by Alfonz JuckI love Albequerque.
The setting is intimate, and for geeks, and young athletes, it is a good thing. But, not good long term for the sport. The altitude hurts performances.
However, even with many athletes not going to Albequerque, the meet was surprisingly good.
Case in point. Christian Coleman had, singularly, the worst start I have seen in a major race. I love Christian, but the start was like, lets see how badly we can screw up, yet the finest sprinter at the 100m did it. His 6.37 was in spite of his start. I know Christian, and he will be focused for the next two months on his start, and that is what we want. We want Christian angry, so he just takes names in Tokyo!
Christian Coleman in Doha, photo by Gulf News
Ryan Crouser is scary. 22.60m? Damn! Wait til he gets fit and Joe Kovacs and Tomas Walsh get him really worked up. I have to tell you, the Tokyo men’s shot put could be the finest event on the entire athletics schedule. I believe it will take 22.50-22.60 to medal! These guys are big, and FAST. The shot is about speed, little grasshopper (okay, check on David Carridine in Kung Fu (1966), tremendous show )! These guys put on, one of the best shows in the sport (and don’t get me started on watching Will Claye and Christian Taylor in the TJ, those guys are amazing).
Nice win by Josh Thompson!
Coleman close to WR 6.37, Crouser close to WR 22.60
ALBUQUERQUE (USA, Feb 15): Christian Coleman sprinted to 6.37 – the equal second-fastest time in history – to win the 60m on the second and final day of the US Indoors. After 6.51 to win his semi-final, he had a 0.148 reaction on his way to a world lead, which only he has matched or bettered. It was 0.03 seconds outside the world record he set at this meeting and venue two years ago. Defending champion Marvin Bracy was second in 6.49 and Brandon Carnes was third in 6.53 ahead of Demek Kemp 6.55. Ryan Crouser sent the shot out to 22.60m – the second furthest indoor mark in history behind Randy Barnes’ 22.66 from 1989. Aside from that round-four effort, he produced 22.18m, 22.05m and 21.84m. Second was Nick Ponzio with 20.85m and third Payton Otterdahl with 20.50m. In the women’s 60m, Mikiah Brisco clocked 7.04 to equal the world lead set by Javianne Oliver in the semi-final.
Ryan Crouser, photo by World Athletics
The latter took silver with 7.08 as Brianna McNeal was third in 7.17 PB. Sandi Morris cleared 4.90m at the third attempt in the pole vault to nudge Jenn Suhr into second. Both had first-time successes at 4.85m. Olivier Gruver was third with 4.70m. Aaron Mallett won the men’s event with 7.54, moving to equal third on the world list. Jarret Eaton won silver with 7.57.
Randy Cunningham, Jeff Benjamin, Vashti Cunningham, photo by Jeff Benjamin, 2019
Vashti Cunningham took her fifth consecutive US indoor high jump title, going over 1.97m. Also sealing five in a row was Ajee’ Wilson, who clocked 2:01.98 as Kaela Edwards was second in 2:02.41. Shelby Houlihan won the 1500m in 4:06.41 as Colleen Quigley was second in 4:08.30. Donald Scott led a trio over 17m in the triple jump, his 17.24m being a personal best. Omar Craddock (17.14m) and Chris Benard (17.02m) took the minor medals. Wadeline Jonathas took her first US title, recording 51.54 as Naasha Robinson was second in 51.98 and Quanera Hayes was third in 52.07. Bryce Hoppel won the 800m in 1:46.67 ahead of Isaiah Harris (1:47.16). Gabriele Cunningham gained her first US title as she set a PB of 7.92 in the 60m hurdles. Payton Chadwick was second with 7.94 and Tiffani McReynolds third in 7.96. Rashard Clark took the 400m in a big PB of 45.86. Janeah Stewart retained her weight throw title with 24.62m. Other winners were: Quanesha Burks in the long jump (6.76m), Josh Thompson in the 1500m (3:44.07) and Robyn Stevens in the 3000m walk (13:12.54).
