by Alfonz Juck
Sam Kendricks clears 6.06m, photo by PhotoRun.net
Sam Kendricks gets the big group hug from America’s top vaulters, photo by PhotoRun.net
Day 3 at USATF was amazing! Kendricks PV AR and Price NR/WL in hammer was also fun. Fred Kerley’s win over Mike Norman was a big upset, and his response got people interested.
Kendricks 606 NR/WL, Kerley beats Norman, Price NR/WL in hammer
DES MOINES (USA, Jul 27): With a US record 6.06m, Sam Kendricks produced the best outdoor pole vault since Sergey Bubka’s world outdoor record in 1994. After a clean sweep of first attempts, including at 5.86m, 5.91m and 5.96m, he went to second on the world all-time list with his second try. Indoors only Renaud Lavillenie, Sergey Bubka and Steve Hooker have bettered or matched that height. Cole Walsh was second and KC Lighfoot (PB) was third, both with 5.76m. Also in the team as fourth Zach Bradford 571 as Chris Nielsen jumped only 546. DeAnna Price threw 78.24m in the hammer to break her own area record. She remains fourth on the all-time list and number one in the World 2019. Gwen Berry (76.46m), Brooke Andersen (75.30m) and Maggie Ewen 75.04 PB were next in line in a high-class competition. But only top 3 made it to Doha. Fred Kerley took six hundredths from his PB to 43.64 as he won the 400 m from lane seven. World No.1 Michael Norman clocked the fourth best ever non-winning time of 43.79, while Nathan Strother was third in a PB of 44.29 and made the team. Fourth Vernon Norwood 44.40 ahead of amputee Blake Leeper fifth in 44.48 PB. Rai Benjamin ran the 14th quickest 400m hurdles in history, his 47.23 taking him well clear of second, TJ Holmes (48.58), and third-placed Amere Lattin (48.66 PB). Close situation behind him with Norman Grimes 48.68 PB and David Kendziera 48.69 not making the team. Keni Harrison climbed her third straight title in 100m hurdles, clocking 12.44 (-1.2). Nia Ali was second in 12.55 and Brianna McNeal was third in 12.67. Out from the team by 0.01 was Queen Claye 12.68. High jump winner Vashti Cunningham had a faultless card up to and including at 1.96m and then she had one failure at 2.01m. Inika McPherson (1.94m) and Ty Butts (1.92 PB, but no standard) took the other podium spots and Doha tickets. Brittney Reese took her eighth US outdoor title, jumping 7.00m (+1.8), her best of the year. Second was Jasmine Todd (6.79, +1.7) and third Sha’Keela Saunders (6.78m, +1.4). Tori Bowie, who has a bye for Doha in the 100m so did not compete, was fourth with 6.78 (+0.8, she could actually jump as Reese is WC holder) and fifth Quanesha Burks 670 (+1.6, needs 672 standard) with a chance when Bowie not competing. Shelby Houlihan took over on the last lap of the 1500m to win with 4:03.18. Jenny Simpson was second with 4:03.41 and Nikki Hiltz third with 4:03.55 PB. Sub 4:04 for Sinclaire Johnson and Kate Grace was not enough for Doha. Hilary Bor won the steeplechase with 8:18.05 as Stanley Kebenei was second in 8:19.12. Andy Bayer was third in 8:23.23. Michael Shuey won the javelin with 82.25 PB, a centimetre further than runner-up Riley Dolezal with both bests coming in the last round. Tim Glover was third with 77.47m. In javelin nobody with standard. Shakima Wimbley won the 400m in 50.21 as Kendall Ellis took second in 50.38. Third was Wadeline Jonathas in 50.44 PB and first out of the team was Courtney Okolo 50.86 ahead of Jessica Beard 51.28 and Allyson Felix 51.94.
