EUGENE, OREGON, July 05 — If major records are the most important metric, then the highlight of the men’s action at the Prefontaine Classic came in the very first event, and it didn’t even happen in the main stadium.
Rudy Winkler, lodged in 2nd behind Olympic champion Ethan Katzberg at the start of round 3 in the hammer, spun and released a massive 272-10 (83.16) American Record, topping the 271-4 (82.71) he threw at the Trials in ’21. Though Katzberg improved twice more in the competition, finishing at 268-1 (81.73), he couldn’t catch the American.
Saying he had “zero expectations” after a bad week of training, Winkler added, “I released it and I felt like it could be a PR. I saw it land, and I was like, ‘It looks like it could be a PR,’ and then it came up as 83 and then I kind of blacked out for a few seconds, but I had to regain my composure for my last couple of throws.”
For the crowd inside the stadium, the thrills reached peak levels when the Bowerman, stacked with talent, delivered a result that no one expected. Hopes of a deep, super-fast race faded when only Yared Nuguse went with the rabbit (55.3, 1:51.2). As they built a significant margin, only France’s Azeddine Habz emerged from the trailing pack to bridge that gap.
Nuguse led at 1200 (2:48.3), with Habz a stride behind and a gap of 25m or more to the rest of the field. Niels Laros, all of 20, got ahead of the pack and started chasing, but with 200 left, he was still more than 20m back. Then found his stride on the turn and started eating up the margin. On the rail, he passed Habz and then set out after Nuguse. With virtually nothing to spare he caught him at the line in a Dutch Record 3:45.94, Nuguse 0.01 back. Habz held on for 3rd in 3:46.65 as Olympic champion Cole Hocker ran 4th in 3:47.43. Back in 9th, Grant Fisher clocked 3:48.29 in his first mile since high school, edging Hobbs Kessler’s 3:48.32.
Said Laros, “I wasn’t so confident. Winning here takes a miracle, but then [my coach] said ‘You’re a special boy, so I wouldn’t be surprised.’”
In the 400H, Rai Benjamin looked likely to win until he didn’t. Undefeated in the full-lap hurdles since Budapest ’23, the Olympic champion started strong and had made up the stagger on Alison dos Santos approaching hurdle 8. But that’s where the Brazilian started fighting back. He moved into the lead over that hurdle and held the margin to the line to take a 46.65–46.71 victory.
It was visualization that made it happen, said dos Santos: “I think about every single session that I did before, how hard it was to finish the session and remind myself that I can finish strong.”
World 100 leader Kishane Thompson stood as the favorite in the dash, and no one came close to shooting down that theory. He got out well for a sprinter his size and held the lead before he got to 20m. From there he dominated, with only Zharnel Hughes narrowing the margin at the end. Thompson clocked 9.85 with a faint wind of 0.4. Hughes clocked 9.91 and only Trayvon Bromell (9.94) and Brandon Hicklin (9.98) also went under 10.
“I’m the only one that can stop me,” said the Jamaican champion. “I don’t say that to brag, but to be honest, once I better my execution, amazing things are going to happen.”
The 400 lost a contender when Olympic champion Quincy Hall pulled out late, victim of a hamstring tweak. Paris silver medalist Matthew Hudson-Smith had to chase Khaleb McRae for the first 300 before he moved into the lead himself. As McRae faded, both Christopher Bailey and Jacory Patterson came on, but neither could catch Hudson-Smith’s 44.10. Bailey clocked a PR 44.15, Patterson 44.31 and McRae 44.31.
Said Hudson-Smith, “I’ve got family to feed now, rather than just myself. I’ve got to try now, rather than just coasting… It’s a different type of focus and energy when you’ve got a child on the way and another person to look after.”
In the 200, Courtney Lindsay put up a tough fight but Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo, who hadn’t yet broken 20 this year, came to life and reeled him in over the second half of the race to score a world-leading 19.76 (wind 0.7). Lindsey (19.87) prevailed over 3rd-placer Alexander Ogando of the Dominican Republic (19.94).
“The 19.7 is a shock to me because we just recovered from an injury which took a lot of weeks of training, so I’m happy,” said the winner.
Joe Kovacs dominated the shot ring, blasting a world-leading 73-4 (22.35) in round 2. He went even farther in round 3 at 73-9 (22.48). That was more than enough to handle Roger Steen, whose 72-6½ (22.11) just edged Chuk Enekwechi’s 72-6¼ (22.10) and Tripp Piperi’s 72-5¾ (22.09), PRs for all three.
“This ring is the best in the world,” said Kovacs. “My body’s strong, it’s moving fast, but it’s just more reps and timing, and that’s what really lets me be more relaxed. When I’m relaxed, I can whip the ball, so that’s when it goes far.
“The tidal wave has gotten pushed so, so high. I’m thankful to be at the forefront and the tip of it, but there’s so many more people coming behind.”
Mondo Duplantis treated the crowd to three attempts at a World Record 20-7½ (6.29). The show wrapped up when he came down on the crossbar the third time. The Cajun Swede settled for the win at 19-8¼ (6.00), which he cleared on his second attempt. That topped Sam Kendricks and Austin Miller, both of whom only cleared 19-¼ (5.80).
Despite “a nice little tailwind,” Duplantis said he had technical issues. “I just really had trouble adjusting and I just couldn’t really find a way to control the poles because I was going through everything so quickly, but it was super fun. I’m not going to complain about it too much.”
The morning’s discus competition gave Mykolas Alekna the win he might have rather had 3 weeks earlier at the NCAA. This time his 232-10 (70.97) was enough to hold NCAA winner Ralford Mullings (226-4/68.98) to 2nd, with veteran Daniel Ståhl 3rd at 225-0 (68.59).
The morning 10,000 race, not a DL affair, instead served as the trials for the Kenyan team for Tokyo — and perhaps an unofficial trial for the Ethiopians. In any event, Ethiopians swept the top three spots. Biniam Mehary, just 18, ran a world-leading 26:43.82, inches ahead of Berihu Aregawi’s 26:43.84. Selemon Barega nabbed 3rd in 26:44.13. Kenya followed with Edwin Kurgat (26:46.35), Collegiate AOY Ishmael Kipkurui (26:47.72), and Benson Kiplagat (26:50.00). Conner Mantz ran 12th at 27:35.22.
The international mile, set before the main TV window, provided some notable thrills, as Ethan Strand, in his first pro race, kicked to the win in 3:48.86. Vincent Ciattei (3:49.68) and Virginia junior Gary Martin (3:49.73) crossed next.
A hoped-for assault on Alan Webb’s High School Record, set 24 years ago at the Pre meet, fell short, as Owen Powell finished in 3:58.12.
EUGENE DL MEN’S RESULTS
100(0.4): 1. Kishane Thompson (Jam) 9.85; 2. Zharnel Hughes (GB) 9.91; 3. Trayvon Bromell (US) 9.94; 4. Brandon Hicklin (US) 9.98; 5. Ackeem Blake (Jam) 10.03; 6. Bayanda Walaza (SA) 10.04; 7. Christian Coleman (US) 10.06.
200(0.7): 1. Letsile Tebogo (Bot) 19.76 (WL);
2. Courtney Lindsey (US) 19.87; 3. Alexander Ogando (DR) 19.94; 4. Robert Gregory (US) 20.04; 5. Jereem Richards (Tri) 20.23; 6. Bryan Levell (Jam) 20.25; 7. Aaron Brown (Can) 20.44; 8. Joe Fahnbulleh (Lbr) 20.53.
400: 1. Matthew Hudson-Smith (GB) 44.10; 2. Chris Bailey (US) 44.15 PR; 3. Jacory Patterson (US) 44.31; 4. Khaleb McRae (US) 44.45; 5. Muzala Samukonga (Zam) 44.49; 6. Charlie Dobson (GB) 44.65; 7. Kirani James (Grn) 44.80.
Mile: 1. Niels Laros (Neth) 3:45.94 NR (out WL) (7, x W) (3:32.10)
(finish [1500, 1400, 1300 & 1200 to the finish line] 13.8, 27.0, 40.9, 54.5);
2. Yared Nuguse (US) 3:45.95 (AL) (x, 2 A) (2:48.36, 3:30.37 [AL])
(55.5, 55.9 [1:51.4], 56.9 [2:48.3], 57.6 [1200m to 1609.35m]) (finish [1500, 1400 & 1300 to the finish line] 15.5, 29.6, 43.6);
3. Azeddine Habz (Fra) 3:46.65 NR (3:31.36);
4. Cole Hocker (US) 3:47.43 PR (4, 9 A) (3:32.88);
5. Reynold Kipkorir (Ken) 3:47.46 PR (3:33.65);
6. Cam Myers (Aus) 3:47.50 (x, 2 WJ) (3:32.60 NJR);
7. Timothy Cheruiyot (Ken) 3:47.71 PR (3:33.40); 8. Jake Wightman (GB) 3:47.82 PR (3:33.14);
9. Grant Fisher (US) 3:48.29 PR (6, x A) (3:33.72 PR);
10. Hobbs Kessler (US) 3:48.32 (3:33.39); 11. Festus Lagat (Ken) 3:48.93 PR (3:33.72); 12. Neil Gourley (GB) 3:49.41 (3:34.09); 13. Stefan Nillessen (Neth) 3:49.53 (3:34.55); 14. Abel Kipsang (Ken) 3:50.93 (3:34.88); 15. Olli Hoare (Aus) 3:51.60 (3:35.59);… rabbit—Abe Alvarado (US) (55.28, 55.96 [1:51.24].
(best-ever mark-for-place: 4–15)
Non-DL Mile: 1. Ethan Strand (US) 3:48.86 (3:34.43); 2. Vincent Ciattei (US) 3:49.68 (3:34.69); 3. Gary Martin (US) 3:49.73 PR (3:34.95); 4. Adam Spencer (Aus) 3:50.19 PR (3:35.19); 5. Sam Gilman (US) 3:51.49 PR (3:36.05); 6. Sam Tanner (NZ) 3:52.63 (2:52.66, 3:35.77); 7. Flavien Szot (Fra) 3:54.74 PR (3:38.09); 8. Luke Houser (US) 3:55.32 PR (3:37.30); 9. Simeon Birnbaum (US) 3:56.64 PR; 10. Wes Porter (US) 3:56.76 PR; 11. Owen Powell (US) 3:58.12 (out HSL).
Non-DL 10,000: 1. Biniam Mehary (Eth) 26:43.82 (x, 3 WJ) (21:28.71, 24:13.16);
2. Berihu Aregawi (Eth) 26:43.84; 3. Selemon Barega (Eth) 26:44.13; 4. Edwin Kurgat (Ken) 26:46.35 PR; 5. Ishmael Kipkurui (Ken-NM) 26:47.72 PR; 6. Benson Kiplangat (Ken) 26:50.00 PR (10:32.45, 13:14.17, 15:56.85, 18:42.91); 7. Stanley Waithaka (Ken) 26:56.36 PR; 8. Mezgebu Sime (Eth) 27:04.17 PR; 9. Nicholas Kipkorir (Ken) 27:06.76; 10. Samwel Masai (Ken) 27:07.65 PR; 11. Amos Kipkemoi (Ken) 27:24.47 PR; 12. Conner Mantz (US) 27:35.22.
400H: 1. Alison dos Santos (Bra) 46.65; 2. Rai Benjamin (US) 46.71; 3. Nathaniel Ezekiel (Ngr) 47.88; 4. Trevor Bassitt (US) 48.29; 5. Abderrahmane Samba (Qat) 48.76; 6. CJ Allen (US) 49.58.
Field Events
Non-DL PV: 1. Mondo Duplantis (Swe) 19-8¼ (6.00) (18-4½, 19-¼, 19-8¼ [2], 20-7½ WR [xxx]) (5.60, 5.80, 6.00 [2], 6.29 WR [xxx]); 2. Sam Kendricks (US) 19-¼ (5.80); 3. Austin Miller (US) 19-¼; 4. tie, Matt Ludwig (US), Keaton Daniel (US) & KC Lightfoot (US) 18-4½ (5.60);… nh—Renaud Lavillenie (Fra).
SP: 1. Joe Kovacs (US) 73-9 (22.48) (WL) (71-1¼, 73-4, 73-9, 71-8¾, 72-3¾, f) (21.67, 22.35, 22.48, 21.86, 22.04, f);
2. Roger Steen (US) 72-6½ (22.11) PR (68-1¾, f, 69-11¾, 70-11¾, 72-6½, f) (20.77, f, 21.33, 21.63, 22.11, f); 3. Chuk Enekwechi (Ngr) 72-6¼ (22.10) NR (69-1½, 72-6¼, 71-4¾, 69-10¼, 68-7¼, 71-1½) (21.07, 22.10, 21.76, 21.29, 20.91, 21.68); 4. Tripp Piperi (US) 72-5¾ (22.09) PR; 5. Rajindra Campbell (Jam) 72-3¾ (22.04); 6. Payton Otterdahl (US) 71-11 (21.92); 7. Leonardo Fabbri (Ita) 71-2¾ (21.71); 8. Tom Walsh (NZ) 70-6½ (21.50).
(best-ever mark-for-place: 5–8)
No-DL DT: 1. Mykolas Alekna (Lit) 232-10 (70.97) (228-11, 232-10, 223-7, 229-0, 231-9, 228-6) (69.79, 70.97, 68.15, 69.80, 70.64, 69.65); 2. Ralford Mullings (Jam) 226-4 (68.98); 3. Daniel Ståhl (Swe) 225-0 (68.59); 4. Roje Stona (Jam) 215-3 (65.62); 5. Sam Mattis (US) 213-5 (65.06); 6. Andrew Evans (US) 209-10 (63.96); 7. Reggie Jagers (US) 186-4 (56.79).
Non-DL HT: 1. Rudy Winkler (US) 272-10 (83.16) AR (old AR 271-4/82.71 Winkler ’21) (WL) (18, x W) (260-4, f, 272-10, 265-4, f, f) (79.37, f, 83.16, 80.87, f, f);
2. Ethan Katzberg (Can) 268-1 (81.73) (263-0, 258-5, f, f, 268-1, 266-1) (80.16, 78.77, f, f, 81.73, 81.10); 3. Mykhaylo Kokhan (Ukr) 260-1 (79.27); 4. Daniel Haugh (US) 257-8 (78.55); 5. Wojciech Nowicki (Pol) 252-8 (77.03); 6. Denzel Comenentia (Neth) 251-0 (76.51); 7. Rowan Hamilton (Can) 250-6 (76.36); 8. Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan (US) 246-4 (75.08).
