FT. WORTH, TEXAS, May 18 — Set up with hopes of being a speedfest, the USATF Open crashed against a fierce Texas weather system, with thunderstorms delaying field event action by a few hours and cross winds gusting to 20mph (8.9mps) creating challenging conditions throughout the day.
The best action at stop No. 6 on USATF’s 11-meet Journey To Gold series came over a full lap. On the women’s side, über-vet Allyson Felix demonstrated impressive fitness at 35 with a 50.88 that easily topped the 51.31 put up by Jessica Beard. It was the first sub-51 clocking since August of ’17. At 35 she’s clearly still a force to be reckoned with as she bids for her fifth Olympics.
The men’s race provided thrills and spills, as world champion Steven Gardiner ran a monster backstretch and built a huge lead by the second turn. Approaching the finish, he appeared to slow a bit. Veteran Michael Cherry, running a monster race of his own, caught him with 10m left, and the Bahamian collapsed to the track and was seen with someone apparently working on his right ankle.
Cherry, 26, ended up with the win and a PR of 44.37, taking nearly 0.3 off his ’17 best of 44.66.
By the time the straightaway finals came, the rain had gone away but the wind remained. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn ran into a 2.1 breeze to top Christina Clemens, 12.84–12.92 as Queen Claye (13.21), Sharika Nelvis (13.27) and Kristi Castlin (13.31) followed. Aaron Mallett took the men’s race in 13.64 into a 1.9.
Mikiah Brisco looked impressive in beating Veronica Campbell-Brown, 11.42-11.55 (wind -3.3) in the women’s 100. The men’s race was dominated by Ronnie Baker in 10.39 (-3.2).
The women’s 200 (-2.6) saw Candace Hill lead until the final stride, when fast-closing Tynia Gaither of the Bahamas leaned in for the 23.11–23.17 win.
The two throwing events were staged some 10M away at TCU. The men’s hammer featured another fine display by world leader Rudy Winkler, who hit 261-5 (79.69) on his fifth attempt. It was the number 5 throw in his career. He also had a 260-11 (79.53) for No. 6.
Rio Olympian Maggie Malone impressed in the javelin. The Texas A&M alum produced the second-longest throw of her career in the second round (202-9/61.81), then in the third reached a PR 205-8 (62.70), strengthening her hold on No. 5 all-time among Americans.
JTG#6/USATF OPEN MEN’S RESULTS
(World Tour Bronze)
100: I(-3.2)–1. Ronnie Baker (US) 10.39; 2. Marvin Bracy (US) 10.59; 3. Andrew Hudson (US) 10.63; 4. Enoch Adegoke (Ngr) 10.65; 5. Bryce Robinson (US) 10.65; 6. Michael Rodgers (US) 10.66; 7. Emmanuel Matadi (Lbr) 10.66; 8. Brandon Carnes (US) 10.75.
II(-4.7)–1. Cordero Gray (US) 10.77; 2. Jeff Demps (US) 10.80; 3. Demek Kemp (US) 10.93.
400: 1. Samson Oghenewegba (Ngr) 46.52. II–1. Rashard Clark (US) 46.38.
III–1. Michael Cherry (US) 44.37 PR; 2. Valente Mendoza (Mex) 46.17; 3. Aldrich Bailey (US) 46.18; 4. Philip Osei (Can) 46.59; 5. Marcus Chambers (US) 46.67; 6. Quintaveon Poole (US) 46.93;… dnf—Steven Gardiner (Bah).
110H(-1.9): 1. Aaron Mallett (US) 13.64; 2. Ruebin Walters (Tri) 13.73; 3. Wellington Zaza (Lbr) 13.77; 4. Nick Anderson (US) 13.78; 5. Jeffrey Julmis (Hai) 13.80; 6. Ryan Fontenot (US) 13.85; 7. Shane Brathwaite (Bar) 13.86; 8. Andrew Riley (Jam) 13.87.
Field Event
HT(@ TCU): 1. Rudy Winkler (US) 261-5 (79.69) (248-2, 260-11, 257-2, 255-2, 261-5, f) (75.64, 79.53, 78.39, 77.78, 79.69, f); 2. Erich Sullins (US) 236-2 (71.99); 3. Roberto Sawyers (CR) 231-1 (70.43); 4. Alex Young (US) 227-4 (69.30).
USATF OPEN WOMEN’S RESULTS
100(-3.3): 1. Mikiah Brisco (US) 11.42; 2. Veronica Campbell-Brown (Jam) 11.55; 3. Caitland Smith (US) 11.60; 4. Hannah Cunliffe (US) 11.61; 5. Grace Nwokocha (Ngr) 11.63; 6. Crystal Emmanuel (Can) 11.63; 7. Khamica Bingham (Can) 11.66; 8. Destiny Smith-Barnett (US) 11.66.
II(-3.1)–1. Rosemary Chukwuma (Ngr) 11.59; 2. Gabrielle Farquharson (US) 11.75; 3. Kristal Awuah (GB) 11.78; 4. Shannon Ray (US) 11.81; 5. Shyvonne Roxborough (Can) 11.87; 6. Ashley Henderson (US) 11.88.
200(-2.6): 1. Tynia Gaither (Bah) 23.11; 2. Candace Hill (US) 23.17; 3. Morolake Akinosun (US) 23.26; 4. Henderson 23.50; 5. Natasha Hastings (US) 23.69; 6. Kendall Baisden (US) 24.07.
400: I–1. Patience George (Ngr) 52.70; 2. Baisden 53.04.
II–1. Natasha Hastings (US) 52.33; 2. Gabby Scott (PR) 53.17; 3. Maddy Price (Can) 53.47.
III–1. Allyson Felix (US) 50.88; 2. Jessica Beard (US) 51.31; 3. Chrisann Gordon (Jam) 51.42; 4. Paola Morán (Mex) 51.70; 5. Jaide Stepter (US) 51.76; 6. Maggie Barrie (Sl) 51.93\.
100H(-2.1): 1. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PR) 12.84; 2. Christina Clemons (US) 12.92; 3. Queen Claye (US) 13.21; 4. Sharika Nelvis (US) 13.27; 5. Kristi Castlin (US) 13.31; 6. Tia Jones (US) 13.35; 7. Payton Chadwick (US) 13.36;… dnf—Taliyah Brooks (US).
400H: 1. Yanique Haye-Smith (TKS) 56.89; 2. Deonca Bookman (US) 57.89; 3. Noelle Montcalm (Can) 58.13; 4. Robyn Brown (Phi) 58.60; 5. Kaitlin Walker (US) 59.07;… dnf—Kori Carter (US).
II–1. Gianna Woodruff (Pan) 55.37; 2. Nnenya Hailey (US) 56.05; 3. Melissa Gonzalez (Col) 56.18; 4. Tia-Adana Belle (Bar) 56.28; 5. Sparkle McKnight (Tri) 57.73.
Field Events
LJ: 1. Ese Brume (Ngr) 21-2w (6.45) (20-7¾/6.29); 2. Christabel Nettey (Can) 20-10¾ (6.37); 3. Tiffany Flynn (US) 20-7¾ (6.29); 4. Akela Jones (Bar) 20-7¼w (6.28); 5. Sha’keela Saunders (US) 20-5¾ (6.24); 6. Quanesha Burks (US) 20-5¾ (6.24); 7. Chanice Porter (Jam) 20-4½w (6.21); 8. Sydney Conley (US) 20-3½ (6.18); 9. Brooks 19-8¾w (6.01).
JT(@ TCU): 1. Maggie Malone (US) 205-8 (62.70) PR (5, x A) (192-9, 202-9, 205-8, 197-8, f, f) (58.75, 61.81, 62.70, 60.24, f, f);
2. Avione Allgood (US) 177-11 (54.23); 3. Katie Reichert (US) 158-3 (48.24).
