RANDALLS ISLAND, NEW YORK, June 24— In her first race in 11 months, Athing Mu returned to dominant form, comfortably taking the 800 at the USATF NYC Grand Prix. The New Jersey native received enthusiastic cheers from the crowd at Icahn Stadium as she took to the starting line for her ’23 debut. She did not disappoint, with a convincing, negative-split 1:58.73 victory.
“I really just wanted to come out here and be competitive, but also win,” she said of her first race since winning the world title in Eugene last July — and her first race with Bob Kersee as her coach. “But I think most importantly, just get in an environment where there were good athletes… It’s nice to come out here and get that feeling.”
Nobody went with the pacer (58.39), but Mu (59.57) was at the front of the chase group. At 600 (1:30.09) she was still in front, but several athletes were close. On the final curve, however, the Olympic champion put on a burst of speed that settled things, and she cruised home more than 2 seconds clear of the battle for 2nd between Sage Hurta-Klecker (2:00.77) and Allie Wilson (2:00.80). Ajee’ Wilson faded badly over the final 300 and finished last in 2:07.97.
“Honestly, first races are usually rust-busters, you feel it in your butt a lot,” Mu said. “But this felt like getting a really good rep in at the end of practice.” She was unsure whether she would run the 1500 at USATF, as Kersee has previously said.
Another Jersey native who received a loud fan response was Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who continued her exploration into the flat 400. Two weeks after an aggressive strategy led to a late-race fade — but nonetheless a PR — in the Paris DL, the Olympic/world 400H champ took a different approach, coming through the opening 200 in 23.74 (more than a second slower than in France).
A much stronger finish followed and McLaughlin-Levrone won comfortably in 49.51, cutting 0.20 off her lifetime best. “Compared to the Diamond League race in Paris, I went out a little more conservatively, to handle the back end a little bit better,” she said. “I did a good job with that. Still a few things to clean up, but a PR is a PR” — and also advanced her to No. 8 on the U.S. all-time list.
Gabby Thomas finished 2nd in 50.29, an hour after placing 5th in the 100 (11.08), which was won by Aleia Hobbs (10.98).
A third member of the “Formula Kersee” training group to grab a win was Keni Harrison, who took the 100H in a windy 12.29 (+2.8). The former WR holder passed early leader Danielle Williams by the seventh hurdle and held off the fast-charging Alaysha Johnson (12.30) for a narrow win.
“Training’s been going awesome. Bobby is really precise on what he wants me to do. I’m not going to race a lot because my training is really aggressive,” said Harrison, who will be looking to make her fourth straight WC team in a few weeks. “For this to be my fourth race of the season, and I’m running really well, I’m really happy with it. The goal is to stay healthy. Bobby says if I run a clean race [at Nationals] I’m on the team.
Abby Steiner won the 200 in 22.19, and Maggie Ewen continued her strong season, taking the shot with a third-round throw of 64-6¾ (19.68). Cuba’s Yaimé Pérez, the ’19 world champ, won the discus at 221-3 (67.44).
USATF NYC WOMEN’S RESULTS
100(1.2): 1. Aleia Hobbs (US) 10.98; 2. Briana Williams (Jam) 11.04; 3. Melissa Jefferson (US) 11.06; 4. Morolake Akinosun (US) 11.06; 5. Gabby Thomas (US) 11.08; 6. Ashanti Moore (Jam) 11.14; 7. Celera Barnes (US) 11.19; 8. Mikiah Brisco (US) 11.24; 9. Kiara Parker (US) 11.31.
200(1.2): 1. Abby Steiner (US) 22.19; 2. Tamara Clark (US) 22.43; 3. Jenna Prandini (US) 22.51; 4. Anavia Battle (US) 22.71; 5. Candace Hill (US) 22.73; 6. Dezerea Bryant (US) 23.12; 7. Angie Annelus (US) 23.24.
400: 1. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (US) 49.51 PR (8, x A) (23.74/25.77);
2. Gabby Thomas (US) 50.29 (23.71/26.58); 3. Charokee Young (Jam) 51.02; 4. Lynna Irby-Jackson (US) 51.10; 5. Kendall Ellis (US) 51.99; 6. Courtney Okolo (US) 52.13.
800: 1. Athing Mu (US) 1:58.73 (59.57/59.16); 2. Sage Hurta-Klecker (US) 2:00.77; 3. Allie Wilson (US) 2:00.80; 4. Charlene Lipsey (US) 2:01.03; 5. Olivia Baker (US) 2:01.36; 6. Brenna Detra (US) 2:01.39; 7. Kristie Schoffield (US) 2:01.57; 8. Heather MacLean (US) 2:01.66; 9. Sammy Watson (US) 2:01.75;… rabbit—Brittany Ogunmokun (Ngr) (58.39).
100H(2.8): 1. Keni Harrison (US) 12.29w (a-c AL) (a-c: x, 8 A); 2. Alaysha Johnson (US) 12.30w (a-c: 5, =9 A);
3. Danielle Williams (Jam) 12.33w; 4. Amber Hughes (US) 12.64w; 5. Megan Tapper (Jam) 12.68w; 6. Gabbi Cunningham (US) 12.71w; 7. Talie Bonds (US) 12.84w;… dnf—Cindy Sember (GB).
Field Events
HJ: 1. Vashti Cunningham (US) 6-4¾ (1.95) (missed 6-6¼/1.99); 2. Kimberly Williamson (Jam) 6-0 (1.83); 3. Jelena Rowe (US) 5-10½ (1.79); 4. Amina Smith (US) 5-10½ (1.79); 5. Zarriea Willis (US) 5-10½.
TJ: 1. Thea LaFond (Dom) 47-5¾w (14.47) (47-¼/14.33); 2. Keturah Orji (US) 46-11 (14.30); 3. Caroline Ehrhardt (Can) 45-3½ (13.80); 4. Imani Oliver (US) 44-¾ (13.43); 5. Mylana Hearn (US) 43-11¼ (13.39); 6. Adja Sackor (US) 42-8¼ (13.01); 7. Michelle Fokam (US) 41-4½ (12.61).
SP: 1. Maggie Ewen (US) 64-6¾ (19.68); 2. Danniel Thomas-Dodd (Jam) 63-7 (19.38); 3. Chase Ealey (US) 63-2 (19.25); 4. Adelaide Aquilla (US) 58-4½ (17.79); 5. Monique Riddick (US) 56-1 (17.09); 6. Portious Warren (Tri) 55-7½ (16.95).
DT: 1. Yaimé Pérez (Cub) 221-3 (67.44) (221-3, 208-5, 213-7, 210-9, 202-4, 207-1) (67.44, 63.52, 65.11, 64.25, 61.69, 63.13); 2. Veronica Fraley (US) 208-4 (63.51) PR; 3. Ashley Anumba (Ngr) 196-2 (59.81); 4. Micaela Hazlewood (US) 185-11 (56.67); 5. Lagi Tausaga (US) 185-8 (56.61).
HT: 1. Annette Echikunwoke (US) 233-3 (71.11); 2. Jillian Shippee (US) 233-3 (71.11); 3. Janeah Stewart (US) 231-0 (70.42); 4. Maggie Ewen (US) 230-6 (70.27); 5. Alyssa Wilson (US) 226-5 (69.02).
JT: 1. Maggie Malone (US) 184-6 (56.24); 2. Ariana Ince (US) 182-6 (55.63); 3. Vanja Spaić (Bos) 178-6 (54.41); 4. Rebekah Wales (US) 175-9 (53.57).