IN THE HEATS the outcomes were true to form with the top performers all advancing to the semis. The semi sections quickened as Bryce Hoppel (1:45.26), Clayton Murphy (1:45.67) and Isaiah Harris (1:45.92) earned big Qs in the first heat. Heat II was decidedly slower as Isaiah Jewett (1:47.05) controlled from the front for the win while super-frosh Will Sumner (1:47.19) grabbed 2nd.
As the final unfurled the 8 competitors experienced some turbulent bumping — no falls, but some off-stride jostling — as the athletes vied for the curb on the initial backstretch.
True to form, Jewett quickly grabbed the pole and used his speed to his advantage. At 400m he hit the bell in 51.89, closely followed by Murphy, Hoppel, and Harris. Jewett held his lead on the backstretch passing 600 in 1:18.65 with the field winding up for a furious finish.
As the pack headed into the final homestretch, it was apparent that Jewett was tiring. Sensing his opportunity, Hoppel surged into the lead and sailed on for the victory in a tactically-raced 1:46.20. Harris (1:46.68) finished 2nd closely followed by Murphy (1:46.82) who snatched the final Budapest berth. Hard-working Jewett (1:47.02) crossed in 4th with Sumner (1:47.41) finishing 5th.
“It feels good,” declared Hoppel. “We finally put it together. It was tough.” The repeat champion acknowledged the race became difficult over the final 300. “At that point you know it’s going to be a tough race. It is going to hurt. But I took it over. I rode through it.”
When asked about the prospect of the newly assembled U.S. trio at the upcoming World Champs, Hoppel replied with no hesitation. “We’re going to have a good year,” he smiled. “We’re going for the medals.”
Team USA’s group have a special incentive for Hungary. Last year, at the World Champs in Eugene, no U.S. 2-lap man advanced out of the heats. When asked, the 800m top performers have since declared that last year’s debacle will not happen again in Budapest. U.S. fans couldn’t ask for more.
MEN’S 800 RESULTS
FINAL (July 09)
1. Bryce Hoppel (adidas) 1:46.20
(24.4, 27.7 [52.1], 26.9 [1:19.0], 27.2) (52.08/54.12) (13.72);
2. Isaiah Harris (BrkB) 1:46.68
(24.6, 27.8 [52.4], 26.7 [1:19.1], 27.6) (52.31/54.37) (13.96);
3. Clayton Murphy (Nike) 1:46.82
(24.9, 27.1 [52.0], 27.4 [1:19.4], 27.5) (52.04/54.78) (13.96);
4. Isaiah Jewett (Nike) 1:47.02
(24.3, 27.6 [51.9], 26.8 [1:18.7], 28.4) (51.89/55.13) (14.63);
5. Will Sumner (adidas) 1:47.41
(25.0, 27.7 [52.7], 27.7 [1:20.4], 26.7) (52.59/54.82) (13.58);
6. Derek Holdsworth (unat) 1:47.61
(25.0, 27.6 [52.6], 27.2 [1:19.8], 27.9) (52.54/55.07) (14.09);
7. Abraham Alvarado (unat) 1:48.85
(24.7, 27.8 [52.5], 27.1 [1:19.6], 29.3) (52.37/56.48) (15.32);
8. CJ Jones (UArm) 1:50.27
(24.3, 27.6 [51.9], 27.2 [1:19.1], 31.2) (51.86/58.41) (16.46).
HEATS (July 06)
I–1. Sumner 1:46.49; 2. Luciano Fiore (EmpE) 1:46.62; 3. Wes Ferguson (NbK) 1:46.65; 4. Devin Dixon (BB) 1:46.92; 5. Sean Dolan (Vill) 1:46.95; 6. Baylor Franklin (Ms) 1:47.48; 7. Ben Nagel (VaT) 1:47.82; 8. Christian Harrison (adiGCTC) 1:47.84.
II–1. Hoppel 1:47.87; 2. Harris 1:48.13; 3. AJ Green (Ks) 1:48.52; 4. Camden Marshall (In) 1:48.70; 5. Drew Piazza (NBal) 1:48.80; 6. Joe Hoots (Tn) 1:49.15; 7. Aman Thornton (Clem) 1:49.41; 8. Sam Austin (Fl) 1:50.29.
III–1. Murphy 1:46.36; 2. Aidan McCarthy (SLO) 1:46.60; 3. Holdsworth 1:46.74; 4. Alvarado 1:46.96; 5. Brandon Miller (Nike) 1:47.06; 6. Mehdi Yanouri (OkSt) 1:47.65; 7. Hazem Miawad (EmpE) 1:47.66; 8. Clay Pender (Ga) 1:48.30.
IV–1. Jewett 1:46.55; 2. Kameron Jones (TS) 1:47.13; 3. CJ Jones 1:47.63; 4. Crayton Carrozza (Tx) 1:47.84; 5. John Lewis (unat) 1:48.44; 6. Bobby Poynter (USC) 1:49.70; 7. Mike Jasa (Loras) 1:50.95; 8. Robert Downs (UArm) 1:55.77.
SEMIS (July 07)
I–1. Hoppel 1:45.26; 2. Murphy 1:45.67; 3. Harris 1:45.92; 4. Alvarado 1:46.25; 5. Jones 1:46.61; 6. Dolan 1:46.93; 7. McCarthy 1:48.15; 8. Miller 1:48.55.
II–1. Jewett 1:47.05; 2. Sumner 1:47.19; 3. Holdsworth 1:47.53; 4. Green 1:47.55; 5. Jones 1:47.64; 6. Fiore 1:47.81; 7. Dixon 1:48.33;… dq—Ferguson.