Women’s High Jump: Glenn A Rare Frosh Winner
A rematch of the SEC was in the works, as the formchart had the loop’s stars sweeping the first three positions. Favored Rachel Glenn, a 19-year-old frosh from South Carolina, had topped the Texas A&M pair of Tyra Gittens and Lamara Distin in May on the tiebreaker of fewer misses as all had cleared the same height of 6-2¼ (1.89) that day.
Somehow, there was even more drama here.
With the knowledge that few (or no) misses would be highly beneficial, Glenn and Distin were clean over the first five bars through 6-1½ (1.87). Gittens had the only flaws as the SEC threesome were once again the only ones remaining as the bar went to 6-2¾ (1.90).
Distin, whose lifetime best was the 6-2¼ (1.89) from the SEC, cleared the new PR height of 6-2¾ (1.90) on her first to take command as Glenn needed a pair of tries. Gittens — the collegiate leader at 6-4¾ (1.95) during the SEC heptathlon — exited. Her attention could have been diverted, as the heptathlon 800 was scheduled just 10 minutes after her final attempt.
As the bar went to 6-4 (1.93), Glenn got back on first-attempt track. Distin went out, and Glenn missed three times at 6-5 (1.96) to end the competition. “I was so dialed-in today,” she said.
Glenn entered rarified air with her victory. She joined Tanya Hughes ’91 and Destinee Hooker ’06 as the only frosh to win this event, and the winning mark moved her to =No. 3 on the all-time U.S. Junior list.
Prior to this year, Glenn might have been better known as a hurdle prospect — she won the Cal State 300H while at Long Beach Wilson while finishing only 2nd in the HJ. /Howard Willman/
WOMEN’S HIGH JUMP RESULTS
(June 12)
1. ***Rachel Glenn (SC) 6-4 (1.93) PR (CL) (=3, x AJ; =6, =7 NCAA)
(5-8, 5-10, 5-11¼, 6-½, 6-1½, 6-2¾ [2], 6-4, 6-5 [xxx]) (1.73, 1.78, 1.81, 1.84, 1.87, 1.90 [2], 1.93, 1.96 [xxx]);
2. **Lamara Distin’ (TxAM-Jam) 6-2¾ (1.90) PR
(5-8, 5-10, 5-11¼, 6-½, 6-1½, 6-2¾, 6-4 [xxx])
(1.73, 1.78, 1.81, 1.84, 1.87, 1.90, 1.93 [xxx]);
3. *Tyra Gittens’ (TxAM-Tri) 6-1½ (1.87)
(5-10 [2], 5-11¼, 6-½, 6-1½ [2], 6-2¾ [xxx]) (1.78 [2], 1.81, 1.84, 1.87 [2], 1.90 [xxx]);
4. ***Morgan Smalls (USC) 6-½ (1.84) PR
(5-8, 5-10, 5-11¼, 6-½ [2], 6-1½ [xxx]) (1.73, 1.78, 1.81, 1.84 [2], 1.87 [xxx]);
5. ***Shelby Tyler (Ga) 6-½ PR
(5-8 [2], 5-10, 5-11¼ [3], 6-½ [3], 6-1½ [xxx]) (1.73 [2], 1.78, 1.81 [3], 1.84 [3], 1.87 [xxx]);
6. **Sanaa Barnes (Vill) 5-11¼ (1.81)
(5-8, 5-10, 5-11¼, 6-½ [xxx]) (1.73, 1.78, 1.81, 1.84 [xxx]);
=7. *Abigail O’Donoghue (LSU) 5-11¼
(5-8, 5-10, 5-11¼ [2], 6-½ [xxx]) (1.73, 1.78, 1.81 [2], 1.84 [xxx]);
=7. ***Anna Hall (Ga) 5-11¼
(5-10, 5-11¼ [2], 6-½ [xxx]) (1.78, 1.81 [2], 1.84 [xxx]);
9. tie, *Lillian Lowe (Az) & Jamari Drake (NM) 5-11¼; 11. tie, **Madison Langley-Walker (Ok), ***Annika Williams (Ky) & **Lucy Corbett (MtSt) 5-11¼; 14. tie, ***Cierra Tidwell (BYU) & ***Nyagoa Bayak (LSU) 5-10 (1.78); 16. tie, Quintella Johnson (EnMi) & ***Taylor Beard (Cinc) 5-10; 18. *Esther Isa’ (MTn-Ngr) 5-10; 19. **Suzy Pace (WaSt) 5-10 PR; 20. **Kenady Wilson (NCAT) 5-10; 21. *Falyn Reaugh (Ok) 5-8 (1.73); 22. ***Kristi Snyman (Jack) 5-8;… nh—Ja’Sha Sloan (PV);… dnc—***Saara Hakanen’ (OkSt-Fin).
Women’s Triple Jump: Usoro Bounces Back
After some early sparring in the 45s, Michelle Fokam of Rice took a surprising lead in the women’s triple, going a PR 46-¾ (14.04) in round 3 to become the 20th American 46-footer. It was also her first jump beyond 45, as her legal PR coming in was just 44-7½ (13.60).
The lead didn’t last. A few minutes later, still in round 3, Ruth Usoro, the 23-year-old junior at Texas Tech, went into 1st at 46-6¾ (14.19). After a big 47-7 (14.50) in early April, setting the Nigerian Record, Usoro had had a limited spring and did not come into these championships as the favorite.
That honor belonged to Georgia soph Jasmine Moore, the SEC winner at 47-2½ (14.39). Sitting 3rd at 45-9¾ (13.96), Moore gave it her all in the last round but fell 6cm short, reaching 46-4¼ (14.13). Though Usoro had three lackluster jumps in the finals, she held on for the W.
“Before we got to the track, we worked on my technique,” said Usoro after completing an Indoor/Outdoor double. “When I went for that jump and saw 14.19m, I was excited because I have not jumped 14m [45-11¼] since Big 12. To do 14.19 with the crowd cheering and my coaches and teammates screaming my name — it was an incredible moment.”
It was by far the deepest finish ever in the NCAA TJ, an event that began in ’84 when only one woman, Terri Turner of Texas, jumped farther than 41ft [c12.50]. This year’s finish produced the first time more than one jumped beyond 46ft. In all, a half-dozen jumped 45-7¾ (13.91) or better, all with legal wind. Usoro’s winner, in fact, was into an 0.7. /Jack Pfeifer/
WOMEN’S TRIPLE JUMP RESULTS
(June 12; winds ranged from +2.5 to –1.2)
1. *Ruth Usoro’ (TxT-Ngr) 46-6¾ (14.19) (3, 3 NCAA)
(45-5¼, 45-5¼, 46-6¾, 41-5, f, 43-11¼) (13.85, 13.85, 14.19, 12.62, f, 13.39);
2. ***Jasmine Moore (Ga) 46-4¼ (14.13) (5, 6 NCAA)
(45-9¾, f, f, f, 45-4¼, 46-4¼) (13.96, f, f, f, 13.82, 14.13);
3. Michelle Fokam (Rice) 46-¾ (14.04) PR (x, =8 AmC)
(44-10¼w, f, 46-¾, 45-2½, 45-7¼, 44-11) (13.67w, f, 14.04, 13.78, 13.90, 13.69);
4. *Deborah Acquah’ (TxAM-Gha) 45-9¼ (13.95)
(44-7, 44-11½, 43-8½, 44-9¾, 45-9¼, f) (13.59, 13.70, 13.32, 13.66, 13.95, f);
5. ***Rūta Lasmane’ (FlSt-Lat) 45-7¾ (13.91)
(f, f, 44-7, f, 45-7¾, 44-11½) (f, f, 13.59, f, 13.91, 13.70);
6. Bria Matthews (GaT) 45-7¼ (13.90) PR
(44-5¼, 44-6, 44-8¼, f, f, 45-7¼) (13.54, 13.56, 13.62, f, f, 13.90);
7. **Titiana Marsh (Ga) 44-10¾ (13.68) PR
(44-9w, 42-10¾, f, 43-2½, 44-½, 44-10¾) (13.64w, 13.07, f, 13.17, 13.42, 13.68);
8. ***Temitope Ojora’ (USC-GB) 44-4 (13.51)
(44-4, 43-4½, 44-4, 42-11, 43-5¼, 43-3¼) (13.51, 13.22, 13.51, 13.08, 13.24, 13.19);
9. ***Dominique Ruotolo (Or) 44-1½ (13.45); 10. *Natricia Hooper’ (Fl-Guy) 44-½ (13.42); 11. ***Mikeisha Welcome’ (Ok-Can) 43-10¾ (13.38); 12. Eszter Bajnok’ (VaT-Hun) 43-9¾ (13.35); 13. Alonie Sutton (FlSt) 43-6 (13.26); 14. *Alex Madlock (Bay) 43-5 (13.23); 15. *Adja Sackor (Jack) 43-3¼ (13.19); 16. ***Mara Hausler’ (Mo-Ger) 43-3 (13.18); 17. ***Rhianna Phipps’ (KsSt-Jam) 43-1½ (13.14); 18. **Charisma Taylor’ (WaSt-Can) 43-1½); 19. Leah Moran (In) 43-1 (13.13); 20. **Arianna Fisher (Mo) 43-¼ (13.11); 21. *Harleigh White (Clem) 43-¼w; 22. *Sophia Falco (Tx) 42-6 (12.95); 23. ***Asherah Collins (UCF) 42-½ (12.81); 24. ***Ryann Porter (InSt) 41-5 (12.62).
(best-ever marks-for-NCAA-place: 2–13)
Women’s Discus: van Klinken Gets Last-Gasp MR
When Jorinde van Klinken started making waves in May with a series of big throws, suddenly we had a new fave. When the Arizona State junior uncorked her massive Collegiate Record 230-4 (70.22), she seemed a lock to win in her first NCAA.
If only it were that easy in real life. Texas Tech junior Seasons Usual led round 1 at 192-2 (58.58), while van Klinken fouled and defending champ Lagi Tausaga hit 174-1 (53.06). The next stanza, Tausaga put the pressure on with a PR 208-5 (63.53 that made her the No. 9 collegian ever. A heave that far would have won every title in the 20 years previous.
Needing to respond, the 21-year-old Dutchwoman produced a 198-8 (60.56) to move into 2nd. Nice, but not enough. In round 3, she disappointed herself with a 194-4 (59.23). A 192-11 (58.81) toss followed.
She explained, “I had good warmup throws, but after that I lost the feeling of how to do it. I went too cautious.”
Meanwhile, Tausaga was muscling big fouls, hoping for another monster toss to give herself more breathing room.
In round 5, van Klinken finally hit a big one. But not quite big enough, as the measurement came back 5 inches short at 208-0 (63.41). Tausaga hurled another big foul.
On the penultimate throw of the competition, van Klinken came through with her best throw of the day, 213-3 (65.01). No celebration though, as she had to wait for Tausaga’s last attempt. As the red flag went up, van Klinken felt nothing but relief.
“That is like the goal of every field event,” she said. “The pressure is on. I love the pressure. It’s never over until the last round. Doing it on the last round makes it even more special than doing it in the first round, for example.”
Only two others topped 190-0/57.92: Shanice Love of Florida State at 191-11 (58.50), and surprising Illinois State senior Sydney Laufenberg, who PRed at 190-4 (58.02) for 5th. /Jeff Hollobaugh/
WOMEN’S DISCUS RESULTS
1. *Jorinde Van Klinken’ (AzSt-Neth) 213-3 (65.01) (x, 11 C) (MR)
(f, 198-8, 194-4, 192-11, 208-0 [5, =9 NCAA], 213-3) (f, 60.56, 59.23, 58.81, 63.41, 65.01);
2. Lagi Tausaga (Ia) 208-5 (63.53) PR (9, x C; 6, x AmC; 4, 6 NCAA)
(174-1, 208-5 [3, 5 NCAA], f, f, f, f) (53.06, 63.53, f, f, f, f);
3. *Seasons Usual (TxT) 192-2 (58.58)
(192-2, f, 182-8, f, 189-2, 185-6) (58.58, f, 55.68, f, 57.67, 56.55);
4. Shanice Love’ (FlSt-Jam) 191-11 (58.50)
(180-9, 191-11, 190-1, f, 186-11, 185-4) (55.09, 58.50, 57.95, f, 56.98, 56.49);
5. Sydney Laufenberg (IlSt) 190-4 (58.02)
(f, 190-4, f, 183-3, f, f) (f, 58.02, f, 55.85, f, f);
6. **Gabrielle Bailey’ (Kent-Jam) 189-5 (57.73)
(184-5, 174-10, 189-5, f, 186-3, 183-4) (56.22, 53.28, 57.73, f, 56.77, 55.88);
7. **Essence Henderson (VaT) 189-4 (57.72)
(185-0, 162-11, 189-4, 180-5, 181-11, 175-10) (56.38, 49.66, 57.72, 55.01, 55.46, 53.61);
8. **Alexandra Emilianov’ (Ks-Mol) 189-0 (57.60)
(189-0, 179-7, 177-0, 183-10, 184-8, 177-0) (57.60, 54.75, 53.97, 56.05, 56.30, 53.94);
9. *Divine Oladipo’ (OhSt-GB) 187-10 (57.26); 10. *Serena Brown’ (Ia-Bah) 187-2 (57.06); 11. **Veronica Fraley (Clem) 185-1 (56.41); 12. **Josie Schaefer (Wi) 184-8 (56.29); 13. Obiageri Amaechi (Prin) 179-10 (54.83); 14. ***Jalani Davis (Ms) 179-3 (54.64); 15. Ashley Petr (KsSt) 178-3 (54.34); 16. ***Shelby Frank (Mn) 177-11 (54.22); 17. *Chelsea Igberaese (Lib) 177-9 (54.18); 18. ***Caisa-Marie Lindfors’ (FlSt-Swe) 173-5 (52.86); 19. *Alyssa Wilson (UCLA) 173-0 (52.74); 20. Khayla Dawson (In) 172-8 (52.64); 21. Maura Kimmel (NDm) 172-0 (52.43); 22. *Annina Brandenburg’ (ACU-Ger) 170-1 (51.84); 23. Maria Muzzio (CoSt) 169-4 (51.61); 24. *Adelaide Aquilla (OhSt) 163-4 (49.79).
(best-ever mark-for-NCAA-place: 7–12)
Women’s Heptathlon: Gittens Never In Doubt
Tyra Gittens was a huge favorite, having registered scores of 6274 and 6418 earlier in the year, the highest making her No. 3 all-time collegian.
Both totals included glimpses of the 23-year-old Trinidadian’s incredible talent. But her brilliance also meant the Texas A&M junior would have additional duties here, competing individually in her next-best events.
Gittens owned the best-ever marks by a collegian in heptathlons in both the high jump (6-4¾/1.95) and long jump (22-10/6.96), and she was slotted highly on the formcharts in both open events.
Fortunately, the long jump — scheduled on Thursday before the heptathlon even began — offered no conflict. Gittens was in the mix until the end in an exciting competition, finishing as runner-up, less than an inch away from winning.
In the 7-eventer, Gittens was solid throughout. A 100H opener of 13.46 represented her fastest wind-legal time of the year. The high jump might have been her only low spot, but at 6-½ (1.84) she was three bars higher than anyone else and built a lead she would never relinquish.
Her shot (43-8/13.31) was her best in a hept competition this year, and a closing 200 of 23.79 was her second-fastest legal-wind in the event. A Day 1 lead of 162 points was more than comfortable.
A final-attempt 21-9½ (6.64) in the long jump meant only safe efforts were needed for victory. Gittens added a PR of 135-4 (41.24) in the javelin before moving over to the open high jump. After a 3rd-place finish there, she toed the 800 line just 10 minutes later and responded with a 2:28.88, her third-fastest ever to complete her 6285 total for a 218-point winning margin and the No. 9 collegiate performance of all time.
The race for 2nd was much closer. Miami’s Michelle Atherley earned the distinction at 6067, while her four closest pursuers notched PRs — Kristīne Blaževiča of Texas (5984), Erin Marsh of Duke (5924), Ida Eikeng of Washington (5920) and Madeline Nickal of Penn State (5864).
Eikeng improved her PR the most of anyone in the meet, adding 242 points. She graced the new Hayward Field with a stadium collegiate heptathlon best of 163-9 (49.92) in the javelin. /Howard Willman/
WOMEN’S HEPTATHLON RESULTS
(June 11–12)
1. *Tyra Gittens’ (TxAM-Tri) 6285 (x, 9 C; 5, 5 NCAA)
(13.46, 6-½/1.84, 43-8/13.31, 23.79 [3834], 21-9½/6.64, 135-4/41.24, 2:28.88 [2451]);
2. Michelle Atherley (Mia) 6067
(13.15, 5-8¾/1.75, 39-½/11.90, 23.98 [3655], 19-4/5.89, 130-4/39.74, 2:12.13 [2412]);
3. ***Kristīne Blaževiča’ (Tx-Lat) 5984 PR
(13.94, 5-8¾/1.75, 43-4¼/13.21, 25.33 [3501], 19-11½/6.08, 136-0/41.46, 2:13.51 [2483]);
4. *Erin Marsh (Duke) 5924 PR
(13.18, 5-7¾/1.72, 40-6¾/12.36, 23.90 [3651], 19-¾/5.81, 114-3/34.82, 2:13.54 [2273]);
5. *Ida Eikeng’ (Wa-Nor) 5920 PR
(13.37, 5-5¼/1.66, 47-10¾/14.60, 24.19 [3672], 18-7¼/5.67, 163-9/49.92, 2:34.34 [2248]);
6. Madeline Nickal (PennSt) 5864
(13.91, 5-4¼/1.63, 44-5½/13.55, 24.94 [3418], 20-7¼/6.28, 123-5/37.63, 2:15.39 [2446]);
7. Asya Reynolds (Ga) 5754
(13.68, 5-3/1.60, 43-1/13.13, 24.40 [3439], 19-9/6.02, 117-10/35.92, 2:16.59 [2315]);
8. **Beatričė Juškevičiūtė’ (Corn-Lit) 5694
(14.14, 5-5¼/1.66, 44-10¼/13.67, 25.18 [3407], 18-2¼/5.54, 143-1/43.62, 2:18.95 [2287]);
9. Shayla Broughton (MsSt) 5652; 10. **Allie Jones (Stan) 5623; 11. ***Jadin O’Brien (NDm) 5545; 12. Lyndsey Lopes (Wa) 5542; 13. Kaitlin Smith (HousB) 5520; 14. Kaylee Hinton (TxT) 5498; 15. Lauren Taubert (KsSt) 5436; 16. Ariel Okorie (KsSt) 5420; 17. *Zoe Hughes’ (Duke-GB) 5385; 18. Jenny Kimbro (Ia) 5381; 19. *Callie Jones (TxT) 5270; 20. Emma Nwofor’ (OhSt-GB) 5208; 21. **Skylar Sieben’ (Az-Ger) 4736;… dnf—Natosha Jordan (Aub), *Nicola Ader’ (Nv-Ger), Grace McKenzie’ (McN-Ire). ◻︎