RANDALLS ISLAND, NEW YORK, June 12 — When Devon Allen signed a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in early April, he boldly listed the goals he wanted to accomplish before trading the track for the gridiron: setting a World Record in the 110H and winning a world championship.
He nearly hit the first target at the NYC Grand Prix, clocking an astonishing 12.84 and moving to No. 3 on the all-time list. That was the highlight of a sprint-heavy meet at Icahn Stadium that served as a final tune up for many top Americans ahead of the USATF Championships.
Allen got a solid start, but trailed reigning world champion Grant Holloway through the early going. Despite knocking down the fifth barrier Allen continued to close, catching Holloway just before the ninth flight and then opening up a sizable lead in the closing stages. With a helpful 1.6 tailwind, the 27-year-old Oregon grad now trails only Aries Merritt (12.80) and Holloway (12.81) on the all-time world list.
Holloway, in only his second outdoor hurdles race of the year, clocked 13.06 for 2nd, followed by Daniel Roberts (13.17).
Moments after improving his PR from the 12.99 he ran in Zagreb last September Allen said, “I thought I was going to break the World Record today, so we’ll have to wait for another race.”
He also revealed that a recent case of COVID forced him off his feet, which gave him a chance to rest from his intense two-sport training regimen. “I just took a whole week of nothing. It worked out so my legs are fresh.”
And as for the chance to break the WR before hopefully becoming a full-time NFL wide-receiver, Allen definitely sees room for improvement. “You can always be a little better,” he said. “Obviously, Grant is probably the best starter in the world. So if he can do it, I think I can. My goal is to get better at the start.”
Sha’Carri Richardson ran an impressive double, finishing 2nd to Aleia Hobbs in the 100 (10.83 PR to 10.85) before winning the 200 in 22.38. “This is only my third 100 of the season, and my best one so far,” the flamboyant crowd favorite said after the first race. “If anybody was to beat me, I would definitely want it to be Aleia.” Entering the 200 was a last-minute decision, with the goal of notching a qualifying time for the USATF Championships.
For her part, Hobbs was thrilled to be finding her form at just the right time. “I think this was probably one of my best races in a while,” said the ’18 national champion. “I still have some work to do on the finish, but it was better than before. I haven’t seen a legal 10.8 in a while, so to see it now, that’s a blessing.”
Noah Lyles won the men’s 200 easily in 19.61, well ahead of Kyree King’s PR 20.02. “I’m proud of it. I wanted it faster,” the ’19 world champion admitted. “I wanted to see 19.5, but I’ll take 19.61.”
At the premeet press conference a day earlier, he had said that he was so preoccupied with trying to qualify for the Olympic team in the 100 last year that it adversely affected his signature event, where he was disappointed to take bronze in Tokyo.
“I feel that we kind of misjudged a little bit the 200 going into the Olympic Trials last year, we were just so focused on trying to make the 100 team,” he said, adding that he won’t try the double this year. “It’s the same conversation me and my coach had going into 2019: I want that gold rather than having those two silvers, so let’s get back into the 200 and we’re both on the same page with that. Let’s attack it. Let’s get it.”
Another reigning world champion who appears to be ready to peak at nationals is Christian Coleman, who won the 100 in 9.92, ahead of Jamaican Akeem Blake (9.95).
“I feel like I’ve been doing some really good things in practice, and I just need to get more races in and be able to put it together on the actual race day,” he said after his first sub-10 since returning from his whereabouts suspension. “I feel like I did a much better job today, but I still have a lot to improve on, though.”
Sydney McLaughlin was added to the field for a planned 100H/400 double just days before the meet. Alas, she scratched from the hurdles a few days later, then pulled out of the 400 moments before the race went off, after warming up at the practice field. She told reporters that she was feeling fine, but her coach decided it was best not to tempt fate so close to nationals. “Bobby Kersee is a man of many mysteries,” she said. “I just listen to what he says.”
NYC MEN’S RESULTS
100(1.4): 1. Christian Coleman (US) 9.92; 2. Ackeem Blake (Jam) 9.95; 3. Marvin Bracy (US) 10.03; 4. Kendal Williams (US) 10.09; 5. Isiah Young (US) 10.18; 6. Demek Kemp (US) 10.28.
200(1.3): 1. Noah Lyles (US) 19.61 (x, 8 A);
2. Kyree King (US) 20.02 PR; 3. Brandon Carnes (US) 20.07 PR; 4. Elijah Morrow (US) 20.56; 5. Samson Colebrooke (Bah) 20.74; 6. Christopher Belcher (US) 20.95.
400: 1. Tyler Terry (US) 45.70; 2. Javon Francis (Jam) 45.73; 3. Derrick Mokaleng (SA) 46.55; 4. Noah Williams (US) 46.76; 5. Machel Cedenio (Tri) 46.90; 6. Myles Pringle (US) 48.35.
800: 1. Bryce Hoppel (US) 1:45.07 (AL);
2. Jesús López (Mex) 1:45.16; 3. Erik Sowinski (US) 1:45.50; 4. Clayton Murphy (US) 1:45.62; 5. Ryan Sanchez (PR) 1:45.72; 6. Isaiah Jewett (US) 1:45.87; 7. Rajay Hamilton (Jam) 1:46.16 PR; 8. Wesley Vázquez (PR) 1:47.38; 9. Josh Hoey (US) 1:47.52; 10. Shane Streich (US) 1:48.26.
110H(1.6): 1. Devon Allen (US) 12.84 PR (WL, AL) (3, 3 W, A);
2. Grant Holloway (US) 13.06; 3. Daniel Roberts (US) 13.17; 4. Jamal Britt (US) 13.22 PR; 5. Shane Brathwaite (Bar) 13.40; 6. Damion Thomas (Jam) 13.40; 7. Ruebin Walters (Tri) 13.67.
400H: 1. Quincy Hall (US) 48.75; 2. Amere Lattin (US) 49.67; 3. Aldrich Bailey (US) 49.94; 4. Dave Kendziera (US) 50.29; 5. Andre Clarke (Jam) 51.17.
Field Event
TJ: 1. Donald Scott (US) 55-2 (16.81); 2. Will Claye (US) 54-11½w (16.75) (53-11/16.43); 3. Jordan Scott (Jam) 54-9¼ (16.69); 4. Pablo Torrijos (Spa) 53-10¼w (16.41) (53-7½/16.34).
NYC WOMEN’S RESULTS
100(1.3): 1. Aleia Hobbs (US) 10.83 PR (AL);
2. Sha’Carri Richardson (US) 10.85; 3. Teahna Daniels (US) 10.99; 4. Cambrea Sturgis (US) 11.00; 5. Briana Williams (Jam) 11.11; 6. Mikiah Brisco (US) 11.16; 7. Ashanti Moore (Jam) 11.18; 8. Kiara Parker (US) 11.18; 9. Dezerea Bryant (US) 11.19.
200(1.7): 1. Richardson 22.38; 2. Tamara Clark (US) 22.62; 3. Tynia Gaither (Bah) 22.66; 4. Morolake Akinosun (US) 22.82; 5. Kortnei Johnson (US) 22.93; 6. Angie Annelus (US) 23.20; 7. Destiny Smith-Barnett (US) 23.54.
400: 1. Lynna Irby (US) 51.38; 2. Kyra Jefferson (US) 51.54; 3. Kendall Ellis (US) 51.68; 4. Kaylin Whitney (US) 52.53; 5. Brittany Aveni (US) 52.58; 6. Chloe Abbott (US) 53.08.
800: I–1. Ajee’ Wilson (US) 2:00.62; 2. Allie Wilson (US) 2:00.80; 3. Sage Hurta (US) 2:01.41; 4. Chrisann Gordon (Jam) 2:01.82; 5. Brenna Detra (US) 2:02.31; 6. Sammy Watson (US) 2:02.45; 7. Brooke Feldmeier (US) 2:03.41; 8. Danae Rivers (US) 2:03.64; 9. Kaela Edwards (US) 2:04.01; 10. Olivia Baker (US) 2:06.11.
II–1. Charlene Lipsey (US) 2:00.39; 2. Yolanda Ngarambe (Swe) 2:02.82; 3. Jazmine Fray (Jam) 2:03.70; 4. Claudia Saunders (Fra) 2:03.82; 5. Gemma Finch (GB) 2:04.01; 6. Maddy Berkson (US) 2:04.36; 7. Rachael Walters (US) 2:05.64; 8. Dani Aragon (US) 2:09.03.
100H(2.0): 1. Alaysha Johnson (US) 12.40 PR (AL) (9, x A);
2. Tia Jones (US) 12.53 PR; 3. Gabbi Cunningham (US) 12.56; 4. Chanel Brissett (US) 12.66; 5. Andrea Carolina Vargas (CR) 12.90; 6. Christina Clemons (US) 13.02; 7. Payton Chadwick (US) 13.03; 8. Paola Vazquez (PR) 13.29.
400H: 1. Gianna Woodruff (Pan) 54.35; 2. Melissa Gonzalez (Col) 54.98; 3. Shiann Salmon (Jam) 55.28; 4. Tia Adana Belle (Bar) 55.90; 5. Cassandra Tate (US) 56.06.
Field Event
SP: 1. Jessica Ramsey (US) 62-¼ (18.90); 2. Danniel Thomas-Dodd (Jam) 60-4½ (18.40); 3. Raven Saunders (US) 58-9½ (17.92); 4. Divine Oladipo (GB) 56-8 (17.27); 5. Monique Riddick (US) 56-6½ (17.23); 6. Rachel Fatherly (US) 56-1 (17.09). ◻︎