SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, February 26-27 — As on the men’s side, the first two women in each event qualified for the Worlds providing they met qualifying standard. Yearly world and U.S. leaders were almost nonexistent, as Maggie Ewen in the shot was the only one who scored. Many fields were thin, some markedly so.
Here’s our by-event women’s reportage:
60 Meters: Mikiah Brisco 7.07
Defending dash champion Mikiah Brisco showed up in fine form. After a Millrose loss to training partner Aleia Hobbs, she won the New Balance GP in a then-world-leading 7.07 and traveled to Eastern Washington with confidence high.
She needed every bit of that to get ahead of undefeated Marybeth Sant Price. The Oregon/Colorado State alum (and U.S. leader at 7.04) watched Brisco win the first heat in 7.09 before one-upping her by taking the second in 7.08.
In the final, Sant Price got out better than Brisco, but the best starter of all was Destiny Smith-Barnett in 2. It took Brisco half the race to pull even with Sant Price before edging ahead of Smith-Barnett. At the finish, Brisco leaned best at 7.07 to Sant Price’s 7.08, with fast-closing Kayla White 3rd in 7.10 and Smith-Barnett in 4th at 7.11.
Looking up at the clock, the LSU alum couldn’t be sure she had successfully defended her title. “I had a feeling but it was really close. I was just hoping that I leaned enough to get the win but it was a very tight race.”
It will be the first time either Brisco or Sant Price has made a U.S. senior team in an individual event.
RESULTS
1. Mikiah Brisco (unat) 7.07;
2. Marybeth Sant Price (FKEl) 7.08;
3. Kayla White (Nik) 7.10 PR;
4. Destiny Smith-Barnett (DPA) 7.11 PR;
5. Cambrea Sturgis (adi) 7.18;
6. Kiara Parker (Asics) 7.20;
7. Crystal Johnson (Tow) 7.50;
8. Leah Fair (unat) 7.53.
HEATS
I–1. Brisco 7.09; 2. Parker 7.22; 3. Sturgis 7.23; 4. Brittany Aveni (unat) 7.62. II–1. Sant Price 7.08; 2. White 7.13 =PR; 3. Smith-Barnett 7.14 =PR; 4. Johnson 7.47; 5. Fair 7.53;… dnf—Taylor Anderson (GardStTC).
400 Meters: Lynna Irby 51.88
A minimalist field of 8 meant that everyone advanced to the final, the heats merely serving to generate the lane/section assignments.
After Duke alum Brittany Aveni led from the start to take the first section in 52.50, the faster seeds fought it out in a competitive second section that saw Lynna Irby come from behind to win in 51.88.
OT winner Quanera Hayes charged out fastest on the inside, and came off the second turn with a lead on the field. However, Alabama A&M alum Na’Asha Robinson, the ’20 runner-up, edged past her to lead past 200 in 23.93. Hayes ran 2nd in 24.04, followed closely by Irby (24.11) and Beard (24.14).
On the backstretch, Irby powered past Hayes to get up on Robinson’s shoulder. Coming off the final turn she pushed into the lead with Beard closely following. For Irby, the winning 51.88 was her best indoor clocking since ’18 when she ran 50.62. Beard, who hadn’t grabbed an individual spot on a national team since ’11, took the second spot in 52.05. Robinson held on for 3rd in 52.50 and edged out Aveni for 3rd overall by just 0.004. Hayes, left boxed on the final stretch, crossed in 53.17.
Said Irby, “When you get in those moments, you just have to make your move and be confident in it, and that’s what happened today. I just knew a move had to be made in order to win the race.”
RESULTS
(2-section time final)
1. Lynna Irby (adi);
2. Jessica Beard (Tracksm);
3. Na’Asha Robinson (unat);
4. Brittany Aveni (unat);
5. Quanera Hayes (Nik);
6. Natashia Jackson (unat);
7. T’Sheila Mungo (unat);
8. Alexia Dehaven (unat).
Sections:
I–1. Aveni 52.50 (52.498) (24.83/27.67); 2. Jackson 54.40; 3. Mungo 55.69; 4. Dehaven (unat) 61.55.
II–1. Irby 51.88 (24.11/27.77); 2. Beard 52.05 (24.14/27.91); 3. Robinson 52.50 (52.494) (23.93/28.57); 4. Hayes 53.17.
HEATS
I–1. Beard 52.79; 2. Aveni 53.40; 3. Mungo 55.72; 4. Dehaven 60.95. II–1. Irby 52.49; 2. Hayes 52.87; 3. Robinson 53.32; 4. Jackson 54.21.
800 Meters: Ajee’ Wilson 2:01.72
Having won 7 titles over the years, Ajee’ Wilson seemed quite comfortable to make it an even 8. She did it the way she has always run her best races, with as little drama as possible. After a controlled first lap, Wilson surged to the front for the 200 (29.38) and then covered the next circuit in a comfortable 32.23 (61.61) before ratcheting it down each succeeding lap (30.97, 29.14) to make everyone else feel very uncomfortable.
Olivia Baker, now running for the Atlanta TC, moved up from the back before the bell to slip ahead of Sadi Henderson for the second position. And while she couldn’t make a dent on Wilson’s lead, she stayed with her, while the rest of the field fell steadily out of contention.
Wilson finished in 2:01.72, Baker in 2:02.14, then Brooke Feldmeier (2:03.01) and Michaela Meyer (also 2:03.01, but 0.003 slower than Feldmeier) took the next two spots.
Said Wilson, “I love running indoors. We train outside all year round, but somehow we always figure it out.” At the last two World Indoors, she has brought home silver: “This time around, I’m excited to hopefully go for the gold.”
RESULTS
1. Ajee’ Wilson (adi) 2:01.72
(29.38, 32.23 [61.61], 30.97 [1:32.58], 29.14) (61.61/60.11);
2. Olivia Baker (AtlTC) 2:02.14
(29.76, 32.43 [62.19], 30.54 [1:32.73], 29.41) (62.19/59.95);
3. Brooke Feldmeier (adi) 2:03.01 (2:03.006)
(29.60, 32.37 [61.97], 31.19 [1:33.16], 29.85) (61.97/61.04);
4. Michaela Meyer 2:03.01(2:03.009)
(29.52, 32.33 [61.85], 31.21 [1:33.06], 29.95) (61.85/61.16);
5. Sadi Henderson (AtlTC) 2:03.92 (2:03.914);
6. Sammy Watson 2:03.92 (2:03.916);
7. Nia Akins (BrooksB) 2:05.88.
HEATS
I–1. Feldmeier 2:02.94; 2. Claire Seymour (BYU) 2:04.22; 3. Charlene Lipsey (adi) 2:04.56; 4. Anna Connor (TracksmTRL) 2:07.74; 5. Olga Kosichenko (CPTC) 2:12.25. II–1. Baker 2:02.96; 2. Meyer 2:03.12; 3. Danae Rivers (UArm) 2:04.84; 4. Brenna Detra (BAA) 2:06.97; 5. Anna Jurew (CPTC) 2:11.99;… dq—Emily Richards (unat). III–1. Wilson 2:01.73; 2. Akins 2:02.18; 3. Henderson 2:03.27; 4. Watson 2:03.73; 5. Sophia Gorriaran (RIHS) 2:03.85 (x, 8 HS); 6. Tracee Van Der Wyk (unat) 2:09.17.
1500 Meters: Heather MacLean 4:06.09
The last women’s 1500 U.S. title clash saw Elle Purrier St. Pierre lead most of the way at the Olympic Trials to win in a meet record 3:58.13. Since that race, though, Josette Norris, who raced the 5000 at the OT, popped into the picture with such force she scored a No. 6 World Ranking, the highest of any athlete who was absent from Tokyo.
Here, however, Heather MacLean rejected both those scripts. The OT 3rd-placer, now 26, let St. Pierre lead and Norris attempt a challenge on the last backstretch before dashing from 4m down in 4th with 100 left to overhaul her prime rivals at the line.
Just 0.05 separated them: MacLean 4:06.09, Norris 4:06.13, Purrier St. Pierre 4:06.14 to miss the Belgrade team by less than a tick.
Purrier St. Pierre passed 400 in 68.4, 800 in 2:15.1 and 1200 at about 3:20.0 with Norris, Dani Jones and MacLean closest come kick time.
MacLean’s finish was ferocious. She covered her last 200 in 29.70 and final 100 in about 14.7 passing eventual 4th-placer Corey McGee (4:07.27) off the final bend and rushing to 1st in lane 2 down the straight.
“That was just the plan, to just trust my kick and trust that I had it in me the last 200,” said the winner.
Said Norris of making her first U.S. team, “I’ve been working really hard at this after the breakout summer. So I’m just really excited to wear the USA kit for the first time and try to go run as fast as we can for Team USA.”
RESULTS
1. Heather MacLean (NBalB) 4:06.09 (29.70, 61.66, 2:07.12);
2. Josette Norris (ReebB) 4:06.13 (30.49, 62.07, 2:07.35);
3. Elle Purrier St. Pierre (NBalB) 4:06.14 (30.58, 62.12, 2:07.51); 4. Cory McGee (NBal) 4:07.27 (31.16, 62.61, 2:07.90);
5. Dani Jones (NBal) 4:08.14 (32.21, 63.80, 2:08.71); 6. Nikki Hiltz 4:10.87; 7. Eleanor Fulton 4:11.96; 8. Alexa Efraimson (NikUAC) 4:12.23; 9. Molly Sughroue 4:14.33; 10. Lauren Berman (PRTC) 4:17.24; 11. Ella Donaghu (NikUAC) 4:19.51.
3000 Meters: Elle Purrier St. Pierre 8:41.53
While 1-2 finishes for Alicia Monson and Weini Kelati at the USATF Cross Country and in the Millrose 3K this winter suggested both would contend, Elle Purrier St. Pierre had a stinging oh-so-close 1500 loss from the night before to make up for.
Thus the table was set for a strength-versus-speed scenario as 10K Olympian Monson led the train at the front with Purrier St. Pierre and Kelati just behind. The pace was tactical by the standard of the “shoes era,” lap splits yo-yoed up and down some.
Monson split 4:42.61 at 1600 and 5:55.74 at 2K — on schedule for an even-pace 8:53.6. The finish was sure to be fierce. Approaching 600 to run the lead trio separated from Dani Jones in 4th and the rest of the field.
Monson turned a 34.15 lap to 2600 with Purrier St. Pierre glued right behind until she revved up her miler speed on the penultimate homestretch, created a meter’s lead around the turn and then built it with a rapid cadence to 15m at the finish, as she prevailed 8:41.53–8:43.86.
Purrier St. Pierre blazed through her last circuit in 28.88 and final 100 in 14.4 and said, “You know, the sport is always testing me and yesterday was really tough. It stung. But I knew it wasn’t a great representation of me and so I wanted to come back here with a bigger fire and get the job done.”
Said Monson, “It’s great to make the Worlds team and I’m just excited to represent the U.S. I knew Elle would bring some big competition today so I kind of tried to step on the pace a little bit. But yeah, it turned out well for us.”
RESULTS
1. Elle Purrier St. Pierre (NBalB) 8:41.53 (28.88, 61.15, 2:10.29);
2. Alicia Monson (OnAC) 8:43.86 (31.10, 63.70, 2:12.86);
3. Weini Kelati (UArmDS) 8:47.77 (33.68, 67.04, 2:16.26); 4. Dani Jones (NBal) 8:49.44 (32.20, 66.61, 2:17.54); 5. Millie Paladino (NBalB) 8:53.41 (32.70, 67.87, 2:20.21); 6. Elly Henes (adi) 8:54.13 (33.16, 68.84, 2:21.56); 7. Andrea Rodenfels (BAA) 8:54.54; 8. Eleanor Fulton (unat) 8:54.68; 9. Courtney Wayment (BYU) 9:00.10; 10. Madeline Strandemo (Ois) 9:11.87; 11. Alycia Cridebring (UArm) 9:12.06; 12. Anna Camp-Bennett (adi) 9:15.95.
60 Hurdles: Gabbi Cunningham 7.82
After finishing 2nd in her heat to Christina Clemons, 7.96–8.00, defending champion Gabbi Cunningham didn’t even get a prime middle lane for the final. Starting from 3, the Tokyo Olympian concentrated on not thinking and just hurdling to streak to an early lead that she maintained all the way to the line to win in a PR 7.82, a notable improvement from her old best of 7.89.
Clemons, who won World Indoor silver in ’18, kept the pressure on Cunningham for most of the race before being caught by surprising Texas Tech alum Alaysha Johnson on the line, 7.91–7.92. Johnson, coming out of semi-retirement after barely competing in the last two years, had the slowest reaction time in the field at 0.206. Dior Hall closed well for 4th in a PR 7.93, a promising sign after two years of struggling following the end of her USC career.
The Allen Johnson-coached Cunningham told NBC, “My thoughts were to just come out here and execute and run a PB. I kind just told myself today to not think, just go out there and run and I think that helped me to not worry about how fast the race was going to go.”
RESULTS
1. Gabbi Cunningham (Nik) 7.82 PR (=11, x A);
2. Alaysha Johnson (MoreSMG) 7.91;
3. Christina Clemons (adi) 7.92;
4. Dior Hall (unat) 7.93 PR;
5. Sharika Nelvis (adi) 8.08;
6. Evonne Britton (EvoTC) 8.17;
7. Cha’Mia Rothwell (unat) 8.24;
8. Cortney Jones (unat) 8.46.
HEATS
I–1. Johnson 7.98; 2. Hall 8.00; 3. Rothwell 8.13; 4. Britton 8.17. II–1. Clemons 7.96; 2. Cunningham 8.00; 3. Nelvis 8.05; 4. Jones 8.22; 5. Danielle Beattie (unat) 8.44.
High Jump: Vashti Cunningham 6-3¼
As is so often the case in domestic affairs, Vashti Cunningham didn’t have to take a lot of jumps. Only 3 in fact. The 24-year-old Nevadan skipped the first two heights, then made 6-¾ (1.85), 6-2 (1.88) and 6-3¼ (1.91) on first attempts.
She actually had company as the bar was raised to 6-4¼ (1.94), both Nicole Greene (a PR) and Rowe having scaled 6-3¼ (1.91) on their first times as well. Both had previous misses, however, Greene at 6-2 (1.88) and Rowe at 6-¾ (1.85).
None were successful at 6-4¼ (1.94) and Cunningham had her record title No. 6 (to go with 4 Outdoor wins). She could well be alone in Belgrade as neither Greene nor Rowe has a qualifier, although 4th-placer Rachel McCoy is close to being eligible based on her WA world ranking position.
RESULTS
1. Vashti Cunningham (NikNvG) 6-3¼ (1.91) (6-¾, 6-2, 6-3¼, 6-4¼ [xxx]) (1.85, 1.88, 1.91, 1.94 [xxx]);
2. Nicole Greene (unat) 6-3¼ PR (5-8¾, 5-10¾, 6-¾, 6-2 [2], 6-3¼, 6-4¼ [xxx]) (1.75, 1.80, 1.85, 1.88 [2], 1.91, 1.94 [xxx]);
3. Jelena Rowe (AsicsNvG) 6-3¼ (5-8¾, 5-10¾, 6-¾ [3], 6-2, 6-3¼, 6-4¼ [xxx]) (1.75, 1.80, 1.85 [3], 1.88, 1.91, 1.94 [xxx]);
4. Rachel McCoy (unat) 6-¾ (1.85); 5. Inika McPherson (Puma) 6-¾; 6. Amina Smith (Shore) 6-¾; 7. Nissi Kabongo (SFA) 5-10¾ (1.80); 8. Ty Butts (unat) 5-10¾; 8. JaiCieonna Gero-Holt (WaHS) 5-10¾;… nh—Liz Evans (unat).
Pole Vault: Sandi Morris 15-9
Friendly rivals Sandi Morris and Katie Nageotte now share the same coach, Brad Walker. As the event was winding down it was just his two superstars left in the competition, Morris looking for title No. 4 (after ’16, ’17 & ’20), Nageotte (’18 & ’19) for No. 3.
They were the only vaulters left in the competition when the bar was raised to 15-9 (4.80). With 6 straight clearances through 15-7 (4.75), Nageotte was in the lead over Morris, who had needed a pair at 3 earlier heights.
Both missed on first try at Nageotte’s yearly-list-leading height of 15-9 (4.80), then Olympic champ Nageotte failed for a second time. Morris ticked the bar with her right hand on her try but the bar stayed and she was suddenly in the lead. Predictably, Nageotte passed her third, saving it for 15-11 (4.85), which she missed.
The victory in hand, defending world indoor champion Morris passed, then closed her day with a trio of misses at what would have been a year-leading 16-0 (4.88). The next day she posted, “Really happy with yesterday’s series of jumps. Hungry for more.”
For her part, Nageotte said, “To say that I’m proud of myself today is an understatement. I always want to win, but making a team from short approach with a bone bruise on my foot (that I definitely was feeling at the end) was just as good for me today. Congrats @sandicheekspv can’t wait to battle in Serbia!”
Farther down the charts the next generation of U.S. stars vaulted well in the person of Washington preps Amanda and Hana Moll. Hana had been the better of the twins this winter but today was Amanda’s turn, as she splattered her name all over the recordbooks as she tied for 4th 14-9 (4.50).
That gave her the World & American Youth Records and ties at the American Junior and HS levels. In Absolute (in/out combined) terms she claimed the AYR and tied the WYR, AJR and HSRs.
RESULTS
1. Sandi Morris (Puma) 15-9 (4.80) (=AL) (14-9, 15-1 [2], 15-3, 15-5, 15-7 [2], 15-9 [2], 16-0 [xxx]) (4.50, 4.60 [2], 4.65, 4.70, 4.75 [2], 4.80 [2], 4.88 [xxx]);
2. Katie Nageotte (Nik) 15-7 (4.75) (14-5¼, 14-9, 15-1, 15-3, 15-5, 15-7, 15-9 [xxp], 15-11 [x]) (4.40, 4.50, 4.60, 4.65, 4.70, 4.75, 4.80 [xxp], 4.85 [x]);
3. Bridget Williams (unat) 15-5 (4.70) =PR (14-5¼ [2], 14-9 [2], 15-1, 15-3 [xpp], 15-5, 15-7 [xxx]) (4.40 [2], 4.50 [2], 4.60, 4.65 [xpp], 4.70, 4.75 [xxx]);
=4. Amanda Moll (NWPV) 14-9 (4.50) =AJR, =HSR; WYR, AYR (in/out: =AJR, =HSR; =WYR; AYR;
=4. Olivia Gruver (Nik) 14-9; 6. Emily Grove (unat) 14-9; 7. Hana Moll (NWPV) 14-5¼ (4.40) (x, =7 HS); 8. Sydney Horn (HPt) 14-5¼; 9. Kortney Ross (unat) 14-5¼; 10. Kristen Brown (unat) 14-5¼; 11. tie, Sophie Gutermuth (unat) & Mackenzie Shell (unat) 14-1¼ (4.30);… nh—Jill Marois (unat), Marissa Kalsey (unat).
Long Jump: Quanesha Burks 21-6
Olympian Quanesha Burks found her road to the top greatly eased by the absence of fellow Tokyo team members Brittney Reese (retired) and Tara Davis (snowed in in Arkansas).
Tiffany Flynn and Sha’Keela Saunders didn’t make it all that easy, however as the three of them played ping pong with the top places, bouncing back and forth.
Defending champ Burks had the first-round lead with a modest 20-11¾ (6.37), with Saunders at 20-7¾ (6.29) and Flynn at 20-5 (6.22). Saunders took the lead in round 2 with her 21-½ (6.41). The third stanza saw Flynn go to the top with her 21‑3¼ (6.48), but four jumpers later Saunders put up an identical mark and took the lead on the countback. Burks was suddenly in 3rd.
Round 4 found Burks putting together what would be her best of the day, reclaiming the lead at 21-6 (6.55). The penultimate sequence had only a single improvement, Flynn’s 21-3½ (6.49) slipping her ahead of Saunders by a centimeter and when none of the three improved on last jump the team was set.
Missing yearly U.S. leader Davis posted, “The universe was not working with me to get to Spokane.”
RESULTS
1. Quanesha Burks (unat) 21-6 (6.55) (20‑10¾, 20-1, 20-8½, 21-6, f, 19-10¾) (6.37, 6.12, 6.31, 6.55, f, 6.06); 2. Tiffany Flynn (unat) 21-3½ (6.49) (20-5, 20-10, 21‑3¼, 20-9¾, 21-3½, 20-5) (6.22, 6.35, 6.48, 6.34, 6.49, 6.22); 3. Sha’Keela Saunders (adi) 21-3¼ (6.48) (20-7¾, 21-½, 21-3¼, 20-9¼, 21-0, 21-1¼) (6.29, 6.41, 6.48, 6.33, 6.40, 6.43); 4. Rhesa Foster (unat) 20-8½ (6.31); 5. Madisen Richards (unat) 20-8 (6.30); 6. Erica Graham (NextLAC) 19-2½ (5.85); 7. Taylor Smith (App) 18-4¼ (5.59); 8. La Kadron Ivery-Shabazz (unat) 16-6 (5.03).
Triple Jump: Keturah Orji 46-10¼
Rivals Keturah Orji (’19) and Tori Franklin (’17, ’18, ’20) came into the meet having between them won the last 4 editions. Now make that 5 as Orji scored an easy win over the AR holder.
Clad in a black jersey, black shorts and black knee socks topped off by a pair of distinctive purple Mizuno spikes Orji watched Franklin open with a foul and then, as the next jumper, pounded down the runway for her first trial. She cut sand at 46-10¼ (14.28), and as it turned out, that was the winning mark.
Franklin ended up fouling half her attempts with a best legal mark of 45-2½ (13.78), almost a meter behind her winning mark two years ago. Overall, Orji had 4 jumps good enough to win. Both she and Franklin have requisite Belgrade qualifiers.
RESULTS
1. Keturah Orji (Miz) 46-10¼ (14.28) (46-10¼, 46-3½, 41-6, 45-9, f, 45-8) (14.28, 14.11, 12.65, 13.94, f, 13.92); 2. Tori Franklin (NikNYAC) 45-2½ (13.78) (f, f, 45-2½, 44-7, f, 45-½) (f, f, 13.78, 13.59, f, 13.73); 3. Imani Oliver (unat) 44-4 (13.51) (44-¾, 44-4, 43-8¾, 43-10, 43-8½, 44-½) (13.43, 13.51, 13.33, 13.36, 13.32, 13.42); 4. Kiana Davis (unat) 42-4¼ (12.91); 5. Cierra Pulliam (unat) 41-7¾ (12.69); 6. Mylana Hearn (DBeth) 41-4½ (12.61) ; 7. Michelle Fokam (unat) 41-1½ (12.53); 8. Jada Branch (App) 40-5½ (12.33).
Shot: Maggie Ewen 64-11¾ WL
The formchart favorite at the Trials last June, Maggie Ewen ended up a disappointed 4th and off the team. She finished her summer on a high note, however, her seasonal best winning the overall Diamond League trophy.
“We figured things out technically at the end of last season, and now those things have shown up right away in training,” she said as the post-Olympic year began.
She came into the meet undefeated and quickly asserted her dominance over U.S. list leader Chase Ealey, who opened at 60-4½ (18.40). At a near-PR 63-11¾ (19.50) Ewen’s response was more than a meter farther.
The second round belonged to Ewen as she punched out a world-leading 64-11¼ (19.79). A PR, the mark moved the 27-year-old Minnesota native to No. 4 on the all-time U.S. indoor list, No. 6 overall).
Ealey crept a little closer with her 62-8 (19.10) in the third round, but it wasn’t close enough and ended up as her best of the day. Ewen finished off with a pair of fouls, then 63-6¾ (19.37) and 62-8 (19.10).
RESULTS
1. Maggie Ewen (Nik) 64-11¼ (19.79) (WL, AL) (4, 9 A) (in/out: 6, x A) (63-11¾, 64-11¼, f, f, 63-6¾, 62-8) (19.50, 19.79, f, f, 19.37, 19.10);
2. Chase Ealey (Nik) 62-8 (19.10) (60-4½, f, 62-8, 60-4½, f, f) (18.40, f, 19.10, 18.40, f, f); 3. Jessica Woodard (unat) 61-4¼ (18.70) (f, 59-10¼, f, 61-4¼, 59-2¾, 60-10) (f, 18.24, f, 18.70, 18.05, 18.54); 4. Jessica Ramsey (adi) 61-2¾ (18.66) (f, f, 60-3¼, 56-1¾, 61-2¾, 58-9¼) (f, f, 18.37, 17.11, 18.66, 17.91); 5. Rachel Fatherly (GarS) 55-9¾ (17.01); 6. Felisha Johnson (unat) 55-9 (16.99); 7. Dani Hartung (unat) 52-3¾ (15.94); 8. Haley Teel (T1D) 52-1¾ (15.89).
Weight: Janee’ Kassanavoid 79-8
Janee’ Kassanavoid hasn’t thrown the weight much in the last few years, but she has never thrown it better. She had 0 meets in ’18, 1 in ’19, 2 in ’20, 0 in ’21 and only 1 this year before this meet. In January, seeking a qualifier, she PRed by almost 4ft when she hit 78-11 (24.05). Here she added almost another foot, reaching 79-8 (24.28).
The 27-year-old Kansas State alum never trailed here, opening at 76-11 (23.44), then unleashing her big throw in the second round. She then fouled 3 times before just missing her PR with a final-round 79-7¼ (24.26).
RESULTS
1. Janee’ Kassanavoid (Nik) 79-8 (24.28) PR (12, x A)
(76-11, 79-8, f, f, f, 79-7¼) (23.44, 24.28, f, f, f, 24.26);
2. Erin Reese (Vel) 77-10 (23.72)
(68-3¼, 75-4¾, f, 75-6¾, 75-½, 77-10) (20.81, 22.98, f, 23.03, 22.87, 23.72);
3. Lara Boman (Vel) 77-4¾ (23.59) PR
(74-3½, 74-11, 73-1¼, 74-9, 74-10½, 77-4¾) (22.64, 22.83, 22.28, 22.78, 22.82, 23.59);
4. Janeah Stewart (NYAC) 76-7¾ (23.36); 5. Maddy Nilles (Vel) 73-11½ (22.54); 6. Alyssa Wilson (TxSt) 73-9 (22.48); 7. Whitney Simmons (T1D) 70-10¾ (21.61); 8. Monique Hardy (unat) 68-10½ (20.99); 9. Michaela Dendinger (Vel) 63-11½ (19.49); 10. Natalie Mohring (ND) 56-7¼ (17.25); 11. Allison Lardy (ND) 56-5¾ (17.21); 12. Kenna Curry (ND) 54-6¾ (16.63).
Pentathlon: Chari Hawkins 4492
When Kendell Williams won last year’s WA Combined Events Challenge, part of the prize was a Wild Card entry, so she didn’t need a win here to get a ticket to Serbia. She would have needed her best total since ’19 to top the podium as Chari Hawkins produced her best 5-eventer ever.
The 30-year-old Hawkins began hot, leading the hurdlers with her PR 8.20. That put her 18 points up on Williams (8.28). Hawkins continued on a roll by leading the high jump, equaling her PR at 6-½ (1.84). Williams topped out at 5-10 (1.78) to fall 94 behind. Continuing her big day, Hawkins upped her indoor shot PR to 44-5½ (13.55). Williams, never a great putter, managed only 40-2¾ (12.26). The gap was now an all-but-insurmountable 180.
Williams won the long jump at 21-0 (6.40) clawing back 49 points after Hawkins spanned 19-8 (5.99). With essentially even 800 PRs, Williams was left with a tough row to hoe and she boldly went to the front, leading at halfway in 70.18. Hawkins was close at 71.10. Williams began to fade and was 4th at the 600 with Hawkins less than a second behind. Williams continued to fade in the last 400 and 200, splitting 38.51 to Hawkins’ 34.74 on the last lap and Hawkins had the title, her 2:24.08 leading to a PR 4492 total.
RESULTS
1. Chari Hawkins (On) 4492 PR (8.20 PR, 6-½/1.84 =PR, 44-5½/13.55 ind PR 19-8/5.99, 2:24.08);
2. Kendell Williams (Nik) 4399 (8.28, 5-10/1.78, 40-2¾/12.26, 21-0/6.40, 2:27.30);
3. Maddie Nickal (unat) 4120 (8.56, 5-4¼/1.63, 43-6/13.26 19-3½/5.88, 2:22.71);
4. Ashtin Mahler (Tracksm) 4119 (8.45, 5-7¾/1.72, 43-¼/13.11 18-6½/5.65, 2:26.84);
5. Sarah Glidden (unat) 4102 PR (8.66 PR, 5-10/1.78 PR, 36-10½/11.24 18-9¾/5.73, 2:22.61);
6. Shaina Burns (unat) 4078 (8.68, 5-6½/1.69, 48-8¼/14.84 PR 17-6/5.33, 2:24.97);
7. Jestena Mattson (unat) 3981 (8.59, 5-7¾/1.72 PR, 38-10½/11.85 18-1/5.51, 2:25.47);
… dnf—Hope Bender (unat). ◻︎