ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, February 16 — The World Records in the hurdles for men and women tumbled in an historic Day 1 at the USATF Indoor Championships. With the Olympic-year championships set in the speed-friendly 1507m altitude at the Albuquerque Convention Center, the records perhaps should not have shocked, but the fact that they came in the qualifying heats certainly did.
The first came at about 6:30 p.m. local time, in heat 2 of the women’s hurdles. Tia Jones, the 23-year-old former World Junior champion who had finished 3rd at Millrose behind Devynne Charlton’s World Record 7.67, bolted away from the field to cross with a meter’s lead over USC’s Jasmine Jones (7.82) to tie the mark. In doing so she erased one of the most problematic American Records on the books, the 7.68 mark that was ratified for Susanna Kallur in ’08, the year after the dual citizen won the Euro Indoor title for Sweden.
“It was easier than I thought,” said Jones. “Whenever I’m prepared, it feels easier.”
About 15 minutes later the men lined up, with Grant Holloway in lane 6 of the first heat. Keying off the excitement in the arena, he charged out of the blocks in classic Holloway style. He led at hurdle 1 and by mid-race he looked like a runaway train. He threw himself at the finish and was caught by the camera in 7.27, slicing 0.02 off the World Record that he first set in ’21 and tied in ’22.
Said Holloway, “I knew what I was doing in practice… I kinda knew it was coming. I just had to wait for the moment to come.” He added, “I finally reacted to the gun. That was the difference.”
The finals of the hurdle races, set as the last events of the night, had fans on the edges of their seats, but encore records were not in the cards. In the women’s final, Tia Jones had lane 4, with Jasmine Jones to her left in 3 and Alaysha Johnson in 5. If anything, race delays may have affected the new recordholder. First Johnson got called for a false start, then Cortney Jones; both ran under protest.
Once the race finally got going, Tia Jones made it to the first hurdle just a shade ahead of Jasmine Jones, then confidently pulled away to hit 7.68 at the line, tying the No. 3 clocking in history and No. 2 on the U.S. list. Behind her, Jasmine Jones crossed in a PR 7.78, becoming the No. 10 American ever. Masai Russell finished 3rd in 7.80.
Holloway, who has a bye into the World Indoor because he won the World Indoor Tour last year, decided not to run the final. The decision came early enough that officials made sure there would be no empty lane in the center of the straightaway. Still, only 7 runners lined up. Dylan Beard, the surprise winner at Millrose, would have been the eighth qualifier once Holloway was subtracted, but he was not advanced.
Trey Cunningham rose to the occasion once the gun went off, pulling ahead of surprising Cameron Murray to win, 7.39–7.45, with Daniel Roberts 3rd in 7.48.
Yet another global standard fell on the field, as Daniel Haugh whirled 86-5 (26.35) in round 4 to break the American Record in the weight throw, setting a WR in the process. The heave took down the best of 84-10¼ (25.86) that Lance Deal threw in ’95, just a few months before Haugh was born. Calling the throw “ugly,” Haugh suggested that a 90-foot toss might be possible.
The thin air proved very helpful in the long jump, with Tara Davis-Woodhall spanning a world-leading 23-6¾ (7.18) to move to No. 6 on the all-time world list and No. 2 among Americans. “I knew as soon as I landed,” said the winner. “I’ve never been that far in the pit.” The big leap came just after Jasmine Moore took the lead with a 22-9 in round 5. In the final round, Moore fouled and Davis-Woodhall finished up with a 23-0 (7.01).
A first-attempt clearance at 19-8¼ (6.00) gave the vault win to Chris Nilsen, as he fought back Sam Kendricks, who topped 19-6¼ (5.95). It was the sixth 6-meter clearance of Nilsen’s career.
Chase Jackson asserted her dominance over the shot field, winning with the No. 4 toss in U.S. history, 65-8¼ (20.02), as any of her five marked throws would have sufficed. Maggie Ewen got the second spot at 62-9½ (19.14).
As expected at this altitude, the 3000s were not recordbreakers. Elle St. Pierre ran from the front in hers, gapping the field before the mile to win by 8.70 seconds, her 8:54.40 taking the measure of Josette Andrews (9:03.10) among others.
The men’s race was a spirited tactical affair, with 5 runners all within a second of each other at the bell. Abdihamid Nur had led through 2400, when Olin Hacker moved to the front in an effort to get ahead of the kick of Yared Nuguse. Nice try, but Nuguse closed with a 26.10 final lap to run 7:55.76, finishing ahead of Hacker’s 7:56.22 (26.39 finish) as Morgan Beadlescomb closed well for 3rd in 7:56.70.
On the high jump apron, Vashti Cunningham won her eighth Indoor title at 6-3½ (1.92), beating the PR 6-2¼ (1.89) by heptathlete JaiCieonna Gero-Holt, which made the Washington prep (Emerald Ridge, Puyallup) No. 4 all-time. Shelby McEwen repeated as men’s winner with his 7-5¾ (2.28).Six days earlier in Hustopeče, Czechia, McEwen had climbed to a lifetime indoor best 7-7¾ (2.33) equal to his outdoor PR.
The walks saw wins by Nick Christie (11:56.06) and Miranda Melville (13:55.24).
USATF INDOOR MEN’S RESULTS, DAY 1
(heats not listed for Day 2 finals)
3000: 1. Yared Nuguse (OAC) 7:55.76; 2. Olin Hacker (HokaNnAz) 7:56.22; 3. Morgan Beadlescomb (adidas) 7:56.70; 4. Dillon Maggard (BrooksB) 7:57.56; 5. Abdihamid Nur (Nike) 7:58.65 PR; 6. Kasey Knevelbaard (UArm) 7:58.99; 7. Sam Gilman (unat) 8:00.55; 8. Matthew Wilkinson (UArmDS) 8:01.51; 9. Ian Shanklin (unat) 8:01.53; 10. Benjamin Veatch (UArmDS) 8:02.68; 11. Alec Basten (UArmMRB) 8:05.35; 12. Waleed Suliman (Brk) 8:09.06; 13. Isaac Updike (UArmDS) 8:09.55; 14. Nick Randazzo (unat) 8:12.90; 15. Willy Fink (UArm) 8:14.72.
60H: 1. Trey Cunningham (adidas) 7.39; 2. Cameron Murray (unat) 7.45 PR; 3. Daniel Roberts (Nike) 7.48; 4. Louis Rollins (unat) 7.56 =PR; 5. Michael Dickson (MSMG) 7.57; 6. Cordell Tinch (Nike) 7.58; 7. Freddie Crittenden (TSPhxTC) 7.58;… dnc—Grant Holloway (adidas).
Heats: I–1. Holloway 7.27 WR, AR (old records 7.29 Holloway ’21 & ’22);
2. Murray 7.51 PR; 3. Roberts 7.58; 4. Crittenden 7.59; 5. Paris Williams (unat) 7.69; 6. Titus Moore (Samf) 7.85; 7. Parker Bowden (unat) 8.62.
II–1. Cunningham 7.46; 2. Tinch 7.50 =PR; 3. Rollins 7.56 PR; 4. Dickson 7.59; 5. Dylan Beard (unat) 7.65; 6. Johnny Brackins (USC) 7.66; 7. Devon Montgomery (unat) 7.78; 8. Ryan Fontenot (unat) 7.85.
3000W: 1. Nick Christie (NYAC) 11:56.06; 2. Emmanuel Corvera (unat) 12:47.14; 3. Clayton Stoil (USAr) 13:14.58 PR; 4. Dan Nehnevaj (RalW) 15:21.41.
Field Events
HJ: 1. Shelby McEwen (Nike) 7-5¾ (2.28); 2. Vernon Turner (adidas) 7-4½ (2.25); 3. Kyle Rollins (unat) 7-4½ PR; 4. Eli Kosiba (GVal) 7-3¼ (2.22); 5. Jaivon Harrison (GVal) 7-3¼ PR; 6. Corvell Todd (unat) 7-3¼; 7. Tony Jones (unat) 7-1½ (2.17); 8. tie, Justin Lewis (unat) & Trey Allen (Louis) 7-1½; 10. Mayson Conner (unat) 7-1½; 11. Jonathan Rankins James (GVal) 7-1½; 12. Brion Stephens (Louis) 7-1½.
PV: 1. Chris Nilsen (NikeNYAC) 19-8¼ (6.00) (x, =8 A) (18-½, 18-6½, 18-10¼ [2], 19-¼, 19-2¼, 19-4¼ [xpp], 19-6¼, 19-8¼, 19-10¼ [xpp], 20-0 [xx]) (5.50, 5.65, 5.75 [2], 5.80, 5.85, 5.90 [xpp], 5.95, 6.00, 6.05 [xpp], 6.10 [xx]);
2. Sam Kendricks (Nike) 19-6¼ (5.95) (18-½, 18-6½, 18-10¼, 19-¼, 19-2¼, 19-4¼, 19-6¼, 19-8¼ [xpp], 19-10¼ [xx]) (5.50, 5.65, 5.75, 5.80, 5.85, 5.90, 5.95, 6.00 [xpp], 6.05 [xx]); 3. Austin Miller (unat) 19-4¼ (5.90) =PR (18-½ [2], 18-6½ [3], 18-10¼ [3], 19-¼ [2], 19-2¼, 19-4¼, 19-6¼ [xpp], 19-8¼ [xx]) (5.50 [2], 5.65 [3], 5.75 [3], 5.80 [2], 5.85, 5.90, 5.95 [xpp], 6.00 [xx]);
4. Tray Oates (unat) 19-¼ (5.80); 5. Nate Richartz (TS) 18-10¼ (5.75) =PR; 6. Matt Ludwig (unat) 18-10¼; 7. Luke Winder (unat) 18-6½ (5.65); 8. KC Lightfoot (Puma) 18-6½; 9. Jacob Wooten (unat) 18-6½; 10. Clayton Fritsch (unat) 18-6½; 11. Zach Mcwhorter (unat) 18-½ (5.50); 11. Carson Waters (unat) 18-½;… nh—Zach Bradford (unat), Trevor Stephenson (unat).
TJ: 1. Chris Carter (unat) 54-1¼ (16.49); 2. Chris Benard (CVE) 53-10½ (16.42); 3. James Carter (unat) 53-¼ (16.16); 4. Sir Jonathan Sims (Az) 50-6¼ (15.40); 5. Isaiah Griffith (unat) 50-0 (15.24).
Wt: 1. Daniel Haugh (NYAC) 86-5½ (26.35) WR, AR (old records 25.86/84-10¼ Lance Deal [NYAC] ‘95) (83-1, f, 82-9¾, 86-5½, 82-1, f) (25.32, f, 25.24, 26.35, 25.02, f);
2. Isaiah Rogers (T1D) 80-1 (24.41) PR; 3. Tanner Berg (unat) 76-9¾ (23.41); 4. Peyton Barton (MoSn) 74-9¼ (22.79); 5. Newlyn Stephenson (unat) 71-5¼ (21.77); 6. Alexander Kristeller (Manh) 70-11¾ (21.63); 7. Morgan Shigo (Vel) 69-2¾ (21.10); 8. Joseph White (Carth) 67-9½ (20.66); 9. Anthony Harrison (KennSt) 67-2¼ (20.48); 10. Taige Bryant (unat) 66-½ (20.13).
USATF WOMEN’S RESULTS, DAY 1
3000: 1. Elle St. Pierre (NBal) 8:54.40; 2. Josette Andrews (OAC) 9:03.10; 3. Katie Wasserman (HOKA) 9:06.99; 4. Rachel Smith (HOKA) 9:10.21; 5. Allie Buchalski (Brk) 9:11.96; 6. Elly Henes (adidas) 9:12.25; 7. Ella Donaghu (unat) 9:21.32; 8. Angelina Ellis (UArmDS) 9:23.51; 9. Jenn Randall (TS) 9:27.09; 10. Carmen Graves (OisDen) 9:38.11; 11. Kayley Delay (Brk) 9:39.70; 12. Lydia Olivere (UArm) 9:49.05.
60H: 1. Tia Jones (adidas) 7.68 (x, =3 W; x, 2 A); 2. Jasmine Jones (USC) 7.78 PR (10, x A; =3, =6 C);
3. Masai Russell (unat) 7.80; 4. Christina Clemons (unat) 7.90; 5. Amber Hughes (unat) 7.99; 6. Talie Bonds (unat) 8.06;… dq—Alaysha Johnson (MSMG), Cortney Jones (unat).
Heats: I–1. Russell 7.79; 2. Johnson 7.86; 3. Bonds 7.95; 4. Sharika Nelvis (unat) 8.14; 5. Kaylah Robinson (unat) 8.15.
II–1. T. Jones 7.67 =WR, AR (old WR 7.67 Devynne Charlton [Bah] ’24; old AR 7.68 Susanna Kallur [Swe] ’08]);
2. J. Jones 7.82 PR; 3. Clemons 7.90; 4. Hughes 7.98; 5. C. Jones 8.02 =PR.
3000W: 1. Miranda Melville (SkechNYAC) 13:55.24; 2. Janelle Branch (unat) 13:59.81; 3. Robyn Stevens (JOMA) 14:07.30; 4. Angelina Colon (Mansf) 14:33.36 PR; 5. Celina Lepe (NYAC) 14:33.38; 6. Stephanie Casey (TSHarr) 14:50.25; 7. Marissa Sciotto (Marist) 14:57.67 PR; 8. Kyra Pellegrino (Marist) 16:40.47 PR;… dnf—Ruby Ray (WUSA).
Field Events
HJ: 1. Vashti Cunningham (NikeRB) 6-3½ (1.92);
2. JaiCieonna Gero-Holt (WaHS) 6-2¼ (1.89) PR (4, x HS; in/out: =6, x HS; =13, x AJ);
3. Cierra Allphin (BYU) 6-¾ (1.85); 4. Loretta Blaut (unat) 5-11¼ (1.81); 5. Zarriea Willis (unat) 5-11¼; 6. tie, Mercedeez Francis (unat) & Arika Harbo (unat) 5-9¾ (1.77); 8. Liz Evans (unat) 5-9¾.
LJ: 1. Tara Davis-Woodhall (lulu) 23-6¾ (7.18) (WL) (6, x W; 2, 3 A; in/out: 4, x A) (22-4¼, 22-1, f, 22-3¾, 23-6¾, 23-0) (6.81, 6.73, f, 6.80, 7.18, 7.01);
2. Jasmine Moore (Puma) 22-9 (6.93) (22-4¼, f, 21-10, 21-11, 22-9, p) (6.81, f, 6.65, 6.68, 6.93, p); 3. Monae’ Nichols (Puma) 22-1 (6.73); 4. Sha’Keela Saunders (adidas) 21-5½ (6.54); 5. Tiffany Flynn (TSBH) 21-4¾ (6.52); 6. Madisen Richards (unat) 21-1½ (6.44); 7. Samiyah Samuels (unat) 20-11¼ (6.38); 8. Elizabeth White (unat) 20-7¾ (6.29); 9. Jasmyn Steels (unat) 20-6¼ (6.25); 10. Jenica Bosko (Az) 20-4¼ (6.20); 11. Melanie Winters (unat) 19-11½ (6.08); 12. Jasmine Todd (unat) 19-10¼ (6.05).
SP: 1. Chase Jackson (née Ealey) (Nike) 65-8¼ (20.02) (x, 4 A) (63-11, 63-6¾, 65-8¼, 62-11¼, f, 63-6¼) (19.48, 19.37, 20.02, 19.18, f, 19.36);
2. Maggie Ewen (Nike) 62-9½ (19.14); 3. Adelaide Aquilla (unat) 61-5¾ (18.74); 4. Jessica Woodard (Iron) 60-11¼ (18.57); 5. Katie Fare (NnIa) 54-10¾ (16.73) PR; 6. Rachel Fatherly (GarS) 54-4½ (16.57); 7. Jessica Ramsey (adidas) 53-5¾ (16.30); 8. Josie Schaefer (unat) 53-3¾ (16.25); 9. Rebecca Green (NMSt) 50-6¼ (15.40).
