• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home USATF

Centrowitz back on top at USA Outdoor Championships, by David Monti, Race Results Weekly

Race Results WeeklybyRace Results Weekly
June 23, 2018
0
0 0
0
SHARES
3
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Centrowitz_MattQ-USAo18.JPGMatthew Centrowitz, photo by PhotoRun.net

Houlihan_ShelbyQ1-USAout18.jpGShelby Houlihan, photo by PhotoRun.net

RelatedPosts

ALBUQUERQUE AND EUGENE SET TO HOST CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS

Coffee With Larry, Houston Marathon this weekend, ATL about to begin, Cruz Culpepper and Paige Stoner to HOKA NAZ Elite!

RunBlogRun presents Socialing The Distance with Larry Eder Featuring Max Siegel, CEO of USA Track & Field (RBR Archives, Feb. 2021)

Coburn_EmmaQ1-USAo18.JPGEmma Coburn, photo by PhotoRun.net

Frerichs_CourtneyQ1b-USAo18.JPGCourtney Frerichs, photo by PhotoRun.et

The night before his final, Matthew Centrowitz, accompanied by his family, enjoyed Italian food at a local restaurant called Centro. Centrowitz won his fifth title at 1,500 meters, equalling the legendary Steve Scott, who had won six titles at Mile and 1,500 meters with 1977 and 1986. Emma Coburn won her seventh title, and her fifth in a row at the steeplechase. Shelby Houlihan won her second Outdoor title and seven US title overall. In this feature, David Monti writes about the middle distance races of day three.

CENTROWITZ BACK ON TOP AT USA OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
By David Monti, @d9monti
(c) 2018 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved, used with permission.

DES MOINES (23-Jun) — One year ago in Sacramento, Calif., reigning Olympic 1500m champion Matthew Centrowitz walked slowly off of the track at Hornet Stadium after finishing second in the 1500m at the USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Beset by both injury and illness in the months leading up to the race, the combative four-time national outdoor champion wasn’t at full strength, and was just relieved that he had qualified for another national team.

“Today, third is as good as first,” Centrowitz said at the time. “But, also disappointed that I couldn’t win it.”

But here in Des Moines today, Centrowitz once again showed his class now that he is at full health. Starting out at the back of a very competitive 1500m final, Centrowitz took stock of the race, reacted wisely to all of the key moves, then overpowered ten men who were right on his heels in a mass sprint to win his fifth national 1500m outdoor title (to go along with his two indoor titles) in 3:43.37

“He always makes running look much easier than it is,” marveled his Nike Oregon Project teammate Eric Jenkins who finished third in 3:43.74.

But Centrowitz’s view of the race was more critical. When the contest opened up on the backstretch in the penultimate lap Centrowitz said he was caught out of position.

“I actually found myself in a really bad position,” Centrowitz told reporters. “With 700 to go I was out in lane three, probably like in eighth, seventh or something, and I had to go around a lot of guys.”

Centrowitz kept his cool, worked his way to the front and was sitting in third at the bell.

“I just tried to stay relaxed ’cause I knew that homestretch was going to be windy, that last 100 meters. I wanted to save a little extra something for there.”

That last 100 became a massive fight for position with no room for error. Centrowitz was in the right spot in the center of the track and was able to complete a 53.4-second circuit to put the race away. Behind him, the next 10 men finished in the span of just 79/100ths of a second, including Izaic Yorks who got second (3:43.63). Yorks said he has been working on being more aggressive and holding his position.

“I’ve always been on the side of being a little more timid,” explained Yorks. “I’ve really worked on being more aggressive, being a little bit better holding your ground and position.”

With the sting of his disappointment from last year still on his mind, Centrowitz felt grateful to have such a good performance today.

“I don’t take these national titles for granted,” Centrowitz said. “Even with an off-year with no Olympic or world championships.” He added: “I think at this point in my career I want to keep checking off boxes and leave my mark in the 1500 in the U.S.”

In the women’s metric mile, the fans in Drake Stadium were treated to showdown between two Iowa natives, Jenny Simpson (Webster City) and Shelby Houlihan (Sioux City). Simpson, 31, last year’s IAAF World Championships silver medalist, had won the last four national 1500m crowns. Houlihan, 25, has four USA indoor titles, but has never won on the big oval. At last month’s Prefontaine Classic, Houlihan won the race in a career best time of 3:59.06, and Simpson finished third. It was a fan-favorite rematch.

Today, both women were at the back of the pack through the first lap, content to let the race play out and to keep an eye on each other. Indeed, with two laps to go they were in 11th and 12th place, respectively.

The pace did not get going until Houlihan’s Nike Bowerman Track Club teammate Kate Grace threw in a powerful surge just after the bell for the final lap was rung. Grace was chased by Brenda Martinez, Simpson, and Houlihan. With 200 meters to go, Grace was still leading with Simpson second and Houlihan third and gaining ground, but seemingly not fast enough. Going into the homestretch, she was still behind Simpson.

“The last, like, hundred I was, like, you just got to pull even, then hopefully have a little kick the last 50,” Houlihan said in her post-race interview. “I was just hoping that she wouldn’t be able to respond to that.”

Indeed, Houlihan went by Simpson with authority to break the tape in 4:05.58 to Simpson’s 4:06.21. Grace was third in 4:07.04. Martinez was unable to finish.

“I never felt like I really had it because I know she’s a fighter, and she’s probably right behind me,” said a relieved Houlihan.

Simpson, who has been the dominant American miler since winning the world title in 2011, was disappointed, but satisfied with how she raced.

“People will go on and debate on whether I made the right choice to leave it down to a kick, but I thought going hard from the gun or from far out was the most predictable thing I could do, and it came down to who had the better kick.” She added: “I’m totally bummed but I guess I have a lot of practice at losing as well as winning.”

Simpson’s good friend and fellow University of Colorado alum Emma Coburn fared better today in the final of the women’s steeplechase. In a replay of last summer’s IAAF World Championships, where Coburn won gold and Courtney Frerichs silver, Coburn held off her top rival to collect her seventh national steeplechase title in a stadium record 9:17.70. Frerichs finished second in 9:18.69, while Mel Lawrence got third in 9:33.30.

Neither woman reacted when Katy Kunc went out hard from the gun, and both stayed near the front of the chase pack until Kunc was caught with five laps to go. The pace stayed level for the next three laps, and with two laps to go Coburn and Frerichs pulled away to fight it out for the win. Coburn ran the penultimate lap in 67.6, the squeezed out a 64.5 for the final circuit, a pace Frerichs couldn’t match.

“I came into it thinking just run relaxed, then the last, somewhere between three laps to go and 700 to go, really make a shift and go hard,” Coburn told Race Results Weekly. “I knew Courtney is really good at hanging tough, especially when we’re slowly squeezing it down. I just thought, I’m going to shoot out like a cannon and try to drop her.”

Frerichs was ready for Coburn’s move, and had hoped to cover it.

“I felt really good going into that last lap,” Frerichs told the media. “It’s just what we wanted. I wanted to be there with 400 to go.” She added: “I just need to keep working on that faster pace.”

Middle and long distance action continues on the final day of these championships tomorrow with finals in the men’s and women’s 800m and 5000m, and the men’s steeplechase.

Author

  • Race Results Weekly
    Race Results Weekly

    Race Results Weekly is the news service of record for global road racing, published by David and Jane Monti, with support of Chris Lotsbom. RunBlogRun publishes their stories with permission.

    View all posts

Previous Post

Eliza McCartney sets Oceanic PV record of 4.92 meters!

Next Post

Ekaterina Stefanidi takes EL with 4.80m clearance in Athens, Greece

Race Results Weekly

Race Results Weekly

Race Results Weekly is the news service of record for global road racing, published by David and Jane Monti, with support of Chris Lotsbom. RunBlogRun publishes their stories with permission.

Similar Post

Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic (updated with event photos)
American Records

Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic (updated with event photos)

January 29, 2023
The Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour is expected to be bigger this year
African Athletics

The Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour is expected to be bigger this year

January 29, 2023
Woody Kincaid sets AR for 5,000m, 12:51.61,  in titanic struggle with Joe Klecker, 12:54.99, both under 13 minutes!
American Records

Woody Kincaid sets AR for 5,000m, 12:51.61, in titanic struggle with Joe Klecker, 12:54.99, both under 13 minutes!

January 29, 2023
Coffee With Larry: Yared Nuguse’s AR 3,000m in 7:28.24, Woody Kincaid’s 12:51.61, 5000m AR, HOT Karlsruhe Meeting, Keely Hodgkinson runs fast 600 meters, sets meet record!
News

Coffee With Larry: Yared Nuguse’s AR 3,000m in 7:28.24, Woody Kincaid’s 12:51.61, 5000m AR, HOT Karlsruhe Meeting, Keely Hodgkinson runs fast 600 meters, sets meet record!

January 28, 2023
Coffee With Larry, for Thursday, December 22, 2022, some thoughts on Gary Goettlemann, Terry Ward, and NB Nationals, NB Indoor and the Dubai marathon
Uncategorized

2022 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week 4, Day Six, a day at the races….

January 28, 2023
Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic
American Records

Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic

January 28, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

July 5, 2022
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

July 17, 2022
Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

November 18, 2022
Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

October 14, 2022
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

5
TCS New York City Marathon Broadcast to be Available in More Than 530 Million Homes Around the World on Sunday, November 6

RunblogRun Editorial: The Sorry State of Running Television Coverage, by Peter Abraham, note by Larry Eder

4
Cary Pinkowski did the Heroic Thing–My letter to CNN on the LSB Chicago Marathon

Cary Pinkowski did the Heroic Thing–My letter to CNN on the LSB Chicago Marathon

3
Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic (updated with event photos)

Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic (updated with event photos)

January 29, 2023
The Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour is expected to be bigger this year

The Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour is expected to be bigger this year

January 29, 2023
Woody Kincaid sets AR for 5,000m, 12:51.61,  in titanic struggle with Joe Klecker, 12:54.99, both under 13 minutes!

Woody Kincaid sets AR for 5,000m, 12:51.61, in titanic struggle with Joe Klecker, 12:54.99, both under 13 minutes!

January 29, 2023
Coffee With Larry: Yared Nuguse’s AR 3,000m in 7:28.24, Woody Kincaid’s 12:51.61, 5000m AR, HOT Karlsruhe Meeting, Keely Hodgkinson runs fast 600 meters, sets meet record!

Coffee With Larry: Yared Nuguse’s AR 3,000m in 7:28.24, Woody Kincaid’s 12:51.61, 5000m AR, HOT Karlsruhe Meeting, Keely Hodgkinson runs fast 600 meters, sets meet record!

January 28, 2023

Popular Stories

  • USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

    Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Howard Slusher, RIP, 1937-2022, the man behind the new Hayward Field

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Recent Tweets

RunBlogRun Follow

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. RunBlogRun is the voice of the sport.

RunBlogRun
Retweet on Twitter RunBlogRun Retweeted
athleticsmore GD Athletics_and_More @athleticsmore ·
23h

Wow 😲😲😲 https://twitter.com/RunBlogRun/status/1619476864543690754

RunBlogRun @RunBlogRun

Aleia Hobbs drops a mind-blowing 6.98s in the 60m to move into No. 9 on the world all-time list.

Reply on Twitter 1619480806103347201 Retweet on Twitter 1619480806103347201 1 Like on Twitter 1619480806103347201 2 Twitter 1619480806103347201
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
16h

Watch for our announcement on streaming video for the #Dubaimarathon, featuring Tim Hutchings and Paula Radcliffe! The #DubaiMarathon is back on February 12, 2023, and you can watch it from anywhere ...in the world! #adidasrunning, #dubaimarathon, #runblogrun,

Reply on Twitter 1619579849177169920 Retweet on Twitter 1619579849177169920 Like on Twitter 1619579849177169920 1 Twitter 1619579849177169920
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
17h

This is the complete results from the 2023 John Thomas Boston Terrrier Classic, January 27, 2023: https://bit.ly/3XNjJ7I , #bostoncollege, #yarednuguse, #woodykincaid, #drewbosley,

Reply on Twitter 1619573844733304832 Retweet on Twitter 1619573844733304832 Like on Twitter 1619573844733304832 Twitter 1619573844733304832
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
17h

Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic (updated with event photos) , by Larry Eder, photos by Kevin Morris, ...https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/01/yared-nuguse-sets-ar-for-3000m-in-728-24-at-boston-terrier-classic-updated-with-event-photos.html, #kevmofoto, #yarednuguse, #OnAthleticsClub, #BostonTerrierClassic, #3000m, #Americanrecord,

Reply on Twitter 1619571871464448000 Retweet on Twitter 1619571871464448000 Like on Twitter 1619571871464448000 1 Twitter 1619571871464448000
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
17h

The Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour is expected to be bigger this year, by Justin Lagat, ...https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/01/the-sirikwa-classic-world-cross-country-tour-is-expected-to-be-bigger-this-year.html, #SirikwaClassicWorldCrossCountry, #justinLagat, @lagatjustin,

Reply on Twitter 1619566162148483072 Retweet on Twitter 1619566162148483072 1 Like on Twitter 1619566162148483072 2 Twitter 1619566162148483072
Load More...
Next Post

Ekaterina Stefanidi takes EL with 4.80m clearance in Athens, Greece

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist