SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, February 26-27 — A brand new venue was rolled out for the USATF Indoor Championships, which doubled as the Trials meet for the World Indoor, to be held in Belgrade, Serbia, in mid-March.
The major city in Eastern Washington hosted the meet for the first time. Located about 100M from the Canadian border it was the northernmost location ever for the meet. The meet was staged in The Podium, which features a state-of-the-art 200m track with hydraulic banking.
The first two in each event qualified for the Worlds providing they met qualifying standard. There were 3 world-leading marks established, by Christian Coleman in the 60 (a tie), Ryan Crouser in the shot and Garrett Scantling in the heptathlon. American leaders went to those 3, plus Bryce Hoppel in the 800 and Donald Scott in the triple jump.
Here’s our by-event men’s reportage:
60 Meters: Christian Coleman 6.45 AL, =WL
All eyes were on WR holder Christian Coleman, returned from his missed-tests ban and fastest pro in the world this season off his 6.49 Millrose win.
The reigning World Indoor champ took his heat in 6.55. Then came a minor revelation. Marvin Bracy, absent from the season to this point, won heat II in 6.52. The third went in 6.62 to Ronnie Baker, whose 6.40 from ’18 pegs him as No. 2 all-time among active sprinters.
The final closed out the meet and Coleman set up a title defense in Belgrade, his 6.45 equaling the world lead. Bracy to his immediate left in lane 4 was with Coleman nearly all the way and equaled his 6.48 PR to make the team. Neither started astonishingly well, though, and the man they ran down over the final 20m was Brandon Carnes, 6.54 for 3rd from out near the track edge in lane 2. That matched Carnes’ placing at the ’20 Indoor.
Baker, the WIC bronze medalist in ’18, never found top gear and wound up 6th.
“Man, it feels good,” Coleman said. “I’m blessed to come out here and compete with a world-class field able to come out with a victory.”
Bracy smiled, having broken down injured in his Olympic Trials semi last summer: “It means everything just to be back — you know I had the hiatus after what happened last season —just to come back, make my third team and trying to go get a medal.”
RESULTS
1. Christian Coleman (Nik) 6.45 (AL, =WL);
2. Marvin Bracy (NikTWTC) 6.48 =PR; 3. Brandon Carnes (unat) 6.54; 4. Cravont Charleston (unat) 6.55; 5. Demek Kemp (Asics) 6.62; 6. Ronnie Baker (adi) 6.63; 7. Coby Hilton (unat) 6.70; 8. Jonte Baker (unat) 6.70.
HEATS:
I–1. Coleman 6.55; 2. Jaylan Mitchell (unat) 6.66; 3. Elijah Morrow (AthTX) 6.69; 4. Denzel Brown (unat) 6.73; 5. Jackson Webb (unat) 6.79. II–1. Bracy 6.52; 2. Charleston 6.61; 3. Carnes 6.62; 4. J. Baker 6.62; 5. Kemp 6.66; 6. Kirk Wilson (unat) 6.69; 7. Kyle Mastrangeli (unat) 6.75; 8. Dimeji Adekanbi (HighV) 6.90. III–1. R. Baker 6.62; 2. Hilton 6.65; 3. Daveon Collins (unat) 6.70; 4. Jeff Henderson (adi) 6.80; 5. Adam Nelson (unat) 6.83; 6. Dominic Artis (Shocker) 6.89; 7. Aaron Johnson (UtV) 6.91.
400 Meters: Trevor Bassitt 45.75
The indoor 2-lapper is an animal of its own. Just one finalist from last summer’s Olympic Trials 400 toed the line, 4th-placer Trevor Stewart.
Heat times were led at 46.27 by Ashland senior Trevor Bassitt, a versatile talent who last winter won NCAA II titles at 200 and the 60H before placing 8th in the OT 400H.
Controversy welled up as Donavan Brazier stepped down to half his signature distance and won his heat (46.68). A lane DQ followed swiftly though it was not until the next morning that a video review reversed the call on appeal.
Stewart took section I of the final and sat awaiting race II results, which were decisive. In that section Noah Williams — the ’21 NCAA Indoor titlist for LSU now an adidas pro — raced off the second turn on the inside (lane 3) poised to grab the pole with a lap to run.
Just as Williams reached 200, however, Bassitt ran up on his shoulder on the outside. Williams held him off around the curve and for about half the last backstraight until Bassitt closed with a 12.8 final 100 to win by about 3m from Brazier.
The outdoor 800 world champ had run last the whole way until he challenged Williams and Marqueze Washington some 20m out and outleaned the latter 46.14–46.15 for 2nd at the line.
As he celebrated, Bassitt patted a “Jud” insignia on his singlet, his team’s homage to beloved Ashland coach and erstwhile hammer star Jud Logan, who passed away in January.
“Like Jud always said, ‘What I had I gave,’ and I’m really honored. It’s a true blessing” Bassitt said.
RESULTS
(2 section time-final)
1. Trevor Bassitt (Ash);
2. Donavan Brazier;
3. Marqueze Washington (unat);
4. Trevor Stewart (Pum);
5. Noah Williams (adi);
6. Aldrich Bailey (unat);
7. Amere Lattin (adi);
8. Dominic Yancy (TxSt);
9. Ben Psicihulis (unat) 47.03.
Sections:
I–1. Trevor Stewart (Puma) 46.41 (22.03/24.38); 2. Aldrich Bailey (unat) 46.73 (21.40/25.33); 3. Amere Lattin (adi) 46.73 (21.77/24.96); 4. Dominic Yancy (TxSt) 46.96 (22.62/24/34); 5. Ben Psicihulis (unat) 47.03 (22.41/22.62).
II–1. Trevor Bassitt (Ash) 45.75 (21.36/24.39); 2. Donavan Brazier (NikUAC) 46.14 (22.17/23.97); 3. Marqueze Washington (unat) 46.15 (21.55/24.60); 4. Noah Williams (adi) 46.44 (21.40/25.04).
HEATS
I–1. Bassitt 46.27; 2. Yancy 47.02; 3. Psicihulis 47.16; 4. Cameron Burgess (unat) 49.97. II–1. Brazier 46.68; 2. Bailey 46.88; 3. Brycen Spratling (NYAC) 47.24;… dq—Cameron Parker (unat). III–1. Washington 46.93; 2. Stewart 46.94; 3. Channing Phillips (Ash) 47.65. IV–1. Lattin 47.39; 2. Devonte Fletcher (HAMtH) 47.79; 3. Devin Dixon (BrkB) 48.06; 4. Jovahn Williamson (NM) 48.75. V–1. Williams 46.78; 2. Austin Lietz (unat) 47.75; 3. Rashard Clark (unat) 47.91; 4. Je’von Hutchison (GardStTC) 48.08; 5. Cole Krehnbrink (App) 49.57.
800 Meters: Bryce Hoppel 1:45.30 AL
After winning his Saturday heat in the last few strides, topping Isaiah Harris by just 0.27, Bryce Hoppel decided he didn’t want to take any chances in the 800 final, explaining, “I knew that I wanted to take it a little bit early than yesterday. It’s fun to win like that, but it always kind of scares you on the inside.”
Erik Sowinski, perhaps hard-wired these days to go straight to the lead, did just that to bring the field through 200 in 25.62 and 400 in 52.07. While he may be a rabbit by trade, Sowinski won bronze at the ’16 World Indoor and had every intention of trying to get to Belgrade.
Hoppel knew where to position himself and stayed directly behind Sowinski and stayed there for the better part of three laps. Harris moved into 3rd at the halfway point but 100m later was passed by 1000m AR-setter Shane Streich.
Just before the bell, Hoppel moved, quickly opening an insurmountable gap. Streich challenged Sowinski on the backstretch, only to have the veteran hold him off. Harris had plenty of speed left and dashed past both to cut into 2nd place on the final turn.
Hoppel’s U.S.-leading 1:45.30 gave him a 6-meter margin on Harris (1:46.30) with both Streich (1:46.86) and Colin Schultz (1:46.90) getting past Sowinski (1:47.46). Said the victor of his upcoming trip to Serbia: “I think we can hopefully bring some medals home.”
RESULTS
1. Bryce Hoppel (adi) 1:45.30 (AL) (x, 11 A)
(25.78, 26.64 [52.42], 26.43 [1:18.85], 26.45) (52.42/52.88);
2. Isaiah Harris (BrkB) 1:46.30
(25.99, 26.63 [52.62], 26.78 [1:19.40], 26.90) (52.62/53.68);
3. Shane Streich (AtlTC) 1:46.86
(26.09, 26.81 [52.90], 26.17 [1:19.07], 27.79) (52.90/53.96);
4. Colin Schultz (unat) 1:46.90
(26.32, 26.49 [52.81], 26.91 [1:19.72], 27.18) (52.81/54.09);
5. Erik Sowinski (unat) 1:47.46
(52.07/55.39);
6. Drew Windle 1:47.72;
7. Jonah Koech (UArm) 1:49.64.
HEATS
I–1. Hoppel 1:46.87; 2. Harris 1:47.14; 3. Schultz 1:47.38; 4. Matt Wisner (unat) 1:48.52;… dq—John Lewis (unat). II–1. Windle 1:48.19; 2. Koech 1:48.26; 3. Abraham Alvarado (AtlTC) 1:48.44;… dq—Benjamin Allen (EmpE). III–1. Sowinski 1:47.60; 2. Kameron Jones (unat) 1:47.97; 3. Luciano Fiore (EmpE) 1:49.20;… dq—Daniel Nixon (AtlTC), Victor Palumbo (CParkTC). IV–1. Streich 1:47.16; 2. Craig Engels (NikUAC) 1:48.93; 3. Vincent Crisp (UArm) 1:49.49; 4. Jim Warren (unat) 1:52.65;… dq—Ian Ritchie (CParkTC).
1500 Meters: Cole Hocker 3:39.09
After having won the 3K on Saturday afternoon, Cole Hocker lined up for the 1500 on Sunday hoping to mimic his ’21 NCAA Indoor double.
“I knew it was gonna be a tough one today and I prefer the 15 over the 3,” the OT winner remarked after all was said and done, “but coming back after yesterday and having to close hard I knew it was gonna be a tall order.”
Not taller than Hocker’s ability. He sat back in the pack through the early laps, content to let Eric Holt lead through 400 (57.9) and then Colby Alexander through 800 (1:58.6) and 1200 (2:57.3).
With 300 to run Hocker ran in 6th (2:58.1), 5–6m back. On the next homestraight defending champ Josh Thompson took the lead and Henry Wynne came to his outside shoulder at the bell. Hocker had shimmered up to 4th and next passed Alexander into 3rd around the first turn.
Off the final bend the Oregon-Duck-turned-pro-early unleashed his kick and surged ahead of Thompson 9m out to cross the line a meter ahead, 3:39.09–3:39.24, with Brooks Beast Wynne 3rd at 3:39.60.
Hocker covered the last 200 in 26.89 and closing 100 in 13.2 — with his most ferocious running in the final straight. Shades of his OT win over Matthew Centrowitz but with the outcome far less in doubt.
“These guys definitely made me work for it and kept it honest,” Hocker said.
RESULTS
1. Cole Hocker (Nik) 3:39.09 (13.09, 30.82 [43.91], 30.56 [1:14.47], 30.50 [1:44.97], 29.44 [2:14.41], 29.20 [2:43.61], 28.59 [3:12.20], 26.89) (26.89, 55.48, 1:54.12);
2. Josh Thompson (NikBowTC) 3:39.24 (27.39, 56.49, 1:55.43);
3. Henry Wynne (Brk) 3:39.60 (27.66, 56.13, 1:55.02);
4. Sam Prakel (adi) 3:39.92 (27.60, 56.96, 1:55.89);
5. Vincent Ciattei (NikOTC) 3:39.97 (27.74, 56.19, 1:55.15);
6. Colby Alexander (EmpE) 3:41.43; 7. Craig Engels (NikUAC) 3:41.81; 8. James Randon (Sauc) 3:43.48; 9. Johnny Gregorek (Asics) 3:43.70; 10. Casey Comber (UArm) 3:45.17; 11. Eric Holt (EmpE) 3:46.87; 12. Colton Johnsen (WaSt) 3:51.79.
3000: Cole Hocker 7:47.50
With Olympians at the longer distances generally passing on the meet, this one looked like Trials 1500 winner and Tokyo finalist Cole Hocker’s to lose.
Drew Hunter, the last USATF Indoor champion — at 2M in ’19 — took the lead for the first 4 laps and passed 800 in 2:06.37 with the field strung out in close file.
Emmanuel Bor went to the front for the next 4 circuits (4:13.65). Hocker ran ever nearby as recent BYU NCAA star Conner Mantz, now a Nike pro, took a turn up front.
On the straight before 2K (5:17.82) Hocker pressed forward, essaying a 31.50 split for the 11th lap, and then appeared to decide to wait. Leadership went to Emmanuel Bor and soon the lead group was too close for comfort.
In 4th on the next curve, Hocker ran up on Dillon Maggard’s heel and nearly tripped. It was time to go. Off the next turn Hocker went wide and drove to the lead by the bell. Bor gave what he had to stay attached, but looking over his shoulder four times from late in the last turn to the end, Hocker strode to a 7:47.50–7:48.64 victory from Bor. That gave each a Belgrade Q-standard mark.
Having closed in 26.68 to Bor’s 27.62, Hocker analyzed, “I knew it was a good field and we went out at a pretty conservative pace, so I knew there was going to be lots of talented guys there and I knew he was going to be one of them, for sure. So I had my eyes out for him. It was just a good race.”
RESULTS
1. Cole Hocker (Nik) 7:47.50 (26.68, 55.88, 1:58.48); 2. Emmanuel Bor (unat) 7:48.64 (27.62, 57.37, 1:59.46); 3. Dillon Maggard (unat) 7:49.05 (27.84, 57.55, 1:59.30); 4. Conner Mantz (Nik) 7:49.43 (27.73, 57.51, 2:00.08); 5. Drew Hunter (adi) 7:49.87 (28.33, 58.08, 2:00.26);
6. Brian Barraza (adiTinE) 7:50.70; 7. Graham Crawford (ReebB) 7:51.59; 8. Willy Fink (UArm) 7:52.32; 9. Joshua Yeager (MnDE) 7:52.59; 10. Matthew Wilkinson 7:53.44; 11. Joey Berriatua (TinE) 7:54.60; 12. Alec Basten (unat) 7:54.84; 13. Ben Blankenship (NOTC) 8:02.34; 14. Craig Nowak (unat) 8:04.92; 15. James Randon (Sauc) 8:09.33; 16. Kasey Knevelbaard (UArm) 8:14.19.
60 Hurdles: Grant Holloway 7.37 =MR
He came in as the strongest of favorites and Grant Holloway ran like it. The World Record holder showed zero doubt as he stormed to the front by hurdle 1 and finished all smiles in 7.37.
Staying surprisingly close was Jarret Eaton, who emerged as the best challenger from the pack of mortals and pressed hard to finish just a 10th behind in 7.47, the second-fastest time in the 32-year-old’s career. Aaron Mallett, who won the race in ’20, finished well for 3rd in 7.55, ahead of Devon Allen (7.58) who struggled at the start.
Somewhat surprisingly, it was the first USATF Indoor title for the 24-year-old Holloway, who now boasts a lifetime undefeated streak indoors in the 42-inch hurdles at 24 finals in 6 years (47 races counting heats). “I wanted to run the rounds, get more races under my belt and see where I was at before Worlds. Now I go back home, see Coach [Mike] Holloway and we’ll be ready.
“My main goal now is to continue to win. Whatever the time pops up on the board, to be able to win my next three rounds and when outdoor comes, we’ll go from there.”
As a winner of last year’s World Indoor Tour, Holloway has a wild card entry for Belgrade and both Eaton (the ’18 silver medalist) and Mallett will also make the trip.
RESULTS
1. Grant Holloway (adi) 7.37 =MR (x, =15 W; x, =10 A);
2. Jarret Eaton (unat) 7.47;
3. Aaron Mallett (Tracksm) 7.54 =PR;
4. Devon Allen (Nik) 7.55;
5. Jamal Britt (unat) 7.58;
6. Jaylan McConico (unat) 7.63;
7. Louis Rollins (unat) 7.66;
8. Daniel Roberts (Nik) 7.66.
HEATS
I–1. Eaton 7.55; 2. Britt 7.61; 3. Roberts 7.66; 4. Sam Brixey (WaSt) 7.73; 5. Nick Johnson (WaSt) 7.89; 6. Finnigan Schirmer (unat) 7.95; 7. Oliver Thomas (WPI) 7.99. II–1. Holloway 7.43; 2. McConico 7.59 PR; 3. Mallett 7.60; 4. Daniel Harrold (TxSt) 7.83; 5. Parker Bowden (unat) 7.83; 6. Devon Williams (NYAC) 7.86. III–1. Allen 7.54; 2. Rollins 7.69; 3. Michael Dickson (unat) 7.71; 4. Paris Williams (unat) 7.75; 5. Arthur Greenlee (unat) 7.82; 6. Tremayne Flagler (unat) 7.92; 7. Aidan Diggs (GCan) 8.10.
High Jump: JuVaughn Harrison 7-5¾
Befitting his status as the heavy favorite, JuVaughn Harrison scored a relatively easy win in his first-ever USATF Indoor meet.
The 22-year-old LSU alum was the only one with any passes on his chart, skipping the first two heights. He missed his first try at 7-2½ (2.20) while Darius Carbin and Darryl Sullivan made on theirs, leaving them 1-2. That quickly changed at 7-4½ (2.25), where Harrison went over on first, Sullivan needed two and Carbin three. Trey Culver and Keenon Laine went out. Only Harrison (on second try) was successful at 7-5¾ (2.28) and the battle was over.
Harrison finished his day with three unsuccessful attempts at raising his yearly U.S. lead to 7-8¾ (2.36). He’s the only American with a Belgrade qualifier of 7-8 (2.34).
RESULTS
HJ: 1. JuVaughn Harrison (unat) 7-5¾ (2.28) (7-2½ [2], 7-4½, 7-5¾ [2], 7-8¾ [xxx]) (2.20 [2], 2.25, 2.28 [2], 2.36 [xxx]);
2. Darryl Sullivan (unat) 7-4½ (2.25); 3. Darius Carbin (unat) 7-4½ (2.25); 4. Trey Culver (adiWWTC) 7-2½ (2.20); 5. Keenon Laine (Tracksm) 7-2½; 6. Zack Anderson (unat) 7-½ (2.15); 7. Hoova Taylor (LazTC) 6-10¾ (2.10);… nh—Tyler Arroyo (unat), Roderick Townsend-Roberts (unat).
Pole Vault: Chris Nilsen 19-4¾
With 7 Americans having the Belgrade qualifier of 19-¾ (5.81), this promised to be a truly deep battle for the pair of team slots, even after the withdrawal of Sam Kendricks.
It took a while to pare the 15-man field down to a manageable size, no fewer than 5 of them still being in contention when the bar was raised to the fifth height of the day, 19-¾ (5.81)… and all made it. First-try clearances went to Chris Nilsen, KC Lightfoot and Zach McWhorter and third-try ones to Matt Ludwig and Jacob Wooten (a PR). With perfect records,Nilsen and Lightfoot were tied for the lead.
The next height, 19-2¾ (5.86) peeled off McWhorter, Ludwig and Wooten, with Lightfoot’s first-try make taking the lead over Nilsen, who needed three. Recent AR setting Nilsen bounced back at 19-4¾ (5.91) clearing cleanly on his initial go, while Lightfoot was never close.
Nilsen finished his day with three shots at raising his AR to
19-9¼ (6.03). The first attempt saw him kick the bar off on the way up, and he clipped it with his hips on the next two.
RESULTS
1. Chris Nilsen (Nik) 19-4¾ (5.91) (18-1, 18-4¾, 18-8¾, 19-¾, 19-2¾ [3], 19-4¾, 19-9¼ [xxx]) (5.51, 5.61, 5.71, 5.81, 5.86 [3], 5.91, 6.03 [xxx]); 2. KC Lightfoot (Puma) 19-2¾ (5.86) (18-1, 18-8¾, 19-¾, 19-2¾, 19-4¾ [xxx]) (5.51, 5.71, 5.81, 5.86, 5.91 [xxx]); 3. Zach McWhorter (BYU) 19-¾ (5.81) (18-1, 18-4¾ [3], 18-8¾, 18-10¾, 19-¾, 19-2¾ [xxx]) (5.51, 5.61 [3], 5.71, 5.76, 5.81, 5.86 [xxx]);
4. Matt Ludwig (unat) 19-¾ (18-1, 18-4¾, 18-8¾, 19-¾ [3], 19-2¾ [xxx]) (5.51, 5.61, 5.71, 5.81 [3], 5.86 [xxx]); 5. Jacob Wooten (unat) 19-¾ =PR (18-1, 18-4¾, 18-8¾ [2], 19-¾ [3], 19-2¾ [xxx]) (5.51, 5.61, 5.71 [2], 5.81 [3], 5.86 [xxx]);
6. tie, Clayton Fritsch (SamH), Nate Richartz (Tracksm) & Austin Miller (Vaulth) 18-4¾ (5.61); 9. tie, Cole Walsh (unat), Tray Oates (unat) & Deakin Volz (unat) 18-1 (5.51);… nh—Luke Winder (unat), Carson Waters (unat), Scott Houston (Shore), Audie Wyatt (unat).
Long Jump: Jarrion Lawson 26-10½
The winner of a HJ/LJ double at the Olympic Trials last year, JuVaughn Harrison was favored to replicate that feat here, but he only made it halfway, winning the vertical leap on Friday.
Things started well for him in Saturday’s long jump. He was in 2nd after the first round at 25-10 (7.87), then added an inch to take the lead in the second. Marquis Dendy went to the fore in stanza three on the strength of a 26-4½ (8.04). Harrison improved to 26-1¾ (7.97).
So as they went to the final three rounds it was Dendy and Harrison followed by Will Williams (25-11/7.90) and Jarrion Lawson (25-6/7.77).
In the fourth sequence Harrison improved to a seasonal best 26-5 (8.05), just shy of catching Dendy, who had upped the ante to 26-5¾ (8.07). But that would prove to be Harrison’s best mark of the day.
Round 5 found Dendy (26-8½/8.14), Williams (26-1¾/7.97) and Lawson (25-9½/7.86) improving but no places changing, and that’s the way they still stood as the top 4 came up for their final attempts.
Zipping down the runway in his distinctive yellow jersey, the heavily bearded Lawson dug down deep and added more than a foot to his previous best of the day, cutting sand at 26-10½ (8.19). When the other three failed to improve the 27-year-old Arkansas alum had his second win, having taken the ’18 title.
RESULTS
1. Jarrion Lawson (unat) 26-10½ (8.19) (f, 25-6, f, 25-2, 25-9½, 26-10½) (f, 7.77, f, 7.67, 7.86, 8.19);
2. Marquis Dendy (unat) 26-8½ (8.14) (25-9¼, f, 26-4½, 26-5¾, 26-8½, 25-10¼) (7.85, f, 8.04, 8.07, 8.14, 7.88); 3. JuVaughn Harrison (unat) 26-5 (8.05) (25-10, 25-11, 26-1¾, 26-5, 26-4½, 26-3) (7.87, 7.90, 7.97, 8.05, 8.04, 8.00);
4. Will Williams (unat) 26-1¾ (7.97); 5. Carter Shell (ArSt) 25-3½ (7.71); 6. Aaron Johnson (UtV) 24-9¾ (7.56); 7. Isaac Vazquez (HopS) 24-6½ (7.48); 8. David Gibson (BosNTC) 24-1¾ (7.36); 9. Jeff Henderson (adi) 24-¼ (7.32); 10. Cameron Hart (unat) 23-11¾ (7.31); 11. Hunter Price (FKEl) 23-7½ (7.20); 12. Eric Haddock (App) 23-0 (7.01); 13. De’Shawn Ballard (App) 22-5 (6.83); 14. Charles Brown (unat) 21-8 (6.60).
Triple Jump: Donald Scott 55-4¾
Ron Livers (1978–80), Mike Conley (1985–87), and now Donald Scott. That’s the roster of men to win the national TJ title 3 editions in a row, albeit with no meet staged last year (Scott also won in ’17).
Obviously well versed in peaking at the right time, the 30-year-old Eastern Michigan alum produced a seasonal best, just as he did in his previous 3 wins.
He was the event’s first jumper, but after the initial round was complete his 53-3 (16.23) left him 3rd behind Chris Carter (53-7½/16.34) and Will Claye (53-3½/16.24). A second-round 54-7¼ (16.64) propelled him in the lead, but in the third stanza Carter assumed the lead at 54-8¼ (16.67), with Claye staying 3rd but making things tighter with his 54-6¾ (16.63).
The fourth round proved to be the decisive one, Scott bouncing back to the lead at 55-4¾ (16.88). None of the big three improved thereafter, meaning that Claye will probably join Scott on Team USA, as Carter lacks the standard.
RESULTS
1. Donald Scott (adi) 55-4¾ (16.88) (AL) (53-3, 54-7¼, 46-10, 55-4¾, 53-11, 54-7½) (16.23, 16.64, 14.27, 16.88, 16.43, 16.65);
2. Chris Carter (unat) 54-8¼ (16.67) (53-7½, 53-10½, 54-8¼, f, 52-2½, f) (16.34, 16.42, 16.67, f, 15.91, f); 3. Will Claye (Puma/NYAC) 54-6¾ (16.63) (53-3½, 54-2, 54-6¾, 54-6½, 54-½, 53-9¼) (16.24, 16.51, 16.63, 16.62, 16.47, 16.39); 4. Chris Benard (CVE) 54-1¼ (16.49) (52-4½, 52-11, f, 51-10, 54-1¼, 53-5½) (15.96, 16.13, f, 15.80, 16.49, 16.29);
5. Nate Meade (BosNTC) 52-1¼ (15.88); 6. Jah-Jah Strange (unat) 51-6½ (15.71); 7. Albert MacArthur (Thrill) 49-8½ (15.15) (f, 49-8½, f, f, f, f) (f, 15.15, f, f, f, f); 8. Javon Gray (unat) 48-3½ (14.72).
Shot: Ryan Crouser 73-10¼ WL
Ho-hum, just another day of 72/73-foot putting at the office of Ryan Crouser. The reigning Athlete Of The Year took care of things on his first throw, a 72-3½ (22.03) effort giving him the yearly world lead. After fouling his second he popped another WL, 72-11¾ (22.24), on his third.
His fourth attempt generated his first real show of emotion, earning a fist pump. A third WL of the day, his 73-10¼ (22.51) also rated as the No. 9 performance on the all-time indoor list. Add that to his claim for Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 10. A giant walks among us.
Citing a sore elbow, the 29-year-old Oregon native noted, “It was one of those days where I couldn’t quite find it like I wanted to, but just stayed aggressive and hammered on it. They weren’t pretty throws but I’m happy with them for how technically inefficient they were.”
Meanwhile, in the mere-mortals division, Josh Awotunde (71-4/21.74) and Roger Steen (69-1½/21.07) both PRed to go 2-3.
RESULTS
1. Ryan Crouser (Nik) 73-10¼ (22.51) (WL, AL) (x, 9 W; x, 8 A)
(72-3½ [WL, AL], f, 72-11¾ [WL, AL], 73-10¼, 73-5½, f) (22.03, f, 22.24, 22.51, 22.39, f);
2. Josh Awotunde (Shore) 71-4 (21.74) PR (69-11¾, 71-4, 68-4¼, 70-2¼, f, f) (21.33, 21.74, 20.83, 21.39, f, f);
3. Roger Steen (Vel) 69-1½ (21.07) PR
(64-1¾, f, f, 65-9, 66-8½, 69-1½) (19.55, f, f, 20.04, 20.33, 21.07);
4. Payton Otterdahl (Nik) 68-2¼ (20.78); 5. Jordan Geist (Az) 64-8 (19.71); 6. Lucas Warning (GarS) 62-5 (19.02); 7. T’Mond Johnson (GarS) 62-1¾ (18.94); 8. Jeffrey Kline (Md) 58-10 (17.93);… 3f—Darrell Hill (Nik).
Weight: Alex Young 81-6
The 35-pounder isn’t on the list of World Indoor events, but even though overseas berths weren’t on the line here Alex Young and Daniel Haugh let ‘er rip.
Yearly world leader Haugh opened at 78-3 (23.86) but that first-round leader was quickly eclipsed in the second when Young PRed at 80-3¾ (24.48), moving to =No. 10 on the all-time world list. Haugh fouled.
Round 3 was the big one, Young upping his PR to 81-6 (24.84) to climb to No. 8 all-time. Haugh’s response was close at 1-4 (24.79) but not enough. Neither improved after that, although Haugh finished up with 3 more 80-footers.
RESULTS
1. Alex Young (unat) 81-6 (24.84) PR (8, x W; 7, x A) (71-1½, 80-3¾ PR [=10, x W; =8, x A], 81-6, 79-8¾, 79-4½, 78-5¾) (21.68, 24.48, 24.84, 24.30, 24.19, 23.92);
2. Daniel Haugh (T1D) 81-4 (24.79) (78-3½, f, 81-4, 80-11, 81-1¾, 80-8¼) (23.86, f, 24.79, 24.66, 24.73, 24.59); 3. Rudy Winkler (TracksmNYAC) 78-0 (23.77) (74-6½, 73-6, 75-½, 72-4½, 75-8¼, 78-0) (22.72, 22.40, 22.87, 22.06, 23.07, 23.77);
4. Michael Shanahan (unat) 77-4¾ (23.59) (77-½, 72-7¼, 76-8¼, 76-9, 77-4¾, 75-11) (23.48, 22.13, 23.37, 23.39, 23.59, 23.14); 5. Vlad Pavlenko (unat) 76-1½ (23.20) PR (67-4¼, 76-1½, 73-0, 70-7¾, 74-9¼, f) (20.53, 23.20, 22.25, 21.53, 22.79, f); 6. Israel Oloyede (GC) 76-1 (23.19) (67-6¾, 70-3, 75-3½, f, 76-1, f) (20.59, 21.41, 22.95, f, 23.19, f);
7. Morgan Shigo (Vel) 76-0 (23.16); 8. Erich Sullins (unat) 74-6½ (22.72); 9. Taige Bryant (EnMi) 70-4½ (21.45); 10. Dominique Williams (unat) 69-9¾ (21.28); 11. Cameron Jones (unat) 65-2¼ (19.87); 12. Grayson Fleming (SuperT) 64-5 (19.63); 13. Ja’Mar Watson (unat) 58-4 (17.78).
Heptathlon: Garret Scantling 6382
A pair of Tokyo Olympians started the 7-eventer in Spokane, but only one made it to the end of Day 1. And by the end of Day 2 Garrett Scantling had produced a world-leading 6382 to crush the field by more than 500 points.
Scantling showed off his speed from the get-go, opening with the fastest 60, a PR 6.86. In the long jump, he produced a 24-1 (7.34). OT runner-up Steven Bastien, however, who had opened at 6.97, jumped 24-7¾ (7.51) to move into the overall lead by a point. Then he stopped, not throwing the shot.
The best put went to Scantling at a near-PR 53-¼ (16.16), and he closed the first day with a solid 6-8¾ (2.05) jump. The top mark in that event (6-9¾/2.08) went to surprising Samuel Black, the Div. II decathlon champ last year for Saginaw Valley. Black, who had moved to the 2nd spot after Bastien’s withdrawal, now had a 129-point edge on Jack Flood in 3rd.
The 28-year-old Scantling came out strong on the second day, his 7.81 the only hurdle mark under 8.00. He also led the vault by more than a foot at 17-¾ (5.20); he was just 2cm short of his PR. His win basically secured, he still pushed to the fastest time in the 1000, hitting a PR 2:43.04 and adding 173 points to his 7-event best. He moves to No. 9 on the world ATL, and No. 3 among Americans. Black finished a few strides behind, scoring a PR of 5866 to top Flood’s 5803.
Said Scantling, “I feel a lot faster, a lot stronger. I messed up in the long jump and even the hurdles, I almost fell… So I know I’m fast, I know I’m ready for some good times, and I can’t wait to go to Serbia.”
RESULTS
1. Garrett Scantling (Nik) 6382 (WL, AL)
(9, x W; 3, 7 A) (6.86, 24-1/7.34, 53-¼/16.16 6-8¾/2.05, 7.81, 17-¾/5.20, 2:43.04);
2. Samuel Black (unat) 5866
(6.95, 22-11¾/7.00, 47-5¾/14.47 6-9¾/2.08, 8.09, 14-5¼/4.40, 2:44.24);
3. Jack Flood (unat) 5803
(7.21, 23-4/7.11, 44-5½/13.55 6-8¾/2.05, 8.01, 15-5/4.70, 2:46.24);
4. Dylan Cooper (unat) 5771
(7.21, 22-8/6.91, 44-11/13.69 6-7½/2.02, 8.05, 15-9/4.80, 2:44.75);
5. Joshua Mulder (JAC) 5704; 6. Kyle Martin (JAC) 5666; 7. Josh Cogdill (unat) 5542; 8. William Eggers (unat) 5401; 9. Joseph Sheryak (unat) 5084; 10. Jackson Walker (unat) 5021; 11. Taylor Cudequest (unat) 4969;… dnf—Steven Bastien (unat) (6.97, 24-7¾/7.51, dnc).
◻︎