ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, February 14–15—Men’s competition at the USATF Indoor Championships offered a chance for athletes to show early hands, put skin in the game, as this important season charges toward its crucial outdoor phase and the Olympic Trials. While Ryan Crouser pushed his PR inches from World Record territory and Christian Coleman came close to his own WR despite a stumble at the start in the 60 final, others who are not Olympic medalists displayed serious intentions and made the most of a friendly facility for sprinters, jumpers and vaulters to post personal bests.
The meet, held on a banked 200 track at 1512m of altitude, was solid for both sexes even without its attractive cherry on top. Postponement of Nanjing’s World Championships by a year—a January decision forced by the coronavirus epidemic—sealed the absence of some of the most elite as they dug back into training-toward-the-Games mode or competition in Europe.
60: Coleman Makes A Statement
Surprising even his manager with a last-minute decision to enter, Christian Coleman returned to the meet where he set the World Record 6.34 two years ago. “He has been having some good training sessions and he doesn’t want it to go to waste,” manager Emanuel Hudson told Reuters, adding that “we may be seeing something.”
The 23-year-old world 100 champ sliced through the altitude-thin air for a world-leading 6.48 in his heat. Marvin Bracy, absent from the track the past two years, followed in 6.53 with Brandon Carnes equaling that time in the final heat. Coleman (6.51) and Carnes (6.55) took the Saturday semis.
In the final, no great shock this being his first meet of the year, Coleman’s start was so-so. Then his world champion speed emerged. He moved to the front at 20m and surged away after 30 to finish well clear in 6.37, equaling history’s No. 2 time. Bracy was 2nd at 6.49, just a 0.01 off his PR set here at the ’14 Indoor. Pleased with his result, Coleman bowed to the crowd.
“That 30–60 meters, we work on that a lot at practice too [along with starts],” he said. “This wasn’t necessarily the plan to be at my optimal best here so I was pretty satisfied with the time considering the lack of speed training that we’ve done.”
FINAL
1. Christian Coleman (Nike) 6.37 (WL, AL) (x, =2 W; x, =2 A);
2. Marvin Bracy (unat) 6.49;
3. Brandon Carnes (unat) 6.53 =PR;
4. Demek Kemp (Asics) 6.55;
5. Maurice Eaddy (unat) 6.58;
6. Keitavious Walter (unat) 6.60;
7. Christopher Royster (unat) 6.66; 8. Jonte Baker (Tif) 6.67.
HEATS
I–1. Coleman 6.48 (WL, AL);
2. Bracy 6.53; 3. Kemp 6.56; 4. Demetrius Jackson (Akr) 6.81; 5. Nigel Talton (unat) 6.85; 6. Caleb Franklin (unat) 7.03;… dq—Bryce Robinson (Asics).
II–1. Walter 6.61; 2. Royster 6.63 =PR; 3. Riak Reese (unat) 6.69; 4. Charles Jackson (unat) 6.72; 5. Davon DeMoss (unat) 6.75; 6. Hakim Montgomery (SpATC) 6.80.
III–1. Carnes 6.53 PR; 2. Eaddy 6.61 PR; 3. Baker 6.67; 4. John Lundy (DCI) 6.83;… dq—Darien Johnson (unat).
SEMIS
I–1. Coleman 6.51; 2. Eaddy 6.56 PR; 3. Bracy 6.57; 4. Baker 6.62; 5. Reese 6.69; 6. DeMoss 6.74; 7. Lundy 6.91; 8. Franklin 7.04.
II–1. Carnes 6.55; 2. Kemp 6.61; 3. Walter 6.63; 4. Royster 6.66; 5. Jackson 6.75; 6. Jackson 6.80; 7. Montgomery 6.84; 8. Talton 6.94.
400: Clark Claims Title From Slow Heat
With the season featuring no sub-46 times outside the NCAA ranks, the outcome was much in doubt, especially given the importance of tactics in the rush-to-the-pole indoor event. Rio Olympian Gil Roberts, who won this title in ’12, led the heats in 46.50 off a quick first lap (21.53). Brycen Spratling (46.58) and Dontavius Wright (46.57) were the other heat winners.
Few looked too hard at 25-year-old Rashard Clark, a Div. II alum from Texas A&M-Commerce. Starting the B section in lane 5, he chased ’14 and ’16 champion Kyle Clemons on his outside through Clemons’ 21.70 first lap and on the final straight rushed past to win by 0.14 in 45.86, a PR by 0.57.
Wright (21.24) and Tyrell Richard (21.27) attacked the first lap in section II with NCAA champ Richard forging ahead on lap 2. In the stretch, though, Richard tied up and Spratling went ahead to cross in 46.50. That matched the slowest time in the “slow” heat and Clark was a champion.
The son of ’76 relay silver medalist Rosalyn Bryant and twin brother of Paralympic gold medalist Breanna said, “It was great, man. Most of the time in D2 I would get 2nd, runnerup, running good times, never won State, but I kept working and practicing, listening to my coach and my family. They said, ‘This is your time, you’re gonna be here one day.’”
FINAL
1. Rashard Clark (unat);
2. Kyle Clemons (adidas);
3. Eric Fogltanz (unat);
4. Brycen Spratling (NYAC);
5. Noah Williams (Akr);
6. Gil Roberts (unat);
7. Dontavius Wright (unat) 47.12;
8. Tyrell Richard (adidas) 47.24.
Sections: I–1. Clark 45.86 PR; 2. Clemons 46.00; 3. Fogltanz 46.40 PR; 4. Williams 46.50 PR (46.497).
II–1. Spratling 46.50 (46.496); 2. Roberts 46.79; 3. Wright 47.12; 4. Richard 47.24.
HEATS
I–1. Roberts 46.50; 2. Xavier Marable (Find) 47.41;… dnf—Mason Rhodes (unat);… dq—Jamiel Trimble (unat).
II–1. Spratling 46.58; 2. Williams 46.88 PR; 3. Champ Page (unat) 47.10.
III–1. Wright 46.57; 2. Richard 46.79; 3. Clemons 46.85; 4. Fogltanz 46.90 PR.
IV–1. Clark 46.80; 2. John Lundy (DCI) 47.30; 3. Cole Lambourne (unat) 47.75; 4. Cameron Parker (unat) 47.81.
800: Hoppel’s Trademark Finish
Racing confidently after NCAA wins indoors and out, a 4th-place finish at the World Champs in Doha and an indoor PR (1:45.70) for 2nd to Donavan Brazier’s AR at Millrose, Bryce Hoppel liked his chances.
With Brazier passing on the meet, Hoppel won his heat with an easy wire-to-wire 1:48.94. Vet Erik Sowinski—the titlist in ’13, ’14 & ’17—won the quickest of the three heats in 1:48.15 but had put up no stellar marks this season. In the final, celebrated kicker Hoppel—who turned pro after his junior season at Kansas—”kind of got cut off at the beginning and then I just bided my time.” Jonathan Moore led the first half (25.70/53.53) and with Sowinski dropping behind on lap 2, Hoppel “took off when I felt strong and kind of ran away with it a little bit.” Grabbing the pace with 300 left, Hoppel split 1:20.85 at 600 as Abraham Alvarado and Isaiah Harris followed closest. Harris made a run at him entering the last stretch but Hoppel glided away. He punctuated his 1:46.67 victory over Harris (1:47.16) with a smokin’ 25.82 final circuit.
“I think I looked over my shoulder a couple times but I felt good,” said the 22-year-old champion. “Then once I got by ‘em, I thought, ‘Heck, yes.’”
FINAL
1. Bryce Hoppel (adidas) 1:46.67
(26.12, 28.00 [54.12], 26.73 [1:20.85], 25.82) (54.12/52.55);
2. Isaiah Harris (Nike) 1:47.16
(26.03, 28.29 [54.32], 26.77 [1:21.09], 26.07) (54.32/52.84);
3. Abraham Alvarado (Atlanta TC) 1:47.86
(26.33, 27.84 [54.17], 26.87 [1:21.04], 26.82) (54.17/53.69);
4. Erik Sowinski (Brooks Beasts) 1:48.63
(26.02, 28.52 [54.54], 27.10 [1:21.64], 26.99) (54.54/54.09);
5. Jonathan Moore (unat) 1:49.39
(25.70], 27.83 [53.53], 27.78 [1:21.31], 28.08) (53.53/55.61);
6. Josh Hoey (adidas) 1:50.98
(26.24, 28.54 [54.78], 27.77 [1:22.55], 28.43) (54.78/56.20).
HEATS
I–1. Hoppel 1:48.94; 2. Moore 1:49.34 PR; 3. Ricky Romero (Atlanta TC) 1:49.95; 4. Luca Chatham (unat) 1:51.16.
II–1. Sowinski 1:48.15; 2. Hoey 1:48.18; 3. Avery Bartlett (Atlanta TC) 1:52.34.
III–1. Alvarado 1:48.46; 2. Robert Downs (unat) 1:50.31; 3. Jonah Hoey (unat) 1:54.44; 4. Jaxson Hoey (adidas) 1:57.02;… dnf—Myles Marshall (unat).
IV–1. Harris 1:49.42; 2. Harun Abda (unat) 1:49.69; 3. Ian Jones (KCSm) 1:50.58; 4. Curtis Threlkeld (unat) 1:52.89; 5. Brendon Fish (PenDC) 1:55.13.
1500: First Title For Thompson
Defending champ Craig Engels was the favorite on paper. He had prevailed for the ’19 outdoor title, too, after his indoor mile win a year ago. But 27-year-old Josh Thompson hoped to assuage the sting of a 3rd-place USATF finish last year that failed to take him to Doha because he had not run the Worlds Q-standard.
A dawdling early tempo played to Oklahoma State alum Thompson’s strength, as the Bowerman TC runner had turned the fastest last 400 (51.90) and 800 (1:50.33) in that ’19 outdoor Nationals contest. Willy Fink, doubling back from his 5th in the 3000 on Friday, led through 1100m in 2:48.44, and Thompson took off in earnest from 300 out with Engels on his tail. Thompson kept Engels at bay over the final go-round and with a 28.86 finish won in 3:44.07. Nick Harris, 4th with a lap to run, strode past for 2nd just before the line to cross a half-second behind.
Thompson, who celebrated with his wife and baby on the infield, said, “The goal was to stay in front, stay in 2nd, trying to stay in 2nd the whole race, and with 250 to go I wanted to make my move.”
RESULTS
1. Josh Thompson (Nike Bowerman TC) 3:44.07
(26.86, 55.56);
2. Nicholas Harris (unat) 3:44.57
(27.07, 55.68);
3. Craig Engels (Nike) 3:44.62
(27.29, 55.89);
4. Brannon Kidder (Brooks Beasts) 3:44.69
(26.77, 55.01);
5. Willy Fink (Under Armour/District TC) 3:46.08 PR;
6. Vincent Ciattei (Nike Oregon TC) 3:47.06 PR;
7. Sam Prakel (adidas) 3:47.84;
8. Tim Gorman (MammTC) 3:48.31;
9. Eric Holt (Garden State New Balance) 3:53.93;
10. Garrett O’Toole (unat) 4:10.66 PR.
3000: No. 4 For Chelimo
With three titles under his belt in the meet, including a 1500/3K pairing at his last appearance in ’18, Paul Chelimo was not to be denied a fourth. With training mate Hillary Bor, he asserted himself near the front throughout, leading past 1600 in 4:19.05.
That’s not a direly sluggish tempo at 1512m elevation but a swift finish seemed likely. Working for that, the Kenyan-born 29-year-old, now 14 months out of the Army, set off for what would be a 2:00.97 last 800. As Bor and Anthony Rotich, another Army runner, hung close, steepler Donn Cabral and Brooks Beast David Ribich also ran close with 400 to go. Chelimo retained command with a 29.19 penultimate circuit and then blasted a 25.80 last lap to win in 8:00.14. His all-cylinders final straight drew him nearly 15m ahead of Rotich (8:01.91) and Bor (8:01.92) with Ribich clear in 4th (8:03.69).
“Everything I’m doing, I’m doing it for her,” Chelimo told NBC, pointing at his year-old baby in his arms. “I work so hard day in, day out, I do it for her.”
RESULTS
1. Paul Chelimo (Nike) 8:00.14 (32.05 [32.05], 32.13 [64.18], 32.22 [1:36.40], 32.94 [2:09.34], 31.16 [2:40.50], 32.49 [3:12.99], 32.66 [3:45.65], 33.40 [4:19.05], 35.15 [4:54.20], 32.56 [5:26.76], 32.41 [5:59.17], 33.48 [6:32.65], 32.50 [7:05.15], 29.19 [7:34.34], 25.80)
(25.80, 54.99, :00.97);
2. Anthony Rotich (Nike/US Army) 8:01.91
(26.90, 56.35, 88.90, 2:02.26);
3. Hillary Bor (USAr) 8:01.92
(27.31, 56.56, 89.05, 2:02.95);
4. David Ribich (Brooks Beasts) 8:03.69;
5. Willy Fink (Under Armour/District TC) 8:04.36;
6. Dillon Maggard (Hoka) 8:08.25;
7. Donn Cabral (HokaNJNY) 8:08.76;
8. Brian Barraza (adidas) 8:09.64;
9. Tim Gorman (MammTC) 8:10.78;
10. Ryan Hill (Nike Bowerman TC) 8:12.21;
11. Obsa Ali (Asics) 8:14.55;
12. Evan Verbal (unat) 8:16.41;
13. Izaic Yorks (Brooks Beasts) 8:26.45.
60 Hurdles: Mallett Felled Timber
While Jarret Eaton, winner in ’16 and ’18, may have seemed to have the upper hand and the fastest seasonal best (7.54), obstacles can get in the way. They’re hurdles. Iowa alum Aaron Mallett, 25, took advantage though he chopped wood himself.
The three heats went to Chad Zallow (7.67), Eaton (7.74) and Mallett (7.70), and the next day Eaton led the semis, his 7.63 besting Mallett (7.65) as Brendan Ames took semi 2, also at 7.65. The final played out as an Eaton-Mallett duel in lanes 3 and 4. Eaton got out well and over the first hurdle cleanly. Not so Mallett, who toppled all 5 barriers to 4 knockovers for Eaton, but on the strength of his quick getaway held on for the win, 7.54 to Eaton’s craning lean to 7.57. Ames (3rd) and Zallow (4th) finished 0.004 apart at 7.65.
FINAL
1. Aaron Mallett (unat) 7.54 PR;
2. Jarret Eaton (unat) 7.57;
3. Brendan Ames (unat) 7.65 (7.641);
4. Chad Zallow (unat) 7.65 (7.645);
5. Aleec Harris (adidas) 7.67;
6. Michael Dickson (unat) 7.69;
7. Ryan Fontenot (unat) 7.84;
8. Isaiah Moore (unat) 7.93.
HEATS
I–1. Zallow 7.67; 2. Dickson 7.68; 3. Caleb Wilt (unat) 7.82 =PR; 4. Emmanuel Tait (Samf) 7.89 PR; 5. Naim Fareed (unat) 7.94; 6. Matt Prescott (Cmarx) 8.01; 7. Kamal-Craig Golaube (unat) 8.16.
II–1. Eaton 7.74; 2. Fontenot 7.81; 3. Moore 7.82; 4. Titus Moore (Samf) 7.84 PR; 5. Taylor Rooney (GustA) 8.06; 6. Patrick Kimball (Akr) 8.09.
III–1. Mallett 7.70; 2. Ames 7.71; 3. Harris 7.77; 4. Javon Graham (Wingate) 7.92; 5. Joseph Anderson (unat) 7.97; 6. Casimir Tawiah (unat) 8.03; 7. Errik Snell (Tif) 8.08.
SEMIS
I–1. Eaton 7.63; 2. Mallett 7.65; 3. Harris 7.75; 4. Fontenot 7.79; 5. Moore 7.87; 6. Tait 7.99; 7. Anderson 8.03; 8. Prescott 8.19.
II–1. Ames 7.65; 2. Dickson 7.69; 3. Zallow 7.72; 4. Moore 7.83; 5. Graham 7.84 PR; 6. Wilt 7.85; 7. Fareed 7.95; 8. Tawiah 8.09.
3000 Walk: Christie Long Or Short
Winner the last 2 years, 28-year-old Nick Christie made it 3 in a row with a quick turnaround from his 3rd-place walk just 3 weeks ago in the 50K Olympic Trials. In all, Christie owns 4 titles from this meet. His 11:55.44—fastest of his times in Albuquerque—led John Cody Risch (12:08.33) and Emmanuel Corvera (12:10.29), a reversal of the ’19 finish order for the chasers. Only 4 showed up to race.
RESULTS
1. Nick Christie (unat) 11:55.44;
2. John Cody Risch (QE) 12:08.33;
3. Emmanuel Corvera (NYAC) 12:10.29;
4. Andreas Gustafsson (unat) 13:21.95 PR.
High Jump: Kynard’s Long Road Back
Erik Kynard’s name was nowhere to be found on the international circuit in the summer of ’18; or anywhere during the ’19 campaign. In taking 2nd at the ’18 USATF Outdoor, he had ruptured his left (non-takeoff) Achilles, leaving him, as he posted after his win here, “in a pool of uncertainty.” The winner of 9 national titles (4 indoors, 5 out), he added No. 10 here. Needing only a clean record through 7-5 (2.26) it was the lowest of all his wins, but perhaps the most satisfying for the 29-year-old Kansas State alum.
RESULTS
1. Erik Kynard (Jordan) 7-5 (2.26)
(6-11¾, 7-1¾, 7-3¾, 7-5, 7-6 [xxx])
(2.13, 2.18, 2.23, 2.26, 2.29 [xxx]);
2. Shelby McEwen (unat) 7-5
(7-1¾, 7-3¾, 7-5 [2], 7-6 [xxx])
(2.18, 2.23, 2.26 [2], 2.29 [xxx]);
3. tie, Keenon Laine (unat) & Jeron Robinson (unat) 7-3¾ (2.23);
5. Kyle Landon (unat) 7-3¾;
6. tie, Brad Adkins (unat) & Javen Reeves (unat) 7-1¾ (2.18);
8. Trey Culver (adidas) 7-1¾;
9. tie, Sean Lee (UCLA), Tequan Claitt (InT) & Kevin Schultz (unat) 6-11¾ (2.13);
12. tie, Roderick Townsend (unat) & Zach Blackham (unat) 6-11¾;
… nh—Deshonn Brown (unat), Noah Martin (MtSt), Benjamin Kirkwood (ABEO/SBTC).
Pole Vault: Ludwig Turns Back Youngster Ellis
With list leader Sam Kendricks passing on the meet it was left to some of the event’s up-and-coming stars to provide the fireworks. And they did. Matt Ludwig sent up the biggest rocket clearing 5 heights without a miss before needing three at 19-¼ (5.80). But he still had company, because Branson Ellis had joined the 19-foot club with a similar make as the vaulter before him, putting the pressure on the 23-year-old Akron alum. Ellis, a Stephen F. Austin soph who came into the meet with a PR of 18-7½ (5.68), had already PRed at 18-8¼ (5.70). Behind on the countback, he brashly passed at 18-10¼ (5.75) before getting his second lifetime best of the day, moving to =No. 8 on the all-time collegiate list. At 19-2¼ (5.85), Ludwig went over on his second for a share of No. 10 on the all-time U.S. list.
RESULTS
1. Matt Ludwig (unat) 19-2¼ (5.85) PR (=10, x A)
(17-8½, 18-2½, 18-6½, 18-8¼, 18-10¼, 19-¼ [3], 19-2¼ [2])
(5.40, 5.55, 5.65, 5.70, 5.75, 5.80 [3], 5.85 [2]);
2. Branson Ellis (SFA) 19-¼ (5.80) PR (=8, x C; =5, x AmC; in-out: =8, x AmC)
(17-8½, 18-2½, 18-6½ [2], 18-8¼ [3], 19-¼ [3], 19-2¼ [xxp], 19-4¼ [x])
(5.40, 5.55, 5.65 [2], 5.70 [3], 5.80 [3], 5.85 [xxp], 5.90 [x]);
=3. Kyle Pater (USAF) 18-10¼ (5.75)
(18-2½, 18-6½ [2], 18-10¼ [2], 19-2¼ [xxp], 19-4¼ [x])
(5.55, 5.65 [2], 5.75 [2], 5.85 [xxp], 5.90 [x]);
=3. Cole Walsh (Nike) 18-10¼ (5.75)
(17-8½, 18-2½, 18-6½, 18-8¼ [xpp], 18-10¼ [2], 19-¼ [xxx])
(5.40, 5.55, 5.65, 5.70 [xpp], 5.75 [2], 5.80 [xxx]);
3. tie, Kyle Pater (USAF) & Cole Walsh (Nike) 18-10¼ (5.75)
5. tie, Jacob Wooten (unat) & Andrew Irwin (ArVC) 18-8¼ (5.70);
=7. Reese Watson (unat) 18-6½ (5.65) PR;
=7. Audie Wyatt (unat) 18-6½ (5.65) =PR;
9. Nate Richartz (unat) 18-6½ PR;
10. Carson Waters (unat) 18-6½ PR;
11. Devin King (unat) 18-2½ (5.55);
12. Zach McWhorter (BYU) 18-2½;
13. tie, Garrett Starkey (unat) & Dylan Bell (unat) 18-2½;
15. tie, Drew Volz (unat) & Tray Oates (unat) 18-2½;
17. tie, Scott Marshall (unat) & Austin Miller (unat) 17-8½ (5.40);
19. Cole Riddle (AzSt) 17-8½;
… nh—Luke Winder (RISE).
Long Jump: Bates Consistent In First Win
After a subpar opening-round bound of 24-5¾ (7.46) left him only 5th, KeAndre Bates moved into a groove. The 23-year-old Florida alum cranked off consecutive marks of 26-1¾ (7.97), 26-2¼ (7.98) and 26-1½ (7.96) in rounds 2-3-4 to win his first national title, indoors or out (he did win the Junior title in ’15). Malik Moffett came closest to catching him, reaching an indoor PR 26-¼ (7.93) in the fifth round. They were the only 26-footers of the meet.
RESULTS
1. KeAndre Bates (unat) 26-2¼ (7.98)
(24-5¾, 26-1¾, 26-2¼, 26-1½, p, p)
(7.46, 7.97, 7.98, 7.96, p, p);
2. Malik Moffett (unat) 26-¼ (7.93) PR
(24-11¼, 24-7, f, 23-11, 19-4¾, 26-¼)
(7.60, 7.49, f, 7.29, 5.91, 7.93);
3. Charles Brown (unat) 25-11½ (7.91)
(24-1½, 25-11½, f, f, 25-10¼, 25-6)
(7.35, 7.91, f, f, 7.88, 7.77);
4. Jason Smith (LBSt) 25-10¼ (7.88) PR;
5. Corion Knight (unat) 25-9¼ (7.85);
6. Josh Colley (unat) 25-4¾ (7.74) PR;
7. Julian Harvey (unat) 25-3¼ (7.70);
8. Jarvis Gotch (unat) 25-0 (7.62);
9. Greg Vann (unat) 24-7¼ (7.50);
10. Reginald Steele (unat) 24-4¼ (7.42);
11. tie, Jordan Latimer (unat) & Trumaine Jefferson (unat) 24-¾ (7.33);
13. Charles Brown III (unat) 23-11½ (7.30);
14. David Gibson (unat) 23-8¾ (7.23);
15. Quincy Scott (Tiffin) 23-2¾ (7.08);
… nm—Marquis Dendy (unat) (f, f, p).
Triple Jump: Superb Depth As Scott Repeats
With big guns Christian Taylor and Will Claye passing on the meet to save powder for outdoors, the top 4 nonetheless surpassed 17m (55-9¼), 3 of them setting indoor PRs. Donald Scott, winner of the last 3 national crowns (’18 outdoor, ’19 in and out) exerted force early. The 27-year-old Eastern Michigan alum’s 55-6¼ (16.92) in round 1 evoked a 55-9 (16.99) response from Chris Benard before Scott hit his 56-6¾ (17.24) winner in round 2 and raised his undercover best by 7 inches. Scott popped three more of 55-7½ (16.95) or better thereafter as a trio of talents traded long efforts. On his second jump, Benard tightened his grip on 2nd with 55-10¼ (17.02). But only until Omar Craddock bounded a centimeter farther in frame 3. Long jump winner KeAndre Bates, another former Florida Gator, flew 55-9¼ (17.00), also in round 3, a PR and his longest of the day. Craddock reached an indoor best 56-2¾ (17.14) that held up for 2nd in the next frame and added a 55-10¼ effort in round 5 for a fine series.
Scott saw his victory as table setting for the Olympic Trials. “I just think it sets me up to be in that top 3,” he said. “I mean that’s the goal, the overall goal is to get that so I just used it as a first step. That’s all.”
RESULTS
1. Donald Scott (adidas) 56-6¾ (17.24) PR (AL)
(55-6¼, 56-6¾, 55-9, 55-7½, 56-1, 54-5¼)
(16.92, 17.24, 16.99, 16.95, 17.09, 16.59);
2. Omar Craddock (Asics) 56-2¾ (17.14)
(54-6, 55-2, 55-10½, 56-2¾, 55-10¼, 55-5)
(16.61, 16.81, 17.03, 17.14, 17.02, 16.89);
3. Chris Benard (Nike/Chula Vista Elite) 55-10¼ (17.02) PR
(55-9 [AL], 55-10¼, f, f, 54-9½, 54-0)
(16.99, 17.02, f, f, 16.70, 16.46);
4. KeAndre Bates (unat) 55-9¼ (17.00) PR;
5. John Warren (unat) 54-6½ (16.62);
6. Brandon Roulhac (Shore AC) 54-1¼ (16.49);
7. Armani Wallace (unat) 53-5½ (16.29);
8. Darrel Jones (unat) 52-3¾ (15.94);
9. Tony Carodine (unat) 51-6½ (15.71);
10. Chris Carter (unat) 51-4½ (15.66);
11. Oreoluwa Adegoke (unat) 50-8¼ (15.45) PR;
12. Eric Bethea (unat) 50-4¾ (15.36);
13. Nathaniel Meade (BosNTC) 49-9 (15.16);
… 3f—Chris Welch (HousB).
Shot: Crouser Joins Indoor 74-Foot Club
Randy Barnes’ 74-4¼ (22.66) World Record has survived for 31 years. It stayed alive only by the skin of its teeth under Ryan Crouser’s attack here. At Millrose last week, the putting of the Olympic champion and ’19 No. 1 Ranker had ramped up in the second half of his series. Here, after doffing his black cowboy hat, Crouser lofted bombs from the start, opening at 71-8 (21.84). Nick Ponzio’s first-round 68-5 (20.85) PR was the closest anyone else could get. In the two ensuing frames, Crouser—now training in Fayetteville, Arkansas—improved to 72-4¼ (22.05) and fouled. Round 4 was big. Crouser, 27, spun the ball all the way to 74-1¾ (22.60), smiling as he exited the ring. Frame 5 saw a second 22m heave, as he reached 72-9¼ (22.18). (Continued below)
“I was real happy with it and even surprised myself a little bit,” Crouser said. “It’s just my second time throwing hard all year. I’ve been working on what I need to fix, and I felt like I did a good job of it. I still have stuff to work on.” The Olympic recordholder, Crouser expects more this season of his Games defense. “There are definitely some signs of some farther throws in there,” he said, “because when I hit that 22.60 I did the same thing I did in the final round in Doha, I dumped one out to the right. So if I can figure out how to get over the top of my left leg I should have some pretty far throws.”
RESULTS
1. Ryan Crouser (Nike) 74-1¾ (22.60) PR (WL, AL) (2, 2 W; 2, 2 A)
(71-8, 72-4¼, f, 74-1¾, 72-9¼ [x, =8 A], f)
(21.84, 22.05, f, 22.60, 22.18, f);
2. Nick Ponzio (unat) 68-5 (20.85) PR;
3. Payton Otterdahl (Nike) 67-3¼ (20.50);
4. Roger Steen (Velaasa) 67-2¼ (20.48) PR;
5. Josh Awotunde (CVE) 66-1½ (20.15);
6. Jordan Geist (unat) 66-1 (20.14);
7. Jon Jones (Velaasa) 65-6¾ (19.98);
8. David Pless (unat) 64-6½ (19.67);
9. Kord Ferguson (T1D) 63-6¼ (19.36);
10. Alex Renner (Velaasa) 63-4 (19.30);
11. Josh Freeman (Velaasa) 63-2¼ (19.26);
12. T’Mond Johnson (unat) 63-2 (19.25);
13. Lucas Warning (unat) 62-5¾ (19.04);
14. Garrett Appier (unat) 62-5¼ (19.03);
15. Corey Murphy (Shore AC) 62-1¼ (18.93);
16. Nate Esparza (UCLA) 61-0 (18.59);
17. Nik Curtiss (Tiffin) 60-9¼ (18.52);
18. Jabari Bennett (Tiffin) 60-½ (18.30);
19. Daniel Mcarthur (NC) 56-1 (17.09).
Weight: McCullough PR Captures World Lead
Daniel Haugh came into the meet as a mild favorite, having joined the 81-foot club the week before for the year’s longest mark at 81-½ (24.70). This time he joined the 82-foot group with his 82-2 (25.04), but that ended up only good enough for 2nd. Mustachioed Conor McCullough of the New York AC went him a foot-barrier better, his 83-½ (25.31) making him the year’s best and also giving him a share of No. 4 on the all-time world list. The big heave, which moved the 29-year-old McCullough from 3rd to 1st in the fourth round, was a massive improvement on his old PR of 80-3¾ (24.48), which dated back to ’15. It was a great day for PRs, as the first 6 all recorded lifetime bests.
RESULTS
1. Conor McCullough (NYAC) 83-½ (25.31) PR (WL, AL) (4, =7 W; 3, 5 A)
(77-8, f, 78-10¼, 83-½, f, 79-3¾)
(23.67, f, 24.03, 25.31, f, 24.17);
2. Daniel Haugh (T1D) 82-2 (25.04) PR (7, x W; 6, x A)
(f, 78-5¾, 81-6½ [WL, AL; 6, x W; 5, x A], 82-2, f, f)
(f, 23.92, 24.85, 25.04, f, f);
3. Daniel Roberts (Vel) 80-8½ (24.60) PR (8, x W; 7, x A)
(74-5½, 78-9¾, 79-1, 79-2½, 78-9¼, 80-8½)
(22.69, 24.02, 24.10, 24.14, 24.01, 24.60);
4. Alex Young (Velaasa) 80-1½ (24.42) PR (10, x W; 9, x A)
(f, 77-7¼, 76-8½, 75-4¾, 78-8½, 80-1½)
(f, 23.65, 23.38, 22.98, 23.99, 24.42);
5. Morgan Shigo (Velaasa) 74-4½ (22.67);
6. Arthur Hicks (unat) 73-1¾ (22.29);
7. Vlad Pavlenko (IaSt) 70-10 (21.59);
8. Jordan Huckaby (unat) 69-8 (21.23);
9. Michael Alvernaz (unat) 67-8 (20.62) PR;
10. Erich Sullins (unat) 66-6½ (20.28);
11. Tanner Berg (unat) 65-8¾ (20.03);
12. Caleb Brown (Troy) 61-8¼ (18.80);
13. Grayson Fleming (unat) 61-6¼ (18.75);
… 3f—Toryko Grace (unat), Isaiah Rogers (unat).
Heptathlon: A PR-Fest For Scantling
USATF’s multi-event championships were held in Annapolis the weekend before Albuquerque and Garrett Scantling had a remarkable set of performances, beginning the heptathlon with 3 straight PRs in the 60, LJ & SP. The 26-year-old Georgia alum wasn’t too shabby the second day either, equaling his hurdle best and setting a new vault standard. The overall result was a world-leading 6209 that moved him to No. 9 on the all-time U.S. list.
RESULTS
1. Garrett Scantling (unat) 6209 PR (WL, AL) (8, x A) (6.93 PR, 24-5½/7.45 PR, 53-3¾/16.25 PR, 6-6¼/1.99, 7.91 =PR, 17‑¾/5.20 PR, 2:52.26);
2. Scott Filip (DuPTC) 5797 PR; 3. Jack Flood (unat) 5714 PR; 4. Alex Bloom (unat) 5462; 5. Andrew Ghizzone (Shore) 5455; 6. Donte Robinson (unat) 5439; 7. Denim Rogers (unat) 5331; 8. William Eggers (unat) 5221; 9. Jackson Walker (unat) 5186; 10. Cody Faust (unat) 4971; 11. Phillip Bailey (SBTC) 4635;… dnf—Steven Bastien (unat).