EUGENE, OREGON, June 23-25—Some of the nation’s top preps and college yearlings clashed at the USATF Junior Championships to see who might make the U.S. team for the World U20, set for the first week in August in Cali, Colombia. As is often the case, the strongest prospects emerged in the speed events.
In the 400, Cincinnati frosh Steven McElroy, who had only reached 45.57 during the NCAA season, slashed that best down to 44.93 to move to No. 9 all-time among U.S. Juniors. “It’s a phenomenal feeling,” he said. “I know when I crossed the finish line, my dad was screaming, my mom was screaming. It was awesome.”
Over 200, Jordan Anthony (Tylertown, Mississippi) ran a prep-leading 20.35 to top the 20.47 of Brandon Miller (ex-Grand Valley transferring to Kentucky). Michigan frosh Miles Brown kicked best to win a negative-split 800 over Princeton’s Samuel Rodman, 1:50.90–1:50.91.
Malik Mixon (Westlake, Atlanta) rode a 2.6 breeze to win the 110H (39-inch) in 13.28, becoming the No. 10 prep under any conditions. Texas prep Kody Blackwood (North, McKinney) took the long hurdles in 50.62.
Johnny Brackins, transferring from Baylor to USC, won the long jump with 26-4¼ (8.03) that compared well with the Senior marks later that day, where the same distance placed 5th.
The best throw came from Rhode Island hammer thrower Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan, who moved to No. 5 among U.S. Juniors, No. 3 among preps, with his 246-4 (75.08) with the Junior implement.
USATF JUNIOR MEN’S MEDALISTS
100(1.2): 1. Laurenz Colbert (Bay) 10.21; 2. Michael Gizzi (AlH) 10.28; 3. Connor Washington (Ar) 10.29.
200(2.0): 1. Jordan Anthony 20.35 (MsHS) (HSL);
2. Brandon Miller (MiHS) 20.47; 3. Colbert 20.48.
400: 1. Steven McElroy (Cinc) 44.93 (9, x AJ);
2. Ashton Schwartzman (TxAM) 45.16; 3. Charlie Bartholomew (OkSt) 45.40.
800: 1. Miles Brown (Mi) 1:50.90; 2. Samuel Rodman (Prin) 1:50.91; 3. Daniel Watcke (IlHS) 1:51.20.
1500: 1. Nathan Green (Wa) 3:45.19; 2. Muluken Tewalt (WF) 3:47.62; 3. Jack Dingman (ECar) 3:48.75.
St: 1. Bryce Lentz (AF) 8:58.46; 2. Peter Visser (Web) 9:02.07; 3. Logan Patete (SCUp) 9:13.54.
3000: 1. Lucas Guerra (Gtn) 8:19.36; 2. Tyrone Gorze (OrHS) 8:21.03; 3. James Wischusen (NJHS) 8:23.32.
5000: 1. Gorze 14:08.08; 2. Dylan Throop (Penn) 14:09.22; 3. Jacob Bourget (Wi) 14:09.74.
110H(2.6): 1. Malik Mixon (GaHS) 13.28w (a-c HSL) (a-c: =10, x HS);
2. TJ Caldwell (PittSt) 13.34w; 3. Jayden Smith (David) 13.35w.
400H: 1. Kody Blackwood (TxHS) 50.62; 2. Yan Vazquez (AzHS) 50.95; 3. Grant Williams (TxHS) 51.02.
10,000W: 1. Ryan Allen (NJHS) 49:53.14; 2. Clayton Stoil (VaHS) 54:15.71; 3. Lucien Beardsley (MeHS) 60:02.84.
Field Events
HJ: 1. Marcus Monroe (MSAC) 6-11½ (2.12); 2. Jalan Rivers (AF) 6-10¼ (2.09); 2. Aaron Kim (UCLA) 6-10¼.
PV: 1. Justin Rogers (PaHS) 17-2¾ (5.25); 2. Garrett Brown (Stan) 16-10¾ (5.15); 3. Hunter O’Brien (CaHS) 16-6¾ (5.05).
LJ: 1. Johnny Brackins (Bay) 26-4¼ (8.03); 2. Curtis Williams (FlSt) 25-4½ (7.73); 3. Aaron Davis (TxHS) 25-¾w (7.64).
TJ: 1. Solomon Washington (Tx) 50-9½w (15.48); 2. Floyd Whitaker (Mn) 50-4½w (15.35); 3. Jaden Patterson (Ks) 48-1¼ (14.66); 4. Jarvis Anderson (TxHS) 47-9¾w (14.57).
SP: 1. Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan (RIHS) 64-4½ (19.62); 2. Cade Moran (CaHS) 62-10 (19.15); 3. Cooper Mack (Bay) 61-4¼ (18.70).
DT: 1. Desmond Coleman (Lib) 197-2 (60.10); 2. Kevin Grubbs (SamH) 196-11 (60.02); 3. Ridge Estes (Wich) 196-10 (60.00).
HT: 1. Robinson-O’Hagan 246-4 (75.08) (HSL) (5, x AJ; 3, 4 HS);
2. Collin Burkhart (PennSt) 238-1 (72.58); 3. Jeremiah Nubbe (WaHS) 232-3 (70.79).
JT: 1. Evan Niedrowski (Monm) 231-7 (70.58); 2. Jackson Rimes (LSU) 202-9 (61.81); 3. Elijah Cook (Penn) 194-11 (59.41).
Dec: 1. Landon Helms (IdHS) 6425; 2. Bryce Pearson (CerrC) 6280; 3. Max Tucker (TxHS) 6010.