ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, February 14-15—On the women’s side, the USATF Championships may have seemed thin here and there, but clutch performances sparked plenty of excitement. The distance runners, for instance, were not averse to traveling to the thin air and putting together some surprisingly fast races. The vaulters put on their usual thrilling show and fans were also treated to the greatest triple jump clash in American history. We also saw a number of athletes win their first-ever national titles—breakthroughs or just lucky breaks? Time will tell. With 4 months to go to the Olympic Trials, these stories are a long way from playing out.
The meet, by event:
60: Brisco Catches Oliver
After Javianne Oliver produced a world-leading 7.04 in the heats, it started to look like she might have an edge on Mikiah Brisco, who had topped the world list coming into the meet at 7.08. Brisco had run 7.10 in the first round. In the final, Oliver pulled steadily away from most of her competitors but she brought Brisco along for the ride. But at 45m, the 23-year-old LSU alum edged ahead of Oliver and stayed there, tying the WL with a 7.04 of her own. Oliver held on for 2nd in 7.08. Olympic hurdle champion Brianna McNeal burnished her speed with a 7.17 PR, holding off defending champion Shania Collins (7.20) for 3rd.
FINAL
1. Mikiah Brisco (Nike) 7.04 PR (=WL, =AL) (=10, x A);
2. Javianne Oliver (Nike) 7.08;
3. Brianna McNeal (Nike) 7.17 PR;
4. Shania Collins (adidas) 7.20 (7.193);
5. Quanesha Burks (adidas) 7.20 (7.200);
6. Destiny Smith-Barnett (unat) 7.21;
7. Marybeth Sant Price (Kula) 7.25;
8. Shannon Ray (unat) 7.46.
HEATS
I–1. Oliver 7.04 (WL, AL);
2. Smith-Barnett 7.21; 3. Burks 7.21; 4. Ray 7.37 PR; 5. Destinee Brown (unat) 7.42; 6. Christina Riggins (Tows) 7.59 PR.
II–1. Brisco 7.10; 2. McNeal 7.19 PR; 3. Collins 7.23; 4. Sant Price 7.27; 5. Courtne Davis (unat) 7.43; 6. Crystal Johnson (Tows) 7.49; 7. Ky Westbrook (unat) 7.51; 8. Jasmine Todd (unat) 7.51.
400: Jonathas Takes World Lead In Heats
Newly-minted pro Wadeline Jonathas didn’t waste any time laying claim to bragging honors, nailing a world leader 51.32 in her prelim. The South Carolina alum, 21, went out hard, split 23.76 at halfway, and crossed the line unpressed. The next day, Jaide Stepter won the first half of the 2-section final, clocking 52.53, a mark no one expected would hold up for the win. In the second section, Jonathas again got out fast, though not quite as speedily as in her heat, passing halfway in 23.90 with comebacking Quanera Hayes (23.97) on her shoulder. Over the last loop, Jonathas gradually pulled ahead for the win in 51.54. Naasha Robinson, an Alabama A&M senior, overtook Hayes to finish 2nd, 51.98–52.07.
FINAL
1. Wadeline Jonathas (adidas);
2. NaAsha Robinson (AlAM) (CL);
3. Quanera Hayes (Nike);
4. Jaide Stepter (unat);
5. T’Sheila Mungo (unat);
6. A’Keyla Mitchell (unat);
7. Kendra Chambers (Oiselle elle TxEl);
8. Tatum Waggoner (unat).
Sections: I–1. Stepter 52.53; 2. Mungo 52.74 PR; 3. Chambers 53.20; 4. Waggoner 53.41 PR. II–1. Jonathas 51.54; 2. Robinson 51.98 PR; 3. Hayes 52.07; 4. Mitchell 52.79.
HEATS
I–1. Jonathas 51.32 PR (WL, AL);
2. A’Keyla Mitchell (unat) 52.74;… dq—Jordan Lavender (unat).
II–1. Hayes 52.76; 2. Mungo 53.49; 3. Shatajah Maximin (unat) 54.47.
III–1. Robinson 52.34; 2. Stepter 53.19; 3. Chambers 53.49; 4. Waggoner 54.07.
800: Once Again, It’s Wilson
True to form, Ajee’ Wilson led from the start through splits of 28.02, 60.67 and 1:32.43, creating victory once again through a considerable lack of drama. The biggest challenge came when Olivia Baker made a sudden charge to the front at 600m. The Stanford alum couldn’t sustain the move, however, and was overtaken by former NCAA mile champion Kaela Edwards on the backstretch. Edwards tried to go after Wilson as well but the veteran gutted a 29.56 final lap with power that no one in the field could approach.
The 25-year-old Wilson, now an 11-time USATF titlist (5 of them indoors), won in 2:01.98 to Edwards’ 2:02.41. Allie Wilson (2:02.99) grabbed 3rd ahead of Baker (2:03.56), Hanna Green (2:03.98) and Sammy Watson (2:04.11).
FINAL
1. Ajee’ Wilson (adidas) 2:01.98
(28.02, 32.65 [60.67], 31.76 [1:32.43], 29.55) (60.67/61.31);
2. Kaela Edwards (adidas) 2:02.41
(29.05, 31.79 [60.84], 31.70 [1:32.54], 29.87) (60.84/61.57);
3. Allie Wilson (AtlTC) 2:02.99
(28.39, 32.70 [61.09], 31.60 [1:32.69], 30.30) (61.09/61.90);
4. Olivia Baker (Garden State New Balance) 2:03.56
(28.18 [28.18], 32.75 [60.93], 31.48 [1:32.41], 31.15) (60.93/62.63);
5. Hanna Green (Nike Oregon TC) 2:03.98
(28.81 [28.81], 32.46 [61.27], 31.86 [1:33.13], 30.85) (61.27/62.71);
6. Sammy Watson (adidas) 2:04.11
(28.56 [28.56], 32.25 [60.81], 31.92 [1:32.73], 31.38) (60.81/63.30).
HEATS
I–1. Baker 2:05.10; 2. Skylyn Webb (unat) 2:07.13; 3. Brenna Detra (BAA) 2:08.31; 4. Brooke Feldmeier (adidas) 2:10.47; 5. Sara Van Dyke (CalCTC) 2:13.15.
II–1. Watson 2:03.94; 2. Sabrina Southerland (OTC) 2:04.26; 3. Olga Kosichenko (CPTCNew Balance) 2:07.50; 4. Tracee Van Der Wyk (unat) 2:11.77.
III–1. Aj. Wilson 2:04.86; 2. Shea Collinsworth (Nike) 2:05.67; 3. Brianna Stratz (AtTC) 2:09.80; 4. Athing Mu (NJHS) 2:14.18;… dq—Annette Melcher (CSTC).
IV–1. Edwards 2:02.50; 2. Green 2:02.82; 3. Al. Wilson 2:03.49; 4. Rachel Pocratsky (Under ArmourDistTC) 2:05.97; 5. Megan Malasarte (AtTC) 2:06.80.
1500: Houlihan Finishes Her Double
For the third time, Shelby Houlihan pulled off the distance double, but in marked contrast to her 3000 the night before, in the 1500 she bided her time, content to follow Heather MacLean and Shannon Osika on the early laps. “I knew people would take this 1500 out hard. It went out right as I thought it would,” said the winner. “I just kept trying to stay calm.”
Bowerman TC teammate Karissa Schweizer moved to the front at 800, as Houlihan and defending champion Colleen Quigley also moved up. With little more than a lap to go, Houlihan turned on the speed. Quigley moved into second a step behind her but could only watch as Houlihan’s margin grew with every stride. Her blistering 29.87 closer gave her a 10m win in 4:06.41. It was USATF title No. 13 for her. “My legs definitely felt it with 800 left,” she said. “With 200 to go I just tried to switch gears.” New American Record holder Elle Purrier, expected to be one of Houlihan’s challengers, scratched from the event after her 4th in the 3000.
RESULTS
1. Shelby Houlihan (Nike Bowerman TC) 4:06.41
(29.86, 62.53);
2. Colleen Quigley (Nike Bowerman TC) 4:08.30
(31.53, 64.21);
3. Karissa Schweizer (Nike Bowerman TC) 4:08.32 PR
(31.47, 64.55);
4. Shannon Osika (Nike) 4:09.32
(32.04, 64.99);
5. Katie Mackey (Brooks Beasts) 4:12.34;
6. Rachel Schneider (Under Armour) 4:14.87;
7. Heather MacLean (New Balance) 4:15.82;
8. Karisa Nelson (Brooks Beasts) 4:18.47;
9. Eleanor Fulton (unat) 4:18.50 PR;
10. Heather Kampf (AsicsMDE) 4:22.61;
11. Sammy George (Oiselle RDP) 4:23.88 PR.
3000: Houlihan Starts Her Double
Houlihan defied expectations, not in attempting another 3000/1500 double, but in the way she went about it. The much-feared kicker, 27, went to the front of the longer run immediately, burning a stiff pace for the thin air. “I found myself in the lead in the first lap and I didn’t want to give it up,” she said. She passed 800 in 2:27.55 and 1600 in 4:55.66. Training partner Schweizer stayed with her from the start. Courtney Frerichs also stayed close, with Purrier running 4th. Purrier, who runs for New Balance, was the only one of the top 6 in the first mile who wasn’t wearing Nike’s Bowerman TC singlet.
After the 2000 Quigley put herself behind Houlihan and Schweizer but that was the only significant place change in the final laps as Houlihan, rather than being thrashed by the stiff pace, produced a solid 29.89/62.29 kick to win her third-straight title in the event in 8:52.03. “I knew I had a lot of strength,” said the winner after producing the meet’s fastest time in 29 years. “I was trying to utilize that and squeeze it down.”
RESULTS
1. Shelby Houlihan (Nike Bowerman TC) 8:52.03 (34.54, 37.12 [1:11.66], 37.68 [1:49.34], 38.21 [2:27.55], 37.44 [3:04.99], 37.06 [3:42.05], 37.13 [4:19.18], 36.48 [4:55.66], 35.88 [5:31.54], 35.14 [6:06.68], 34.70 [6:41.38], 34.61 [7:15.99], 33.75 [7:49.74], 32.40 [8:22.14], 29.89)
(29.89, 62.29, 2:10.65);
2. Karissa Schweizer (Nike Bowerman TC) 8:53.70
(31.33, 63.69, 2:12.11);
3. Colleen Quigley (Nike Bowerman TC) 8:55.55
(32.55, 65.14, 2:13.76);
4. Elle Purrier (New Balance) 8:56.56
(32.68, 65.94, 2:14.45);
5. Courtney Frerichs (Nike Bowerman TC) 8:57.15
(32.36, 65.88, 1:40.43, 2:15.18);
6. Vanessa Fraser (Nike Bowerman TC) 9:01.66;
7. Allie Ostrander (Brooks Beasts) 9:03.55;
8. Janelle Lincks (unat) 9:15.89;
9. Rachel Schneider (Under Armour) 9:16.06;
10. Katrina Coogan (NBalB) 9:18.77;
11. Allie Buchalski (Brooks Beasts) 9:31.36;
12. Maddie Ivy (unat) 9:32.74;
13. Eleanor Fulton (unat) 9:36.90;
14. Taryn Rawlings (Under Armour) 9:48.47;
15. Courtney Barnes (unat) 9:50.83;
16. Jennalee Thurman (CSTC) 10:02.05.
60 Hurdles: Unheralded Cunningham Surprises
Gabriele Cunningham was the unlooked-for winner over the barriers. The 21-year-old NC State alum never made an NCAA final, indoors or out. In her first season as a pro, she came to Albuquerque with a lifetime best of 7.99. She improved that to 7.97 in the first heat, finishing inches behind Tia Jones (7.96), who had turned pro while a high school senior last year. In the second heat, Tiffani McReynolds looked smooth and quick as she won in 7.98 over Payton Chadwick.
In the final 3 hours later, Jones was ejected after a false start. Cunningham started in 6, McReynolds in 4, with an empty lane in between. Both got out well, as did Chadwick in 3, but Cunningham built the faintest of margins over the last two hurdles and hit the line first in a PR 7.92. Chadwick (7.94) and McReynolds (7.96) close behind.
FINAL
1. Gabriele Cunningham (unat) 7.92 PR;
2. Payton Chadwick (Asics) 7.94;
3. Tiffani McReynolds (unat) 7.96;
4. Cortney Jones (AzSt) 8.10;
5. Kristi Castlin (Nike) 8.12;
6. Erica Bougard (NikNYAC) 8.13;
… dnf—Jackie Howell (unat);
… fs—Tia Jones (adidas).
HEATS
I–1. Jones 7.96 PR; 2. Cunningham 7.97 PR; 3. Howell 8.17; 4. Castlin 8.19; 5. Tawnie Moore (unat) 8.21.
II–1. McReynolds 7.98; 2. Chadwick 8.04; 3. Jones 8.14; 4. Bougard 8.16; 5. Helnsarah Penda (Tows) 8.67.
3000 Walk: Stevens Gets Her First
Robyn Stevens went to the front at the gun, and after five laps the veteran walker, who had never finished higher than 3rd before at indoor nationals, started padding a margin between her and her pursuers. By the time she finished in a PR 13:12.54, the 36-year-old Stevens had more than 50m to spare in defeating defending champ Miranda Melville (13:26.37). Maria Michta-Coffey, who has won the title 9 times, finished 3rd in 13:35.56, still working her way back after having a baby last year.
RESULTS
1. Robyn Stevens (Salming) 13:12.54 PR (4:14.85, 8:44.37);
2. Miranda Melville (NYAC) 13:26.37;
3. Maria Michta-Coffey (Oiselle) 13:35.56;
4. Lauren Harris (Marist) 13:43.42 PR;
5. Katie Burnett (Harrier) 14:10.88;
6. Celina Lepe (unat) 14:47.86 PR;
7. Janelle Branch (unat) 14:56.31;
8. Kayla Shapiro (Marist) 15:00.06;
9. Chelsea Conway (Shore AC) 15:03.53;
10. Katie Miale (Marist) 15:31.35.
High Jump: Cunningham Ups Yearly U.S. Lead
Vashti Cunningham’s domination of U.S. high jumping is becoming rather remarkable. With a record fifth-straight win in this meet—to go along with 3 in a row outdoors—the Nevada Gazzelles jumper now boasts a total of 8 titles. And she has only just turned 22. She joined the jumping at 6-½ (1.84) and made everything on her first attempt through 6-4 (1.93), a height that runner-up Amina Smith couldn’t manage. Jumping alone, Cunningham then needed all three attempts to get over her winning 6-5½ (1.97), finishing the day with single misses at 6-7½ (2.02) and 6-8 (2.03).
RESULTS
1. Vashti Cunningham (Nike/Nevada Gazzelles) 6-5½ (1.97) (AL)
(6-½, 6-1½, 6-2¾, 6-4, 6-5½ [3], 6-7½ [x], 6-8 [x]) (1.84, 1.87, 1.90, 1.93, 1.97 [3], 2.02 [x], 2.03 [x]);
2. Amina Smith (Shore AC) 6-2¾ (1.90);
3. Tynita Butts-Townsend (Puma) 6-1½ (1.87);
4. Inika McPherson (unat) 6-½ (1.84);
5. Rachel McCoy (BufBTC) 6-½;
6. Erica Bougard (Nike/NYAC) 5-11¼ (1.81);
7. Nicole Greene (unat) 5-11¼;
8. tie, Zarriea Willis (unat) & Jelena Rowe (Asics) 5-9¾ (1.77);
10. tie, Liz Evans (unat) & Shelley Spires (USAF) 5-9¾;
12. Carly Paul (unat) 5-9¾ (1.77).
Pole Vault: Morris Wins Rivalry Battle
Through 15-5 (4.70), Sandi Morris, 7-time winner Jenn Suhr and Olivia Gruver all jumped perfectly, Gruver with a PR that moved the Washington senior to No. 2 on the all-time collegiate list. After that, all hit turbulence. At 15-7 (4.75), Gruver went out, while Sandi Morris needed all three. Suhr passed, and then missed her first attempt at 15-9 (4.80) after Morris cleared hers. Again Suhr passed, to 15-11 (4.85). Another clean Morris clearance, which Suhr matched. The next bar, 16-¾ (4.90) would prove to be decisive. The fierce rivals traded misses, two each, before Morris went over on her third. Suhr missed, handing Morris, 27, her third USATF Indoor title.
Said Morris, who previously won the ’16 & ’17 crowns, “It’s always exciting to compete against Jenn. We really do push one another. We put the pressure on one another. I don’t think either one of us would have jumped that high if the other person wasn’t here.”
RESULTS
1. Sandi Morris (Nike) 16-¾ (4.90) (x, =9 A)
(14-9, 15-1, 15-5, 15-7 [3], 15-9, 15-11, 16-¾ [3], 16-4¾ [xxx])
(4.50, 4.60, 4.70, 4.75 [3], 4.80, 4.85, 4.90 [3], 5.00 [xxx]);
2. Jenn Suhr (adidas) 15-11 (4.85)
(15-1, 15-5, 15-9 [xpp], 15-11, 16-¾ [xxx])
(4.60, 4.70, 4.80 [xpp], 4.85, 4.90 [xxx]);
3. Olivia Gruver (Wa) 15-5 (4.70) PR (9, x A; 2, 2 C; in-out: x, =5 C)
(14-3¼, 14-9, 15-1, 15-5, 15-7 [xxx])
(4.35, 4.50, 4.60, 4.70, 4.75 [xxx]);
4. Megan Clark (Oiselle NYAC) 15-1 (4.60) =PR;
5. tie, Daylis Caballero Vega (TxEx) =PR & Morgann LeLeux (unat) 14-9 (4.50);
7. Kaylee Bizzell (SFA) 14-9;
8. Tori Hoggard (ArVC) 14-9;
9. Sydney Walter (unat) 14-9 PR;
10. Kortney Ross (unat) 14-3¼ (4.35);
11. Bridget Guy (unat) 14-3¼;
12. Sophie Gutermuth (unat) 14-3¼;
13. Lauren Chorny (unat) 14-3¼;
14. tie, Lexi Jacobus & Jessie Johnson (unat) 13-9¼ (4.20).
Long Jump: Burks Hangs On
Quanesha Burks nailed her winning 22-2¼ (6.76) on the third jump of the competition, but that yearly U.S. leader didn’t end the suspense. In round 2, defending champion Kate Hall launched herself to 21-10¼ (6.66) to move into 2nd. The next round, heptathlete Kendell Williams moved into 3rd with a 21-7¼ (6.58). The three remained in that order. While Burks never improved, she had to take the rest of her jumps while both Hall (21-11½/6.69 in round 4) and Williams (21-8¼/6.61 in 5) got closer. It was the first USATF win for Burks, 24, who won NCAA titles indoors and out for Alabama.
RESULTS
1. Quanesha Burks (adidas) 22-2¼ (6.76) (AL)
(22-2¼, 21-9, 21-1½, 21-2¾, 21-6¾, 21-7¼)
(6.76, 6.63, 6.44, 6.47, 6.57, 6.58);
2. Kate Hall (Asics) 21-11½ (6.69)
(21-5¼, 21-10¼, 21-4, 21-11½, 21-6¾, 21-8¾)
(6.53, 6.66, 6.50, 6.69, 6.57, 6.62);
3. Kendell Williams (Nike) 21-8¼ (6.61) PR
(f, 21-3¼, 21-7¼, 21-0, 21-8¼, 21-5¼)
(f, 6.48, 6.58, 6.40, 6.61, 6.53);
4. Sarea Alexander (unat) 21-6¾ (6.57) PR;
5. Darrielle McQueen (unat) 20-11¼ (6.38);
6. Jasmine Todd (unat) 20-8 (6.30);
7. Imani Oliver (unat) 20-7¾ (6.29) PR;
8. Kenyattia Hackworth (unat) 20-3¾ (6.19);
9. Melanie Winters (unat) 19-8¾ (6.01);
10. Viershanie Latham (unat) 19-4¼ (5.90);
11. Carly Paul (unat) 19-3½ (5.88);
12. Makenzy Mizera (Lib) 19-3½ (5.88);
13. Lauren Wrensch (unat) 19-¾ (5.81);
14. Shereese Cutler (unat) 18-11¾ (5.78);
15. Cambree Harbaugh (unat) 18-10 (5.74).
Triple Jump: Franklin AR Finally Beats Orji
Another clash between Keturah Orji and Tori Franklin—the only two 48-footers in U.S. history—brought out the best in both, even if at first it looked like an Orji rout. The Georgia alum, who came in with a perfect lifetime record of 12–0 against Franklin, produced a 46-9½ (14.26) in round 1 while her rival fouled. Then the 23-year-old Orji launched an American Record 47-10¾ (14.60) on her second attempt, eclipsing the 47-9 (14.55) standard she set to win last year’s meet. After that, she threw caution to the winds and belted out three straight fouls.
Franklin, meanwhile, started slowly with a round 2 leap of 46-¾ (14.04). She improved in the next two rounds with bounds of 46-5¼ (14.15) and 47-5¼ (14.46). She fouled in round 5, and then on her final attempt she toppled Orji’s record with a 48-½ (14.64). The defending champ could only muster a 47-3 (14.40) in response.
Said Franklin, “During the warmups I fell because I jumped so high I missed my foot and I was like, ‘Oh snap!’ I’m running really fast and I was not ready for that. So it took me a minute during the competition to really get my rhythm back. Normally I let my emotions overtake me but I made sure to stay calm and execute and do what I know I need to do to have an amazing jump. As soon as I landed, I was like, ‘That’s it.’” (Continued below)
Orji’s joy over her own record was shortlived: “I knew I already had a mark in so I wasn’t worried about anything and I really went for it. And I was able to break the American Record and have a personal best. Then when you get it broke again, it doesn’t feel good. It’s competition. You have to respond to the competition so that’s kind of how it goes.”
RESULTS
1. Tori Franklin (Nike/NYAC) 48-½ (14.64) AR (old AR 47-10¾/ 14.60 Orji in series) (in-out: x, 7 A)
(f, 46-¾, 46-5¼, 47-5¼ [x, 7 A], f, 48-½) (f, 14.04, 14.15, 14.46, f, 14.64);
2. Keturah Orji (Atlanta TC) 47-10¾ (14.60) PR (46-9½ [AL], 47-10¾ AR [old AR 47-9¾/14.57 Franklin [NYAC] ’19) (in-out: x, =8 A, f, f, f, 47-3 [x, 10 A]) (14.26, 14.60, f, f, f, 14.40);
3. Imani Oliver (unat) 45-3½ (13.80);
4. Lynnika Pitts (unat) 44-1½ (13.45);
5. Tiffany Flynn (unat) 44-1½ (13.45);
6. Andrea Geubelle (unat) 42-11¾ (13.10);
7. Makenzy Mizera (Lib) 41-10¾ (12.77);
8. Sammy Evans (unat) 41-3¼ (12.58);
9. Viershanie Latham (unat) 41-1¾ (12.54);
10. Kayla Bushey (unat) 40-1½ (12.23);
11. Adia Cavalier (Towson) 38-11½ (11.87);
12. Jean Udo (DCI) 38-7¾ (11.78).
Shot: Ealey Overcomes Slow Start
Chase Ealey didn’t start out so well, finding herself in 6th after round 1, with Maggie Ewen the early leader at 59-2¾ (18.05). But then the 25-year-old Oklahoma State alum belted out a season best 61-1½ (18.63) in round 2, soaring past Ewen. In round 4, Alabama alum Haley Teel produced a lifetime best 60-4½ (18.40) to move to 2nd. That set the stage for the final round, where Ealey came up with a world-leading 62-3¾ (18.99) to successfully defend her crown. “Indoors, I wanted to do fairly good, but it wasn’t something I wanted to peak in. We knew what I was capable of coming here and I did it,” she said.
RESULTS
1. Chase Ealey (Nike) 62-3¾ (18.99) (WL, AL)
(55-10½, 61-1½, 59-7, f, f, 62-3¾)
(17.03, 18.63, 18.16, f, f, 18.99);
2. Haley Teel (T1D) 60-4½ (18.40)
(57-7, 57-9¾, 58-5¼, f, 60-4½, f)
(17.55, 17.62, 17.81, f, 18.40, f);
3. Maggie Ewen (Nike) 59-2¾ (18.05)
(59-2¾, 59-2, 58-9½, 58-1¾, 58-6¾, f)
(18.05, 18.03, 17.92, 17.72, 17.85, f);
4. Jessica Ramsey (adidas) 58-5¼ (17.81);
5. Samantha Noennig (AzSt) 58-2 (17.73);
6. Jessica Woodard (unat) 57-11 (17.65);
7. Michelle Carter (Nike/NYAC) 57-10¼ (17.63);
8. Jeneva Stevens (NYAC) 57-8½ (17.59);
9. Felisha Johnson (unat) 55-10¼ (17.02);
10. Alyssa Wilson (UCLA) 54-7½ (16.65);
11. Lauren Coleman (Towson) 53-7¾ (16.35).
Weight: Stewart Defends Easily
Any one of Janeah Stewart’s four fair throws would have been good enough for the win over UCLA’s Alyssa Wilson. Her round 4 effort was the best at 80-9¼ (24.62), and that was enough for the 23-year old Mississippi alum to defend her title on the tail-end of an undefeated season with the 20lb (9.07kg) implement. Collegiate leader Wilson saved her best for last, snagging the runner-up spot with a 74-9¾ (22.80) whirl that edged out Erin Reese (74-8¼/22.76).
RESULTS
1. Janeah Stewart (NYAC) 80-9¼
(24.62) (80-3½, f, 76-3½, 80-9¼, f, 78-5½)
(24.47, f, 23.25, 24.62, f, 23.91);
2. Alyssa Wilson (UCLA) 74-9¾ (22.80)
(f, f, 70-11¼, 72-10, f, 74-9¾)
(f, f, 21.62, 22.20, f, 22.80);
3. Erin Reese (unat) 74-8¼ (22.76) PR
(f, f, 72-8, 73-9, 74-8¼, 74-¾)
(f, f, 22.15, 22.48, 22.76, 22.57);
4. Felisha Johnson (unat) 74-4½ (22.67);
5. Janee’ Kassanavoid (unat) 73-6 (22.40);
6. Lara Boman (Vel) 73-1¾ (22.29);
7. Annette Echikunwoke (unat) 72-10¾ (22.22);
8. Michaela Dendinger (unat) 71-0 (21.64);
9. Whitney Simmons (T1D) 67-10¼ (20.68);
10. Lizzie Virgl (unat) 60-6¾ (18.46);
11. Ashton Hallsted (unat) 58-6½ (17.84);
… 3f—Meghan Serdock (unat), Elisia Lancaster (Towson).
Pentathlon: Nothing But PRs For Kunz
USATF’s multi-event championships were held in Annapolis the weekend before Albuquerque and Annie Kunz forged the best 5-eventer of her career in moving to No. 8 on the all-time U.S. list with a year-leading 4610. The 27-year-old Texas A&M alum PRed in every event en route to her big score (the LJ and 800 marks being just indoor lifetime bests, not absolute ones).
RESULTS
1. Annie Kunz (CVE) 4610 PR (AL) (8, x A) (8.16 PR, 5-11½/1.82 PR, 49-1½/14.97 PR, 19-6¼/5.95 PR, 2:20.17 PR);
2. Emilyn Dearman (unat) 4451 PR; 3. Shaina Burns (unat) 4375 PR; 4. Hope Bender (SBTC) 4277 PR; 5. Ashtin Mahler (née Zamzow) (SBTC) 4250; 6. Juanita Webster-Freeman (SBTC) 4150; 7. Jestena Mattson (uat) 4086; 8. Carly Paul (unat) 3860; 9. Becky Asselin (SBTC) 3828;… dnf—Kendall Gustafsson (unat).