by Larry Eder
Americans in Brussels
The Memorial Van Damme, held August 19-20, 2025 was the last of the Diamond League meetings in 2025. The finals, held in Zurich, will happen August 27-28, 2025.
Here are the US Performances:
Men
Men’s 200m
Robert Gregory, US, was second in 20.19 to Alexander Ogando, who ran 20.16. Christian Coleman (5th in 100m, 6th in 200m in US Champs) ran 20.42 for 4th. Kyree King, US, was seventh in 20.66 as athletes are chasing those points for the DL finals.
Men’s 400m
Jacory Patterson, US, has been on fire. His win in Brussels, in 44.05, was dominating. Vernon Norwood, US, was second in 44.62.
Men’s 1,500m
Niels Laros, the young Dutch star who also won the NIKE Pre Classic on July 5, ran 3:30.58. Yared Nuguse, 5th in US champs, was third in 3:31.51. Hobbs Kessler was 14th in 3:36.65.
Pretty deep, 1,500 meters.
Men’s Steeplechase
Ruben Querinjean, LUX, won the steeple, broke the iconic meet record, and set the LUX and Belgian record of 8:09.47 (Ruben has lived most of his life in Belgium, and also has dual citizenship. Isaac Updike, Dark Sky/Under Armour athlete, ran PB 8:10.59, giving him World Champs Standard! Bernard Keter, US, was 9th in 8;16.11.
Men’s High Jump
Less than strong high jump. Oleh Doroschchuk, Ukraine, won in 2.25m. Elijah Kosiba, USA, whom I met at Tru Hilton in Eugene, leaped 2.18m for seventh. Shelby McEwan, US, was 8th in 2.14m.
Women
Women’s 100m
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, US, ran 10.76 as she continues to dominate the sprints in 2025. Sha’Carri Richardson, finished second in 11.08, and her start is finally looking competent. Maia McCoy, US was sixth in 11.21.
Women’s 1,500m
Watching Nikki Hiltz race is always fun. They know how to handle fast and slow pace, and they are looking in medal contention for Tokyo! Nikki Hiltz went by Linden Hall as if she was standing still, winning in 3:55.94. Laura Muir, GB, had a superb race, in 3:57.63. Heather Maclean, US, who has set several PBs this summer while in Europe, ran 4:00.54 for tenth.
Women’s 5000 meters
Agnes Ngetich won the 5,000m in 14:24.99, after WR pace through 2 kilometers. Josette Andrews, US, looked superb in 14:33.16, taking 4th. In 11th Weini Kelati Frezghi, US, 4th in the 10,000m and 5,000m in US champs, ran a fine 14:37.77. Karissa Schweizer, US, ran 14;39.30 for 13th place.
Women’s 400m hurdles
Anna Cockrell looked pretty good in her win in Brussels, hurdling 53.66 in the 400m hurdles.
Women’s pole vault
Olympic champ, World Champ Katie Moon, US, is in fine shape, winning in Brussels in 4.85m. Molly Caudery, GB, was second in 4.80m. Hanna Moll, US, was third in 4.74m. Emily Grove, US, in sixth in 4.64m. Sandi Morris had a sub par jump, in 4.54m, in 8th. Amanda Moll, US, was 10th in 4.44m, and Gabby Leon, US, was 11th in 4.24m, tied with Roberta Bruni, ITA.
Women’s Triple Jump
Leyanis Hernandez, CUB, was first in 14.78m. Davisleydi Velazco, CUB, was second in 14.72m. Jasmine Moore, US, was third in 14.38m.
Women’s shot put
Chase Jackson, US, continues to impress with her 20.90m massive throw. I feel that Chase has a 21-plus throw in her 2025 season, so let’s watch! Sarah Mitton, CAN, was second in 19.89m. Jessica Schilder, European champ indoors, was third in 19.58m. Maggie Ewan, US, was 7th in 18.80m, and Abby Moore, USA.
