Conversations with Larry: Day 4 of USATF Outdoors: Big Shot put, Big Long Jump, fine 800 meters!

Okay, it is conversations of Larry for Day 4 from Sacramento. I do a rant on the poor quality of the audio system, which could have been fixed in hours if someone cared, but was not. This was not good for Sacramento as they bid for the 2020 Olympic Trials. The heat had played down by day four, and while warm, the races were good, but the fans were few. As there was little or no promotion of the USATF champs in the athletics media, many did not come, and the heat kept many away. Sport commissions still have not figured out, if you want people at any sports event, you need to promote to the serious fans and use them to reach the many people on the line. Still, some believe that, if you put on a track meet, people will just show up.

Donovan Brazier takes his first title, photo by Brian Eder for RunBlogRun

The 800 meter runs were fun to watch. Donovan Brazier takes the win, and Drew Windle provided the surprise in the men’s race.

Ajee’ Wilson wins 800 meters, photo by PhotoRun.net

On the women’s side, Ajee’ Wilson showed her prowess, negative splitting to a 1:57:78, with Charlene Lipskey taking second in 1:58:01, and Brenda Martinez in third in 1:58:51, her best for the year and fine team for USA to send to London in August.

Ryan Crouser just delivering the men’s shot put title, photo by Brian Eder for RunBlogRun

Aries Merritt, Aleec Harris, Devon Allen, photo by Mike Deering for The Shoe Addicts

The 110 meter hurdles did not disappoint, with a fine team picked from the brutal system that is seen as part of the American culture. Top three, or, well, good luck. In the Long Jump, Jarrion Lawson, who took 4th in the Rio Olympics, knows he has more to show the world, and did just that, in his win in Sacramento.

Jarrion Lawson touches the sky, winning LJ , photo by PhotoRun.net

Author

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 51-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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