (US) 20.76; 5. Jimmy Vicaut (Fra) 21.05; 6. Senoj-Jay Givans (Jam) 21.05; 7. Remontay McLain (US) 21.47.
400: 1. Michael Norman (US) 44.67; 2. Rai Benjamin (US) 44.98; 3. Justin Robinson (US) 45.55; 4. Emmanuel Korir (Ken) 45.79; 5. Michael Cherry (US) 45.90; 6. Matthew Hudson-Smith (GB) 45.91; 7. Nathan Strother (US) 47.06; 8. Rashard Clark (US) 47.36.
800: 1. Michael Saruni (Ken) 1:46.64 (25.15, 28.14 [53.29], 26.99 [1:20.28], 26.36) (53.29/53.35); 2. Isaiah Harris (US) 1:46.92 (25.30, 27.76 [53.06], 26.38 [1:19.44], 27.48) (53.06/53.86); 3. Charlie Hunter (Aus) 1:47.21 out PR; 4. Erik Sowinski (US) 1:47.73; 5. Sam Ellison (US) 1:47.75; 6. Guy Learmonth (GB) 1:48.22; 7. Luca Chatham (US) 1:49.65;… rabbit—Will Mundy (US) (23.73, 28.17 [51.89]).
1500: 1. Olli Hoare (Aus) 3:33.54 out PR (finish—57.09, 1:55.17, 2:52.50); 2. Justyn Knight (Can) 3:35.85 PR (59.00, 1:57.24, 2:54.57); 3. Donavan Brazier (US) 3:37.58 (56.14, 1:55.05, 2:55.24); 4. Sam Prakel (US) 3:37.74 (56.11, 1:55.08, 2:55.21); 5. Talem Franco (US) 3:39.19;
6. Hobbs Kessler (US) 3:40.46 PR (5, 10 AJ; 3, 4 HS) (56.06, 1:56.75, 2:56.57);
7. Johnny Gregorek (US) 3:40.89; 8. Geordie Beamish (NZ) 3:41.84; 9. Bryce Hoppel (US) 3:42.62 PR; 10. Emmanuel Bor (US) 3:42.77; 11. Tripp Hurt (US) 3:42.95; 12. Eric Jenkins (US) 3:43.60.
St: 1. Isaac Updike (US) 8:17.74 PR (WL, AL) (59.13);
2. Mason Ferlic (US) 8:18.49 PR (59.52); 3. Hillary Bor (US) 8:22.55; 4. Obsa Ali (US) 8:22.81 PR; 5. John Gay (Can) 8:23.96 PR; 6. Alex Rogers (US) 8:27.29 PR; 7. Stanley Kebenei (US) 8:30.57; 8. Anthony Rotich (US) 8:36.21; 9. Frankline Tonui (US) 8:38.97; 10. Benard Keter (US) 8:39.38; 11. Michael Jordan (US) 8:39.45; 12. Haron Lagat (US) 8:52.82.
Field Events
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. Holland Martin (Bah) 25-2½ (7.68); 5. Jacob Fincham-Dukes (GB) 25-2 (7.67); 6. Mohammed Abubakar (Gha) 24-11¼ (7.60); 7. Trumaine Jefferson (US) 24-11¼ (7.60); 8. Jarvis Gotch (US) 24-9¾ (7.56).
TJ: 1. Donald Scott (US) 55-5 (16.89) (out AL) (54-6½, 54-11½, 54-4½, 55-5, 54-9½, 54-1¼) (16.62, 16.75, 16.57, 16.89, 16.70, 16.49);
2. Clive Pullen (Jam) 54-3¾ (16.55); 3. Christian Taylor (US) 54-2½ (16.52).
HT: 1. Rudy Winkler (US) 268-11 (81.98) PR (WL, AL) (2, 6 A) (255-10 [WL, AL], 255-0, 254-9, f, 262-9 [WL, AL], 268-11) (77.99, 77.73, 77.65, f, 80.09, 81.98);
2. Denzel Comenentia (Neth) 251-8 (76.72); 3. Daniel Haugh (US) 250-10 PR (76.47) (247-5, 242-10, f, 248-8, 250-10, 250-4) (75.41, 74.02, f, 75.80, 76.47, 76.30); 4. Brock Eager (US) 248-7 PR (75.76) (236-6, 247-9, 248-7, f, 236-1, 243-0) (72.08, 75.53, 75.76, f, 71.97, 74.07); 5. Sean Donnelly (US) 248-4 (75.71) (239-1, 241-2, f, 248-4, f, f) (72.88, 73.50, f, 75.71, f, f); 6. Alex Young (US) 246-10 (75.25) (239-9, 239-0, 245-0, f, 246-10, 231-3) (73.08, 72.85, 74.69, f, 75.25, 70.48); 7. Marcel Lomnický (Svk) 244-11 (74.67); 8. Michael Shanahan (US) 229-0 (69.80).
JT: 1. Anderson Peters (Grn) 271-5 (82.72) (269-4, f, 264-6, f, f, 271-5) (82.11, f, 80.62, f, f, 82.72); 2. Riley Dolezal (US) 256-10 (78.28); 3. Curtis Thompson (US) 252-0 (76.81); 4. Michael Shuey (US) 245-5 (74.81); 5. Sam Hardin (US) 244-10 (74.64) PR; 6. Justin Carter (US) 226-4 (68.98).
JTG #4 WOMEN’S RESULTS
100(1.2): 1. Blessing Okagbare (Ngr) 10.97; 2. Morolake Akinosun (US) 11.09; 3. Daryll Neita (GB) 11.18; 4. Jenna Prandini (US) 11.22; 5. Kemba Nelson (Jam) 11.22; 6. Teahna Daniels (US) 11.22; 7. Allyson Felix (US) 11.30; 8. Tianna Bartoletta (US) 11.30; 9. Christania Williams (Jam) 26.21.
Heats: I(0.6)–1. Okagbare 11.01; 2. Daniels 11.18; 3. Akinosun 11.21; 4. Candace Hill (US) 11.29; 5. Hannah Cunliffe (US) 11.40; 6. Kayla White (US) 11.43.
II(2.4)–1. Nelson 11.08w; 2. Neita 11.19w; 3. Prandini 11.20w; 4. Bartoletta 11.24w; 5. Felix 11.25w; 6. Williams 11.28w; 7. Briana Williams (Jam) 11.29w; 8. Kiara Parker (US) 11.33w.
400: 1. Shaunae Miller-Uibo (Bah) 49.08 (WL);
2. Lynna Irby (US) 50.28; 3. Jessica Beard (US) 50.38; 4. Kendall Ellis (US) 51.27; 5. Wadeline Jonathas (US) 51.40; 6. Jaide Stepter (US) 51.67; 7. Phyllis Francis (US) 53.04.
800: 1. Adelle Tracey (GB) 2:03.25 (61.96/61.29); 2. Jemma Reekie (GB) 2:03.26 (61.74/61.52); 3. Raevyn Rogers (US) 2:03.89 (61.81/62.08); 4. Melissa Bishop-Nriagu (Can) 2:04.18; 5. Olivia Baker (US) 2:04.23; 6. Kate Grace (US) 2:04.55; 7. Kendra Chambers (US) 2:05.60; 8. Sammy Watson (US) 2:06.91; 9. Síofra Cléirigh Büttner (Ire) 2:07.04;…rabbit—Alexa Efraimson (US) (28.07, 31.26 [59.33]).
1500: 1. Laura Muir (GB) 4:01.54 (64.58, 2:10.97, 3:16.08); 2. Helen Schlachtenhaufen (US) 4:04.36 (62.38); 3. Cory McGee (US) 4:05.00 (63.43); 4. Dani Jones (US) 4:05.27 (63.90); 5. Nikki Hiltz (US) 4:05.84; 6. Lucia Stafford (Can) 4:08.25; 7. Alli Cash (US) 4:08.37; 8. Sage Hurta (US) 4:08.38 PR; 9. Jenny Simpson (US) 4:10.07; 10. Weini Kelati (Eri) 4:10.88; 11. Marta Pen Freitas (Por) 4:20.56;… dnf—Kaela Edwards (US);… rabbit—Laurence Côté (Can).
5000: 1. Eilish McColgan (GB) 14:52.44; 2. Abbey Cooper (US) 15:13.27; 3. Amy-Eloise Markovc (GB) 15:17.13; 4. Ednah Kurgat (US) 15:18.35 PR; 5. Natalia Hawthorn (Can) 15:18.67 PR; 6. Sara Hall (US) 15:22.55; 7. Elvin Kibet (US) 15:51.42; 8. Alia Gray (US) 16:09.06.
100H(-0.3): 1. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PR) 12.46; 2. Brittany Anderson (Jam) 12.82; 3. Taliyah Brooks (US) 12.83; 4. Sydney McLaughlin (US) 12.87 PR; 5. Payton Chadwick (US) 12.95; 6. Tobi Amusan (Ngr) 13.10; 7. Emily Sloan (US) 13.22; 8. Andrea Vargas (CR) 13.43; 9. Rushelle Burton (Jam) 13.79.
Field Events
HJ: 1. Rachel McCoy (US) 6-1½ (1.87); 2. Shelley Spires (US) 5-11½ (1.82); 3. Ty Butts-Townsend (US) 5-11½; 4. Inika McPherson (US) 5-11½; 5. Amina Smith (US) 5-11½; 6. Maruša Černjul (Slo) 5-9¾ (1.77); 7. Anna Hall (US) 5-9¾.
TJ: 1. Tori Franklin (US) 46-3¼ (14.10) (45-8½, 45-10, 45-3¾, f, 46-3¼, 44-½) (13.93, 13.97, 13.81, f, 14.10, 13.42); 2. Kim Williams (Jam) 45-8½ (13.93); 3. Thea LaFond (Dom) 45-2½ (13.78).
SP: 1. Chase Ealey (US) 62-1¼ (18.93) (out AL) (62-1, 62-1¼, 59-3, f, f, 57-0) (18.92, 18.93, 18.06, f, f, 17.37);
2. Danniel Thomas-Dodd (Jam) 60-6¾ (18.46); 3. Jessica Ramsey (US) 60-4½ (18.40); 4. Sarah Mitton (Can) 59-2¼ (18.04); 5. Rachel Fatherly (US) 57-10½ (17.64); 6. Jessica Woodard (US) 57-9¾ (17.62); 7. Brittany Crew (Can) 56-1¼ (17.10); 8. Felisha Johnson (US) 56-1 (17.09); 9. Michelle Carter (US) 55-7 (16.94); 10. Haley Teel (US) 54-11¼ (16.74).
HT: 1. Brooke Andersen (US) 255-10 (77.99) (x, 5 A) (f, 237-10, 254-5 [x, 8 A], 255-2 [x, 5 A], 255-10, f) (f, 72.49, 77.56, 77.79, 77.99, f);
2. DeAnna Price (US) 249-10 (76.15) (232-3, 239-0, 247-10, 242-1, 249-10, f) (70.79, 72.85, 75.54, 73.80, 76.15, f); 3. Janee’ Kassanavoid (US) 238-10 (72.81); 4. Erin Reese (US) 237-1 (72.27) PR.
