FOR A RACE that ended up turning into Daniel Roberts’ title defense, the 110H was always going to be packed with storylines.
Indeed, that began before the gun when favorite and top qualifier Grant Holloway opted out of a final he didn’t have to run because of his WC Wild Card. Devon Allen, the ’18 champion still working to earn a game day roster spot with the Philadelphia Eagles, withdrew from his semi after straining a calf in the heats.
That cleared lane 5 and as it turned out cleared the way for Roberts to win his third national title in wire-to-wire fashion, though Sunday was also a celebration for runner-up Cordell Tinch and his remarkable ongoing story.
A former football recruit at Minnesota, Tinch was out of track and selling cell phones before enrolling at Div. II Pittsburgh State this year and becoming a 3-event star (high jump and long jump as well as the hurdles). He then went pro but was still in his Pitt State jersey here.
Ultimately Tinch’s lack of experience at this level may have been telling at the tape but didn’t keep him off the Worlds team. Roberts (lane 6) got out first and led throughout, but Tinch (3) was a clear 2nd and closing hard before Roberts had the better lean.
The final margin was 13.05–13.08 as Roberts and Tinch watched in anticipation for their times and places to register. That 1–2 finish matched the projections when accounting for the favored Holloway’s absence.
“It was a great competition as always, the young cat Cordell coming in,” said Roberts, who trains with 100 winner Cravont Charleston and is coached by 4-time outdoor world titlist Allen Johnson. “I wish Grant was out there but we’ll see him at Worlds.”
Said Tinch: “I can’t put it into words, literally. The only thing I can say is it’s the beginning of my dream, the thing I’ve dreamed about forever. It didn’t matter 1st, 2nd or 3rd, I get to wear the jersey that says ‘Team USA.’ That’s been the goal since I can remember.”
Running in his eighth national championship, Freddie Crittenden made his first WC team by outleaning Eric Edwards for 3rd, 13.23–13.26.
MEN’S 110H RESULTS
FINAL (July 09; wind –0.2)
1. Daniel Roberts (Nike) 13.05;
2. Cordell Tinch (PittSt) 13.08;
3. Freddie Crittenden (TSPhxTC) 13.23;
4. Eric Edwards (unat) 13.26;
5. Trey Cunningham (adidas) 13.29;
6. Jamal Britt (unat) 13.31;
7. Robert Dunning (adidas) 13.40;
… dnc—Grant Holloway (adidas).
(lanes: 1. Edwards; 2. Dunning; 3. Tinch; 4. Cunningham; 6. Roberts; 7. Crittenden; 8. Britt)
(RT: 0.156 Edwards; 0.159 Cunningham; 0.160 Crittenden; 0.169 Britt; 0.174 Roberts; 0.179 Dunning; 0.192 Tinch)
HEATS (July 08)
I(1.2)–1. Tinch 13.07; 2. Crittenden 13.32; 3. Devion Wilson (Hous) 13.39; 4. Gratt Reed (Ia) 13.64; 5. Tayshaun Chisholm (DeSt) 13.69; 6. Max Hairston (TSPhxTC) 13.76; 7. Cale Kassen (LeeTn) 13.88.
II(0.5)–1. Holloway 13.07; 2. Edwards 13.25; 3. Dylan Beard (How) 13.50; 4. Jayden Smith (David) 13.66; 5. Darius Brown (DeP) 13.67; 6. Grant Conway (Ia) 14.29.
III(1.2)–1. Roberts 13.12; 2. Britt 13.20; 3. Cunningham 13.30; 4. Tai Brown (Ar) 13.47; 5. Cameron Murray (NCSt) 13.68; 6. Matthew Lewis-Banks (Ar) 13.74; 7. Parker Bowden (Tracksm) 13.74; 8. Sierra Hendrix-Williams (unat) 14.00.
IV(0.5)–1. Dunning 13.33; 2. Michael Dickson (unat) 13.42; 3. Connor Schulman (TxAM) 13.43; 4. Devon Allen (Nik) 13.51; 5. Tre’Bien Gilbert (Ar) 13.63; 6. Louis Rollins (unat) 13.65; 7. Ahmad Young (Ms) 13.69.
SEMIS (July 09)
I(1.1)–1. Holloway 13.10; 2. Cunningham 13.23; 3. Dunning 13.29; 4. Britt 13.30; 5. Dickson 13.35; 6. T. Brown 13.37; 7. Beard 13.56; 8. Reed 13.68.
II(0.5)–1. Tinch 13.04; 2. Roberts 13.07; 3. Crittenden 13.23; 4. Edwards 13.25; 5. Schulman 13.60; 6. Gilbert 13.62; 7. Wilson 13.63;… dnc—Allen.