I almost decided to NOT do a Preview of the USATF Junior Championships, beginning in a few hours in STEAMING (100+ temps!!) Clovis, California!!
Reason being, I checked back to 2014 & 2015 to see what format I'd used for this same meet's Preview in THOSE years--only to discover I didn't DO a Preview either year!!
Poor memory aside, there's another reason for not doing an extensive Preview!
There's only a limited number of really LOADED events. The others have so few notable names that I just didn't see the need for an extensive Preview!
That said, I'll begin this post with the latest in the Records & Marks departments, THEN do a complete, but limited Preview of the US Trials for the World Junior meet!
She is back!!
After 3 years off the charts--due to pregnancy & injuries--Yelena Isinbayeva of the embattled nation of Russia, attempted the World Record height in the PV of 5.07 (16-7.50) in the Russian Championships!
She missed her one attempt, but MADE 4.90, or 16-0.75, to take over the World lead!!
She gets the Age 34 record, OUTdoor variety!
Thus, she is the oldest OUTdoor 16 footer ever!!
Isi opened at 4.60, making it on 1st attempt, then made 4.80 on her 2nd.
She then passed 4.85, moving to the 4.90, which took all 3 tries!
And she didn't have it easy!
Anzhelika Sidorova had the meet of her life, going over 15-11.
She moves from 15th A-T World to 6th, tied with one other!
Sergey Shubenkov ran the 110H in 13.20, after a heat of 13.27.
Anna Chicherova's 6-6 HJ prevailed over Mariya Kuchina's 6-5.
Darya Klishina LJ'ed 22-5.25.
Antonina Krivoshapka ran 400 in 50.70.
Yekaterina Ivanova ran the 3000SC in 9:24.66.
Aleksandra Galyaeva ran 800 meters in 2:01.22.
Ilya Shkuranev won the Decathlon with 8292 points.
And some of those people WILL be in Rio, according to some sources, but maybe NOT wearing Russian colors!
(That's absurd!! Who would NOT know they're from Russia, especially if they medal, and are handed a giant Russian flag to wave as they do a victory lap?? And what music will be played, as they stand proudly on the podium? The theme from "SHAFT"???)
In a meet in Madrid, Yulimar Rojas moved into the stratosphere of TJ'ing, hurtling through the air all the way to 49-3.50 in the 6th round!
She gets the Age 20 record, which also exceeds the best by a 21 year old!!
It also breaks her own National Record of Venezuela!
She becomes 22nd A-T World, tied with 1 other!!
April Steiner-Bennett recently PV'ed 14-11, becoming the Age 36 record holder!
Nery Brenes ran 400 meters in 44.60, breaking his own National Record of Costa Rica.
In the Stumptown meet in Portland--basically a "Last Chance" meet to qualify for the Trials--there were some interesting results, although times were slower than expected, perhaps partially due to it raining during the meet.
Galen Rupp was handed his hat by TWO Collegians in the 5000!!
Justyn Knight beat Woody Kincaid, 13:26.36 to 13:27.32.
And Kincaid just nipped Rupp at the line by 0.02!!
If you're unfamiliar with Kincaid, he's from Portland U, and beat Ed Cheserek earlier this year, back when Ches was recovering from a cold!
Kincaid PR'ed by 5 seconds over his NCAA time, which in turn was a PR by more than 10 seconds!
Brian Schrader was 4th, while Eric Jenkins finished in 7th!
Lucy Oliver (formerly Van Dalen) of New Zealand won the Women's 5000 in 15:24.00.
Tara Welling, a former NOP member, beat current NOP'er Jordan Hasay, 15:26.80 to 15:29.70, although they finished 2nd & 4th!
Aisling Cuffe ended in 5th with 15:35, while Mary Cain couldn't even beat her HSR of 3 years ago, running just 15:49.20 back in 11th place!
Cain also finished 3rd in the earlier 1500, running 4:13.16, behind winner Colleen Quigley's 4:12.21 and 2nd placer Brie Felnagle's 4:12.85.
Looks like Quigley's in shape to challenge for a 3000SC team position at the Trials!!
Speaking of the Women's Steeple, HSR holder (10:00.72 in 2012) Brianna Nerud seems to finally be tapping some of her potential!!
She finished 3rd, with a PR by 8 seconds, time of 9:50.90.
Winning--with an 11 second PR!!--was Megan Patrignelli, who ran 9:43.37!
Erin Teschuk took 2nd in 9:48.65.
Tabor Stevens took the Men's SC in 8:37.42, with HSR holder Bailey Roth back in 4th with a non-PR time of 8:40.21.
Jenna Westaway and Chris Low took the 800's, times of 2:01.97 and 1:47.14.
Matthew Centrowitz sprinted to a decisive win in the 1500, time of 3:37.81, with Andy Wheating well back in 3:40.22.
Further back--in 7th, 10th, and 16th (last!) were Ed Cheserek, Grant Fisher, and Matthew Maton!!
Before I begin my Preview of the USATF Juniors, BIG news!!
Brigetta Barrett, 2nd A-T US in the HJ, has apparently retired!
Garry Hill said this on the T&FN Message Board, but without providing any link or other way to source this news!!
Her Twitter site says nothing about it, it being filled with stuff about her acting and singing careers!!
More on this when (and if) I find out anything!
With a High Schooler being our best HJ hope now, and with Barrett's one-time Arch Rival Chaunte Lowe being seemingly stuck in the 6-4 to 6-5 range, Barrett's absence will be HUGELY felt!!
She's been fighting injuries the past few years!!
Following is my brief Preview of the Men's events of the USATF Junior Championships.
I'll list the event, the Meet Record, then some names to watch for!
100 (10.00) Noah Lyles, apparently NOT injured (as I'd apparently mistakenly stated in a previous post!), should be heavily favored here! Watch also for his brother Josephus--although he's better in the 400--and Darryl Haraway! The MR should be safe!
200 (20.18) This was supposed to be a MAJOR contest between Noah Lyles and Michael Norman, but Lyles will run just the 100. Norman, also best at 400, COULD challenge Lyles's MR!! Kahmari Montgomery is also one to watch for!
400 (45.01) While I doubt anyone will dip into the 44's, the winner should come from the foursome of Josephus Lyles, Montgomery, Will Allen, or Wil London.
800 (1:47.45) If the MR survives the blitz run of Donavan Brazier, I may quit making predictions!!! It's gonna GO DOWN!! But Brandon McGorty, Carlton Orange, and Myles Marshall should battle for places. One thing to note: Only the winner of each heat automatically advances to the final, with the other places being determined by time! Brazier, Marshall, and McGorty are all in the 2nd heat!!
1500 (3:42.8) The only familiar name is Austin Tamagno, he of the 4:01 Mile earlier this year as a HS'er! If he tries to run fast, the MR could fall!
5000 (13:55.7) Olin Hacker and Alex Ostberg are good, but probably won't run under 14:00!
10000 (29:11.2) Never bet against those tough Alaskans! Thus, put Levi Thomet as the best bet to win here! The MR should survive.
3000SC (8:48.2) Recent HS 9:06 man Eion Nohilly could win, but even if he breaks 9:00, will fall short of the MR!
110H (13.21) They run the HS hurdle height here--39 inches! Chad Zallow, Marcus Krah, and Grant Holloway look to be the favorites. Unless they catch a perfect wind in a perfect race, the MR should remain the same!
400H (49.28) Norman Grimes has run 50.10, but not in awhile! Sydney's older brother, Taylor McLaughlin, is certainly one Grimes should fear!! But the MR appears safe.
10000 Walk (42:50.20) Cameron Haught appears to be the best here! Have no idea if he's ready to challenge the Meet Record, however! But it will be exciting to find out!! He'd have to average just under 1:43 per lap!!
HJ (7-5.25) With HS'er Darryl Sullivan having jumped 7-4 this year, and with Jaron Brooks in this also, the MR could be challenged--at least for a tie!
LJ (26-9.75) Barring a HUGE breakthrough, this MR is here for another year (or decade??). But there's still a good 4-some to watch--Grant Holloway, JaMari Ward, Harrison Schrage, and Rayvon Grey!
TJ (55-2.75) This MR can be put away for another year also! Schrage and Ward should duke it out here too!
PV (18-2) Chris Nilsen said heavy winds disrupted his attempts at NBN, thus explaining his 16-8.75 winner there. That should change here!! The MR is certainly in danger! Good former or current HS'ers will fight for places--including Brandon Bray, Deakin Volz, Paulo Benavides, and Rich McWhorter! Mondo Duplantis---IF he intends to go to WJC's---will probably represent Sweden again, as he's MIA in this event!
SP (64-6.50) That MR is for the 16 pounder! Didn't see any other record listed, so not sure what the Shot's weight will be. That said, the 3 best 2016 HS'ers are all here---Jordan Geist, Bronson Osborn, and Tripp Piperi!! (I'd LOVE to see what they could do with the 16!! See a VERY early "editorial" post on that subject, dating from December 2013!!)
DT (190-9) Again, the MR is with the Pro weighted plate!! And the same 3 HS'ers could prevail here too!!
JT (238-4) Liam Christensen recently threw the Jav 232-1. He looks the best bet here!
HT (256-10 & 213-3) Both weights MR's are given here, for some reason! With Bobby Colantonio and Adam Kelly fighting it out, one or the other could be challenged!!
Decathlon (8016 & 7599) Both Dec MR's---for the adult weights & hurdle heights, and for the "Junior" versions of same--are given! And I didn't see ANY familiar names on the heat sheets!! Might make it more exciting to watch!!
And now for the Women's Preview!
100 (11.10) Candace Hill is now a Professional!! But she hasn't come close to her HSR time of 10.98 yet this year! However, 11.10 is within her wheelhouse!! Watch for NCAA INdoor 60 winner Teahna Daniels and HS'er Lynna Irby to follow Hill to the tape!
200 (22.49) Hill ran a windy 22.38 recently! She could get this record with a good (legal!) wind...even in a heat!! Irby is back again as her main rival.
400 (50.69) Is Irby TRIPLING??? She's listed in all 3 speed events!! But Kaelin Roberts should win here, with Zola Golden, Symone Mason, and Irby (if she's here!) set to challenge! The MR seems safe!
800 (2:03.1) Sammy Watson JUST missed the Trials Q time of 2:03 recently! She WANTS it!! So look for a 59 or 60 first 400!!! Aliyah Miller, Gabrielle Wilkinson, Sophie Cantine , and Caitlin Collier might all crack 2:08!
1500 (4:14.74) Oh BOY!!! This field is EFFing LOADED!!! Alexa Efraimson, 19 year old Pro! Kate Murphy, 4:07.21 with a 62 last lap! Katie Rainsberger, Christine Aragon, both among the best-ever HS'ers!! Add Cantine, Wilkinson, Jordyn Colter, and Julia Heymach for seasoning!! Mary Cain's MR is GONE!!!
3000 (9:15.81) The other Cain MR is probably gone also!! BUT....with Murphy doubling here, and with her serious chance to at least make the Trials final....don't look for a super fast time here! That said, for a 4:07 girl with a 62 last lap kicking ability, 9:15 should be a stroll in the park for her!! But Rainsberger is here also, along with Destiny Collins, Fiona O'Keefe, and Heymach!
5000 (16:10.60) Anna Rohrer, who was VERY fast as a Notre Dame Frosh this year, should win this, with the MR well within her sights (except for the expected 100+ temps!!)!! O'Keefe and Bella Burda have wheels, but Rohrer has A-One Radials!!
10000 (34:22.32) Guess What? There AIN'T no 10K for Women!! At least not for RUNNERS!! WHY???? Discrimination & blatant Sexism--that's why!!! The MR is from the days when they DID have a Track 10000 for Women!! Bring it BACK!!
3000SC (10:15.8) Devin Clark ran one of the fastest-ever Collegiate Frosh Steeples this year, a 9:48. Rylee Bowen is a good HS Steepler, but nowhere near Clark. The MR could go, if it's not too hot!
100H (12.87) Despite having one of the greatest fields of the entire meet, this MR appears safe! However, don't be surprised to see AT LEAST one...maybe 2 or 3!...women dipping under 13 here!! This is possibly the "Year of...." for this event for HS'ers!! And the best are all here! Tonea Marshall, Tia Jones, Chanel Brissett, Anna Cockrell, Alexis Duncan, Brandee Johnson, and Reonna Collier! WHEW!!
400H (55.43) Sydney McLaughlin--54.46 for the HSR, Age 16 record, and every other "teen" record extant!! Cockrell and Johnson will follow---far behind!! The MR is 53.51 girl's Shamier Little's!! But probably not for much longer!
10000 Walk (50:24.45) Lauren Harris, the only girl to break 7:00 for the mile (both INdoors and OUTdoors!!), and trained by Maria Michta-Coffey's husband, should win this.....in a WALK!! (Heh.) BTW, the MR belongs to.....Maria Michta (without the Coffey!)!! Pace needed is about 2:01 per lap!!
HJ (6-2.75) Barring a breakthrough performance by favored Nicole Greene, this MR should survive.
LJ (21-8) Ones to watch for are Bria Matthews, Tara Davis, Samiyah Samuels, and Taylor DeLoach. The MR might not survive!
TJ (44-11.75) Matthews has a 45 footer to her name! Barely! Also watch for Davis, Chinne Okoronkwo, and Asa Garcia!
PV (14-1.25) This COULD be a battle between Collegian Mackenzie Shell and HS'er Rachel Baxter!! If both are ON, the MR is NOT safe!! Baxter has been over 14-2 and 14-3, while Shell is the 2nd best Collegiate Frosh---behind only Lexi Weeks, who isn't eligible for this meet!! Also watch for Andrea Willis, Carson Dingler, Olivia Gruver, and Erika Malaspina!
SP (57-7.75) This MR appears safe, but Alyssa Wilson is the 2nd best HS Putter ever at 55-9.25!! Elena Bruckner, Nickolette Dunbar, and Kathleen Young are formidable too!
DT (198-9) Haley Showalter should take this one, with the MR a distant wish! Look also for Kiana Phelps, as well as HS'ers Wilson, Bruckner, and Young.
JT (175-0) HSR holder Madison Wiltrout, despite a great comeback from 2015 surgery, is still over 20 feet removed from her 185-8 best! Without a HUGE advancement, the MR should be safe! Katelyn Gochenour has thrown 171 this year!
HT (223-6) One of the better MR's, look for it to easily pass through to 2017 untouched! Alva Hicks and Joy McArthur will join Wilson and Showalter as prime challengers.
Heptathlon (5600) Emma Fitzgerald scored 5464 points to win NBN last week!! Can she better that just a week later?? Watch too for Kaylee Hinton!
Enjoy the meet!
And your weekend!
This now ANCIENT (I turned 72 today!!! Arrgghh!!!!) chronicler will report on it---in DETAIL--soon after it ends!!
MAJOR NEWS!!
Boris Berian, former quarter-pounder flipper at McDonalds, has BLASTED Goliathan Corporate Monster Nike OUT OF THE WATER!!
The shoe & apparel giant SURRENDERED to the Mighty Mite of the Men's 800 in its insane and arrogant lawsuit!!
Boris vs Goliath----and guess who the fuck WIMPED OUT!!!!
WE are the Champions-----Indeed!!!
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