RANDALLS ISLAND, New York, July 23–26 — Our coverage of the USA Outdoor Championships is divided into 5 parts: men’s track & field and women’s track & field, plus multis.
| Jump To Men’s Field Event Report: | ||||||||||
| High Jump | Pole Vault | Long Jump | Triple Jump | Shot | Discus | Hammer | Javelin | |||
High Jump — Wilson Defends, Holds Off Vines
LET’S GET THE negative out of the way first: Just 3 of the 15 competitors could scale 7-2½ (2.20). Although the difference in progressions from year to year makes exact comparisons difficult, the event is basically back where it was in the early ’70s.
The trend is not new, but 14 men had cleared 7-4¼ (2.24) or better this year, so it was still a bad day for many. The good news is that youngsters Tyus Wilson (23) and Scottie Vines (21) still waged a strong battle. The Nebraska grad defended his title and matched his PR with a U.S.-leading 7-6.
Vines entered and cleared on his first try at 7-2½ (2.20), while Wilson and Paris Olympic silver medalist Shelby McEwen scaled the bar on their second attempts. ’23 Worlds silver medalist JuVaughn Harrison and Kason Riley lost their clean records there and tied for 4th.
When Wilson made 7-3¾ (2.23) and Vines and McEwen each missed, the latter two passed to 7-5 (2.26). This time it was the Razorback junior who flew over first. McEwen went out, but Wilson, after a second miss, got over on his third and leapt up feeling a bit of triumph and relief.
With the bar now at 7-6 (2.29), Wilson was up first and, boom! He made it two clearances in a row. He pumped his fist and raised a finger to the sky. Vines’ passed and the bar went to 7-7¼ (2.32), but neither could clear.
Wilson’s first year as a pro was preempted by knee surgery in February. This was just his second competition of ’26. “It was a different road for me this year. I didn’t get back to jumping until June,” he said. “It was a long recovery process, but I think that actually helped me be a little fresher for this meet… Scottie had way better attempts at 2.32 than I did, but I’m so grateful to come out with the win.” /Steve Underwood/
MEN’S HIGH JUMP RESULTS
(July 24)
1. Tyus Wilson (adidas) 7-6 (2.29) =PR
(6-11½, 7-1½, 7-2½ [2], 7-3¾, 7-5 [3], 7-6, 7-7¼ [xxx]) (2.12, 2.17, 2.20 [2], 2.23, 2.26 [3], 2.29, 2.32 [xxx]);
2. Scottie Vines (Ar) 7-5 (2.26) =out PR (7-1½, 7-2½, 7-5, 7-7¼ [xxx]) (2.17, 2.20, 2.26, 2.32 [xxx]);
3. Shelby McEwen (NikeNYAC) 7-2½ (2.20)
(6-11½, 7-1½, 7-2½ [2], 7-5 [xx]) (2.12, 2.17, 2.20 [2], 2.26 [xx]);
4. JuVaughn Harrison (Puma) 7-1½ (2.17); 4. Kason O’Riley (unat) 7-1½; 6. Jaivon Harrison (unat) 7-1½; 7. Vernon Turner (adidas) 7-1½; 8. Elijah Kosiba (unat) 6-11½ (2.12); 9. tie, Tyson Ritz (Ok), Aaron Kim (CalCoast) & Charles McBride (unat) 6-11½; 12. tie, Aiden Hayes (TxSt) & Arvesta Troupe (Ms) 6-11½;… nh—Nolan Studley (NbKear).
Pole Vault — A Very Bad Day Nilsen Had To Love
“THE ENTIRE MEET WAS BAD for me, actually,” said Chris Nilsen, who somehow ended up the vault victor despite having a no-good, very bad day.
“I had to struggle to move poles all day. I had a bad practice the week before this, a bad meet before that, so I was coming in a little low confidence, just trying to do my best technically. I didn’t begin to figure out my technique till 5.72 [18-9¼] and that was on the third attempt.”
Four others had cleared that bar: Zach Bradford, who led with no misses; Sam Kendricks, KC Lightfoot and Cole Walsh. At that point, Nilsen was 5th in the standings.
The bar moved to 19-1 (5.82), and Nilsen found his motivation: “I was really behind and said I needed the first attempt, pulled out all the stops.” He made that first try, the only one to do so. Kendricks cleared on his second and Bradford, Lightfoot and Walsh went out.
With the bar moving to 19-5 (5.92), Kendricks might have had the edge. He had cleared 19-6¼ (5.95) in London a week earlier, while Nilsen had jumped 19-5 in Doha more than a month ago. In the end, neither made it, so Nilsen claimed his fourth title.
“These are the kind of meets that I love because it wasn’t easy,” said the 28-year-old South Dakota alum. “It was a struggle the entire way. Every single jump I was like, ‘That sucked, that sucked, I can do better.’ I had to get better. And it just ended up in my favor today.” /Jeff Hollobaugh/
MEN’S POLE VAULT RESULTS
(July 26)
1. Chris Nilsen (Nike/NYAC) 19-1 (5.82)
(17-9¼, 18-5¼ [2], 18-9¼ [3], 19-1, 19-5 [xxx]) (5.42, 5.62 [2], 5.72 [3], 5.82, 5.92 [xxx]);
2. Sam Kendricks (Nike) 19-1 (5.82)
(17-9¼, 18-5¼, 18-9¼ [2], 19-1 [2], 19-5 [xxx]) (5.42, 5.62, 5.72 [2], 5.82 [2], 5.92 [xxx]);
3. Zach Bradford (unat) 18-9¼ (5.72)
(17-9¼, 18-5¼, 18-9¼, 19-1 [xxx]) (5.42, 5.62, 5.72, 5.82 [xxx]);
4. KC Lightfoot (Puma) 18-9¼ (5.72)
(17-9¼, 18-5¼, 18-9¼ [2], 19-1 [xxx]) (5.42, 5.62, 5.72 [2], 5.82 [xxx]);
5. Cole Walsh (unat) 18-9¼ (5.72)
(17-9¼, 18-5¼, 18-9¼ [3], 19-1 [xxx]) (5.42, 5.62, 5.72 [3], 5.82 [xxx]);
6. Hunter Garretson (unat) 18-5¼ (5.62); 7. James Rhoads (Wa) 18-5¼; 8. tie, Matthew Gray (App) 18-5¼ & Anthony Meacham (Ks) 18-5¼; 10. Conner McClure (unat) 18-5¼; 11. tie, Bradley Jelmert (unat), Matt Ludwig (unat) & Austin Miller (HPtAC) 17-9¼ (5.42); 14. Cade Gray (unat) 17-9¼;… nh— Ashton Barkdull (Ks), Tray Oates (unat).
Long Jump — Grimes’ Surprise Title Defense
WITH NEARLY ALL of the formchart favorites far from their best form or withdrawing, the men’s long jump was left for a pair of breakthrough performers from the previous two years to top the podium.
The key 3-jump sequence came in the fourth round, following a lackluster opening three stanzas. Isaac Grimes had reached 25-9¼ (7.85) in the first sequence and that held up through 40+ more attempts by the field of 15 before the finals. Even Cordell Tinch, the U.S. co-leader at 27-2½ (8.29) jumping for the first time since March, could only manage 25-4¾ (7.74).
But then Malcolm Clemons finally got the night’s first 26-footer, at 26-2¼ (7.98). That got things going, as indoor champ Steffin McCarter nearly topped Clemons with a 26-1¾ (7.97) that elevated him to 2nd.
“I went from 1st to 3rd,” said Grimes later. “I had to pull something out, come back up on top.”
That, he did. With a 26-9¼ (8.16) that equaled his outdoor PR, he not only hit the meet’s first 8-meter jump but also reminded fans of the form he had showed in Eugene last summer.
The order didn’t change, though Clemons finished strong, improving with every fair jump to 26-5½ (8.06) and 26-5¾ (8.07), matching his stunning runner-up finish in the ’24 Olympic Trials. McCarter held off Tinch, who went 26-¾ (7.94) in the fifth before fouling his last.
But it was the 28-year-old Grimes who closed best, improving again to 26-10 (8.18) on his final attempt to earn back-to-back titles at 28. Since Eugene (and making the Tokyo final, taking 10th), he had finished 3rd indoors, but then had a very modest ’26 outdoor season before Thursday. “I won last year; it felt special,” he said. “To win it again, it’s even more special.” /Steve Underwood/
MEN’S LONG JUMP RESULTS
(July 23) (winds ranged from +2.4 to –1.8)
1. Isaac Grimes (adidas) 26-10 (8.18) =out PR
(25-9¼, 25-6¾, 19-9½, 26-9¼, 21-10, 26-10) (7.85, 7.79, 6.03, 8.16, 6.65, 8.18);
2. Malcolm Clemons (unat) 26-5¾ (8.07)
(24-5½, f, 25-6, 26-2¼, 26-5½, 26-5¾) (7.45, f, 7.77, 7.98, 8.06, 8.07);
3. Steffin McCarter (unat) 26-1¾ (7.97)
(25-7½, 25-3½, 25-0w, 26-1¾, 25-8¼, 18-8) (7.81, 7.71, 7.62w, 7.97, 7.83, 5.69);
4. Cordell Tinch (Nike) 26-¾ (7.94); 5. Will Williams (Shore) 25-9½ (7.86); 6. Kemonie Briggs (LeapSqTC) 25-9¼ (7.85); 7. DeAundre Ward (SnMs) 25-5½ (7.76); 8. Cameron Crump (unat) 25-2¾ (7.69); 9. Treyshon Malone (unat) 25-1¼ (7.65); 10. Jeremiah Davis (Puma) 24-8½ (7.53); 11. Damarcus Simpson (unat) 24-1¾ (7.36); 12. Jason Smith (unat) 23-8¼ (7.22); 13. Joshua Rivers (WiOsh) 23-4½ (7.12); 14. Kennedy Stringfellow (Ok) 22-11¾ (7.00);… 3f—Marquis Dendy (unat).
Triple Jump — Strange Coincidence Amid Unfriendly Breezes
LAST YEAR, Russell Robinson and Salif Mane jumped the same distance, with Robinson taking the win based on his second-best jump. What are the odds that they would jump matching distances again, while taking the top 2 places for the third year straight?
Miami alum Robinson opened up at 54-8 (16.66) to take the lead. Surely he expected bigger jumps to come, as 2 weeks earlier he had bounded to a U.S. leader 57-6½ (17.54).
James Carter hit 53-0 (16.15) on his first to grab the runner-up position while Olympic Trials winner Mane had a rough start with his 52-2½ (15.91).
The only improvement in round 2 was negligible. Mane leapt 52-5½ (15.99) and remained in 3rd. Same story in round 3, with Mane improving to 52-10¼ (16.11).
None of the leaders got a fair jump in round 4. Frustration among the principals began to build: Mane fouled his fifth attempt; Robinson passed.
Finally, on his last jump, Mane made it out to 54-8 (16.66), matching Robinson’s mark. With a better second mark, he took the lead.
That forced Robinson to jump one more time. A mere 52-10 ¾ (16.12) would give him the win. Unfortunately, he fouled, and Mane had his second career title.
Headwinds throughout dogged the competition — no positive wind readings at all. The 24-year-old Mane faced a 4.4 gust on his winning effort, the shortest winner since ’74. /Jeff Hollobaugh/
MEN’S TRIPLE JUMP RESULTS
(July 25) (winds ranged from –0.9 to –4.4)
1. Salif Mane (NYAC) 54-8w (16.66)
(50-2¾w, 52-5½, 52-10¼, f, f, 54-8w) (15.31w, 15.99, 16.11, f, f, 16.66w);
2. Russell Robinson (adidas) 54-8 (16.66)
(54-8, 52-6¾, f, f, f, f) (16.66, 16.02, f, f, f, f);
3. James Carter (unat) 53-0 (16.15)
(53-0, f, 52-¾, f, 52-9½, f) (16.15, f, 15.87, f, 16.09, f);
4. Floyd Whitaker (Ok) 51-7 (15.72); 5. Kyven Tatham (unat) 51-5½ (15.68); 6. Brandon Green (Ok) 50-10¼ (15.50); 7. Malachi Aiken (unat) 50-6¾ (15.41); 8. Chauncey Chambers (GSTC) 49-5¾ (15.08); 9. Anthony Woods (unat) 49-5½ (15.07); 10. Jamar Andrews (unat) 49-1½ (14.97); 11. Michael Tannall (unat) 47-2¼ (14.38);… 3f—Tre Betts (Or).
Shot — Geist Triumphs In… Changing-Of-The-Guard Moment?
DON’T WORRY, SHOT FANS. You’ll always have Paris. And Rio. And Doha. And Tokyo. And Eugene, Budapest, and Tokyo again. All the places where Joe Kovacs and Ryan Crouser, two of the GOATs of the event, slugged it out over the years.
Remember when Crouser went 75-1½ (22.90) at the ’19 Worlds and lost? Or when Kovacs threw 74-3½ (22.65) at the ’21 Olympics and Crouser beat him by 2 feet? How about the ’23 Worlds in Budapest where Crouser limped into the stadium with blood clots in his leg and came within 2 inches of breaking his own WR?
Ah, those were the days.
The ’26 USATF provided a glimpse of what life will be like without the Dynamic Duo. Crouser, plagued by elbow problems, was a scratch. Kovacs competed, but whether because of age or the absence of his nemesis or just an off day, he was not his old magnificent self.
It was a tribute to the strength of U.S. shot putting and to the grit of Jordan Geist that it still took 73-2¾ (22.32) to win. The 28-year-old Geist, the gentlest of giants, was a high school phenom who appeared to stall out in college. After reaching 70-9 (21.59) in ’19, he went 5 years without another PR. Some people can’t take a hint, though, and this winter Geist finally made a U.S. team then bagged silver at the Indoor Worlds. He has since raised his PR to 73-7½ (22.44), which ties him for the planet’s third-best throw in ’26.
Second to Geist was Tripp Piperi, a ’25 Indoor WC bronze medalist who pulled a mini-Crouser by bouncing back from pec surgery to throw 71-10¾ (21.91) here. Payton Otterdahl, 4th in Paris, has had his own injury issues, but managed 71-½ (21.65) for 3rd. /Dan McQuaid/
MEN’S SHOT RESULTS
(July 26)
1. Jordan Geist (Iron Wood) 73-2¾ (22.32)
(72-1, 73-2½, 72-7¾, f, 72-5¾, 73-2¾) (21.97, 22.31, 22.14, f, 22.09, 22.32);
2. Tripp Piperi (Nike) 71-10¾ (21.91)
(67-5½, 69-½, 71-6¼, 70-5¾, 70-9, 71-10¾) (20.56, 21.04, 21.80, 21.48, 21.56, 21.91);
3. Payton Otterdahl (Asics) 71-½ (21.65)
(67-6¼, 71-½, f, 70-4½, f, 69-11¾) (20.58, 21.65, f, 21.45, f, 21.33);
4. Joe Kovacs (Nike/NYAC) 70-1 (21.36)
(68-2½, 69-6¾, 69-8¼, 69-8, 70-1, 68-7¾) (20.79, 21.20, 21.24, 21.23, 21.36, 20.92);
5. Roger Steen (Velaasa) 69-1¼ (21.06); 6. Jason Swarens (unat) 67-11 (20.70); 7. Myles Kerner (unat) 66-9¼ (20.35); 8. Josh Awotunde (Shore) 66-5¾ (20.26); 9. T’Moni Johnson (GarSt) 66-3¾ (20.21); 10. CJ Licata (unat) 65-2¼ (19.87); 11. Jordan West (unat) 64-8¾ (19.73); 12. Tyler Sudduth (unat) 63-9 (19.43); 13. Nik Curtiss (GarSt) 62-7¼ (19.08); 14. Jeffrey Kline (unat) 60-10¾ (18.56); 15. Lucas Warning (GarSt) 60-4¾ (18.41).
Discus — Young Tanner Overpowers Veterans
THE WINDS, often from behind, played havoc with the discus competition as well as the formcharts. It was no surprise that the favorite, recent AR-setter Sam Mattis, led after round 1 with his 204-4 (62.29).
Behind him, Brian Williams sat in 2nd at 202-9 (61.81), defending champion Reggie Jagers fouled, and Texas Tanner, in his first pro meet, hit 197-8 (60.26).
Mattis made himself a lot safer with his second-round improvement to 209-5 (63.83), as Jagers moved into 2nd at 204-0 (62.19) and Tanner hit 203-2 (61.94) for 3rd.
After the position reshuffling for round 4, everything changed. Tanner launched what he described as a “smooth” effort — it sailed out to 214-9 (65.46) to take the lead. Jagers followed with a big improvement of his own, 210-0 (64.00) to move into 2nd. Mattis responded with a solid 208-10 (63.66).
In the next round, Missouri alum Mitchell Weber jumped into 4th with his 207-8 (63.31). He improved in the final round to 209-5 (63.84), knocking Mattis down to 4th. Then Tanner closed out with a 210-4 (64.10), the second-best effort of the day. Jagers fouled, and Mattis had one chance to redeem himself. His 208-6 (63.55) fell short.
“I knew what I needed to do,” said the 21-year-old winner, the youngest since Hayden Reed in ’14. “I know what I can do.
“I started over 60, and I was like, ‘OK, now we’re going to build and keep pushing and eventually we’re going to catch one.’ And that’s what I did.” /Jeff Hollobaugh/
MEN’S DISCUS RESULTS
(July 25)
1. Texas Tanner (AF) 214-9 (65.46)
(197-8, 203-2, f, 214-9, 191-7, 210-4) (60.26, 61.94, f, 65.46, 58.40, 64.10);
2. Reggie Jagers (unat) 210-0 (64.00)
(f, 204-0, f, 210-0, f, f) (f, 62.19, f, 64.00, f, f);
3. Mitchell Weber (unat) 209-5 (63.84)
(199-10, 194-1, f, 198-11, 207-8, 209-5) (60.90, 59.16, f, 60.64, 63.31, 63.84);
4. Sam Mattis (NikeNYAC) 209-5 (63.83)
(204-4, f, 209-5, 201-9, 208-10, 208-6) (62.29, f, 63.83, 61.51, 63.66, 63.55);
5. Joseph Brown (unat) 206-4 (62.91); 6. Brian Williams (USAF) 202-9 (61.81); 7. Joseph White (Velasaa) 201-8 (61.46); 8. Marcus Gustaveson (unat) 198-0 (60.35); 9. Andrew White (unat) 190-5 (58.05); 10. Kevin Grubbs (unat) 183-4 (55.89); 11. Noah Kennedy-White (GarSt) 180-8 (55.08); 12. Anthony Shivers (unat) 179-9 (54.80); 13. Sam Weeks (GarSt) 172-11 (52.72); 14. Legend Hayes (unat) 166-4 (50.70); 15. Michael Pinckney (unat) 162-0 (49.38).
Hammer — The Ring Wouldn’t Cooperate
“IT WAS ONE OF THOSE CIRCLES that feels like it’s going to be fast and it’s actually a little sticky,” said Rudy Winkler, suggesting a possible explanation for a hammer competition that for statisticians was nothing to write home about.
No PRs in the field of 16, no seasonal bests. But one very significant statistic emerged. Winkler, now 31, cranked out his sixth national title (the record, shared by three men, is 9).
He started in the hole, as Alex Young held the early lead with his 245-10 (74.93) in round 1. By the end of the first three rounds, Winkler’s best stood at just 244-6 (74.52), a mark he threw in both of the first two rounds. Iowa’s Ryan Johnson held 3rd at 241-2 (73.50).
NCAA runner-up Texas Tanner struggled with the ring, hitting 235-0 (71.64) in the second stanza and fouling the rest. WC/OG finalist Daniel Haugh also had a rough day, topping out at 233-9 (71.26) for 7th when the dust settled.
Finally, in round 4, Winkler grabbed the lead at 251-1 (76.55). He improved to 252-9 (77.05) in the fifth before fouling his last throw. Johnson bettered his standing with a 241-9 (73.68) in round 5, and the only improvement in the final go was Trey Knight throwing his own 241-9 — but 2 centimeters farther — to move into 3rd.
“It was late in the day,” noted Winkler. “I think a lot of people had trouble with travel getting in here. It was just a big mishmash of a bunch of potential problems, and I think everyone was kind of flat. I had a hard time getting going.”
But title No. 6? He’s pleased. “We’re happy with where we’re at in training. We know there’s more there.” /Jeff Hollobaugh/
MEN’S HAMMER RESULTS
1. Rudy Winkler (NikeNYAC) 252-9 (77.05) (244-6, 244-6, 240-0, 251-1, 252-9, f) (74.52, 74.52, 73.15, 76.55, 77.05, f);
2. Alex Young (unat) 245-10 (74.93) (245-10, 224-9, 235-10, 235-5, 240-11, 240-4) (74.93, 68.50, 71.89, 71.77, 73.45, 73.25);
3. Trey Knight (unat) 241-9 (73.70) (f, 225-3, f, 235-3, 235-0, 241-9) (f, 68.66, f, 71.70, 71.62, 73.70);
4. Ryan Johnson (Ia) 241-9 (73.68); 5. Tyler Williams (unat) 239-8 (73.06); 6. Texas Tanner (USAF) 235-0 (71.64); 7. Daniel Haugh (NYAC) 233-9 (71.26); 8. Jordan Crayon (unat) 230-5 (70.25); 9. Daniel Reynolds (unat) 224-5 (68.41); 10. Kade McCall (unat) 220-6 (67.21); 11. Grayson Fleming (SuperThrower) 219-8 (66.97); 12. Samuel Innes (Mo) 219-8 (66.96); 13. Joshua Herbster (NewDay) 218-8 (66.64); 14. Jack Haukap (PittSt) 195-11 (59.72);… 3f—Travis Martin (SLO), Isaiah Rogers (T1D).
Javelin — Camera Jockey Buffoonery Could Not Stop Thompson
FESTIVITIES BEGAN WITH Curtis Thompson nearly trucking a photographer who blundered onto the runway as the ’25 Worlds bronze medalist sprinted into his first attempt. Disaster was averted when Thompson slammed on the brakes, but that brief incident may have had a butterfly effect on the competition as what promised to be a slugfest between Thompson, Jordan Davis, and Marc Minichello (Nos. 3, 6 & 7 on the U.S. all- time list), played out more like a middle school dance where nobody wants to bust the first move.
The 30-year-old Thompson, likely rattled by the near smashup, struggled to find his form. After routinely reaching 275ft throughout the season, his best effort after 5 rounds on this beautiful afternoon at Icahn Stadium was 254-1 (77.45).
That left him vulnerable to an upset, but neither Minichello with 249-3 (75.98) nor Davis with 248-10 (75.85) could wield the dagger, and entering the final frame they sat 1-2-3.
Then, on his sixth attempt, Davis went full Hulk mode and dropped a 270-2 (82.36) bomb to take the lead. He and his coach at Georgia, Don Babbitt, had spent the season emphasizing consistency and control over gripping and ripping, but desperate times.
God help any photographer who crossed Thompson’s path as he thundered down the runway for the final attempt of the comp. Luckily, none did and he launched a 287-4 (87.59) missile to secure his sixth national title.
That throw should just about guarantee him a spot in Budapest for the Ultimate Championships where he’ll have a chance to make some serious money. Davis will stay in Georgia as he embarks on a pro career under the guidance of Babbitt, who two decades ago mentored Breaux Greer to an American Record. Babbitt sees strong similarities between Greer and Davis in terms of personality and ability. Time will tell.
Minichello, who came into New York in great shape but could not find the handle, must now hit the road and try to raise his WA ranking high enough to maintain his federation funding. Such are the varying paths of the javelin thrower. /Dan McQuaid/
MEN’S JAVELIN RESULTS
(July 25)
1. Curtis Thompson (adidas) 287-4 (87.59) (AL) (x, 11 A)
(f, 249-11, 254-1, 239-4, 254-1, 287-4) (f, 76.19, 77.45, 72.94, 77.45, 87.59);
2. Jordan Davis (Ga) 270-2 (82.36)
(244-3, 248-10, 238-9, f, 243-4, 270-2) (74.46, 75.85, 72.77, f, 74.17, 82.36);
3. Marc Minichello (NYAC) 249-2 (75.94)
(241-6, 249-3, 249-2, f, 243-2, 233-10) (73.60, 75.98, 75.94, f, 74.13, 71.29);
4. Dimitrius Hester (Rowan) 241-10 (73.72); 5. Nicholas Reynolds (Ga) 239-11 (73.13); 6. Riley Marx (KsSt) 236-1 (71.97); 7. Chandler Ault (unat) 227-3 (69.26); 8. James McNamey (unat) 223-6 (68.13); 9. Liam Bourassa (Fitchburg) 214-8 (65.43); 10. Liam Higgins (unat) 206-9 (63.03); 11. Ty Hampton (Rice) 204-1 (62.20); 12. Ethan Shalaway (unat) (60.87}); 13. Blake Sturgis (unat) 190-10 (58.18).
