2021 Tokyo Olympics (Opening Events)

 Health--and everything else prevailing--this is the first of a few detailed reports on the Olympic T&F events!
I'll be including ALL the happenings (minus the slow 100 preliminary rounds, and the "mixed relays", which I see as a desecration of our sport!), and that includes Finals, Semi's, Heats of Track events, and Finals and Qualifying rounds of all the Field events!!
They'll be presented in chronological order!
This post includes the entire 1st day, and the morning session of the 2nd day--July 30th & 31st (in Japan!).
Enjoy reading!

The Men's High Jump Qualifying opened things up in the 2nd Tokyo Olympics--the first being in 1964!
All the essential characters made it to the Final!
The key non-Qualifier  was Andrej Protsenko!
All the Americans moved on!

The Men's Heats of the 3000SC saw the fastest ever opening round!!
Lamecha Girma led the way with a quick 8:09.83!
Riaji Miura was next with 8:09.92.
That's the National Record of Japan!
Ben Kigen ran 8:10.80!
Also Qualifying was Benard Keter, with 8:17.31.
Keter ranks 19th A-T US!
Avenish Sable's 8:18.12 did not move him on, but he gets India's NR as consolation!
Also not moving on were Leonard Bett and 2 Americans, Mason Ferlic and Hillary Bor!!

The Men's Discus Throw Q round saw who else but Daniel Stahl leading the way--with 216-11!
Andrius Gudzius was next with 216-4!
Not qualifying were Fedric Dacres (!!), Piotr Malachowski, Reggie Jagers, and Mason Finley!

Two Women broke two minutes in the 800 Heats!
Natoya Goule led the way with her 1:59.83, with Jemma Reekie running 1:59.97!
Athing Mu won her section with an easy (and negative split) 2:01.10!
Ajee Wilson sailed through with 2:00.02.
Sara Kuivista ran 2:00.15, moving forward!
She also gets the NR of Finland!
Not going through were Melissa Bishop-Nriagu and Eunice Sum!
The Canadian had recently won an 800 in 1:58.36, so this was a shocker!

All the players in the Men's 400H sailed through to the Semi's, led by Abderahman Samba's 48.38!
Alison Dos Santos followed in 48.42!
Rai Benjamin ran 48.60!
Karsten Warholm cruised his round in 48.65!

OMG, those Women's 100 Heats!!
Yes, I said HEATS!!
Marie Josee Ta Lou ran it like a Final--yet didn't!
Meaning, there was some gas left in the tank!
Her 10.78 ties the National Record of the Ivory Coast!
It ranks her 16th A-T World, tied with 5 others!
(BTW, the fastest times were all run in separate races!)
Elaine Thompson-Herah sped 10.82, also seeming to coast!
Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce's contribution to Speed City was 10.84!

In one heat, Mujinga Kambundji's 10.95 tied the Switzerland NR!
That didn't last long!
Agia Del Ponte's 10.91 wiped it from the books!
Daryll Neita finally went sub-11, running 10.96!
Teahna Daniels took the first race with 11.04!
Blessing Okagbare and Dina Asher-Smith also went through, but with slower times!

Just in--Okagbare has been provisionally suspended, due to a positive drug test for Human Growth Hormone!
So apparently she will NOT be in the Semi's!

Asha Phillip and Super Veteran Kelly Ann Baptiste didn't move on!
Taken OFF my World list were the 10.81's of Dafne Schippers (from 2015) and Marlies Gohr (from 1983!!).

The Women's Heats (Should be called Semi's!) of the 5000 were fast!!
Sifan Hassan opened her "Triple Quest" with 14:47.80, helped by a last 400 of about 61.
Agnes Tirop ran 14:48.01, followed by Senbere Teferi's 14:48.31!
E Taye ran 14:48.52 for 4th fastest!
Lillian Rengerek, Yasmin Can, and Karissa Schweizer all ran in the lower 14:50's!
Also moving on were Helen Obiri and Elise Cranny!
Cranny ran smart, and her 14:56.14 looked easy!
Not moving on were Nazumi Tanaka, Rachel Schneider (just over 15!!), Jessica Judd, Dominique Scott, and new British NR holder Eilish McColgan!
Amy Eloise Markovic ran a PR of 15:03.22, but also didn't make the Final!
And Laura Galvan broke her own NR of Mexico, but her 15:00.16 also didn't make the Final!

Yulimar Rojas led the Women's Triple Jump Qualifying with 48-5.50!
Ana Peleteiro was next with 47-11.75!
Caterine Ibarguen moved on, as did Keturah Orji!
Thea LaFond's 47-10.75 is the new NR of Dominica!
But missing the Final will be Jasmine Moore and Tori Franklin!!

The Women's Shot Put Q round could be called the "Gong & Song Show", as Liljao Gong led with 63-10.25, while J Song was next with 63-1.25!
Raven Saunders--elaborate Batman mask and all--hit 63-0.75!
But some big names didn't make the Final!
They were Danielle Thomas-Dodd, Christina Schwanitz, Brittany Crew (3 fouls!), Anita Marton, and Adelaide Aquilla!!

The first day ended with the 1st Final of the Games--the Men's 10000!
The heat and humidity were high, so their opening 5000 being just 14:11 was maybe expected!
Actually, that 5K leading time is misleading!
Uganda's Stephen Kissa sprinted to a massive lead at the gun, and wasn't caught until just before the 5000 mark.
Gossip mill has it that he was Uganda's team rabbit!!
In fact, as do rabbits in DL's, for example, he DNF'ed right after that!!
But if he WAS Uganda's rabbit, it didn't help much, as the other two wound up with Silver and Bronze!!
Anyway, the winner was Selemon Barega's 27:43.22.
His splits were about 14:11 and 13:32!
His final 1000 was a rapid 2:25, and his last 400 was 53.97!!
So was the weather really that bad??
Josh Cheptegei took 2nd with 27:43.63, with the Bronze going to Jacob Kiplimo's 27:43.87!
Benihu Aregawa was the dreaded 4th, but well behind the winning trio--time of 27:46.16!
Grant Fisher ran 27:46.39, with Mo Ahmed next in 27:47.76!
Yomif Kejelcha was 8th, with Rhonex Kipruto ending 9th!
Morhad A Doumni(??) ran 27:53.58 for the National Record of France!
The other two Americans--Will Kincaid and Joe Klecker-- ended 15th & 16th, respectively!

BTW, this was the slowest winning time since 1992!
The only slower times since Tokyo 1964 were in 1968, 1984, and those Barcelona Games!

The Women's 400H Heats went off without major players missing out!
Delilah Muhammad led the way with 53.97!
Femke Bol's time was 54.43, with Anna Ryzhykova next in 54.56!
Sydney McLaughlin cruised through in 54.65!
It might be interesting to note that two of the runners not moving on were Jamaican--Ronda Whyte and Leah Nugent!!
They were both DQ'ed--reasons not known!!

The Women's Discus Throw Q rounds went pretty much as expected, as Valarie Allman's 217-11 was the leading mark, and Sandra Perkovic eased through with 209-2.
However, the list was long in the category of Non-Q's!!
Jorinde van Klinken didn't make it, nor did Dania Cabellero!!
Marija Tolj was the closest to making the Final, but her 201-8 just wasn't enough!
Melina Robert-Michon, Dani Stevens, and the other Americans--Kelsey Card and Rachel Dincoff--also failed to move on!

I'm sure everyone knows already the tragic fate of Sam Kendricks in the Men's Pole Vault!
He tested positive for Covid, and was sent home before the Q round!!
Replacing him was the US alternate Matt Ludwig--but with a last minute 20 hour flight, and arrival at the stadium that morning, and not even getting his uniform until just one hour before competing, it's not shocking he didn't make it to the Final!
The top height was 18-10.25!
Besides Ludwig, not making the Final were Valentin Lavillenie, Konstantinas Filippidis, Sondre Guttormsen, and Pawel Wojciechowski!!

The Men's 800 Heats were led by a quickie--Ferguson Rotich's 1:43.75!!
Peter Bol's 1:44.13 is Australia's new National Record!
Not moving on were Brandon McBride and Mark English!
All three Americans are in the Semi's!

This report ends with the Heats of the Women's 100H!!
Jasmine Camacho-Quinn was fastest, with 12.41.
Megan Tapper surprised by being next fastest with her PR of 12.53!
I'd never heard of her before!
She's from Jamaica!!

The only "name" not making the Semi's was Annimarie Korte!

Be back with more results in a day or two!

Tokyo Olympic Games of 2021

 I'm sure you noticed the year I gave to these Games in my title!
Because they're taking place in 2021, why the fuck would you say they're the 2020 Games?
My first rant!

Second would be that these Games are even taking place, with the host nation being under Covid emergency status!
With no fans in the stands.
With their being held in late July and early August--instead of a couple of months later, as the 1964 Tokyo Games were!

So it's not shocking that the best US Pole Vaulter is out of the Games after a positive Covid test!
Or that Simone Biles (the star gymnast, in case you didn't know!) messed up her routine, and blamed it on mental stress--aka the "twisties"--then dropped out of the rest of her events!

Or that the Village beds are made of cardboard, because the organizers wanted athletes to be celibate, so told them having sex on those "beds" would break them!

But I'm here to talk about the Track & Field section of the Olympics--due to begin in just a few hours!
I'm going to run through the events, suggesting which OG Records might be broken--which athletes or match-ups to watch for--and any other trivia I know of!

The Women's 100 MR of 10.62 may go!
The Jamaican duo of SAFP and ET-H should go 1-2.
The Men's MR of 9.63 is safe!

The 19.30 and 21.34 MR's in the 200's are safe!
Gabby Thomas hasn't raced since her 21.61, so has yet to prove herself!
I think Dina Asher-Smith is Gabby's strongest opponent, despite Shaunae Miller-Uibo!
Is Noah Lyles ready to dominate, and what about Erriyon Knighton?

Both 400's are wide open, with the 43.03 Men's MR inviolable, but the 48.25 for the Women fearing SMU's attack!

Take it with 1000 grains of salt--or take it to the bank--Athing Mu will take the Gold, and will threaten the World Record!
Thus the MR of 1:53.50 has a fair chance to fall!
Rudisha's 1:40.91 will last until at least 2024!

Tim Cheruiyot might lead from the gun--and if he does, will Cole Hocker follow?
Can Hocker go sub-3:30--if Cheruiyot does?
For the Women, will Elle Purrier St Pierre make people forget the loss of Houlihan's AR speed?
Will she be buried beneath the brilliance of Sifan Hassan and Faith Kipyegon??
The MR's of 3:53.96 and 3:32.07 can both fall!

Can Hassan win her triple?
Will she even attempt it?
Will Tokyo's weather make the distances tactical?
What kind of shape is Karissa Schweizer in--14:26, or 15:00?
The Women's 5000 MR of 14:26.17 is more likely to go down than Ayana's 29:17.45!
For the Men, the MR's of 12:57.82 and 27:01.17 SHOULD fall--but tactics is the ever looming monster!

Emma Coburn was enroute for a sub-9 in the 3000SC recently.
If she runs that time here, watch out, Beatrice & Hyvin!!
And where on this map is Frerichs?
If Coburn gets her way, goodbye to the 8:58.81 MR!
For the Men, Soufiane El Bakkali can topple the MR of 8:03.28, and live to brag about it!

The Marathon MR's of 2:06:32 and 2:23:07 CAN fall, but the weather and the course (unknown to me!) will keep that question dangling till near the end!

Same with the Walks!
I don't have all the MR's here, but the 1:25:02 for the Women's 20K is in danger!

The Hurdles race--both the sprint and one lappers--are all standing on the very edge of a 10000 foot (meter?) drop!!
Grant Holloway--barring disaster (and he NEVER has a disastrous race!), will challenge the 12.80 World Record, and make mincemeat of the 12.91 MR!
Jasmine Camacho-Quinn is the best 100H'er this year--no contest.
If she's on point, watch for a sub-12.30.
The MR is 12.35!
The old World Record (& MR!!) in the Men's 400H is the 46.78 Karsten Warholm just broke!
With the match (MASH??) up between him and Rai Benjamin, I'm envisioning a possible sub-46.50 here!!
No shit!!
As for the 52.64 Women's MR (dating from 2008!), that one might go in the SEMIS!!!!
As for Syd the Kid--look at the clock when she crosses the finish--Does it say 51.50??

Yaroslava Mahuchukh (and maybe a recently revived Mariya Lasitskene) will challenge the Meet Record of 6-9!
Can't say the same for the Men topping their MR of 7-10!
Unless Juvaughn Harrison isn't wiped out from a full Collegiate season (plus doubling in the LJ!).
Sad to say Mutaz Barshim may struggle just to medal, let alone win or break records!
One more question for the Women--How high goes Vashti Cunningham??

As noted above, Juvaughn Harrison is ready for 28 (feet!).
But is 28 ready for him?
The Greek Tentoglou is an unknown factor--but whatever you think of him, throw that "8.60" of his into the garbage pail!!
The MR of 29-2.50 is VERY safe!
So is the 24-3.50 for the Women!
Is Tara Davis--like Harrison--still strong after a full Collegiate season?
How many over 23 feet?

Yulimar Rojas!
That's all you need to know about the Women's TJ.
The MR is 50-6--the WR is 50-10.25!
Fifty One feet is NOT far removed from Rojas's wheelhouse!!
She's fast becoming the Blanka Vlasic of the Women's TJ--demonstrative, personable, entertaining, and a GREAT athletic specimen!!
The 59-4.25 MR for the Men is doable, especially with the probable heated duel between Hughes Zango and PPPP--aka Pedro Pablo Pichardo!
Wish Christian Taylor had made the team, and was in prime shape!!

Sam Kendricks's loss (See above!) is the event's loss--and the Tokyo Olympics loss!
What a TRI-match it would've been with Sam, Renaud, and Mondo!
Well, we still have Mondo--who WILL destroy the MR of 19-9.25!!
Will the empty stands kill the inspiration needed for him to break the WR also?
The PV "community" is strong, so I can see all the "losers" cheering him every step of the way!
BTW, Matt Ludwig is Sam's alternate.
He's on his way to Tokyo, and hopefully will make the final!
The Women's PV is fucking LOADED!!
And NO ONE is heavily favored--for the win, or even to medal!
Too many names to mention here, but look for this to be the DEEPEST field event in Tokyo!!
How many over 16 feet??
Even the MR of 16-6.75 could fall if all the stars are in alignment!

Ryan Crouser and the MR of 73-10.75 are like a hungry Godzilla and a plate full of Tokyo--ready to be DEVOURED!!
Remember, he hit 75-2.50 in the Q round at the Trials!
Is 77 feet--or even 78--on the horizen?
Even if Tom Walsh and Joe Kovacs were to match their Doha 2019 marks, Crouser should win Gold easily!
The Women's MR of 73-6.25 (!!) will still be around in 2120!!
But can't wait to see how Saunders and Ramsey contend with a renewed Mama Val!!

I so WISH for Jorinde van Klinken to prove her 230-4 from the spring wasn't all wind and mirrors!
But alas, give this one to Valarie Allman or Queen Perky--aka Sandra Perkovic!
The 237-2 MR is a goodie, but will probably remain on the books!
Daniel Stahl has a MUCH better shot at the Men's MR of 229-3!!
(He recently hit 234 and change--see a previous post!)

The Men's Javelin Throw MR of 297-1 can fall in Qualifying, if Johannes Vetter's entire 2021 season is any indication!!
Give the WR of 323-1 odds of 30-70 to also go down!
The Women's MR is 234-8, dating from 2004!
It's safe!
Will Maggie Malone medal--and will she again break her own American Record?

Oh, those Hammer Throws!!
The Women's MR is held by the WR holder--Anita Wlodarczyk!
Her best this year is about 17 feet removed from the WR, and about 14 feet from the MR of 269-11.
Now we come to the topper--Can the Americans SWEEP??
DeAnna Price and Brooke Andersen are strong contenders for Gold.
And what about Gwen Berry?
The Men's is another of those TRI-matches!
Pawel Fajdek vs Wojciech Nowicki vs Mykayla Kokhan!!
Lay your bets on who you pick to win--but save your pennies when it comes to the 278-3 MR going down!
Won't happen!

The Multis may be one of the least predictable events here!
Is Kevin Mayer ready to hit 9000 again?
Will Maicel Uibo or Damian Warner match or surpass their PR's?
(Warner scored 8995 at Gotzis!)
The MR is "just" 8893--and should go, barring disaster!
Forget the Women's MR--which is JJK's World Record!!
How will the VERY strong US trio do?
Can they repeat--or improve on--their Trials scores??

The Relays (NOT including the mixed relays, which I see as below the stature of the 5 rings of the Olympic Games, and should be ignored!!) are, of course, dependent on a few things--
Who's on the teams?
Will a team be DQ'ed, for whatever reason?
Will the baton still be in hand at the finish line?
That said, the US Women's 4 X 400 might be extremely fascinating--especially if 400H's Syd McLaughlin and Delilah Muhammad are on the team!
And how about Athing Mu??
The MR is the WR, and should stand!
The Men's 4 X 100 teams don't have that "Bolt" factor, so I see a good race, but an "average" time!
The Women are also missing someone--a certain vivacious loquacious and quite colorful marijuana smoker!!
Without "her" (or is it "she/her"?), the MR (& WR) of 40.82 remains on the books!

So all in all, my friends, this Olympics (for T&F fans) CAN/SHOULD/MIGHT be one of the greatest ever!
And whatever year you attach to its name, stay tuned to this blog for all the results, commentary, and critical analysis--stuff you DON'T get from the TV coverage!!

Enjoy, and see you soon!

Last Train to Toke-Ee-Ooo (apologies to the Monkees)

 Best title ever?
Worst?
Whatever, this is my last collection of results before the T&F part of the Tokyo Olympics begins in a few hours!
And there were some good ones!

Maggie Malone broke her own American Record in the Javelin Throw, hitting 221-1, adding 22 inches to her old mark!!
She now ranks 18th A-T World, tied with 1 other!!

Josette Norris had a pair of races, giving strong weight to making her "Most Improved" US runner of the year!
She first battled Jessica Hull for over 3 laps before sprinting ahead to 3:59.72 in a 1500!
This makes her 9th A-T US!
Hull ran 4:00.73, close to her PR!
Nikki Hiltz ended in 4:02.94, while Michaela Meyer ran 4:04.02, chopping her best by 6 seconds!

Then Norris won a tight 5000 from Konstanze Klosterhalfen, 14:51.32 to 14:51.97.
That was a small PR for Norris, and makes her 9th A-T US!
Add the two marks together, and her Combined Events total is 18:51.04, making her 7th A-T US!
In 3rd came Emily Infeld, who is coming off of three years of being stalked by some lunatic, having moved and out of fear, do all sorts of other maneuvers to stay safe!
The stalker was arrested and is in prison!
Despite all that, Infeld ran a PR of 14:54.09, making her 13th A-T US!
And Abbey Cooper ran her first sub-15, her 14:56.58 in 4th making her 20th A-T US!

Let's go back a bit and cover the High School scene!
This included the new version of the former New Balance Nationals.
Same meet essentially, but now named the Nike HS Nationals!!

The HSR for the Women's 4 X Mile Relay now belongs to Saratoga Springs of NY, their time of 19:40.67 taking a 16 second chunk off the old HSR!
Niwot of Colorado (Elise Cranny's HS!) also smashed the old record with their 19:45.37!
Saratoga Springs also ran 11:42.62 in the DMR, but Niwot won that race in 11:33.51!!

The 3000 Walk was won in the quick time of 14:12.66 by Madison Morgan!
Oh, almost forgot--Ms Morgan is an 8th Grader!!

Hana Moll PV'ed 14-4, making her 8th A-T HS!
The Women's HS 14 foot club grew to 23 OUTdoors (!!) with Allison Neiders clearance of 14-0, making her 16th A-T HS, tied with 7 others!

Ellie Shea won the 5000 in 16:10.42!
She thus smashed the Frosh Class Record of the late Kim Gallagher by 23.58 seconds!!
Gallagher's time was run in 1979!!
Shea is now 12th A-T HS!!
Caroline Wells ended 2nd in 16:16.02, making her 16th A-T HS!

The Heptathlon produced a couple of solid marks--488 points apart!!
Ariel Pedigo scored 5343 points, making her 14th A-T HS!
Jai Creonna Geer-Holt (!!) scored 4855 points, but let me add a little fact!
Ms Geer-Holt happens to be an 8th Grader, and gets that Class Record!
Among her 7 events, she HJ'ed 5-10.75, which might also be a Class Record!
(I don't keep 8th Grade records!!)

Other Nike  meet marks--
Kohana Nokato's JT measured 169-1, making her 16th A-T HS!
Jordan Anthony sprinted a 100 in 10.21, making him 17th A-T HS, tied with 4 others!
A good HT competition saw John Fay throw 236-10 to beat Robinson O'Hagan's 236-9!!
They are 17th and 18th A-T HS, respectively!!

Also mostly a HS meet is the Brooks PR!
Nathan's Green (4:01.76) and Mountain (8:42.16) took the Meet Records down in the Mile and Two Mile, respectively!
Mountain is ranked 8th A-T HS!
Parker Wolfe took 2nd in the longer race, his 8:43.91 making him 11th A-T HS!

Better known as an 800 runner, Roisin Willis ran 52.64 to take a close 2nd to Kennah Sanders's 52.62 in the 400!
Audrey DaDamio won the Two Mile in 10:02.87, making her 16th A-T HS!
And Juliette Whittaker won the Mile in 4:38.65, making her 10th A-T HS!
Riley Stewart's 4:40.66 in 2nd just misses my HS list!!

The Gateshead DL (the second one!!) had some good marks!
Mohamed Katir got Spain's NR in the 3000, his 7:27.64 making him 15th A-T World!
On my C-E lists, his 3:28.76 and 7:27.64 adds to 10:56.40, amking him 6th A-T World!
His 1500 added to his 12:50.79 adds to 16:19.55, making him 8th A-T World on that list!
Stew McSweyn finished 2nd with 7:28.94!
In 8th came Yemana Cripps's 7:37.90, which breaks his own National Record of Italy!

Several athletes continued their winning ways!
But Valerie Adams proved she's going to be a serious contender in Tokyo by winning the SP with 64-9.25. her best mark since 2016!!
Daniel Stahl's 234-3 in the DT is the World Leader!
Sandra Perkovic won her DT with 216-11.
Femke Bol cruised to the 400H win in 53.24!
Trayvon Bromell took the 100 in 9.98!

Elliott Giles nipped Jye Edwards in the Mile, 3:52.49 to 3:52.50!
Kate Grace won the Women's Mile in 4:27.20!
Great Britain edged Canada in the Men's 4X100 Relay, 38.27 to 38.29!
Sandi Morris is back on top, having won the Gateshead PV with 15-7.25!
Holly Bradshaw was 2nd with 15-5.50!
T Morgunov took the Men's PV with 19-2.25!
Wojciech Nowicki took the HT with 266-11.
Yaroslava Mahuchukh won the HJ by clearing 6-6.75!
And Nazomi Tanaka broke her own NR of Japan with her 3000 time of 8:40.84!

Another ATL meet saw several MR's fall!
(Though I need to research this a bit!!)
Yohan Blake's 9.95 is one of them!
So is Kyree King's 20.26 in the 200!
As is Jesus Lopez's 1:43.44 in the 800!
This is also Mexico's NR!!

Lorraine Ugen's 22-7.25 lso serves as the probable MR in the LJ!
Rhonda Whyte's 400H of 54.47 also qualifies!
Michael Diebasa (sp?) sped the 110H in 13.23 for another possible MR!
Nick Ponzio won the SP with 69-8.25!
He was representing Italy, so that's a switch--literally!
Two other probable MR's were Danielle Williams's 12.62 in the 100H, and English Gardner's 11.12 in the Century without hurdles!

No MR, but Melissa Bishop-Nriagu impressed by winning the 800 in 1:58.36!
Sadi Henderson improved to 1:58.62 in 2nd!
Sabrina Southerland was a good 3rd in 1:58.77!

Michael Shuey had one of the best American Men's Javelin Throws in awhile, his 281-1 making him 4th A-T US!!
Colby Alexander ran the 1500 in 3:33.65, making him 18th A-T US!
Chase Ealey Put the Shot 63-9.75!
Keturah Orji's winning TJ measured 47-9.75!
Valarie Allman's DT flew out 223-6!
Mariya Lasitskene returned to form by taking the HJ with 6-6.75!

Taryn Rawlings has been running some solid times recently--and winning!
She ran a Mile in 4:28.93!
She beat the 4:29.26 by Raevyn Rogers!

Festus Lagat won an 800 in 1:44.47.
In 2nd came Brannon Kidder's first sub-1:45!
He ran 1:44.99!
Nia Akins won the Women's 800 in 2:00.24, edging Dani Aragon's PR of 2:00.30!

In her latest win, Taryn Rawlings took a 1500 in 4:05.02!
Henry Wynne won (Sic!) the 1500 in 3:34.22!
Isaac Updike took the 3000SC in 8:20.17.
He beat Dan Michalski's 8:20.96!!
Josephus (not Noah!!) Lyles took the 200 in 20.22!

Finally, in an announced attempt to break Alan Webb's American Record in the Mile (3:46.91), Matthew Centrowitz used pacers to go out in a quick 54.
He was still fast through the three-quarter point, but by then, he was alone!
Still, his 3:49.26 (about 58 last lap!) ranks him 5th A-T US, and was a PR by over a second!!

Next up--the OLYMPICS!!!

Herculis Herculean

 Death and taxes as certainties?
Add the solid wall of incredible World Class marks that spill from the Track & Field at Monaco's Herculis meet to that short list!
The 2021 edition maybe even surpassed previous years in its unending quality!
Here's the evidence!

Faith Kipyegon destroyed her PR in the 1500, and beat Sifan Hassan by 2.5 seconds, despite being chased by Hassan until the breakaway at around 1200 meters!
Her 3:51.07 broke her own National Record of Kenya, and gave her the Age 27 Record!
She's ranked 4th A-T World!
Yet she missed the Meet Record, that belonging to Genzebe Dibaba, who ran 3:50.07 here awhile back!
On my Combined Events lists, Kipyegon's 1:57.68 and 3:51.07 adds to 5:48.75, which makes her 4th A-T World!
In the 1500 & 3000, her 3:51.07 and 8:23.55 adds to 12:14.62, making her 5th A-T World!
Add her 5000 of 14:31.55 to her 1500 and you get 18:22.62, making her 9th A-T World!
Hassan's 3:53.60 gave her 2nd!
Freweyri Hailu (sp?) was 3rd in 3:56.28, ranking her 24th A-T World!
OFF my World list is the former American Record of Shannon Rowbury, her 3:56.29 dating from 2015!

The Men's 1500 was a burner also!
Tim Cheruiyot showed he'll be dangerous in Tokyo (and yes, he'll be there!!), running a PR with his 3:28.28 winner!
This ranks him 7th A-T World!
Mohamed Katir continued rewriting Spain's Record Book, timing 3:28.76 in 2nd!
His NR ranks him 15th A-T World!
Jakob Ingebrigtsen was relegated to 3rd, despite running 3:29.25!!
Stew  McSweyn took 4th in 3:29.51!
Charles Simotwo took 5th in 3:30.30!
Marcin Lewandowski has found a new life at Age 34, nabbing that Age Record with his 3:30.42 PR!
He also breaks his own National Record of Poland!!
And in 7th came Samuel Teferi with his 3:30.71!

Both 800's were knee deep in fast times!
Nijel Amos showed some of his old spark by winning in the World Leading time of 1:42.91.
Emmanuel Korir is also warming up for Tokyo, taking 2nd in 1:43.04!
Marco Arop ran 1:43.26 in 3rd, while Ferguson Rotich was 4th in 1:43.57!

Kate Grace ran yet another PR, but her 1:57.20 took just 3rd!
Two British Women finished 1-2, with Laura Muir and Jemma Reekie running respective PR's of 1:56.73 and 1:56.96!
BTW, Grace now ranks 7th A-T US!
Finishing 4th was Natoya Goule, whose 1:57.25 beat the 1:57.71 of Habitam Alemu!
Renelle Lamote ended 6th in 1:57.98!
Halimah Nakaayi may have finished 7th, but her 1:58.03 is the National Record of Uganda!!

Emma Coburn was heading into her final water jump in the 3000SC, but in a rare instance, her brief step atop that barrier resulted in a trip into the water, and her charge to the front ended there.
Hyvin Jepkemoi took advantage, and won in a good time of 9:03.82!
Beatrice Chepkoech was 2nd in 9:04.94!
Winifred Yavi ended in 9:05.95!
Coburn got up, but her spirit was gone, and she floated (BAD word, in this case!!) to the line in 9:09.02!
In 7th was Elizabeth Bird, whose 9:22.80 is Great Britain's National Record!!

The Men's SC had a mishap also, but it wasn't the runner's fault!
The "last lap" bell ringer rung the bell a lap early, so the end results for the first two won't count in the World Rankings!
Lemecha Girma ran 8:07.75 ahead of Abe Kibiwot's 8:07.81, but who knows what might have happened if they heard the bell when they were supposed to!!

Karsten Warholm ran the 400H in 47.08, but this time all he got was the Meet Record!
Which this being Monaco is not a bad thing to have!!
As usual recently, Alison Dos Santos ended 2nd in 47.51!

Yulimar Rojas TJ'ed 49-7.25--spectacular for anyone not named Yulimar Rojas!!
Sharieka Ricketts was 2nd with her 48-4.75, just one half inch ahead of Patricia Mamona!!
Katie Negeotte continues to rack up the victories, her 16-0.75 winning here!
Anzhelika Sidorova's 15-9 topped the same height given to Ekaterina Stefanidi.
Following these stalwarts were the 15-5's for Holly Bradshaw and Iryna Zhuk!!

Ronnie Baker's 9.91 took the 100 from Akani Simbine's 9.98!
The times may not be up to Monaco's standards, but it's of interest that Shaunae Miller-Uibo's 22.23 took the measure of Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce's 22.48 in the 200!
Mikhail Akimenko HJ'ed 7-7.75 to take the HJ!

The Women's Javelins didn't fly very far, but a Super Veteran set a Classic Age Record!
While Anna Andrejczyk won the event with her 208-9, it was Barbora Spotakova's 206-11 that made her the Age 40 Record holder!
And here's a bonus--
I discovered that she'd reached 212-10 in 2020, giving her the Age 39 Record also!!

While not quite Herculean, Atlas didn't exactly "Shrug" (Sorry!  It's late at night!!) when he saw the marks emerging from Hungary's Gyulai Memorial meet!

Elaine Thompson-Herah "upset" SAFP in the 100, her 10.71 beating Fraser-Pryce's 10.82!
Marie Josee Ta Lou took a speedy 3rd, her 10.86 edging Blessing Okagbare's 10.89!
Akani Simbine took the Men's race in 9.84, which is a South African (& ALL-African!!) Record!!
He ranks 12th A-T World, tied with 2 others!

Andre De Grasse sprinted the half lap in 19.97, nipping the 19.99 of Kenny Bednarek!
The HS phenom Erriyon Knighton continues to impress as Tokyo nears, his 20.03 taking 3rd!!
A possible preview of the Men's TJ final in Tokyo came when PPPP--aka Pedro Pichardo--beat Hughes Zango--58-9.50 to 58-4.75!

Femke Bol again defeated Shamier Little in another great duel, this time 52.81 to 52.85 in the 400H!
The Dutch Woman is proving to be a serious Medal threat at the Olympics!!
Jasmine Camacho-Quinn ran another fast time in the 100H, her 12.34 winning easily.
Also an easy winner was Grant Holloway, his time being 13.08!

Another interesting 200 result saw Shaunae Miller-Uibo timing 22.10, yet losing to Shericka Jackson's 21.96!
Where will Gabby Thomas--with her 21.61 masterpiece--fit into this picture?
Stephanie McPherson dipped into the 49's her 49.99 taking the Women's 400!
The Men's race went to the 44.47 by Steven Gardiner!
Bryce Deadmon took 2nd in 44.58, while probable Tokyo favorite Michael Norman could finish only 3rd with his 44.65!

Other Gyulai marks---
Muktar Edris won the 3000 in 7:30.96!
Maksim Nedesekau took the HJ with the National Record of Belarus--7-9.25!
He's just one half inch off my World list!!
Daniel Stahl won the DT with 222-1.
The Men's Hammer Throw saw the "kid" beat the "vets"!
Mykayla Kokhan's 265-0 beat the 264-4 of Wojciech Nowicki, and the 258-5 of Pawel Fajdek!

Cynthis Mbongo won the 400 in 50.29, breaking her own National Record of Belgium!
Nikoleta Kiriakoupoulou seems to be returning to form, as she took the PV with 15-5!
And Tom Walsh remained a serious podium contender by winning the SP with 72-10.75!
Second went to the 71-5.25 of Filip Miheljevic!
Next came the 71-2.50 of Josh Awotunde!!

I'll have one more results post prior to the opening event in T&F in Tokyo!!
Coming soon!!

World Record at Bislett Games

 They call it the Oslo Diamond League!
But I still think of it as what it was, and still is--the Bislett Games!
And it was where Kevin Young's 29 year old 400H World Record finally went down!

All hail Karsten Warholm, who thrilled his home nation fans with a time of 46.70!
Sprinting from the gun--as always--he never let up, even dippinbg slightly at the line, wanting to guarantee Young's record was no more!
It's also the Meet Record, the Norway National Record, and the Age 25 Record!
His 44.87 and 46.70 adds to 1:31.57, which ranks him 3rd A-T on that Combined Events list!
Alison Dos Santos broke his own NR of Brazil in finishing 2nd in 47.38!
He ranks 15th A-T World, tied with 2 others!

Stewart McSweyn brought the Mile out of recent obscurity, his 3:48.37 giving him Australia's NR.
He ranks 22nd A-T World!
Marcin Lewandowski took 2nd in 3:49.11, breaking his own National Record of Poland!
He became the oldest to break 3:50, getting the Age 34 Record!
Jye Edwards was 3rd in 3:49.27!
Charles Simotwo finished 4th, also sub-3:50 at 3:49.40!
Ronald Masagala was 6th in 3:53.04, taking over Uganda's National Record!

A sturdy 3000 saw Yomif Kejelcha run 7:26.25, breaking the Meet Record and the Age 23 Record!
He ranks 7th A-T World!
Jacob Krop ran 7:30.07 in 2nd, followed by Nicholas Kimeli in 7:31.33!

Helen Obiri won the Women's 5000 in 14:26.38, getting the Age 31 Record!
Fantu Worku was a solid 2nd in 14:26.80!
She ranks 19th A-T World!
Margaret Kipkemboi wasn't far behind, her 14:28.24 making her 22nd A-T World!
Depth prevailed, as Eilish McColgan took down Paula Radcliffe's British NR with her 14:28.55!
She's now 24th A-T World!

Mondo Duplantis got another Meet Record with his PV winner of 19-8.50!
Sam Kendricks was 2nd with 19-4.75.
Renaud Lavillenie took 3rd with a clearance of 19-0.75!

Other Bislett results--
Andre De Grasse won the Men's 200 in 20.09!
Kate Grace PR'ed in the 800, and even winning the race--her 1:57.60 making her 9th A-T US!
Halimah Nakaaya was 2nd in 1:58.70!
Femke Bol PR'ed--again--winning the 400H in 53.33, breaking her own NR of the Netherlands!
Anna Ryzhykova was a distant 2nd in 54.15!
Daniel Stahl took the DT with 225-2.
Marie Josee Ta Lou won the 100 in 10.91.

Malaika Mihambo LJ'ed 22-6.75!
Wilma Murto is on a roll, PR'ing again, this time at 15-1.75!
Johnnes Vetter got a JT of 302-3!
S Kasemon (sp?) got the Age 18 Record in the Hammer Throw with her 240-11!

Elsewhere, Mark English ended 2nd in an 800, but his 1:44.71 nabbed him the NR of Ireland!
The winner was Y Hethel in 1:44.25!
Lexi Povea TJ'ed 48-8.25, defeating L Perez, whose 47-8 is the Age 19 Record!
Maria Tolmil threw the SP 61-6.75, getting Spain's NR!
Yaime Perez had a DT of 222-9!

Chris Nilsen took a PV with 19-5, but Ernest Obliena broke his own National Record of the Philappines with his 19-3!
Another good Hammer Throw competition saw Pawel Fajdek again winning with a heave of 271-9!
Wojciech Nowicki took 2nd with 262-5, while Mykayla Kokhan was 3rd with a PR of 262-4.
Shaunae Miller-Uibo had a good double, winning the 200 in 22.18, and the 400 50-48!

Anita Wlodarczyk had one of her better marks of 2021, hitting 255-1 in the HT!

The Stockholm DL, aka DN Galan, is another venerable meet!
Mondo Duplantis got the Meet Record by clearing 19-9 in the PV!
Sam Kendricks and Renaud Lavillenie both topped 19-5, with the American getting 2nd!

Rose Almanza won a good 800, timing 1:56.28!
It's the Meet Record!
Natoya Goule took 2nd in 1:56.44.
Kate Grace is making up for not making the Olympic team!
Her PR of 1:57.36 took 3rd.
She's 8th A-T US!

Femke Bol chpped almost a full second off her recent 53.33 in the 400H!
Her 52.37 just nipped Shamier Little's 52.39 at the line!
It's the MR, and breaks her own Netherlands NR!
It ranks her 4th A-T World!
Her C-E times of 50.37 and 52.37 adds to 1:42.74, making her 6th A-T World!
Little gets the Age 26 Record!
She ranks 3rd A-T US, and 5th A-T World!
Her 49.91 and 52.39 adds to 1:42.30, making her 2nd A-T US and 3rd A-T World!
Third was Anna Ryzhyova's 52.96!!
It's the National Record of Ukraine, and ranks her 22nd A-T World!

Hyvin Jepkemoi won the 3000SC in the Meet Record time of 9:04.34!
Gesa Krause was 2nd in 9:09.13!
Beatrice Chepkoech was 3rd in 9:10.52.
Purity Kirui ran 9:16.11, while 5th went to Leah Falland, who got a PR after several years!
Her 9:16.95 ranks her 5th A-T US!

Other Stockholm marks---
Alison Dos Santos broke his own National Record of brazil with his 400H time of 47.34!
It ranks him 14th A-T World!
Kirani James took the 400 in 44.63!

Daniel Stahl's 225-2 won him yet another DT competition, with Andrius Gudzius getting 2nd with 219-8!
Ferguson Rotich's 1:43.84 took the Men's 800!
Marco Arop's 1:44.00 was 2nd, with Elliott Giles 3rd in 1:44.05!
Shericka Jackson timed 22.10 in the 200!
Tim Cheruiyot won the 1500 in 3:32.36!
The Women's race went to the 4:00.68 of Diriba Walteji!
Shannon Osika was 2nd in 4:00.93.
Helen Schlactenhalfen PR'ed in 3rd with 4:01.09!
She ranks 15th A-T US!

The Women's PV was tight behind the 15-5.50 winner of Polina Knoroz!
The next 4 places were decided by misses, as Holly Bradshaw, Iryna Zhuk, Angelica Bengtsson, and Angelica Moser all cleared 15-1.50!
Yaroslava Mahuchukh won the HJ with 6-8!
Nicole McDermott took 2nd with 6-7, getting Australia's National Record!
And Valerie Adams took the SP with 63-2.25!
Auriol Dongmo was 2nd with 62-6, while Maggie Ewen's 62-3.75 took 3rd!

Heusden-Zolder is usually a meet where several Americans go to run fast middle distance times!
Not this edition!
Cynthia Mbongo broke her own NR of Belgium with her 400 time of 50.72.
She also gets the Meet Record!

They held a 1000 for Women, and it was solid!
Mary Moraa ran the Meet Record time of 2:34.71.
She's from Kenya!
Aleksandra Gulyayeva's 2:35.80 was 2nd!
Elise Vandroot (sp?) got Belgium's NR with her 2:35.98!
Noelle Narigo ran 2:36.30 for 4th, but her time is the National Record of Benin!

C Tuwei won the Men's 800 in 1:43.76, defeating the 1:44.33 of Collins Kipruto!

Back with some HS results--and the Monaco DL!--soon!

From the Trials to Tokyo: Two

Hello again!
These posts are intended to show you who's in shape--and who's not--as we glide from the Trials to Tokyo!
And let me tell you--those Jamaican Women were IN shape at their Olympic Trials!
Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce steamed down the track, and 100 meters later, her time read 10.71! 
(Her lead up races were in 10.84 and 10.97!)
Shericka Jackson was 2nd in 10.82!
But she had run 10.77 in her semi!
This makes her 13th A-T World, tied with 2 others!
Elaine Thompson-Herah was 3rd in 10.84!
Her prelims included a 10.82.
Brianna Williams was a quick 4th, time of 11.01.

SAFP sped the 200 in 21.79!!
It's the Age 34 Record!
It makes her 19th A-T World!
Jackson was 2nd in 21.82.
She ranks 21st A-T World!
ET-H was 3rd in 22.02!

SAFP's Combined Events for the 100 and 200 is 32.42, which ranks her 5th A-T World!

The 400 was also speedy, with Stephanie McPherson winning in 49.61!
Candice McLeod was 2nd in 49.91.
Natoya Goule took the 800 in 1:57.54!
Danielle Thomas-Dodd won the SP with 62-10.75!

The Men were OK also.
Yohan Blake's fastest time was in the semi--9.98!
Ronald Levy took the 110H in 13.10, with Damion Thomas a hair back in 13.11.
Why won't Omar McLeod be going to Tokyo?
He crashed an early hurdle, and finished last!
He had run 13.04 in his heat!!
Jaheel Hyde had a good 400H--time of 48.18!

Now we'll return to our regularly scheduled program!!

Femke Bol continued to roll!
Her 50.37 lap without hurdles broke her own Netherlands National Record!
Elvira Herman of Belarus won a 100H in 12.62!
Her 4X400 Relay squad (Though I don't know if Herman ran on that!) timed 3:28.14!
Salma Lang took a HJ with 6-5, giving her Switzerland's NR!

Angelica Moser won a PV with 15-3!
Senni Salmenen's 48-0 Triple Jump broke her own NR of Finland!
Mondo Duplantis ho-hummed over 19-8.25 in the PV!
Witnesses heard him singing "The Cow Jumped Over the Moon" as he rose over the bar!

The Kenyan OT's are always interesting!
Charles Simotwo took the 1500 in 3:32.75!
Tim Cheruiyot was just 4th in 3:34.38, but was later put on the team!

Nicholas Kimeli won the 5000 in 13:02.87!
Lillian Rengeruk took the Women's race in 14:52.18.
Helen Obiri was close in 14:52.51.
Agnes Tirop took 3rd in 14:53.91.
Obiri also won the 10000 in 30:53.60!

Faith Kipyegon jogged the 1500 in 4:02.10!
Geoff Kamworor ran the fastest altitude 10000, his time being 27:01.06!
Sadly, he won't be running in Tokyo--sore ankle!!
And in the 20000 Walk (!!), Samuel Gathembu (sp?) got Kenya's National Record with his 1:18:23 winner!

The rest will be by event group!

Sprints & Hurdles
We start with a whopper--albeit windy!
Blessing Okagbare sped the Century in 10.63--aided by a wind of 2.7!
Wilhelm Belocien took the 110H in 13.15!
Dina Asher-Smith ran 10.91 in her semi, with the final going in 10.97!
Shunsuke Izumiya's 13.06 got him Japan's NR in the 110H!

Isaac Makwala won a 400 in 44.47!
Beatrice Masilingi took her 400 in 49.88!

Other Running Events
We'll begin here with some very good High School times!
Allison Ince--an Illinois HS Frosh--took a 1600 (UGH!) in 4:41.73!
As you all know, I ABHOR the 1600 and 3200, and rarely report those times!
I made an exception here because Ince is a Frosh!

Nathan Mountain finished 5th in a race with Professionals, but his Mile time of 4:02.54 is worth reporting!
John Lester ran an 800 in 1:48.66!
In a different state, Harrison Witt's 800 time was 1:48.50!
Finally (for the HS crowd), we have a PAIR of HSR's in the 2000SC!!
Mr Mountain (See above!) timed 5:40.72, while Sydney Masciarelli timed 6:25.35!
BTW, that was Mountain's first Steeple!

In Canada, Lindsey Butterworth beat Melissa Bishop-Nriagu in the 800--1:59.19 to 1:59.50!

Ryuji Miura broke his own NR of Japan with his 3000SC of 8:15.99!
Patryk Dobek won an 800 in 1:43.73.
Jamie Webb followed in 1:44.14, with Elliot Giles close in 1:44.20!

Freweyni Hailu took an 800 in 1:57.57!
Cat Bisset (?) was 2nd in 1:58.09, with Ronelle Lamote next in 1:58.11.

Best way to end this event group is with a really fast time!
Gudef Tsegay won a 1500 in 3:54.01, making her 12th A-T World!
Hiruf Meshesha was 2nd in 3:59.43!

All the Jumps
Yaraslava Mahuchukh took a HJ with 6-6.75!
M Kylypko's PV of 15-5 is Ukraine's new National Record!
Django Lovett won a HJ with 7-7.75!

Holly Bradshaw is having HER year--with her 16-.0.75 PV breaking her own NR of GB!
She ranks 9th A-T World!!

Yuki Hashioka LJ'ed 27-5.25!
Mikhail Akimenko's 7-7.75 prevailed over Ilya Ivanyuk's 7-7 in a HJ.
Anzhelika Sidorova took a Russian PV with 15-7.
Polina Knoroz finished 2nd with 15-3!
Ana Peleteiro set Spain's TJ National Record with her 47-11.25!
Salome (?) Lang broke her own NR of Switzerland with her HJ of 6-5.50!

Renaud Lavillenie's PV clearance was 19-5!
Wilma Murto--once a Teen Wonder--now 23--PR'ed in the PV with 15-1.50!
Malaika Mihambo LJ'ed 22-8.50!

Throws and Multi's
Mykayla Kokhan--the young Polish upstart--had a HT of 257-11.
Alina Duktskaya's Shot Put flew 64-5.75, adding her to the list of Olympic contenders!
But the favorite--or at least World Leader--Liljao Gong--added a SP of 66-10.75 to her credit!
Frederic Dagu's SP of 68-1 is the new NR of France!

Jorinde van Klinken is still around.
Her latest DT is 210-11.
Another Polish HT duel--
Pawel Fajdek won this one with 271-9, defeating Wojciech Nowicki's 265-3.
On the Women's side, we have Malwini Kapron's 247-5 defeating Anita Wlodarczyk's 243-6!

Pawel Wieswlek (sp?) won a Decathlon with 8333 points!
Ilya Shkurenyov won a Russian Decathlon with 8300 points!
Georgia Ellenwood took a Heptathlon with 6314 points!

Fajdek vs Nowicki, Part 17--
Fajdek won again, this time with a more human 264-6, with Nowicki's measuring 262-2.

Tejinder Singh's SP of 70-6.25 is India's new NR!
Another NR of India--this in the Men's DT--fell to Kamelprut Kaur's 218-5!
Johannes Vetter set his Javelin flying 307-0, beating the 292-5 of Keshorn Walcott!
And, last but not least, we have Daniel Stahl getting a World Leader DT with 231-5!
Kristjian Ceh was 2nd with 230-9!
This breaks his own National Record of Slovenia!
And gives him the Age 22 Record!
It ranks him 23rd A-T World!

Next post will have a DL or two to liven things up a bit!
LOL

From the Trials to Tokyo: One

 After finally finishing the gathering of Records & Marks for my blog--but not posting any of it!--I have a problem.
How do I divide up the 35 or so pages of notes into a coherent gathering of results from the Trials end to the Tokyo Olympics?
You do NOT try to jam everything into just one post--that's obvious!
Do I separate the various Diamond League meets?
OK, here's what I'm going to do--I'll go from page 1 to page 35 or so in a fairly chronological manner.
Also, I'll try to put any Records at the top of each post!
And there will be lots of event groupings!
Hope you make sense of it all, and better yet, enjoy reading!

Let's begin with a whopper!
A meet in Georgia moved the Women's Pole Vault INdoors due to weather.
Thus, Katie Nageotte clearing 16-2.50 makes her 2nd A-T US and 5th A-T World--but on the INdoor lists!!
Sandi Morris was 2nd with 15-5!

Lorraine Ugen LJ'ed 22-9.25!
Timi (?) Morgunov PV'ed 19-4.25!
Not at the same meet, Anzhelika Sidorova cleared 15-9, with Polina Knoroz ending 2nd with 15-5!
Lukas Weidheldinger had a DT of 226-6, while somewhere else, Khristjan Ceh's DT flew 223-7!

The Men's Hammer Throw kept busy throughout the Trials to Tokyo period!
We'll start with Wojciech Nowicki's 264-4!

Track action was far from ignored.
We'll begin there with Brit Oliver Distin's 1:43.82 in the 800!
Yelinzerf Yehuelew ran a 5000 in 14:53.77!
Ismael Debjani broke his own National Record of Belgium with his 1500 of 3:33.06!
Turkey's Men ran the 4X100 Relay in a quick 38.20!

Daniel Stahl was busy also!
He began with a DT of 223-2.

Fanny Roos broke her own NR of Sweden with her SP of 63-5!
Andrei Toader's SP went 69-10.25 for Romania's NR!
Yulimar Rojas showed outstanding potential in her "second" event, the Long Jump!
She won with a wind-aided 23-10.25!
That her best legal jump was 22-7 should leave you eagerly anticipating her next LJ!
BTW, her 22-7 and 50-7.25 adds to 73-2.25 for my LJ-TJ Combined Events list!
She ranks 3rd A-T World there!

Bingtian Su sprinted a 100 in 9.98!
Lijia Gong had a SP of 66-7.75!

Let's take a breather, and go to some non-results news!
Super Veteran Veronica Campbell-Brown announced her retirement after a lifelong career!

Athing Mu turned Professional just before she ran at the Trials!
She thus followed such people as Mondo Duplantis, Noah Lyles, and Sudney McLaughlin, all of whom went Pro following their Collegiate Frosh year!!
Also turning Pro was Isaiah Jewett!

Elise Cranny and Karissa Schweizer, as well as other Bowerman Track Club teammates, spoke out at the Trials in support of and love for Shelby Houlihan!
And every time they did, I cheered long and loud!!

There are 3 books I want to mention--and recommend!
Hayward Field: Legends and Legacy is an excellent photo essay coffee table book on venerable Hayward Field, its great coaches and athletes and others who created that historic legacy!
This book was actually published before the Covid pandemic (2019), so only has some preliminary shots of the current version of Hayward!
Of course, I bought the book to savor my memories of attending numerous meets at the old Hayward, and even running many miles on its track!!

There's two memoirs to mention--
By Lolo Jones (Over It)
And by Tianna Bartoletta (Survive & Advance)
I just received my autographed copy of Tianna's book, and expect to receive Lolo's soon!
I'll review both later in my blog (and maybe on Amazon also!).

Returning to more results for a bit---
Rachel Fatherly PR'ed mightily in the SP with her 63-0 mark in Pennsylvania!
This ranks her 14th A-T US!
Brit Charlie Hunter improved to 1:44.35 in the 800!
Good 800 runners are coming from everywhere for Great Britain!
In Germany, Ernest Obliena PV'ed 19-2.25 for the Philippines NR!

Fanny Roos improved her recent NR in the SP by half an inch with her 63-5.50!
Anthony Zambrano won a 400 in 44.51.
Right behind him came Wayde Van Niekerk, whose 44.56 is his best in years!!
Hughes Zango won a TJ, but ALL of his jumps were windy!!
In 2nd, and thus the "winner" in the legal jump category, came PPPP, aka Pablo Pedro Pichardo!
His mark was 58-0.50!
Speaking of windy Horizontals, Yulimar Rojos won her competition with a windy 50-4!
Her best legal jump was 49-10!!

Are Yorgelis and Adriana Rodriguez related?
The two Cuban Heptathletes went 1-2 recently, with Yorgelis winning with 6457 points to Adriana's 6313!
The Czech Republic set a National Record in the 4X400 Relay with their 3:02.42!
Milt Tentoglou LJ'ed 27-6!

And so I'll close this first installment of marks from the Trials to Tokyo!
Back with more soon!

The US Trials--Last 2 Days

 The final 2 days in Eugene were HOT--in every sense of the word!
Temps of well over 100, events moved or delayed, Taliyah Brooks taken to a hospital after fainting!
But so were the Records and Marks these "HOT" athletes put out!

June 26--Day 7
The 20000 Meter Walks were on a course near the Springfield City Hall, far removed from Hayward Field or the streets surrounding this new Palace!
Despite the 7:00 a.m. start (7:01 for the Women), times were slow!
Nick Christie and his Partner, Robyn Stevens kept the Golds in the family, as Nick Walked 1:30:48, while Robyn Walked 1:35:13.
Daniel Nehnevaj took 2nd with 1:31:59, while Emmanuel Corvera had to add 2 minutes of "Penalty Box" time to his end time, Walking 1:34:38 (actually 1:32:38) for 3rd!
Maria Michta-Coffey took Silver behind Stevens, Walking 1:39:25, with Miranda Melville 3rd in 1:40:39!
Young Taylor Ewert started well, but faded badly to a 6th place 1:43:41.

The Women's 10000 was next, and the crowd of 40+ runners played it safe, with the lead pack hitting 5000 in 15:49.
Then Emily Sisson sliced a few seconds per lap off the pace, with just a handful daring to follow.
Her 2nd 5K run in 15:14, Sisson's 31:03.82 broke Deena Kastor's Meet Record!
Karissa Schweizer survived Sisson's onslaught best, finishing 2nd in 31:16.52, with Alicia Monson a bit of a surprise in 3rd with a time of 31:18.55.
Elise Cranny faded over the last couple of laps to 31:35.22.
Rachel Schneider took 5th in 31:42.92--all good times in the heat!

Anita Wlodarczyk may have a big Price to pay in Tokyo if she wants the Gold in the Hammer Throw!
(Pardon my silly little pun!)
DeAnna Price was ON, tacking almost 11 feet onto her MR from the Q round!
Her 263-6  was also the American Record, and made her 2nd A-T World, with only the WR holder ahead of her!!
She actually broke the MR (if you include her Q round) FIVE times in her spectacular series!!
Brooke Andersen was a powerful 2nd with a throw of 255-0!
Gwen Berry will join them in Tokyo, as she was 3rd with 241-2.
Janee Kassanavoid was 4th with 240-11, followed by Lisa (not Alyssa!) Wilson in 5th!
L Wilson's 232-7 makes her 19th A-T US, tied with 1 other!

The Veterans ended up front in the Women's Javelin Throw!
Maggie Malone's 208-4 set a new Meet Record, while Kara Winger also topped 200 feet with 201-8!
Avione Allgood-Whetstone was 3rd in a PR of 193-4, making her 12th A-T US!

Katie Nageotte continued her incredible season of Pole Vaulting, clearing 16-2.75 for the MR and Age 30 Record!
She ranks 3rd A-T World, and 2nd A-T US!!
She attempted a WR height of 16-7.50, but didn't make it--this time!
Morgann LeLeux will join Nageotte in Tokyo, thanks to her PR 0f 15-5.
She's 9th A-T US, tied with 4 others!
The next 3, Sandi Morris, Olivia Gruver, and Jenn Suhr, all cleared 15-1, with Morris getting the ticket to Tokyo!
But Suhr broke her own Age 39 Record, becoming the oldest Woman to top 15 feet!!

Grant Holloway's potential has been obvious since High School!
So his 12.81--in the semis, no less!!--just 0.01 seconds shy of tying the WR--was not the biggest shock ever, but it still was mightily impressive, especially as he finished 0.29 seconds ahead of 2nd placer Devon Allen!

Holloway gets the MR and Age 23 Record!
He ranks 2nd A-T World and US!
Allen's 13.10 wowed his Hometown fans!
Trey Cunningham's 13.21 beat out Daniel Roberts's 13.26 for 3rd!

The Women's 400H semis showed how far ahead of her rivals Syd the Kid McLaughlin is!
Her 53.03 looked like a distance runner's tempo run!
While Shamier Little ran 53.71, and Delilah Muhammad ran 53.86, McL just strode off the track without looking back!
Nnenya Hailey ran a good 54.24, missing the US list by just 0.03 seconds!
Anna Cockrell, coming off a busy Collegiate season, took 5th with 55.10.

Those 23 foot LJ's keep rolling out!
Ace Vet Brittney Reese hit the sand at 23-4.75, beating the young upstart Tara Davis, who hit 23-1.75!
Quanesha Burks's 22-10 makes her 15th A-T US, tied with 1 other!
Tiffany Flynn reached 22-3.75!
New memoir writer Tianna Bartoletta ended 10th!!

The Hurdles, whether the SC, the 110's, or the 400's, are producing some of the best marks here--or anywhere!
Rai Benjamin's 46.83 continued the trend!
It's the Meet Record and the Age 23 Record, and makes him 2nd A-T World and US!!
It also helps make him 1st on my Combined Events list of the 400 & 400H.
His times of 44.31 and 46.83 adds to 1:31.14!
Kenny Selmon's PR of 48.08 makes him 22nd A-T US!
David Kendziera was 3rd in 48.38!

Gabby Thomas is getting her Master's degree in a science I can't even spell!
She is also running faster than any other woman other than the late Flojo over 200 meters!
Her 21.61 was her 3rd time under 22 seconds, and well past her semi time!
This beautiful dynamo was in the lead coming off the curve, and just expanded it to the line!
It's the MR and the Age 24 Record!
She ranks 2nd A-T World and US!
Jenna Prandini--a former Duck--took a strong 2nd with her 21.89!
This makes her 10th A-T US, and 22nd A-T World, tied with 1 other!
But the fast times kept coming!
Anavia Battle chopped about 4 tenths of a second off her PR, her 21.95 tying her for the best 3rd Place mark!
It also makes her 12th A-T US!
Tamara Clark followed closely in 21.98 for the best 4th Place mark!
She ranks 13th A-T US!
Allyson Felix was 5th in 22.11, with Dezerea Bryant 6th in 22.24!

The Men's 200 semis saw Teen Erriyon Knighton run 19.88, breaking his own HS PRO & HS PRO Soph Class Records!
He also broke Usain Bolt's Age 17 Record!
He ranks 23th A-T US, tied with 2 others!
Kenny Bednarek ran 19.90, edging Noah Lyles's 19.91.
Isaiah Young ran a solid 19.99!

A World Record wasn't in Grant Holloway's possession as he crossed the line in the 110H final in 12.96!
Devon Allen matched his semi time of 13.10, while Daniel Roberts ended on the team with his 13.11.
Trey Cunningham matched his PR of 13.21 in 4th!

June 27--Day 8
The heat kept the 5000 to a jogfest, giving Paul Chelimo the win in 13:26.82.
Grant Fisher and Woody Kincaid kept the string of TeamUSA positions going to the Bowerman Track Club growing!
Their times were, respectively, 13:27.01 and 13:27.13.
Fourth went to Cooper Teare's 13:28.08!

JuVaughn Harrison won the HJ with a clearance of 7-7.75!
Darryl Sullivan matched the height, but finished 2nd.
Shelby McEwen took 3rd with 7-6.50, beating Veteran Erik Kynard's 7-5.25!

Not long after, Harrison also won the LJ, this time with a PR of 27-9.75!
This makes him 15th A-T US, tied with 2 others!
Marquis Dendy managed a 2nd place mark of 27-6.
Steffin McCarter surprised in 3rd with his 27-1.25!
Jeff Henderson ended in 6th!

After the 1st day of the Heptathlon, Annie Kunz led the field with 4042 points!
She stayed there, ending the 7-eventer with a startling 6703 points!
This makes her 5th A-T US!
Two still young Vets came next, Kendell Williams's 6683 making her 6th A-T US, while Erica Bougard scored a solid 6667 points.
Michelle Atherley added 252 points to her PR, but ended a well back 4th with 6352 points!
This makes her 16th A-T US, tied with 1 other!
Ashin Zamzow-Mahler scored 6273 points in 5th!
A high quality and an exciting competition!

Given how easy her 53.03 semi was earlier, and given the inspiration to run fast by Grant Holloway's and Rai Benjamin's earlier World Class times, Syd McLaughlin put her notarized stamp on the World Record with a stunning 51.90 over one lap of hurdles!
It's almsot visionary, but her time had been predicted by a few people on the T&FN MB over the past few years!
Yes, her EXACT time of 51.90!!
It's the World, American, Meet, and Age 21 Records!!
The former WR holder--Delilah Muhammad--ran her best time this year, but her 52.42 was far behind!
However, it gets her the Age 31 Record!
Anna Cockrell took advantage of a slight hitch in Shamier Little's final straight run, making the Olympic team with a super PR of 53.70!
This makes her 16th A-T US!
Little ended in 53.85!
McLaughlin's 12.65 and 51.90 adds to 1:04.55, giving her the Gold in the World and US Combined Events lists.
Her 50.07 and 51.90 adds to 1:41.97, making her 2nd A-T World, and 1st place on the US list!

The Women's 800 final saw 8 of the 9 runners break the 2 minute barrier!!
Athing Mu, the Tennage Phenom (and a few other superlatives!!) ran 1:56.07, making her 2nd A-T US, behind only Ajee Wilson!!
It's the Meet Record!
She misses the World DDD by a mere 0.11 seconds!!
Her 49.57 and 1:56.07 adds to 2:45.64!
This makes her the US leader, and 4th A-T World!
Now hang on to your britches as I list the other finishers!

Raevyn Rogers ran 1:57.66, making her 9th A-T US!
Ajee ended in 1:58.39!
Michaela Meyer ran her first sub-2 in 1:58.55!
Chanelle Price's time in 5th was 1:58.73.
Allie Wilson ended in 1:59.02.
In 7th came Kate Grace's 1:59.17.
Hannah Green ran a good 1:59.55 in 8th!

Coming off the final curve of the Men's 1500, Matthew Centrowitz led the field!
He would run 3:35.34!
But Cole Hocker would outsprint the Rio Gold winner, timing 3:35.28!
Yared Nuguse also made TeamUSA with his 3:36.19 in 3rd!
Craig Engels was the dreaded 4th in 3:36.69!

The 8 days of incredible competition (over a 10 day period) ended with the Men's 200 final!
Noah Lyles finally showed people he still had "it", as "it" brought him home in 19.74!
He needed all of it (Sic!), as Kenny Bednarek PR'ed in 19.78 in 2nd!
This makes him 13th A-T US!
Erriyon Knighton will be the youngest T&F performer in Tokyo, as the 17 year old ran yet another PR!!
His 19.84 in 3rd again broke his HS PRO & HS PRO Soph Class Records
It also breaks his own Age 17 Record, moving him 0.09 seconds ahead of what Usain Bolt ran at the same age!!
It ranks him 16th A-T US!
In 4th came Fred Kerley, his time being 19.90!
His 9.86, 19.90, and 43.64 for the 400 adds to 1:13.40!
This makes him 4th A-T World, and 3rd A-T US!

More results--this time from around the world--will fill my next few posts!!

The US Trials--Next 3 Days

 This post follows the same format as the previous one--detailing ALL the action from the Trials--heats, semis, finals, and Q rounds for the field events!
However, this title (Next 3 Days) does NOT include the two rest days (June 22nd & 23rd), so the 3 days are June 21st, 24th, and 25th!

June 21--Day Four
The Men's Pole Vault final went to script--except that Sam Kendricks was sandwiched between a couple of youngsters!
Chris Nilsen won it with 19-4.25!
Sam was 2nd with a clearance of 19-2.25!
KC Lightfoot matched Kendricks's height, but took 3rd!

The Men's JT final saw Curtis Thompson reach 271-7, a distance that won't send Johannes Vetter running for the hills, sad to say!
Michael Shuey hit 260-0, while Riley Dolezel was 3rd with 252-10.

Isaac Updike took the 3000SC semis with 8:21.01.
Hillary Bor was on his shoulder with 8:21.09!
Dan Michalski was 3rd with 8:22.03!

I really miss the exciting clashes of Will Claye and Christian Taylor!
Taylor was injured, so didn't make the Trials, so Claye won the TJ with 56-5.75!
Donald Scott was close, hitting 56-4.50!
Chris Benard took 3rd with 55-9.75!

The 1st Track final of the day was the Women's 1500, and it was a good one!
After a slight stumble  near the start, Elle Purrier St Pierre took the lead and said Bye Bye!
Only Cory McGee tried to stay with Track's most famous dairy farmer, until St Pierre powered away in the final 100!
Her 3:58.03 is a Trials Meet Record, and makes her 6th A-T US!
McGee's PR of 4:00.67 ranks her 12th A-T US!
Heather MacLean has had a solid year, so her 3rd place time of 4:02.09 wasn't too surprising!
It ranks her 19th A-T US!
Shannon Osika was just edged out for Tokyo with her 4:02.18.
Super Everything Jenny Simpson didn't have it, and ended 10th in 4:07.76!
In my Combined Events lists, Purrier St Pierre's 1:59.99 and 3:58.03 adds to 5:58.02, making her 6th A-T on my US list!
Her 3:58.03 and 14:58.12 adds to 18:56.15, making her 8th A-T US on that C-E list!

Donovan Brazier was among the leaders after a 51.00 first lap of the Men's 800 final!
But when it came to closing, he faded--badly--finishing 8th and last!!
Clayton Murphy has been coming on all year, and climaxed it with a powerful 1:43.17 W!
He had slight negative splits of 51.67 and 51.50!
Isaiah Jewett--cool shades and a vibrant personality--sprinted to 2nd in 1:43.85!
This makes him 16th A-T US!
Bryce Hoppel took a solid 3rd with 1:44.14!

Day Four ended with the Women's 5000 final!
After her dramatic crowd rousing semi, Abbey Cooper might have been everyone's sentimental favorite!
But her 15:31.05 just wasn't enough!
The US team will be Elise Cranny (15:27.81), Karissa Schweizer (15:28.11), and Rachel Schneider (15:29.56)!
Both Cranny and Schweizer said they supported and believed their BTC teammate Shelby Houlihan!

June 24--Day Five (after 2 rest days)
The Women's HT Q round saw DeAnna Price set a Meet Record with her 252-11.
A real shocker saw Alyssa Wilson add about ten feet to her PR, her 241-11 making her 12th A-T US!!
Janee Kassanavoid threw 238-6, while Erin Reese PR'ed with 237-11, making her 13th A-T US!

The Women's SP Q round saw Raven Saunders throw 62-10.50 to lead Jessica Ramsey's 61-9 to the final!
Felisha Johson had 3 fouls, so didn't advance!

Jenn Suhr's clearance of 14-9 in the Pole Vault Qualifying is a new Age 39 Record!
Two youngsters--Chloe Cunliffe and Paige Sommers--and one veteran, Emily Grove, NH'ed!

Brittney Reese led the Women's Long Jump Qualifying with 22-6.25!

Sam Prakel was the Men's 1500 heat leader with 3:39.02!
All the usual suspects, including Hobbs Kessler, made it to the semis!

The Women's 200 heats were hot--at least up front!
Gabby Thomas hit the line in 21.98, which made her 10th A-T US!
Not bad for a former Harvard scholar!
Jenna Prandini showed some old form with her 22.14.
This makes her 20th A-T US,tied with 1 other!
Kynnedy Flannel was 3rd with 22.31.

Chanelle Price was the lone sub-2 time in the 800 heats, her 1:59.86 leading Sage Hurta's 2:00.08, Ajee Wilson's 2:00.55, and Athing Mu's 2:00.69!
High Schoolers Juliette Whittaker (2:01.21) and Roisin Willis (2:01.27) ran well enough to advance!

Someone I'd never heard of--Legend Boyesen Hayes!!--led the Men's DT Qualifying!
His mark was 205-4!
Turner Washington and Kord Ferguson didn't advance!

The Men's 400H heats were led by the low-49's of Kenny Selmon, Isaiah Levingston, and Rai Benjamin!
Sean Burrell clashed with a late hurdle on the final straight and was out of it!

The Women's Shot Put final was wild and woolly!
When Raven Saunders hit a massive PR--and Meet Record--distance of 65-6, we thought it was over!
Tell that to Jessica Ramsey, who hit another MR in the next round--her 66-0.25 making her 4th A-T US!
Saunders's mark makes her 5th A-T US!
Adelaide Aquilla will go to Tokyo also, thanks to her 62-2.25!
Maggie Ewen's 62-1 gave her the dreaded 4th place!

Paul Chelimo's 13:36.66 led the Men's 5000 semis, but young Nico Young (Sic!) was close in 13:36.74!

The US Women's 3000SC has a fantastic future, based on the results of the final!
Ready Steady Emma Coburn solidified her Throne position with her 9:09.41, which crushed her own MR!!
The AR holder--Courtney Frerichs--showed she's also ready, running 9:11.41 in 2nd!
Val Constien--coming from practically nowhere at the start of the year--took 3rd with her 9:18.34!
This makes her 6th A-T US!
Courtney Wayment ran 9:23.09 in 4th to make her 9th A-T US!
Marisa Howard ended in 9:24.74, ranking her 11th A-T US!
Grayson Murphy ran a solid 9:25.53 in 6th!
Veteran Mel Lawrence was next with a PR of 9:26.15, making her 14th A-T US!
Allie Ostrander came back from a volunteer residency at an eating disorder clinic to PR in 9:26.96!
This amazing young woman now ranks 15th A-T US!
Leah Falland is the tragic tale of these Trials!
She was running strong and was confident of a team spot when she stumbled and fell!
She got back up and tried to catch everyone, but her 9:27.06 wasn't enough!
Her post-race interview and later video were tough to watch, bringing anyone who did to tears!
Katie Rainsberger also PR'ed, her 10th place time of 9:30.19 making her 21st A-T US!

June 25--Day Six
Maggie Malone led the Women's JT Q round with her 195-7!
High Schooler Katelyn Fairchild made the final with 160-11.

The Men's Long Jump Q round saw Marquis Goodwin and Will Claye not advancing!

It's been exciting to see the quick development of High School PRO Erriyon Knighton this season, but it was still amazing to see him lead all comers in the 200 heats!
His 20.04 is a new HS PRO & HS PRO Soph Class Record!!
Noah Lyles cruised to a 20.19!
Another teen--Jaylen Slade--didn't advance!

Grant Holloway's 13.11 led the 110H heats!

Vernon Turner and Jeron Robinson didn't make the Men's HJ final 12.

The Women's 800 semis went pretty much as expected!
Athing Mu led the charge with 1:59.31.
Kate Grace looked sharp with her 1:59.43!
Ajee Wilson (1:59.49) and Raevyn Rogers (1:59.66) followed!

Kenny Selmon's 48.51 led Rai Benjamin's 48.61 in the 400H semis!

The Men's DT final didn't stir too many passions!
Mason Finley was 1st with 206-11, followed by the 205-3 of Reggie Jagers and the 205-1 of Sam Mattis!
That Legend guy ain't a "legend" yet, I guess!
LOL

Syd the Kid McLaughlin led the 400H heats charge with her jog of 54.07!
Nennya Hailey surprised a bit by running 55.03 for 2nd!
Shamier Little's 55.22 and Delilah Muhammed's 55.51 were next!

Craig Engels--mullet in place--was fastest in the Men's 1500 semis with his 3:38.56!
Yared Nuguse continued his great season with 3:38.60 in 2nd!
Matthew Centrowitz and Cole Hocker had a mini-battle at the back of the pack, both making the final with their respective times of 3:42.76 and 3:43.00!
The young Hobbs Kessler and the older Johnny Gregorek didn't make it through!

Gabby Thomas continued her dominance with 21.94 to lead the semis!
This makes her 24th A-T World, and 10th A-T US!
Jenna Prandini dipped into the 21's, her 21.99 making her 11th A-T US, tied with 1 other!
Allyson Felix ran a fine 22.20 to advance easily!

Ending Day 6 was the Men's 3000SC final!
Hillary Bor sprinted hardest to win in 8:21.34!
Bernard Keter took 2nd with 8:21.81.
Mason Ferlic was 3rd in 8:22.75!

I'll finish my Trials report in my next post!

The US Trials--1st 3 Days

 It's all done, but what a spectacle!!
Instead of my usual "Records first, then other great marks", I'm going to report this in strict chronological order, including information on heats, semis, finals, and field event qualifying!
Enjoy!

June 18--Day One
Action at the new Hayward Field opened with a bang!
Ryan Crouser served up a SP of 75-2.50 to easily lead the Q round!
It was the Meet Record!
Joe Kovacs Put (Sic!) one out there also--71-6.75!

The Men's Hammer Throw Q round was tamer, with Rudy Winkler hitting 259-7, with Daniel Haugh going 254-9, and Alex Young also above 250, with 252-11.
Sean Donnelly was out with 3 fouls!

Valarie Allman showed she's in a class by herself, her 229-8 Q mark setting a Meet Record!!
Laulauga Tausaga didn't advance!

Jenny Simpson led the 1500 heats with 4:11.34.
Elle Purrier St Pierre--the favorite--was 5th in 4:11.78!

Wadeline Jonathas led the Women's 400 heats with 50.64!
Momma Allyson Felix ran 50.99 in 4th to advance!
Courtney Okolo's 52.37 left her out of it!

All the necessary Women's HJ'ers advanced to the final, but Tynita Butts Townsend couldn't make it through!

Trevor Stewart led the 400 heats with his 44.75!
Michael Norman cruised through in 4th with 45.18!

Donovan Brazier and Brannen Kidder went 1-2 in the 800 heats--1:45.00 and 1:45.06!

Abbey Cooper pulled a Prefontaine on Pre's old turf, powering through a 15:07.80 5000 to get her needed Q time for the Olympics--just in case!
Even if she doesn't win, she won people's hearts!
A really genuine moment!

Keturah Orji led TJ Qualifying with 46-10.75!

Ryan Crouser has been consistent for years now!
This consistency at the highest level--a long series of meets ranging from 73 to 75 feet--made a WR a foregone conclusion!
So when his tall rangy body raced across the Shot Put ring, and the 16 pound ball flew out 76-8.25, we were all thrilled, but not entirely shocked!
He'd done it!
Crushed that controversial WR of Randy Barnes into oblivion!
Add the American Record and the Meet Record and the Age 28 Record!
Joe Kovacs reached 73-3.50--what USED to be a winnable distance!
In 3rd came Payton Otterdahl, hhis PR of 71-11 sending him to Tokyo, and making him 16th A-T US!
Darrell Hill just missed with his 71-10, while Josh Awotunde threw 71-8, making him 18th A-T US!

The heats of the Women's 100 saw Sha'Carri Richardson power far ahead over the last 50 meters, timing 10.84!
Javianne Oliver timed 10.96, with Kayla White also dipping under 11 with a 10.99.
Gabby Thomas crossed the line in 11.00!

Ending Day One was the Men's 10000!
The Bowerman TC duo of Woody Kincaid and Grant Fisher went 1-2, times of 27:53.82 and 27:54.29!
Joe Klecker was 3rd in 27:54.90.
Ben True had a ton of online supporters, but ended in the dreaded 4th position, time of 27:58.80!
Galen Rupp will run the Olympic Marathon, but not the 10000, as his 27:59.43 made him 6th!

June 19--Day Two
Day Two began drily, with Marc Anthony Minichello leading the Men's JT Q with a measly 251-5.

Cole Walsh was the only significant name Pole Vaulter to not advance!

The Women's 100H have always been super competitive!
It remained so here!
Kendra (I can't bring myself to call her Keni!) Harrison led the charge with a 12.49 heat time!
The "provisionally banned" Brianna McNeal was 2nd in 12.50.
Taliyah Brooks was 3rd in 12.61.
Not making it was the much-decorated Super Vet Dawn Harper-Nelson!!

The Men's TJ Q round was blah!

Trayvon Bromell led the 100 heats with a 2.7W aided 9.89!
Using a legal 1.9 were 2nd & 3rd placers Ronnie Baker (9.88) and Fred Kerley (9.93)!
Justin Gatlin was in Bromell's windy race, running 9.93!
Teen Jaylen Slade didn't advance!

The Women's 100 Semis followed!
And the youngster literally blew everyone else off the track!
A wind of 2.6 negated the 10.64 blast of Sha'Carri Richardson, but perhaps showed that her series of 10.7's with legal wind were serious and believable!
Javianne Oliver used a 2.3 wind to propel her to a 10.83.
Teahna Daniels was in Sha'Carri's semi, her time being 10.84!
Aleia Hobbs false started, and was seen curled up against the wall, head in arms!
Cambrea Sturgis, Twanisha Terry, and Tianna Bartoletta were all eliminated!

The Women's 1500 Semis saw Nikki Hiltz lead the way in 4:05.87.
Cory McGee was closest with 4:05.96.
Elle Purrier St Pierre ran 4:09.18 in 7th, while Vet of Vets Jenny Simpson was 9th in 4:09.92!

Valarie Allman stayed consistent--almost to the inch!--as her 229-5 DT winner fell just 3 inches shy of the MR she set in the Q round!
Michaele Hazlewood surprised in 2nd with 205-2, making her 23rd A-T US!
Rachel Dincoff's 197-8 was 3rd!

Bryce Hoppel led the 800 Semis with a slowish 1:46.08!
Brandon Miller and Erik Sowinski didn't advance!

Jessica Beard, Phyllis Francis, and Natasha Hastings did NOT make it to the Women's 400 Final!!
But Quanera Hayes (50.07), Wadeline Jonathas (50.24), and Allyson Felix (51.01 in 6th) did!

The two Michaels led the Men's 400 Semis, with Cherry running 44.50, and Norman cruising 44.73.
The iconic LaShawn Merritt didn't advance!

The Women's 100 Final began with a shock!
The thought to be FS'ed Aleia Hobbs was there in lane 9!!
She'd been reinstated!
Ms Richardson took care of business as only she can, winning easily in 10.86.
Javianne Oliver was 2nd in 10.99.
Teahna Daniels was 3rd in 11.03!
Fourth went to Jenna Prandini's 11.11, while Gabby Thomas was 5th in 11.15!
Ms Hobbs must have been emotionally drained, as she took up the rear!

June 20--Day Three
Following the pattern of the throwing events here--especially the WR of Ryan Crouser--Rudy Winkler had been very consistent all season in the Hammer Throw!
So when he FINALLY removed the venerated Lance Deal from the American Record book after 25 years, it wasn't too surprising!!
He set sail the Ball and Chain 271-4 out from the ring, ending Deal's reign as not only the AR holder, but as the Eugene & Hayward Field Record holder!
His AR & MR makes him 20th A-T World!!
He inspired Daniel Haugh to a throw of 260-5, making him 6th A-T US!
And Alex young also PR'ed, his 256-11 making him 11th A-T US!

Vashti Cunningham took the Women's HJ with a 6-5 clearance!
Inika McPherson was 2nd with 6-4.
Also getting 6-4's were 3rd placer Nicole Greene and 4th placer Rachel McCoy!

Keturah Orji broke the Trials Meet Record with her TJ of 47-7.75!
Tori Franklin took 2nd with 47-1.50!
And young Jasmine Moore kept to the formchart with her 3rd place mark of 46-5.25!

As expected, the 100H Semis were tight!
Tonea Marshall won it in 12.50, with Kendra Harrison 2nd in the same time!
Close behind was 3rd placer Christina Clemons (formerly Manning), whose 12.51 makes her 19th A-T US, tied with 1 other!
Brianna McNeal finished 4th in 12.56!
Anna Cockrell took 5th with 12.59!
Not advancing were Queen Claye, Kristi Castlin, and Shericka Nelvis!

The Men's 100 Semis went by the books, with Trayvon Bromell running 9.90, Fred Kerley 2nd in 9.92, and Ronnie Baker in 3rd in 9.94.
Also making the Final were Noah Lyles, who ended 5th in 9.97, and Justin Gatlin, 6th in 10.00!

The Women's 3000SC Semis were fast, with the first six getting under 9:30.
Emma Coburn led the charge with 9:21.32, with Leah Falland 2nd in 9:23.36!
Grayson Murphy PR'ed with 9:25.37, making her 10th A-T US!
Courtney Wayment--recently of BYU--ran 9:27.17, making her 12th A-T US!
That other Courtney--Frerichs--was a comfortable 5th in 9:27.75!
And Val Constien's 9:28.37 was in 6th place!

Allyson Felix will be going to her FIFTH Olympic Games!!
2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and soon to be, 2021
But it was Quanera Hayes leading the way with a brilliant 49.78!
Felix's 50.02 broke Novlene Williams-Mills's Age 35 Record!!
Wadeline Jonathas took 3rd with 50.03, being edged out by Felix near the finish!
Kendell Ellis was 4th in 50.10!
And new 400 "find"--Kaylin Whitney--PR'ed again, this time to 50.29!

Randolph Ross remained this season's sole sub-44 man, as the 400 Final went to the 44.07 of Michael Norman!
Michael Cherry took 2nd in 44.35!
And Mr Ross was a far back 3rd in 44.74!

The Decathlon ended with the top 3 all making big advances on their PR's!
Garrett Scantling put it all together, scoring a big 8647 points!
He is just 20 points shy of my World list!
This makes him 8th A-T US!
Steve Bastien raised his best by several hundred points, his 8485 making him 11th A-T US!
Just behind the surprising Bastien came Zach Ziemek's 8471.
This makes him 12th A-T US!
Harrison Williams took a solid 4th with 8306 points!

When it came down to the Final, the WR holder came through as only the WR holder should!
Kendra Harrison ran 12.47, with Brianna McNeal taking 2nd in 12.51.
Christina Clemons was 3rd in 12.53!
Also running 12.53 was 4th placer Gabbi Cunningham!
Nothing's been announced, but if McNeal is banned, Cunningham would probably be added to the Tokyo bound team!!
BTW, her time makes her 22nd A-T US, tied with 1 other!

The third day ended with the Men's 100 Final!
And Mr Bromell came through again!
His 9.80 beat the 9.85 of Ronnie Baker!
This makes Baker 6th A-T US, tied with 3 others, and 14th A-T World, tied with 4 others!
The "converted" 400 meter man--Fred Kerley--took 3rd in 9.86.
This makes him 10th A-T US, tied with 3 others, and 19th A-T World, tied with a whopping 9 others!
Kenny Bednarek ran good in 4th, his 9.89 making him 17th A-T US, tied with 3 others!
Continuing the attack on the Record Book was Micah Williams, whose 9.91 makes him 21st A-T US, tied with 2 others!

To be continued!