byLarry EderOn Saturday morning, I was doing a short piece for BBC Five Live. They had an exceptional interview with Dalilah Muhammed. When asked about Dalilah, I called her the ‘Edwin Moses’ of women’s 400m hurdling. I have seen Dalilah as exceptional for some time, and her Rio win made me a believer. Her run in Sacramento just added to the respect for Dalilah Muhammed.
Day four was exceptional. In the women’s 400 meter hurdles, six finishers under 54 seconds, with three under 53 seconds!
Delilah Muhammed leads 400m hurdles, photo by PhotoRun.net
Dalilah Muhammed ran from the front the entire race and was rewarded with her run, with a victory and 52.64. Shamier Little showed her talent, running her best at 52.75. In third, Kori Carter lived up to her talent with a 52.95, putting three women under 53 seconds for the first time. Ashley Spencer, 53.11, Georganne Moline, 53.14 and Sydney McLaughlin, 53.82, a World Junior record. With six under 54 seconds, this is one of the finest, if not the finest 400 meter hurdles for women ever.
Ameer Webb, Isaiah Young, Christian Coleman, 200 meters, photo by PhotoRun.net
The men’s 200 meters saw Christian Coleman getting beat once again. Same race plan, Christian Coleman ran out of gas with fifty meters to go. Ameer Webb, being a keen observer, went by Mr. Coleman as if he were standing still. Webb won in 20.09 in a 200 meters that had lost some of its expected talent, from LaShawn Merritt, who felt some cramping to Noah Lyles, who had a slight strain. In the end, Ameer Webb ran his race as did the third placer, Elijah Hall-Thompson, who ran 20.21.
Deajah Stevens wins the 200 meters, photo by PhotoRun.net
In the women’s 200 meters, a tired Tori Bowie let up and Deajah Stevens, who took second in the 100 meters, won the 200 meters in 22.30. Kimberly Duncan ran a fine race in 22.59 to take second, and a fatigued Tori Bowie ran 22.60 in the 200 meters, telling media afterwards that she might not double in London.
Jarrion Lawson goes airborne, photo by PhotoRun.net
The long jump had some fine performances for men, an 8.49 meter wind aided by Jarrion Lawson. Marquis Dendy took second in 8.39 meters. In third was Damarcus Simpson, who leaped 8.36 meters. In fifth was Olympic champion Jeff Henderson, who leaped 8.28 meters.
Ryan Crouser, shot put, photo by PhotoRun.net
The men’s shot put was tremendous, with Joe Kovacs throwing 22.35m on the penultimate throw, and Ryan Crouser responding with a herculian 22.65 meter throw, the finest throw in 14 years.
Ajee’ Wilson and Charlene Lipsey, 800 meters, photo by PhotoRun.net
In the women’s 800 meters, Ajee’ Wilson, Charlene Lipsey and Brenda Martinez under 1:59. Ajee’ Wilson lead for the entire race, taking the field through 59 seconds at the 400 meters, and negative splitting with a 58.78 second lap, nearly setting a PB. Wilson showed that she is ready for London and should be a player there. Expect medalists in 800 meters should run 1:55 in London. Wilson should be able to handle that, as could Brenda Martinez and Charlene Lipsey. This team may be our best in three decades over 800 meters for women.
Aleec Harris, 110m hurdles, photo by PhotoRun.net
And for the final event, the 110 meter hurdles, with Aleec Harris taking the win, with Aries Merritt, returning to fitness in second, and ACL recovered Devon Allen in third. A strong hurdle team in 2017, as expected from the U.S.
What does this tell us? Just how amazingly talented our American track and field athletes really and truly are.
We can not wait for London!
