by Larry EderLook, I think Josh McAdams is a great young runner, who runs the steeple well. But 8:29 in a national race makes it hard for these guys to race in Europe and get a chance to get that 8:20, then break 8:20. Here are my thoughts on the race and the state of US steeplechasing for males–females is a different story:
Photograph of Josh McAdams from the rounds, by PhotoRun.net.
Josh McAdams is a seasoned racer. His style is much like Henry Marsh, the scourge of American steeplechasers in the 70s and mid 80s. McAdams runs a strong pace, and makes his move over the last two laps, clearing barriers and water jumps with precision and leaving the field in the dust. He came on strong in 2007 with his upset of Dan Lincoln (still injured, although coming around), and his run in 2008 was quite impressive as well.
In 2009, Billy Nelson, who had such a strong race in Eugene during the trials, took the lead and pressed the pace. Brian Olinger and Dan Huling, who had looked so commanding in the heats, did not run as a team, as Huling took over with two laps to go and pressed the pace.
That was all that McAdams needed as he took over and won over Huling by two seconds with his 8:29.91. Dan Huling was second in 8:32.86 and Kyle Acorn was third in 8:34.65.
Josh McAdams had this to say about his victory:
“I thought the race was going to go out a little faster. Billy got out there and took the lead. Then Dan took it with two laps to go. It really played into my hands, this race. I was kind of surprised.â€
The men’s steeplechase is in a downward mode in 2009, and has been for some years. The days of Tom Nohilly, Danny Lopez, Brian Deimer, Ivan Huff are gone. We need, just like we have on the women’s side, the top athletes going for this event. I hate to say it, but Coach Chaplin is right, find your 800 meter runner who runs 1:48 to 1:50 and get him hurdling. We need Americans who can run 8:05, and they are out there.
The winning time this year was like a trip to 1973 when Savage, Brown, Sid Sink and Mike Manley were trying to get a whole crowd under 8:30.
Men 3000 Meter Steeplechase
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World: W 7:53.63 9/3/2004 Saif Shaheen, QAT
American: A 8:08.82 7/14/2006 Daniel Lincoln, Nike
Hayward: S 8:08.08 2007 Paul Koech, Kenya
Name Year Team Finals
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Finals
1 Joshua McAdams New Balance 8:29.91
2 Daniel Huling Reebok 8:32.86
3 Kyle Alcorn Nike 8:34.65
4 Kyle Perry unattached 8:36.65
5 Benjamin Bruce Oregon TC Elite 8:36.76
6 Thomas Kloos TRANSPORTS 8:38.39
7 Ryan Warrenburg ZAP Fitness 8:43.91
8 Aaron Aguayo Nike 8:44.01
9 Jordan Fife Team Indiana/Brk 8:48.16
10 Thomas Brooks Oregon TC Elite 8:48.56
11 Jacob Morse Texas 8:49.20
12 Brian Olinger Reebok 8:49.37
13 William Nelson Oregon TC Elite 8:52.49
14 Luke Watson adidas 8:57.98
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