MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, July 11–12 — The way Jamal Britt has been hurdling lately, it would have taken a near-Herculean effort by shot putter Jordan Geist at the Ed Murphey Classic to top him for the men’s points title in their finale of the inaugural USATF Tour. Even a massive Geist PR, which launched him into the all-time U.S. top 10, wasn’t enough to wrest away the $50,000 prize for the overall champion.
Britt, who became No. 5 all-time with his 12.86 to win Pre last week, continued his string of sub-13s with a 12.91, benefiting from a hearty 3.2 tailwind. In less than a month, the 27-year-old has run 5 sub-13s in 6 finals in 4 countries. Here, while he was pushed by the lifetime fastest a-c performances by collegians Bradley Franklin (13.04w) and Connor Schulman (13.16w), the outcome was never in doubt.
And, because Britt contested at least 3 of the 5 meets in the Tour and accumulated the most WA points, the title winnings were his… unless Geist could throw at least 73-9 (22.48) to finish off his series.
Britt admitted he was keeping up with the $$$ chase and planning to watch. “Yeah, I was already saying it’s kind of crazy, because I’ve only got one attempt and he’s got three,” he joked. “I’m going to be tuning in very closely.”
As far as his remarkable string of races and consistency, Britt credited his coach, ’96 Olympic gold medalist and 4-time World Champ Allen Johnson, and a shift in confidence. “We’ve just been working on staying consistent and moving fast,” he said. “I was the type of person that had to see progression, versus already have it. This year I kind of switched that. I know I’m talented enough to do all these great things, so let’s try to switch that mindset and actually believe that I can do it.”
It’s doubtful Geist will have many regrets about missing the Tour title as he ascended higher into his event’s current and all-time elite. His ferocious third-round heave of 73-7½ (22.44) tied him with Darrell Hill for No. 10 all-time U.S. It was part of a stellar series where the World Indoor silver medalist’s four fair throws averaged 73-1¾ (22.29).
And, wouldn’t you know, Hill was actually part of the announcing team here, hyping up Geist’s final throw as he attempted to reach 73-9 — and groaning with them when the winner finished with a very long foul. “What an awesome day, 22.44 to tie me on the all-time list,” Hill cracked. “He’s the second thrower this year to tie me [Rajindra Campbell at Pre was the other], so I stay safe right now because nobody’s at 22.45. But shout-out to Jordan Geist for a great day.”
Meanwhile, the wind that buffeted the 110 hurdlers was also very friendly for the sprinters, especially in the 200s. Zimbabweans and former Kentucky teammates Denzel Simusialela and Carli Makarawu rode a 3.9 to 19.84 and 19.88 clockings, just ahead of Aaron Brown (also 19.88) and Brandon Hicklin (19.89). For the women, Favour Ofili had an aiding 2.8 and won by a big margin, her 21.74 well ahead of McKenzie Long’s 22.01.
On the other hand, Tamari Davis got a barely windy 2.1 as she edged Kemba Nelson in the century, 10.89–10.91, while Kadrian Goldson (9.89) captured the men’s 100 with a legal 1.9 over Ronnie Baker and Courtney Lindsay (both 9.93).
The 400 in this meet last year provided a showcase for prodigy prep Quincy Wilson, holder of the HSR with his jaw-dropping 44.10. This time, with NCAA champ Samuel Ogazi returning for his first lap since his 43.38 in Eugene, Wilson looked like a mere mortal. Actually, so did Ogazi, who clocked a modest-for-him 44.57 in the breezy conditions to top Antonio Watson (44.70) and Kirani James (45.04). Wilson was 7th in 45.53.
“I can’t complain, it’s been a month and some days since I ran last,” said the Alabama alum turned adidas pro. “So I’m just trying to get the race sharpness, but I believe it’s coming.”
Most impressive on the field aside from Geist were triple jumper Russell Robinson and vaulter Chloe Timberg. Robinson, the reigning USATF outdoor champ and 2-time indoor gold medalist, bounded to a massive PR 57-6½ (17.56) on his 3rd attempt, just 7cm outside the all-time U.S. top 10 and nearly 2ft better than any other American has jumped this year. The ’24 Miami alum, who also won an NCAA indoor title and had two runner-up finishes outdoors, leapt into the global top 5 for the year.
Timberg, also a U.S. indoor champ this year and the ’24 NCAA titlist while at Rutgers, matched her lifetime best with a 15-5¾ (4.72) to easily best the field in the adjacent Beale Street Games. She cleared on her third try, then took three attempts at 15-9 (4.80).
Discus queen Valerie Sion had already clinched the women’s USATF Tour title and her event was not even held here. She won at the Oklahoma World Invitational, Iron Wood Classic and USATF LA Grand Prix.
MURPHEY CLASSIC RESULTS
Men’s Events
100(1.9): 1. Kadrian Goldson (Jam) 9.89 PR; 2. Ronnie Baker (US) 9.93; 3. Courtney Lindsey (US) 9.93;.
200(3.9): 1. Denzel Simusialela (Zim) 19.84w; 2. Carli Makarawu (Zim) 19.88w; 2. Aaron Brown (Can) 19.88w;
4. Brandon Hicklin (US) 19.89w.
400: 1. Samuel Ogazi (Ngr) 44.57; 2. Antonio Watson (Jam) 44.70; 3. Kirani James (Grn) 45.04.
800: 1. Donavan Brazier (US) 1:44.94; 2. Camden Marshall (US) 1:46.58.
110H(3.2): 1. Jamal Britt (US) 12.91w; 2. Bradley Franklin (US) 13.04w; 3. Connor Schulman (US) 13.16w; 4. De’vion Wilson (US) 13.20w.
PV: 1. tie, Austin Miller (US) & Ashton Barkdull (US) 18-9¼ (5.72); 3. KC Lightfoot (US) 18-9¼.
TJ: 1. Russell Robinson (US) 57-6½ (17.54) PR (AL); 2. Salif Mane (US) 55-5½w (16.90); 3. Brandon Green (US) 55-2¼w (16.82).
SP: 1. Jordan Geist (US) 73-7½ (22.44) PR (=10, x A) (72-11¾, f, 73-7½, 72-3¾, 73-6¾, f) (22.24, f, 22.44, 22.04, 22.42, f); 2. Tripp Piperi (US) 71-5¼ (21.77); 3. Payton Otterdahl (US) 71-4¾ (21.76).
DT: 1. Rojé Stona (Jam) 208-6 (63.56); 2. Brian Williams (US) 207-0 (63.09); 3. Reggie Jagers (US) 205-11 (62.77).
Tri(200, LJ, DT): 1. Kyle Garland (US) 2789; 2. Lindon Victor (Grn) 2751; 3. Harrison Williams (US) 2477.
Women’s Events
100(2.1): 1. Tamari Davis (US) 10.89w; 2. Kemba Nelson (Jam) 10.91w; 3. McKenzie Long (US) 10.95w; 4. Kaila Jackson (US) 10.97w.
200(2.8): 1. Favour Ofili (Ngr) 21.74w; 2. Long 22.01w; 3. Ashanti Moore (Jam) 22.10w.
400: 1. Ella Onojuvwevwo (Ngr) 50.38; 2. Sanaria Butler (US) 50.69; 3. Alexis Holmes (US) 50.94.
800: 1. Shafiqua Maloney (StV) 1:58.72; 2. Natoya Goule (Jam) 2:00.50; 3. Honour Finley (US) 2:01.17.
HJ: 1. Sakari Famous (Ber) 6-¾ (1.85) =NR; 2. Vashti Cunningham (US) 6-¾ (1.85); 3. Charity Hufnagel (US) 6-¾.
PV: 1. Chloe Timberg (US) 15-5¾ (4.72) PR; 2. Brynn King (US) 14-9 (4.50); 3. Jessica Mercier (US) 14-9 =PR.
LJ: 1. Ruth Usoro (Ngr) 22-2¼w (6.76); 2. Tyra Gittens-Spotsville (Tri) 21-11¾w (6.70).
SP: 1. Axelina Johansson (Swe) 62-¼ (18.90); 2. Lloydricia Cameron (Jam) 61-9 (18.82) PR; 3. Adelaide Browley (US) 61-2¾ (18.66).
