EUGENE, OREGON, June 09 —
The brand-spanking-new version of Hayward Field finally got its NCAA Championships baptism as 6 men’s finals highlighted the first day of competition, first under sunny skies, then with a patch of rain. C19 regulations held the crowd to 5060, about half what would have been expected in a regular year.
The competition was very kind to T&FN’s Premeet Formchart, only a handful of Top 5 raters failing to advance on the track: 400 — Johnathon Sawyer (Southeastern Louisiana) 5; 800 — Kameron Jones (Clemson) 4; Steeple — Fitsum Seyoum (Virginia Tech) 1; 110H — Eric Edwards (LSU) 5; 4×4 — LSU 2, Texas 3.
Despite the losses of Edwards and the 4×4, Dennis Shaver’s favored Tigers had a solid day in the half-dozen events that finished, losing just 6 points on the formchart (now at 79) while second-rated Oregon remained the same (53).
Here are our 6 event reports for Wednesday:
Men’s 10,000: Dever Leads Mass Assault On Meet Record
As soon as the gun fired one suspected the meet record might fall. The air was around 60 degrees, no obvious wind. And frontrunning Wesley Kiptoo — winner of the Indoor 5000 crown — set out to race in his preferred manner. Yes, Suleiman Nyambui’s 41-year-old MR was in jeopardy. Nobody yet guessed — even with the clear evidence super shoes have reset the marks bar— that 10 would run under the UTEPer of old’s 28:01.30 and 17 of the 24 entrants would PR.
True even as four starters, including Kiptoo had PRs from this year that were faster. The fastest was NCAA XC champ and formchart favorite Conner Mantz. The BYU junior had run a list-leading 27:41.16 just 3 weeks ago.
Still, when Kiptoo led past 2K in 5:31.46 — just over 27:30 pace — the cast of characters running closest bore scant resemblance to the formchart: Mantz, Georgetown senior Robert Brandt, Tulsa’s Patrick Dever, Florida State’s Adriaan Wildschutt and Northern Arizona frosh Abdihamid Nur (the formchart No. 2). They were at the front of a train, many others connected.
The average tempo drifted slower but about the time Kiptoo led past 5K around 13:55, lightly regarded Alex Masai of Hofstra burst into a 64.25 lap to 5200 and led for another lap. By 6K (16:44.51) Kiptoo was back in charge.
Two laps later Mantz had faded, to 9th, but the train was hardly uncoupling; laps were passing in the 67 range and Mantz pushed back up to 3rd with 7 to go. The laps to 8K (5 to go) and 8400 were 65s and 66s. Then in the next go-round Kiptoo fell behind, and further back on the next. He would finish 11th.
Just as it appeared Mantz would claim his formchart win, Dever went up front with 2 left. But Mantz took it again at the bell and led Brandt, Dever and Nur over the final circuit.
In the homestretch, Dever passed on the inside for the win 27:41.87–27:42.46 over Mantz as Nur (27:42.73) passed Brandt (27:43.17) for 3rd with 30m to run and seven more followed under Nyambui’s MR.
“It feels quite incredible really,” said Dever, a 24-year-old Brit who placed 11th at the NCAA Cross in ’19. “It’s hard to put it into words. I wasn’t really sure I was capable of that.”
He did add, though, “I felt like my kick has been getting better all season.” He had sped through his last lap in 57.37. /Sieg Lindstrom/
MEN’S 10,000 RESULTS
(June 09)
1. Patrick Dever’ (Tul-GB) 27:41.87 PR (MR) (57.37, 2:00.91, 3:07.50, 4:14.75);
2. *Conner Mantz (BYU) 27:42.46 (58.21, 2:01.34, 3:08.05, 4:15.18);
3. ***Abdihamid Nur (NnAz) 27:42.73 PR (7, x AmC) (58.12, 2:01.49, 3:08.18, 4:14.83);
4. Robert Brandt (Gtn) 27:43.17 (58.81, 2:02.12, 3:08.87, 4:16.17);
5. Eric Hamer (CoSt) 27:44.87 PR (8, x AmC) (59.90, 2:03.39, 3:09.91, 4:16.71);
6. *Alex Masai’ (Hof-Ken) 27:45.19 PR (60.41, 2:04.30, 3:11.04, 4:18.37);
7. ***Charles Hicks’ (Stan-GB) 27:47.63 PR (61.38, 2:05.72, 3:12.93, 4:19.97);
8. Adriaan Wildschutt’ (FlSt-SA) 27:48.89 PR (63.35, 2:07.60, 3:14.38, 4:21.44);
9. **James Mwaura (Gonz) 27:50.44 PR (9, x AmC); 10. **Isai Rodriguez (OkSt) 27:52.92 PR; 11. **Wesley Kiptoo’ (IaSt-Ken) 28:03.65; 12. John Dressel (Co) 28:03.87 PR; 13. Gilbert Boit’ (Ar-Ken) 28:09.11 PR; 14. Vincent Kiprop’ (Al-Ken) 28:19.12 PR; 15. **Barry Keane’ (Butler-Ire) 28:28.18 PR; 16. *Jack O’Leary’ (Iona-Ire) 28:29.39 PR; 17. Aaron Bienenfeld’ (Cinc-Ger) 28:33.05; 18. *Marcelo Rocha (Prov) 28:37.05 PR; 19. ***Haftu Strintzos’ (Vill-Aus) 28:51.06 PR; 20. Christopher Alfond (MaL) 29:23.55; 21. JP Trojan (Syr) 29:24.08; 22. **Victor Shitsama (OkSt) 29:32.28; 23. ***Nickolas Scudder (Char) 29:40.46;… dnf—Edwin Kurgat’ (IaSt-Ken).
(best-ever mark-for-NCAA place: 1–19)
Men’s Pole Vault: Ellis Handled The Conditions Best
After two rain delays and dealing with some pesky winds, it took more than an hour to get through the opening height of 16-10¾ (5.15). After 8 no-heighted, the bar was raised to 17-4½ (5.30). 16 remained and all but 2 would jump at that height as supersophs Zach Bradford of Kansas and Branson Ellis of Stephen F. Austin would pass until 17-10½ (5.45).
Alabama’s Ryan Lipe, Sam Houston’s Clayton Fritsch, UTEP’s Paulo Benavides, KU’s Hussain Al Hizam and South Dakota’s Ethan Bray all cleared 17-4½ (5.30) on their first attempt, with frosh Zach McWhorter of BYU, Kentucky’s Keaton Daniel and Kennesaw State’s Jack Rhea clearing on their second attempt and South Alabama’s Kyle Rademeyer and Houston’s Christyan Sampy needing a third try.
When Bradford (the titular favorite coming in) and Ellis opened at 17-10½ (5.45) they cleared on their first attempts, as did Bray. Lipe and Fritsch were the only others to clear that height as Daniel passed and McWhorter missed all three of his attempts.
The bar moved up to 18-2½ (5.55) and Ellis and Daniel cleared on their second attempts, with Fritsch and Bray clearing on third while Bradford and Lipe failed.
The 20-year-old Ellis cleared 18-6½ (5.65) on first go; Daniel missed his first and decided to pass to the next height. Fritsch and Bray were finished after 3 misses. Ellis then cleared 18-8¼ (5.70) on his first. Daniel missed and again passed, to 18-10¼ (5.75), leaving him one final attempt.
At 18-10¼ (5.75) Ellis took a bye, leaving it up to Daniel to make or settle for 2nd. Daniel missed his final effort, leaving Ellis — No. 4 on our chart coming in — as Stephen F. Austin’s first men’s national champion. He missed his shots at 19-1 (5.82) on a night when nobody could PR.
Daniel’s comments afterwards summed up how the rain affected his and the entire field’s game plan, “It started raining on us pretty hard, so the strategy was just pass as much as we could, kind of wait it out.” /Brian Russell/
MEN’S POLE VAULT RESULTS
(June 09)
1. **Branson Ellis (SFA) 18-8¼ (5.70)
(17-10½, 18-2½ [2], 18-6½, 18-8¼, 18-10¼ [ppp], 19-1 [xxx]) (5.45, 5.55 [2], 5.65, 5.70, 5.75 [ppp], 5.82 [xxx]);
2. ***Keaton Daniel (Ky) 18-2½ (5.55)
(17-4½ [2], 18-2½ [2], 18-6½ [xpp], 18-8¼ [xpp], 18-10¼ [x]) (5.30 [2], 5.55 [2], 5.65 [xpp], 5.70 [xpp], 5.75 [x]);
3. Ethan Bray (SD) 18-2½
(16-10¾ [xpp], 17-4½, 17-10½, 18-2½ [3], 18-6½ [xxx]) (5.15 [xpp], 5.30, 5.45, 5.55 [3], 5.65 [xxx]);
4. *Clayton Fritsch (SHous) 18-2½
(17-4½, 17-10½ [3], 18-2½ [3], 18-6½ [xxx]) (5.30, 5.45 [3], 5.55 [3], 5.65 [xxx]);
5. **Zach Bradford (Ks) 17-10½ (5.45)
(17-10½, 18-2½ [xxx]) (5.45, 5.55 [xxx]);
6. *Ryan Lipe (Al) 17-10½
(17-4½, 17-10½ [2], 18-2½ [xxx]) (5.30, 5.45 [2], 5.55 [xxx]);
7. tie, Paulo Benavides (UTEP) & Hussain Al Hizam’ (Ks-Sau) 17-4½ (5.30) (17-4½, 17-10½ [xxx]) (5.30, 5.45 [xxx]);
9. ***Zach McWhorter (BYU) 17-4½ (5.30); 10. Jack Rhea (KennSt) 17-4½; 11. tie, ***Kyle Rademeyer’ (SAl-SA) & **Christyan Sampy (Hous) 17-4½; 13. tie, ***Nathan Stone (In) & *Trevor Stephenson (MiSt) 16-10¾ (5.15);… nh—*Cole Courtois (LaL), *Trent Francom (SDSt), *Antonio Ruiz’ (Hous-Mex), **Stone Baker (SFl), Sam Young (Va), ***Marshall Faurot (SD), **Travis Snyder (Ct), Michael Gonzalez (NTx), Cole Colozzo (Ms), Elijah Cole.
Men’s Long Jump: Harrison Starts His Double With A Win
JuVaughn Harrison wasn’t going to repeat his mistake from the SEC meet. There the LSU star started passing after hitting what he thought was a winning mark in the first 2 rounds. Much to his chagrin, Tennessee’s Carey McLeod leaped a big PR on his final jump to take the lead. Harrison had to warm up and rush what turned out to be a foul as he took the L that day.
Here the defending champion again went big early, a 26-10½ (8.19) first leap, followed by a 27-1¾ (8.27). No one would get close to that level, but despite the cool weather and the damp runway — not to mention the high jump on Friday — the 22-year-old junior stayed in the game, taking all 6 attempts.
Expected to challenge, rival McLeod had trouble getting out of the 25s, hitting his best of 26-¾ (7.94) in round 4. That left the Jamaican behind the clutch jumping of Florida State junior Isaac Grimes, who had hit 26-1 (7.95) in round 2.
Unheralded Brandon Hicklin of North Carolina A&T had come into the competition with a PR of 25-2¾ (7.69) set indoors. In the first round he surprised with a lifetime best of 25-11½ (7.91), but he was unable to improve, ultimately finishing 4th.
After fouling round 3, Harrison hit 26-3½ (8.01) in 4 and 25-10 (7.87) in 5. McLeod, unable to harness final-jump magic this time around, landed at 25-8 (7.82) for his last go. That left Grimes as the only threat to Harrison. The Indoor runner-up (to Harrison) popped an impressive — but not enough — 26-5 (8.05) to secure runner-up honors.
With the win safely in hand, Harrison got the crowd clapping and went for a big one. It landed in the same range as his two best jumps, but was a foul. Still, he was happy enough to dance on his way back to warmer clothes.
“I was very comfortable today in terms of how I got to focus on the long jump only,” he said. “That was my main thing today. Now I’ll turn my focus to high jumping on Friday.” /Jeff Hollobaugh/
MEN’S LONG JUMP RESULTS
(June 09)
1. *JuVaughn Harrison (LSU) 27-1¾ (8.27)
(26-10½, 27-1¾, f, 26-3½, 25-10, f) (8.19, 8.27, f, 8.01, 7.87, f);
2. *Isaac Grimes (FlSt) 26-5 (8.05)
(f, 26-1, 25-2, f, 25-8¾, 26-5) (f, 7.95, 7.67, f, 7.84, 8.05);
3. *Carey McLeod’ (Tn-Jam) 26-¾ (7.94)
(25-4¾, 25-8¼, 25-10¼, 26-¾, f, 25-8) (7.74, 7.83, 7.88, 7.94, f, 7.82);
4. *Brandon Hicklin (NCAT) 25-11½ (7.91) PR
(25-11½, 25-2½, 25-1¼, 24-6¼, f, 25-1¾) (7.91, 7.68, 7.65, 7.47, f, 7.66);
5. Steffin McCarter (Tx) 25-8¾ (7.84)
(25-3¼, 25-6¼, f, 25-8w, 25-8¾, 25-7½) (7.70, 7.78, f, 7.82w, 7.84, 7.81);
6. Harrison Schrage (UCLA) 25-8¼ (7.83)
(f, 25-4½, 25-½, 25-3¼w, 25-8¼, 25-4) (f, 7.73, 7.63, 7.70w, 7.83, 7.72);
7. Rayvon Grey (LSU) 25-6¼ (7.78)
(24-9¼, 22-6½, 25-6¼, 25-1¾, 24-3, 23-6¾) (7.55, 6.87, 7.78, 7.66, 7.39, 7.18);
8. *Rayvon Allen (Ok) 25-2¾ (7.69)
(25-2¾, 25-¾, f, 24-7¼, f, f) (7.69, 7.64, f, 7.50, f, f);
9. Jason Smith (LBSt) 25-2½ (7.68); 10. **James Carter (Ia) 25-1¼w (7.65); 11. *Allen Gordon (Ms) 25-¾ (7.64); 12. **A’Nan Bridgett (Rut) 24-10½ (7.58); 13. **Cameron Crump (MsSt) 24-8½ (7.53); 14. O’Brien Wasome’ (Tx-Jam) 24-7 (7.49); 15. Jonathan Wells (Il) 24-5¾ (7.46); 16. Ronnie Briscoe (TxSt) 24-5¾; 17. *Safir Scott (Ct) 24-3½ (7.40); 18. Jullane Walker (KsSt) 24-1 (7.34); 19. **Kenneth Pree (TxSn) 24-¾ (7.33); 20. *Michael Hoffer (Nb) 23-10¾ (7.28); 21. *David Ejumeta (CCar) 23-10¼ (7.27); 22. ***Anthony Riley (Tn) 23-8¼w (7.22); 23. **Benjamin Okafor (Hous) 23-6¾ (7.18); 24. **Trey Causey (Ky) 22-8½ (6.92).
Men’s Shot: Washington Wins By More Than A Foot
Turner Washington’s quest for a shot/discus double — a trick last turned by Virginia’s Filip Mihaljević in ’17 — got off to a sparkling start. The 22-year-old Arizona State soph never trailed in adding this title to the indoor one he had captured in March. Not bad for a guy who until his breakthrough this winter was thought of as just a discus thrower.
The year’s only collegiate 70-footer, having set an Indoor CR of 71-8¼ (21.85) in February, he opened here with a modest 66-10¾ (20.39). Nobody else would throw that far until the fourth round. Meanwhile, the strong favorite had improved to 67-0 (20.42) and an outdoor PR 69-2¾ (21.10).
That last would prove to be enough to win as he closed with puts of 67-3½ (20.51), 67-9¾ (20.67) and 66-10½ (20.38). The last Pac-12 winner was Jordan Clarke of Arizona State in ’12. This was Washington’s first appearance in an NCAA Outdoor shot. As a frosh back in ’18 he had finished 19th in the discus final for Arizona. He spent ’19 as a transfer to the Sun Devils and nobody had an NCAA last year.
Next up is Friday’s discus. “I still like to think of myself as a discus thrower,” Washington told us over the winter. “I’ve had the opportunity to grow since I was at Arizona, and it’s progressing in the right direction.”
Also trending in the right direction is runner-up Tripp Piperi, who came in as a damaged-goods defending champion. Third through 4 rounds, he then unleashed a seasonal-best 67-11½ (20.71) to cap a remarkable comeback from injury. The Texas junior missed 2 months of action due to an ankle injury he suffered prior to the NCAA Indoor, and returned to competition just a month ago at the Big 12.
Arizona’s Jordan Geist started slowly, standing only 4th after 3 rounds. Then he hit 66-11¼ (20.40) in the fourth to move up to 2nd until Piperi’s response in the next stanza. /Garry Hill/
MEN’S SHOT RESULTS
(June 09)
1. **Turner Washington (AzSt) 69-2¾ (21.10) out PR
(66-10¾, 67-0, 69-2¾, 67-3½, 67-9¾, 66-10½) (20.39, 20.42, 21.10, 20.51, 20.67, 20.38);
2. *Tripp Piperi (Tx) 67-11½ (20.71)
(64-7¼, 65-6, 65-8¾, 66-½, 67-11½, 67-11) (19.69, 19.96, 20.03, 20.13, 20.71, 20.70);
3. *Jordan Geist (Az) 66-11¼ (20.40)
(64-7¼, 63-9, 65-2¼, 66-11¼, 64-3¼, f) (19.69, 19.43, 19.87, 20.40, 19.59, f);
4. Andrew Liskowitz (Mi) 65-10¼ (20.07)
(65-10¼, f, f, 65-4, 65-¾, f) (20.07, f, f, 19.91, 19.83, f);
5. **Josh Sobota (Ky) 65-½ (19.82) out PR
(62-10¾, 62-1¼, 63-7¾, 64-7¼, f, 65-½) (19.17, 18.93, 19.40, 19.69, f, 19.82);
6. Zack Short’ (Id-Hon) 64-8 (19.71)
(f, 64-8, 62-1, f, f, 61-2) (f, 19.71, 18.92, f, f, 18.64);
7. *Darius King (NnIa) 64-7¼ (19.69)
(64-7¼, 63-4¼, 64-2¼, f, 64-1, f) (19.69, 19.31, 19.56, f, 19.53, f);
8. Jonah Wilson (Wa) 64-6½ (19.67)
(63-1¼, 63-9½, 63-4¾, 62-8½, 60-5¾, 64-6½) (19.23, 19.44, 19.32, 19.11, 18.43, 19.67);
9. Matt Katnik (USC) 64-1¾ (19.55); 10. Connor Bandel (Fl) 62-9¼ (19.13); 11. McKay Johnson (USC) 62-7¾ (19.09); 12. *Isaac Odugbesan’ (Al-Ngr) 62-2½ (18.96); 13. **Jordan West (Tn) 61-5 (18.72); 14. *Kyle Mitchell’ (Lib-Jam) 61-1½ (18.63); 15. *Santiago Basso’ (Al-Chl) 61-0 (18.59); 16. ***John Meyer (Mi) 60-3¼ (18.37); 17. Adam Kessler (Drake) 60-2 (18.34); 18. Daniel McArthur (NC) 59-3 (18.06); 19. Charles Lenford (Ky) 59-2¾ (18.05); 20. **Kristoffer Thomsen’ (NDSt-Den) 59-2 (18.03); 21. ***Kyle Atkinson (Mn) 57-3 (17.45); 22. ***Michael Shoaf (NDm) 56-11¼ (17.35);… 3f—*Burger Lambrechts’ (Nb-SA);… dnc—Eric Favors’ (SC-Ire).
Men’s Hammer: In & Out For Mardal
Charted No. 2 coming into the meet, Thomas Mardal captured his second NCAA crown of the year. Florida’s 21-year-old Norwegian senior, winner of the weight at the Indoor, plunked out remarkably consistent throws and won by a decisive 7-3 (2.21) over premeet favorite Gleb Dudarev of Kansas. Mardal was never headed as his second-round PR 251-9 (76.74) sealed the deal in a long competition that took 2:22 to complete.
Favored coming into the meet, ’19 runner-up Dudarev fouled his first two throws, before reaching 244-6 (74.53). While his final four constituted an impressive series of their own, he could not close the gap on the leader.
Mardal and Dudarev separated themselves from the competition as the difference between 2nd and 3rd was a mammoth 10-11 (3.32). The rest of the field was tightly bunched with places 3–13 separated by only 4ft (1.22). USC’s Nathan Bultman, rated as No. 3 coming into the meet, was a surprising 11th in 229-11 (72.09).
In what was anticipated to be a battle of seniors, Kostas Zaltós, a Minnesota frosh, stamped himself as one to watch with an unexpected 3rd place in 233-7 (71.21).
Zaltós just pipped Vlad Pavlenko (Iowa State) by 4 inches (9cm) in the second round and that held up for 3rd the rest of the way. It was a good day for Greece as Zaltós’s countryman, Aléxios Prodanás (Virginia Tech), took 5th in 233-7 (71.08).
Said Mardal, “I think the main reason for my series now is that I’ve been throwing a lot throughout the season. I was very proud of that series.”
Perhaps a bit of rest helped, too. With a back strain coming into the meet and hip issues as well, he hadn’t touched a hammer for 6 days prior to the meet.
“This is the highest one so far,” he said. “Even though the weight throw was a lot of fun indoors, the hammer is my event and the one that’s closest to my heart.” /Mark Cullen/
MEN’S HAMMER RESULTS
(June 09)
1. Thomas Mardal’ (Fl-Nor) 251-9 (76.74) PR (CL) (11, x C; 5, x NCAA)
(242-4, 251-9, 244-6, 244-7, 243-4, 248-6) (73.87, 76.74, 74.53, 74.56, 74.18, 75.75);
2. Gleb Dudarev’ (Ks-Blr) 244-6 (74.53)
(f, f, 242-4, 238-11, 244-6, 236-1) (f, f, 73.87, 72.82, 74.53, 71.97);
3. ***Kostas Zaltós’ (Mn-Gre) 233-7 (71.21) PR
(228-1, 233-7, f, 227-11, 225-7, 227-7) (69.53, 71.21, f, 69.48, 68.77, 69.37);
4. Vlad Pavlenko (IaSt) 233-4 (71.12)
(233-4, 229-4, 230-3, f, 225-4, 225-7) (71.12, 69.91, 70.18, f, 68.69, 68.77);
5. Aléxios Prodanás’ (VaT-Gre) 233-2 (71.08) PR
(233-2, 229-6, 233-2, 213-5, 219-4, 226-1) (71.06, 69.95, 71.08, 65.06, 66.85, 68.93);
6. *Alex Talley (NDSt) 232-11 (70.99)
(231-3, 228-4, f, 229-5, 232-11, f) (70.50, 69.60, f, 69.94, 70.99, f);
7. Jon Nerdal’ (LSU-Nor) 232-6 (70.88)
(232-6, f, 223-1, f, 230-0, 230-8) (70.88, f, 68.00, f, 70.11, 70.30);
8. *Jordan Geist (Az) 231-4 (70.53)
(f, 229-4, 231-4, 224-7, 222-0, 222-10) (f, 69.90, 70.53, 68.47, 67.66, 67.92);
9. **Tyler Merkley (PennSt) 230-7 (70.28) PR; 10. Manning Plater (Il) 230-2 (70.15) PR; 11. Nathan Bultman (USC) 229-11 (70.09); 12. *Michael Bryan (Wich) 229-11 (70.08); 13. *Israel Oloyede (Az) 229-7 (69.99); 14. Kevin Arreaga’ (Mia-Spa) 228-4 (69.60); 15. **Bobby Colantonio (Al) 228-1 (69.53); 16. *Georgios Korakidis’ (Tn-Gre) 227-10 (69.45); 17. Ricky Hurley (SnIl) 225-9 (68.82) PR; 18. Ryan Davis (ECar) 225-8 (68.79); 19. Kieran McKeag (Al) 224-6 (68.43); 20. **Alencar Pereira’ (Ga-Bra) 222-6 (67.83); 21. Taige Bryant (EnMi) 221-2 (67.43) PR; 22. *Jake Norris (LSU) 220-2 (67.12); 23. **Bayley Campbell (Ok) 216-1 (65.86); 24. ***Jayden White (Wa) 206-10 (63.04).
(best-ever mark-for-NCAA place: 9–10)
Men’s Javelin: Pedigo’s Last-Round PR Surprises
As the final three rounds began, Mississippi State throwers were in their accustomed position, leading the competition. DJ Jonsson, a frosh from Iceland, was on top at 250-1 (76.22), 11 (27cm) inches ahead of teammate Tyriq Horsford, the soph from Trinidad. A third Bulldog, premeet favorite Sindri Gudmundsson, another Icelander, was lurking in 6th.
Mississippi State went 1-2-3 in the event in ’19 after a 1-2 in ’18, led by the 2-time champion Anderson Peters. The T&FN formchart projected another 1-2-3 this time out.
In round 5, the fireworks began. First Auburn’s Cade Antonucci, 8th at 231-3 (70.50), bombed 249-10 (76.14) to move within 3 inches of the lead. It was a 7-foot PR. Gudmundsson responded, throwing 248-0 (75.61) to move to 4th, just 2ft out of 1st. Jonsson increased his advantage, to 251-9 (76.73). But the big news was yet to come.
In Round 6, throwing 5th, but now relegated to 7th, was LSU’s Tzuriel Pedigo. A high school star and hometown product from Baton Rouge, Pedigo, 21, had had a lackluster frosh season, throwing in the 230s until reaching a seasonal-best 246-5 (75.11) at Regionals.
Perhaps partly inspired by the prospects of his LSU team, the premeet favorites in the team battle, Pedigo unloaded 252-7 (76.98), surpassing his 2-year-old PR by 2 inches and wresting the lead from Jonsson by 10 inches (25cm).
In the remaining throws, no one could catch Pedigo, the sudden NCAA champion (Horsford threw 248-8/75.80, Jonsson 240-0/73.17 on their final attempts.) It was the closest final in 32 years, since Patrick Bodén won the event for Texas by 5 inches in ’89.
For LSU it was just their second winner in the event and first in 54 years, joining Delmon McNabb, who won in ’67.
Said Pedigo, “I was expecting to do my best — whatever it was today. I felt like I was pushed and that was a little more than I was expecting. That was a very emotional last attempt.” /Jack Pfeifer/
MEN’S JAVELIN RESULTS
(June 09)
1. ***Tzuriel Pedigo (LSU) 252-7 (76.98) PR
(239-5, 239-8, 241-1, 225-2, f, 252-7) (72.97, 73.06, 73.49, 68.65, f, 76.98);
2. ***DJ Jonsson’ (MsSt-Ice) 251-9 (76.73)
(f, 250-1, 244-8, 245-8, 251-9, 240-0) (f, 76.22, 74.59, 74.89, 76.73, 73.17);
3. Cade Antonucci (Aub) 249-10 (76.14) PR
(214-5, 227-2, 231-3, 227-9, 249-10, 245-10) (65.36, 69.25, 70.50, 69.43, 76.14, 74.94);
4. **Tyriq Horsford’ (MsSt-Tri) 249-2 (75.95)
(239-1, 249-2, 246-5, f, 236-7, 248-8) (72.88, 75.95, 75.11, f, 72.13, 75.80);
5. Sindri Gudmundsson’ (MsSt-Ice) 248-0 (75.61)
(234-4, f, 232-5, 235-4, 248-0, f) (71.42, f, 70.85, 71.74, 75.61, f);
6. ***Franck Di Sanza’ (SEnLa-Swi) 245-1 (74.71)
(212-1, 217-4, 245-1, f, 227-7, 236-4) (64.65, 66.25, 74.71, f, 69.38, 72.03);
7. **Cameron Bates (BYU) 243-7 (74.25)
(243-7, 234-1, 236-9, 228-1, f, f) (74.25, 71.36, 72.17, 69.53, f, f);
8. **Benji Phillips (NDSt) 234-3 (71.40)
(230-9, f, 222-2, 221-0, 234-3, 231-10) (70.34, f, 67.73, 67.37, 71.40, 70.67);
9. Scott Fuchs (IaSt) 232-7 (70.91); 10. Nils Fischer’ (Aub-Ger) 228-7 (69.69); 11. ***Arthur Petersen’ (UTA-Den) 228-7 (69.69); 12. *Mark Porter (PennSt) 227-0 (69.19); 13. August Cook (Army) 224-8 (68.48); 14. Donavon Banks (McN) 223-4 (68.07); 15. Logan Wolfley (KsSt) 221-9 (67.59); 16. **Chase Tarr (UCSB) 219-10 (67.00); 17. *Cord Neal (SFA) 216-1 (65.86); 18. ***Sam Hankins (TxAM) 213-1 (64.96); 19. **Carlan Naisant (AzSt) 212-8 (64.83); 20. *James McNaney (Rice) 209-10 (63.96); 21. **Dalton Rasmussen (Or) 206-1 (62.81); 22. ***Izac Canchola (SFA) 204-10 (62.44); 23. ***Hunter Longino (McN) 187-0 (57.00); 24. Brian Sagendorf (MSM) 177-11 (54.23).
(best-ever mark-for-NCAA-place: 5–7) ◻︎