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Raising Cain on the High Plain, Mary Cain’s Storybook Tale Continues, by Dave Hunter, note by Larry Eder

Larry Ederby Larry Eder
March 4, 2013
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Dave Hunter has been writing about the USA Indoor for the past three days. His thoughtful approach to the sport, his concern about making sure all of the disciplines are covered, is one of the many reasons I enjoy his writing and appreciate his support of the RunningNetwork and Runblogrun.com. 


Fascinating parallels this morning, as I can not sleep in Goteborg, Sweden and start to plan one more day in this fabulous city. I really enjoyed the shot put qualifying in Goteborg, where all of the Euro Champs were under one roof. Crowds between 1,500 and 5,000 each day in Goteborg, and wonderfully organized, each day. 

Leer_WillMile-UsaInd13.JPg
Will Leer, 3,000m/Mile champion, USA Indoors, 
photo by PhotoRun.net

Rajne Soderburg, the former director of the DN Galan Games in Stockholm, was speaking with Daniel Wessfeldt and myself. Ranje noted that, key for our sport to prosper is to do the events in smaller facilities, and really do them well. The key is, how to build an event brand, and how to enthuse both the fans and the athletes? 

The USA 2013 Indoor Champs were a strange champs. Many top athletes are starting later in 2013, after having not had a championship year break since 2010! However, look at Jenn Suhr, and her world record! Look at the stage for Mary Cain and also Will Leer. 

And, both the TV team and USATF should be very happy that Jenn Suhr, Mary Cain and Will Leer all attended and competed so well. 

Read on….

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Raising Cain On The High Plain

Mary Cain’s Storybook Tale Continues

                                              Right 

On

Track

By Dave Hunter


Albuquerque, New Mexico

Without question, the highlight of the concluding day of the 2013 USA Indoor Track & Field Championships was the women’s mile.  The tidy field of seven included six seasoned professionals – and a 16 year old school girl.  90 days ago, a significant majority of track & field’s hard-core fan base had barely a clue about Mary Cain, who she was, or even what event she performed.  Now even a growing number outside the sport are becoming aware of this high school phenom.  And today proved to be another coming-of-age chapter in Cain’s growing  “athletics” anthology.  

Cain_MaryFV-UsaInd13.JPg

Mary Cain wins the USA Indoor mile, photo by PhotoRun.net

In one of the strangest mile races you’ll ever see, Cain controlled the race from the gun.  Charging into the lead in what is becoming her opening salvo to stay out of trouble, Cain settled into the lead of a tight back that was traveling at barely over race-walking speed.  Cain led the covey through the first quarter in 85 seconds as the older women simply keyed off the high schooler’s loping pace. “I was kind of glad for the slow pace, honestly” an exuberant Cain admitted in the mixed zone.  “I know I have a kick.  And if nobody wants to go now. Well, good luck.  We’ll really kill it in,” offered Cain with a dash of  infectious teenage animation.   And when the half was passed in 2:55, everyone knew this race wasn’t tactical – it was bordering on the absurd. At 1000, the pace began to thaw as Sara Vaughn pulled even with Cain.  A 72 second third 400 took the pack through three quarters in 4:07 as the race for the approaching finish line began in earnest.  Cain successfully fought off Vaughn in Lap 7 with sub-30 second circuit.  And when a misstep by Vaughn at the bell momentarily threw Cain’s challenger off stride, it seemed to energize the young miler.  Displaying toughness, Cain turned it on over the last lap to complete her final 400 in 58.8 for a dazzling – and surprisingly comfortable – victory.  

Running the first three quarters like a school girl and the final 400 like a professional, Cain captured the national title with a finish time of 5:05.68 –  the slowest winning women’s mile time ever recorded in the history of the USA Indoor Championships. It didn’t matter.  “I don’t worry about time.  I go in there to race.  And that’s what I did today.”    Cain’s Project Oregon teammate Treniere Moser – herself a multiple-time national 1500 champion – got up to grab second in 5:06.55, with Brie Felnagle and Sara Vaughn capturing the next two spots.  In capturing the mile win, Cain became the first high school athlete since 2003 [Allyson Felix; outdoor 200] to win a U.S. indoor or outdoor track & field title.

Alberto Salazar – Cain’s coach – never doubted her upstart’s ability to finish hard with the professionals – some of whom are 10 years older – or more. Cain’s coach never worried about his protégé’s ability to handle an overly-tactical affair.  “We had gone over it [the possibility of a very slow pace] before and if it was slow, she could outkick everybody.  I think she is essentially in 2 flat 800 shape right now.”

In the men’s mile, the pacing was decidedly different.  With Will Leer doubling back from his 3000 win of Saturday and Matthew Centrowitz in his second race of the afternoon, several other competitors considered a more spirited pace in this altitude setting as their best strategy. When Ryan McNiff took the race through the first quarter in 61.9, Macklin Chaffee decided to take charge.  With a subtle tempo change, Chaffee led the field through 800 in 2:00.  That pace at Albuquerque’s altitude was taking its toll on several – including Centrowitz who, laboring in 8th place, was never a factor.  Sensing an opportunity to possibly steal the race, Jeff See charged to the front with 700 meters remaining, passing three quarters in 3:00.  As the runners began to string out, Cory Leslie grabbed the lead just before the bell lap with Craig Miller in chase close behind.  On the final circuit, Leer – who had been methodically moving through the field –  was closing on the lead duo. In contact with 100 to go, Leer kicked hard off the final turn to capture the victory – and his second national title in 24 hours.  Leer’s winning time was a stunning 3:58.79 as both Miller and Leslie – second and third – also dipped under 4:00. By the meet’s conclusion, race officials were calling Leer’s winning time the fastest American mile performance at altitude.

Sowinski_ErikQ-Usaind13.jpg

Eric Sowinski, USA Indoor 800m champion, photo by PhotoRun.net

A stellar 6-man field battled for the men’s 800 title.  Joe Abbott took it out hard passing 200 in under 24 seconds and hitting 400 in 52.26.  Robby Andrews – with the year’s AL in the 1000 – was predictably running last. The former University of Virginia star started to work through traffic on the third lap and was gaining ground when Erik Sowinski – the Millrose 600 champion – stormed into the lead with a powerful surge just before the start of the bell lap which he passed in 1:19.  Sowinski flew over the final circuit – but a determined Andrews was reeling him in.  Andrews’ valiant sprint off the final curve fell just short as Sowinski got to the line first in 1:47.09 – for a .04 second winning margin. “I actually thought about leading the race, but Joe [Abbott] got out pretty fast,” Sowinski confided in the mixed zone when questioned about pacing.  Asked about his new national championship status, Sowinski – who works in a running store in Iowa City –  responded, “I can’t even put it into words.  These last couple weeks have been a whirlwind.” A disappointed Andrews was nonetheless gracious in defeat.  “With 200 to go, I just made sure that I was within reach,” Andrews explained. “Going into the last 100, I could feel momentum carrying me and I just came up a stride or two short.  Sowinski made a great move and ran a great race.”

Wilson_AjeeQ-Usaind13.jpg

Ajee Wilson, USA Indoor 800m champion, photo by PhotoRun.net

In the women’s 800, 18 year old Ajee Wilson – yet another precocious teenager – won the national title with a wire-to-wire win in 2:02.64, holding off Chanelle Price [2:02.93].  Wilson – who confided that she wanted an honestly-paced final – took the early lead, passed 400 in 59.92, and never was headed.

Wariner_JeremyQ-Usaind13.jpg

Jeremy Wariner, USA 400m Indoor Champion, photo by PhotoRun.net

The men’s 400 final proved to be a platform for redemption for Jeremy Wariner.  The former Olympic champion over 400 meters – who always seems to run his best when he appears to be just a little angry – sent a message that whispers of any erosion in his long-sprinting performance are greatly exaggerated.  Wasting no time, Wariner roared over the first lap to grab the all-important pole – so crucial in the indoor 400.  Never threatened over the final lap, Wariner stopped the clock at 45.82 to capture his first national title since – amazingly – 2005.  The veteran 400 runner was pleased with his performance.  “I felt really good,” offered Wariner. “I wasn’t expecting to run in the 45s and this is what I wanted.”  Bershawn Jackson – expected to contend for the 400 title – was unable to finish he pulled up in obvious pain during the final lap.

Wineberg_MaryQ-Usaind13.jpg

Mary Wineberg, 400 meters, photo by PhotoRun.net

Disaster struck in the women’s 400 final – spoiling what had been anticipated to be a duel between Ebonie Floyd and Mary Wineberg, the two fastest qualifiers from Saturday.  In the final, as the runners rounded the second curve of the two-turn stagger and were jostling for the coveted Lane One position for the final circuit, it appeared that a runner clipped the back heel of Wineberg who went down hard. Without a significant challenge, Floyd breezed on to a 52.02 win and her first national title.

In the men’s 60, Mississippi State’s Dangelo Cherry prevailed over more experienced sprinters to win the national championship.  Cherry’s time of 6.49 just missed the WL 60 time of 6.48 – set by both Jimmy Vacaut and James Dasolu in Goteborg just the previous day – but was quick enough to unseat Darvis “Doc” Patton [6.50] for the American leader.  “I think my body was more ready than my mind was,” offered the new national champion.  How was your start?  “I am not sure.  I kind of black out at the start.”  Wow.

In the women’s 60, Barbara Pierre [7.08] edged Lekeisha Lawson [7.10] to gain the crown. Her winning time is a new AL – besting her previous AL mark by .01 seconds.

In the men’s 60H, Omoghan Osaghae took the national title by clearing the barriers in 7.62.  Brendan Ames was a step back in 7.72 while multi star Trey Hardee – running with the big dogs – finished in 7.74 for third in the event he passed in yesterday’s final day of the heptathlon.

Aided by flawless technique, up-and-coming Nia Ali nipped Kristi Caitlin to claim the title in the women’s 60 hurdles final.  Ali’s winning time of 7.93 put her .04 seconds in front of the Caitlin and .07 seconds ahead of Jenay DeLoach Soukup – yesterday’s winner of the long jump. 

Thumbnail image for Whiting_Ryan-UsaInd13.JPg

Ryan Whiting, winning USA Indoor shot title, photo by PhotoRun.net

Ryan Whiting, the 2012 World Indoor Champion, dominated the shot put.  Any of his four fair throws would have won the title.  But his fifth round bomb of 21.80 [71’6¼’] was not only his personal indoor best, but the heave also bettered his 2013 WL mark of 21.59 [70’10”] set last month.

Michelle Carter’s six throws in the women’s shot put were the best of the competition.  Saving her best for last, Carter heaved the ball 19.41 [63’8¼”] on her sixth and final attempt to capture her first national indoor title.

In the men’s triple jump, Rafeeq Curry’s second round jump of 16.45 [53’11¾”] gave him a lead he held through most of the event. But Joshua Honeycutt claimed the national title when – on his final attempt – he spanned 16.59 [54’5¼”] to snatch the victory.

In the women’s triple jump, all 5 participants held the lead at some point during the event.  It wasn’t until NYAC’s Amanda Smock uncorked a 5th round leap of 13.65 [44’9½”] that the battle for the national title was settled.  

Inika McPherson won the women’s high jump with a third round clearance at 1.89 [6’2¼”].  Sharon Day – who sealed her national pentathlon win on Friday – claimed the second spot with a 1.83 clearance [6′] – just slightly lower than her earlier pentathlon HJ clearance of 1.85 [6’¾”]. 

A third attempt clearance at 5.60 [18’4½”] gave Jordan Scott the men’s pole vault title, besting Jake Winder’s 5.55 [18’2½”].  Pre-meet favorite Brad Walker had a bad day at the office – finishing 8th with only a sole clearance at 5.35 [17’6½”].     

It would be premature to declare that the 2013 USA Indoor Track & Field Championships signaled an inevitable changing of the guard.  But a reflection upon the various outstanding performances from the likes of Nixon, Beach, Cherry, Wilson, Ali, and especially Cain can give  all of us bona fide reason to be optimistic about the emerging young talent in our sport.  

Dave Hunter

Author

  • Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

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Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

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