Ajee’ Wilson, photo by PhotoRun.net
3 World Leads at US Champs
PORTLAND (USA, Mar 11): First day of US Indoor Championships (also World Indoors trials) at the new green track of the Oregon Convention Center brought three World leading marks, all in technical events. Marquis Dendy improved in long jump to excellent 841 and is now the clear favorite for the global event. Second best jump decided about the second qualifier between Jeff Henderson 805 (800) and Marquise Goodwin 805 (796). By the way, decathlon star Ashton Eaton was 6th (760, also clocked 6.80 in the 60 m heats and was hit by crossbar from pole vault). Michelle Carter with 19.49 world leading shot put looks to be another US gold medal contender for next weekend. Second qualifier Jill Camarena-Williams 18.64 ahead of Jeneva Stevens 18.56, Brittany Smith 18.50 and Felisha Johnson 18.29. Third World lead in non world champs event, men weight throw as Colin Dunbar improved to 23.96 and beat favorite AG Kruger 23.24. Excellent PB also for Sam Kendricks who cleared 590 in pole vault, second place for Mike Arnold 560 (has the qualifier from February). More difficult in high jump as winner Erik Kynard 229 is ok, but second placer Bryan McBride jumped only 226 and will not be able to jump at World Indoors. Without standard is also triple winner Christina Epps despite her winning mark 14.05 (indoor PB). Great 3000 m races brought as World Indoors qualifiers Ryan Hill 7:38.60 and Paul Chelimo 7:39.00 indoor PB and on the women side Shannon Rowbury 8:55.65 with Abbey D´Agostino 8:57.31. In men race third Eric Jenkins 7:41.19 ahead of former World indoor winner Bernard Lagat 7:41.25 and Garrett Heath 7:41.26. Steeple record holder Evan Jager was 7th 7:44.05 and marathon Olympics bound Galen Rupp 8th 7:48.34. First non-qualifier in women 3000 m Shalaya Kipp despite life-time best 8:59.85. Gwen Berry won weight throw 24.35 over Amber Campbell 24.19 and Felisha Johnson 23.53 PB. From heats to note fastest times by Mike Rodgers 6.56 (60 m, out for false-start Ryan Bailey), Vernon Norwood 45.81 (400 m), Barbara Pierre 7.13 (60 m), Natasha Hastings 51.79 (400 m) and Janay DeLoach 7.88 (60 m hurdles, here great depth with total 7 sub 8 times).
