Let's begin with the dramatic.
Very sad to note the story of Kemoy Campbell.
While rabbiting the Men's 3000 in The Armory-coming off the curve near the 1K mark, the Jamaican suddenly collapsed, fell into the infield, and was immediately surrounded by EMT's.
While it's not certain, he suffered a possible heart attack, but was revived, taken to Columbia Medical Center (where I had surgery in 1957!), and has been put into a 48 hour medically induced coma!
While the medics worked on him, the Shot Putters (The SP circle was right where he fell!) took a break, gathered together in prayer (in a very poignant moment), but resumed competition later!
All our hopes & prayers should be pointed toward this great athlete!
But the Millrose Games was dominated by a series of sensational marks--mostly from the middle distances--but including the Men's SP!
That's where Ryan Crouser pushed the ball out 73-3.25 to totally wipe out his competition, which included Joe Kovacs!
It's the Millrose Meet Record.
He moves from 10th A-T US to 3rd.
And from 20th A-T World all the way to 4th!!
Talking about sensational AND dramatic, nothing topped Yomif Kejelcha's chase of the World Record in the Mile!!
In fact, he sped ahead of the rabbit BEFORE the rabbit left the track!
Then he pushed through the next few laps, knowing he was on target!!
With no one with him, he nonetheless kicked hard--only to fall 0.01 (!!!) shy of Hicham El Guerrouj's 3:48.45 WR!!
Once he saw the time (3:48.46!), he sat on the track shaking his head!!
Two icons of INdoor Miling--Eamann Coghlan and Bernard Lagat were there to watch the race, and were equally shattered by the result---both at how truly GREAT was Kejelcha's run, but also by how CLOSE he came!!
For his trouble, he nabbed the Millrose Meet Record, broke his own Age 21 Record, and the Ethiopia National Record!!
He moves from 12th A-T World to 2nd!
He was timed at 3:33.07 at 1500 enroute,which makes him 6th A-T World, tied with 1 other!!
Far back came Ed Cheserek, timed in 3:53.29!
Just behind the former King came Clay Murphy, his 3:53.30 moving him from 20th A-T US to 13th.
His enroute 1500 time of 3:37.46 makes him 7th A-T US!!
Following were Brit Josh Kerr (3:53.65), Craig Engels (3:54.18), and the venerable Nick Willis, whose 3:54.80 gave him the Age 35 Record!
All 10 finishers broke 4 minutes!!
The Women's Mile was exciting too!
And close!
That is, until "KoKo" (aka Konstanze Klosterhalfen) whipped her model's legs into a mad frenzy, easily moving away from the crowd to win in 4:19.98.
That time, plus her 4:02.70 enroute time at 1500, gave her Germany National Records!!
Two for the price of one, as they say!!
She also got the Age 21 Record, but missed the MR by a mere 0.09 seconds!!
Her Mile time makes her 5th A-T World, while her 1500 makes her 23rd A-T World!!
In 2nd, Colleen Quigley (also a model!!) ran 4:22.86, making her 9th A-T World.
And she moves from 8th A-T US, tied with 1 other, up to 4th!
Her 4:06.15 split at 1500 moves her from 22nd A-T US to 8th!!
Kate Grace ran 4:24.27 in 3rd, followed by Shannon Osika's 4:25.71.
which moves her from 20th A-T US to 11th!
Her 1500 split of 4:07.64 makes her 12th A-T US!!
Katie Mackey;s 4:26.39 makes her 15th A-T US!
Cory McGee's 4:26.79 moves her from 22nd A-T US to 16th!
McGee's 4:08.36 split moves her from 20th A-T US to 15th!
And Mackey;s split of 4:08.59 makes her 20th A-T US!!
Collegiate runner Danae Rivers ran 4:29.47, making her 10th A-T Collegiate!
Her 4:11.24 at 1500 makes her 6th A-T Collegiate!
He'd tried several times to break Johnny Gray's INdoor American Record, in 2019 celebrating its 27th birthday!
Oops!
I guess it stopped at 26 years, as Donavan Brazier finally got it, his 1:44.41 finishing 2nd to Michael Saruni's equally tremendous 1:43.98!
For Saruni, he gets the Kenya National Record and the Age 23 Record!
Not to mention the Millrose Meet Record!!
He moves from 20th A-T World to 2nd!
Brazier moves from 2nd A-T US to the Top!
And he moves from 14th A-T World to 5th!!
He split 49.89 at 400!!
NOTE: As my loyal readers know, I've accepted a few marks that the IAAF or USATF did not---i.e. Emma Coburn's 9:11.42, Gwen Berry's 251-4, and Ajee Wilson's INdoor 1:58.27 American Record!
But with Wilson breaking the "official" AR of 1:58.71---AGAIN!!--I've decided to rescind my acceptance of her "tainted meat" mark, and to accept the time she ran this year as the AR!!
And that's why Wilson's 1:58.60 is now the American Record, as recognized by the official agencies (I assume!!), and by this blog!!
She is now 18th A-T World!!
Natoya Goule's 1:59.13 came 2nd.
Ce'Aira Brown's 1:59.74 in 3rd moves her from 21st A-T US to 10th!!
The 3000's--Men and Women--were fast and deep!!
Despite the collapse of Kemoy Campbell, the race continued as the medics tended to Campbell right beside the track!!
Grant Fisher outkicked Morgan McDonald--7:42.62 to 7:42.76!!
For the Cardinal, he becomes 3rd A-T Collegiate, and 21st A-T US!!
For McDonald, he becomes 4th A-T Collegiate!!
In quite a race for the College crowd, 3rd placer Aman Kemboi's 7:44.77 makes him 7th A-T Collegiate!!
The Women's race was equally productive!!
Alicia Monson, the Wisconsin Collegiate, shocked the Pro's by winning the 3K in 8:45.97!!
She becomes 3rd A-T Collegiate, and 15th A-T US!!
Rachel Schneider's 8:46.44 makes her 16th A-T US!
Jessica O'Connell's 8:46.50 in 3rd got her the National Record of Canada!!
Aisha Praught-Leer's 4th place time of 8:46.60 made for a strong front four!!
So what happened to the favored Emma Coburn and Elinor Purrier?/
They were clipped, causing both to take a tumble.
They got up and finished, but couldn't close the gap!
Coburn ended 5th in 8:52.27, while Purrier finished further back.
Between them came Weini Kelati, whose 8:53.98 gave her the National Record of Eritrea, and makes her 10th A-T Collegiate!!
In other Millrose action---
Vashti Cunningham HJ'ed 6-4.75 for an easy win!
Equally impressive was returning-from-injury English Gardner!
In her 1st race since 2017 (!!), she sped 7.10 in the 60 to come close to Ewa Swoboda's World Leader!!
She becomes 20th A-T US, tied with 2 others!
All my other Millrose marks came from High Schoolers!
This post is already quite long, and there's lots more to report (including those Millrose marks!), so I've decided to split this report into TWO posts!!
Be back in a few hours with all the rest!!
(I promise you the wait will be worth it!!)
See you soon!
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Sunday, February 3, 2019
XC--and Oh Yes, INdoors
The Karlsruhe stop on the World INdoor Tour provided some World Leaders, but it was the USATF Cross Country Championships that made this weekend!!
Two great races--with the Women running the same 10K distance as the Men, made for some competitive races!
The quintet of African transplants ruled the Men's race, with Shadrack Kipchirchir leading the way!
Kipchirchir led most of the way, but was closely followed by Emmanuel and Hillary Bor, Stan Kebenai, and Len Korir!
He won by a second over Emmanuel Bor, 28:52 to 28:53!
Korir's 28:55 took the Bronze over Hillary Bor, 28:55 to 28:57.
Kebenai fell off the pace, ending 5th in 29:04.
Far off the front came Scott Fauber's 29:20 in 6th, and Mason Ferlic's 29:31 in 7th!
Drew Hunter finished 9th in 29:36!
The Women's race was mostly a battle of H's--Molly Huddle, Marielle Hall, and Shelby Houlihan--with Aliphine Tuliamuk mixing it up!
They too went back and forth--through 9 kilometers!!
That's when Houlihan put down the hammer--and nailed the W!!
Her 3:02 final 1000 gained 8 seconds on her challengers, as her 32:47 beat Huddle's 32:55 with ease!
Hall's 32:56 was right behind, giving the podium a distinct "H" style!!
Tuliamuk fell off the front, ending 4th in 33:03!
Amy Cragg (33:17), Courtney Frerichs (33:24), and Karissa Schweizer (33:28) were next!
Shannon Rowbury, in one of her rare appearances in races over 5000 meters--and still on the rebound from giving birth last June--ended 22nd in 34:45!
But INdoors did have its moments!!
The vertical jumps led the way, with Japan's Naoto Tobe PR'ing in the plurals all the way to 7-8.50!!
(His earlier PR in the series was at 7-7.75!!)
This is the National Record, and the Karlsruhe Meet Record!
Another HJ of note came from Shelby McEwen, whose 7-7 makes him 12th A-T Collegiate, tied with 6 others!!
On the Women's side came 17 year old Yaroslava Mahuchukh of the Ukraine, her 6-6'25 leap being the Age 17 Record!!
The Men's PV continued its rise (by a centimeter each time!), with a few Vaulters taking turns at the top!
After Mondo Duplantis's and Matt Ludwig's 19-1.50's, then Sam Kendricks's 19-2 (See previous post!!) comes Piotr Lisek's 19-2.25!
But we ain't done yet!
Kendricks returned to the top of the World Leader list with his 19-2.75!!
And THEN---Mondo kicks ass with his 19-3!!
That breaks his own Frosh Class and Age 19 Records, as well as moving him from 3rd A=T Collegiate, tied with 2 others, to 2nd, no ties!!
Next??
Lest we leave the Women out of it, along comes Isabella Coscetti's 12-10, which takes over the Frosh Class Record for HS'ers!!
The Karlsruhe Women's PV saw a great competition, with a trio of Women hitting 15-5.50!
Alysha Newman led the way, her mark breaking her own National Record of Canada, and making her 23rd A-T World, tied with 3 others!
Ekaterina Stefanidi and Anzhelika Sidorova also cleared 15-5.50 in 2nd and 3rd!
Finally, Bonnie Draxler's 14-10 PR makes her 10th A-T Collegiate--but misses the US list by one inch!!
Ewe Swoboda became the World Leader in the 60 with her 7.08 win at Karlsruhe!
Far back in 2nd (7.19) was Dafne Schippers!!
A 20 year old Frosh--Kenny Bednarek--sped the one lapper in 20.30, and making three lists in the process!
He's now 10th A-T Collegiate, tied with 1 other--8th A-T US, tied with 1 other--and 13th A-T World, tied with 1 other!!
Cut FROM my US list were 4 athletes, including Justin Gatlin's 20.42 from 2002!!
The Camel City meet saw a pair of flat track World Bests, both coming in the 800's!
Clay Murphy's 1:45.92 won the Men's race, while Ajee Wilson's 1:59.26 dominated the Women's!
Back a ways came Athing Mu, whose 2:03.98 bettered Wilson's best INdoors as a HS'er, but also moved her from 14th A-T HS to 4th!!
Ed Cheserek took the CC Mile in 3:55.74!!
Thomas Staines extended his fine season, his 1:15.31 giving him the 600 National Record for Great Britain!
But he also moves from 11th to 4th on the A-T Collegiate list!
The cherry on top is him making the World list as well--8th A-T, tied with 1 other!!
Malaika Mihambo's LJ of 22-11.25 at Karlsruhe gave her the World Leading mark, as well as making her 20th A-T World, tied with 4 others!
Pam Dutkiewicz ran the 60H in 7.91.
Kurt Powdar ran the same event in 7.61, moving him from 11th A-T HS, tied with 1 other, to 7th!!
I have a few older marks, as always---
The Clemson meet saw Kendell Williams score 4490 points in the Pentathlon, becoming the US leader!!
In a previous post, I mentioned Aliyah Whisby's score of 4372 as a Georgia Frosh!
But I failed to say this makes her 18th A-T Collegiate, tied with 1 other, and 17th A-T US, tied with 1 other!!
Indiana ran a fast DMR, its time of 9:27.30 (on a 200 meter track!) moves them from 9th A-T School to 6th!!
Alicia Monson's 15:34.53 in the 5000 makes her 23rd A-T Collegiate!
I also forgot to mention that Karsten Warholm's 45.56 in the 400 broke his own National Record of Norway!!
Monique Hardy whipped the WT out 62-9.50, moving her all the way from 24th A-T HS to 6th!!
A correction--
I need to learn a nation's abbreviated initials!
I said that Fabrice Zango's 57-6.25 TJ had made him the National Record holder of Burundi!!
OOPS!!
That "BUR" abbreviation stands for Burkina Faso, NOT Burundi!!
(As more than one T&FN Message Board member pointed out to me!!)
No pregnancies or births, but I do have a wedding to announce!!
Shot Diva Michelle Carter married long time friend Courtney Elder in a beautiful ceremony where her dad--Michael Carter!--walked her down the aisle!!
Great (and many!) photos of the wedding are available online!!
(BTW, it seems Christina Manning also recently married, but I don't have her new name yet!!)
More World INdoor Tour meets are coming, as well as the Millrose Games!!
See you soon!
Two great races--with the Women running the same 10K distance as the Men, made for some competitive races!
The quintet of African transplants ruled the Men's race, with Shadrack Kipchirchir leading the way!
Kipchirchir led most of the way, but was closely followed by Emmanuel and Hillary Bor, Stan Kebenai, and Len Korir!
He won by a second over Emmanuel Bor, 28:52 to 28:53!
Korir's 28:55 took the Bronze over Hillary Bor, 28:55 to 28:57.
Kebenai fell off the pace, ending 5th in 29:04.
Far off the front came Scott Fauber's 29:20 in 6th, and Mason Ferlic's 29:31 in 7th!
Drew Hunter finished 9th in 29:36!
The Women's race was mostly a battle of H's--Molly Huddle, Marielle Hall, and Shelby Houlihan--with Aliphine Tuliamuk mixing it up!
They too went back and forth--through 9 kilometers!!
That's when Houlihan put down the hammer--and nailed the W!!
Her 3:02 final 1000 gained 8 seconds on her challengers, as her 32:47 beat Huddle's 32:55 with ease!
Hall's 32:56 was right behind, giving the podium a distinct "H" style!!
Tuliamuk fell off the front, ending 4th in 33:03!
Amy Cragg (33:17), Courtney Frerichs (33:24), and Karissa Schweizer (33:28) were next!
Shannon Rowbury, in one of her rare appearances in races over 5000 meters--and still on the rebound from giving birth last June--ended 22nd in 34:45!
But INdoors did have its moments!!
The vertical jumps led the way, with Japan's Naoto Tobe PR'ing in the plurals all the way to 7-8.50!!
(His earlier PR in the series was at 7-7.75!!)
This is the National Record, and the Karlsruhe Meet Record!
Another HJ of note came from Shelby McEwen, whose 7-7 makes him 12th A-T Collegiate, tied with 6 others!!
On the Women's side came 17 year old Yaroslava Mahuchukh of the Ukraine, her 6-6'25 leap being the Age 17 Record!!
The Men's PV continued its rise (by a centimeter each time!), with a few Vaulters taking turns at the top!
After Mondo Duplantis's and Matt Ludwig's 19-1.50's, then Sam Kendricks's 19-2 (See previous post!!) comes Piotr Lisek's 19-2.25!
But we ain't done yet!
Kendricks returned to the top of the World Leader list with his 19-2.75!!
And THEN---Mondo kicks ass with his 19-3!!
That breaks his own Frosh Class and Age 19 Records, as well as moving him from 3rd A=T Collegiate, tied with 2 others, to 2nd, no ties!!
Next??
Lest we leave the Women out of it, along comes Isabella Coscetti's 12-10, which takes over the Frosh Class Record for HS'ers!!
The Karlsruhe Women's PV saw a great competition, with a trio of Women hitting 15-5.50!
Alysha Newman led the way, her mark breaking her own National Record of Canada, and making her 23rd A-T World, tied with 3 others!
Ekaterina Stefanidi and Anzhelika Sidorova also cleared 15-5.50 in 2nd and 3rd!
Finally, Bonnie Draxler's 14-10 PR makes her 10th A-T Collegiate--but misses the US list by one inch!!
Ewe Swoboda became the World Leader in the 60 with her 7.08 win at Karlsruhe!
Far back in 2nd (7.19) was Dafne Schippers!!
A 20 year old Frosh--Kenny Bednarek--sped the one lapper in 20.30, and making three lists in the process!
He's now 10th A-T Collegiate, tied with 1 other--8th A-T US, tied with 1 other--and 13th A-T World, tied with 1 other!!
Cut FROM my US list were 4 athletes, including Justin Gatlin's 20.42 from 2002!!
The Camel City meet saw a pair of flat track World Bests, both coming in the 800's!
Clay Murphy's 1:45.92 won the Men's race, while Ajee Wilson's 1:59.26 dominated the Women's!
Back a ways came Athing Mu, whose 2:03.98 bettered Wilson's best INdoors as a HS'er, but also moved her from 14th A-T HS to 4th!!
Ed Cheserek took the CC Mile in 3:55.74!!
Thomas Staines extended his fine season, his 1:15.31 giving him the 600 National Record for Great Britain!
But he also moves from 11th to 4th on the A-T Collegiate list!
The cherry on top is him making the World list as well--8th A-T, tied with 1 other!!
Malaika Mihambo's LJ of 22-11.25 at Karlsruhe gave her the World Leading mark, as well as making her 20th A-T World, tied with 4 others!
Pam Dutkiewicz ran the 60H in 7.91.
Kurt Powdar ran the same event in 7.61, moving him from 11th A-T HS, tied with 1 other, to 7th!!
I have a few older marks, as always---
The Clemson meet saw Kendell Williams score 4490 points in the Pentathlon, becoming the US leader!!
In a previous post, I mentioned Aliyah Whisby's score of 4372 as a Georgia Frosh!
But I failed to say this makes her 18th A-T Collegiate, tied with 1 other, and 17th A-T US, tied with 1 other!!
Indiana ran a fast DMR, its time of 9:27.30 (on a 200 meter track!) moves them from 9th A-T School to 6th!!
Alicia Monson's 15:34.53 in the 5000 makes her 23rd A-T Collegiate!
I also forgot to mention that Karsten Warholm's 45.56 in the 400 broke his own National Record of Norway!!
Monique Hardy whipped the WT out 62-9.50, moving her all the way from 24th A-T HS to 6th!!
A correction--
I need to learn a nation's abbreviated initials!
I said that Fabrice Zango's 57-6.25 TJ had made him the National Record holder of Burundi!!
OOPS!!
That "BUR" abbreviation stands for Burkina Faso, NOT Burundi!!
(As more than one T&FN Message Board member pointed out to me!!)
No pregnancies or births, but I do have a wedding to announce!!
Shot Diva Michelle Carter married long time friend Courtney Elder in a beautiful ceremony where her dad--Michael Carter!--walked her down the aisle!!
Great (and many!) photos of the wedding are available online!!
(BTW, it seems Christina Manning also recently married, but I don't have her new name yet!!)
More World INdoor Tour meets are coming, as well as the Millrose Games!!
See you soon!
Sunday, January 27, 2019
INdoors Catches Fire
And speaking of fire, no doubt you've already heard the story of the charter bus carrying the Stanford T&F team that caught fire enroute from Sea-Tac to the Dempsey Center!!
A back tire caught fire, but before the entire bus was consumed, everyone was evacuated safely!
You can catch a video of the newscast if you google it!
But the 2018-2019 INdoor season ALSO was set aflame!
A World Record!
A HSR!!
A multitude of incredible marks!!
But let's begin with the Dubai Marathon--which was also pretty damn hot--pardon the pun!!
Both Course Records were broken, with attitude!
After an estimated Half in 62:00 (passed 10K in 29:11--20K in 58:31), it came down to 2 Men--Herpassas Negefa and Getaneh Molla!
One or two others tried to stick, but drifted back as the mileage increased!
A 29:12 3rd 10 saw the duo side by side, hitting 30K in 1:27:43.
But by 40K (4th 10K in 29:33), Molla had moved ahead by 10 meters, and was sprinting!
While he checked his side-view mirror, Molla was safe with the win--time of 2:03:34 (to Negefa's 2:03:40)!!
Molla is now 8th A-T World, while Negefa becomes 10th A-T World!!
Asefa Mengstu ran a non-PR 2:04:24 in 3rd!!
The Women's race was just as quick, and interesting!
Surrounded by male pacers, Worknesh Degefa battled Ruth Chepngetich for the first 30-35K!
But Chepngetich--a sub-65 minute Halfer--took control, and cruised to the line in 2:17:07, becoming 3rd A-T World!!
They'd hit 32:26 at 10K, and did the 2nd 10 in 32:15.
Their approximate Half time was 1:08:35!
(Half times are guesses because the livestream didn't show the times!!)
For Chepngetich, it's the Age 24 Record!
She moves from 7th A-T World, tied with 1 other, to 3rd!
Degefa becomes the National Record holder of Ethiopia--over the most venerable Tirunesh Dibaba!!
Her time (2:17:41) makes her 4th A-T World!!
She's now also the best 2nd Place mark ever!!
The WR was by the Brooks Beasts group!
They covered the 4 X Mile in 16:03.68, beating the Hoka NJ/NY TC by over 12 seconds!!
They were anchored by Izaic Yorks!
As for the HSR, who else but Katelyn Tuohy could be the name?
But she didn't win the 3000 at the Dr Sanders meet at the Armory!
Amanda Eccleston and Heather Kampf finished around 8:56-57, while Tuohy faded to 9:01.81 in 3rd!
Didn't see the race, but she apparently had the lead at 2K in about 5:58.
Her last 400 was 70.7.
If you compare her to Mary Cain, the latter had a kick---while Tuohy doesn't!
But she makes up for it with a much more aggressive first half!!
Anyway, Tuohy gets the Junior Class Record!
She moves from 2nd A-T HS to 1st!!
The PV had a busy and productive weekend!!
Mondo Duplantis finally hit his stride, clearing 19-1.50!!
BUT--he was soon joined at that height by Matt Ludwig, the Akron Senior!!
Mondo got the Frosh Class Record, and became 3rd A-T Collegiate, tied with 1 other!
When Ludwig joined the party, he also became 3rd A-T Collegiate, but tied with TWO others!!
(Who woulda thunk MONDO would have a challenger to his Throne??!!)
Ludwig is now 13th A-T US, tied with 1 other!
The Boston meet saw Katie Nageotte out-duel Ekaterina Stefanidi!!
Her clearance of 15-11.25 did the trick, and became the World Leader!
Stefanidi topped out at 15-5.25!
In 3rd came Annie Rhodes-Johnigan, whose 15-1.25 clearance moves her from 23rd A-T US to 16th!!
In Arkansas, Lexi Jacobus, Tori Hoggard, and Lisa Gunnarsson all cleared 14-9.50, but finished 1-2-3!
For Gunnarsson, she moves from 18th A-T Collegiate to 10th, tied with 2 others!!
In 4th was Desiree Freier, who made 14-5.50!!
Other good PV marks--
OUTdoors, Eliza McCartney opened her season at 15-11!!
INdoors, Sondre Gutormsen made the Men's NCAA picture a bit less clear, as he went over 18-8.75, making him 13th A-T Collegiate, tied with 2 others!!
Olivia Gruver competed as unattached (though she attends U of Washington), so her 14-10 clearance at the Seattle meet didn't count for the Collegiate list!
Also, Sam Kendricks won the Paris meet today with his World leading mark of 19-2!!
(Rumor is that Renaud Lavillenie didn't show!! Don't know why!)
Events from the 300 to 1000 saw quite a bit of quality running!
Let's take it distance by distance!!
300
While running in separate sections, Kendall Ellis (She just signed with New Balance, so this was her initial Pro race!!) beat Gabby Thomas--36.97 to 37.03!!
Ellis is now 22nd A-T US!
Thomas just misses the US list--by 0.02 seconds!!
At the Armory, Jaide Stepter's 37.05 outran Anavia Battle's 37.08!!
For Battle, this makes her 10th A-T Collegiate!!
Rai Benjamin also made HIS Pro debut--his 32.55 making him 11th A-T US (Remember, he's now competing for US--in every sense of the word!! LOL)--and 20th A-T World!!
400
Kayla Davis continued her attack on the HS Record Book!!
Davis's 52.96 makes her the Frosh Class Record holder!
(Her time is better than the Soph Class mark also!!)
She moves from 13th A-T HS to 9th!!
500
One name--or moniker!
Syd the Kid!!
HER virgin Professional race took all of 1:09.46!
A jog for her, it fits somewhere in the Top 10 or so INdoor marks!
Sorry, but I don't have lists for the 500!!
She clearly was cruising, and said she'll be focusing on the 400H OUTdoors!!
600
Ajee Wilson had some contenders, but won her race in 1:25.91--the Age 24 Record!!
Olivia Baker--in one of her better races!--finished 2nd in a good 1:26.75!!
This makes her 10th A-T US!!
Cecelia Barowski's 1:27.71, and Christiane Williams's 1:27.93 were not PR's!
Byron Robinson's 1:16.65 beat Erik Sowinski's 1:16.75 in the Men's race!
Raevyn Rogers took the Boston race in 1:27.31, but might have gone faster if she hadn't tangled with Georgeanne Moline--sending Moline flying to the turf!!
800
Devin Dixon was the star here!!
His 1:45.27 claimed the Junior Class Record!!
And he makes THREE lists!
He's 3rd A-T Collegiate (But top American Collegiate!), 13th A-T US, and 24th A-T World!!
(That was at the Texas Tech meet!)
At Boston, Donavan Brazier went against Clay Murphy!!
He won--in 1:45.91--leaving Johnny Gray's 37 year old American Record intact!!
Murphy, right behind him in 1:45.94, moves from 22nd A-T US to 10th!!
Danae Rivers continued her quality season with her 2:02.94, which makes her 22nd A-T Collegiate!!
1000
Athing Mu extended her range up to the K, stopping the clock at 2:44.43!
This gives her the Junior Class Record!!
And it makes her 3rd A-T HS!!
Millie Paladino's 2:42.13 makes her 10th A-T Collegiate!
Besides Mu's race, the Armory meet saw a pair of other K races!
The Women's was taken by Natoya Goule in 2:37.55!!
This gives her the Jamaica National Record!!
She beat a comebacking (??) Laura Roesler, whose 2:38.11 makes her 12th A-T US!!
Claudia Saunders ran 2:38.95, making her 17th A-T US!
Shannon Osika's 2:40.16 in 4th gives her 23rd A-T US!!
Knocked OFF the US list was my initial Track infatuation--Francie Larrieu!!
Her 2:40.2 dated from 1975!!
The Men's HS race saw Luis Peralta speed a 2:24.53, making him 10th A-T HS!
Bronxville's (Sound familiar??) Matt Rizzo ran 2:25.41 in 2nd, making him 16th A-T HS!!
(BTW, he has a brother who finished 4th or 5th!!)
Alfred Chawouza's 2:25.77 makes him 19th A-T HS!!
Finally, Craig Engels took the Men's Pro race in 2:18.98, making him 16th A-T US!!
This is getting a bit long, but so much happened this weekend, so hope you'll stick with me!!
Gabrielle Stafford is making a name for herself (and bringing joy to Canadian T&F fans!!), this time by winning the Boston Mile in 4:24.80, and nabbing her second National Record!!
(Remember her 14:57+ 5000 against Laura Muir a bit ago!! See previous post!!)
She also gets the Boston Meet Record, but misses my World DDD by -0.09 seconds!!
She had to fight off a determined Elinor Purrier, as the former New Hampshireite ended in 4:24.88!
She moves from 13th A-T US to 8th, tied with 1 other!!
Favored Dawit Seyaum took 3rd, as she faded in the rush to the tape!
Her time was 4:26.83!
Cory McGee's 4:28.07 wasn't a PR!
Brenda Martinez ran 4:29.11, but ended 7th, while Emma Coburn's 4:32.68 gave her just 10th!
BTW, Purrier's enroute 1500 time of 4:08.50 makes her 13th A-T US!!
Yomif Kejelcha ran a LEGAL World Leader, his 3:51.70 winning the Boston Men's race!
He gets the Ethiopia National Record, as well as the Age 21 Record!!
Bethwell Birgen was a far back 3:54.82!
Nick Willis took 4th in 3:56.76.
While not an Age record, not bad for a 35 year old!!
Cut FROM my World list was none other than Kiwi John Walker, whose 3:52.8 dated from 1981!!
Jessica Hull's 4:31.03 took the Arkansas race, and makes her 15th A-T Collegiate!
Taking second was Lauren Gregory's 4:32.92!
There were several other great marks, so I'll just group them together in one jumbled pile!!
We'll begin with the duel (??) between Jenny Simpson and Konstanze Klosterhalfen in the Boston 5000!!
And it was a DUD!!
Jogging the first 3000 in 9:28, KK got bored and took off, leaving Jenny to jog to the finish, about 18 seconds back of KK's 15:15.80!!
Embarrassing!
The "race" between Hagos Gebrhiwet and Ed Cheserek wasn't much better, though they stuck to a near-60 second 400 clip through 1200 or so!
Gebrhiwet ran away from the (former!) King, winning by 5 seconds in 7:37.41.
(Both appeared ready for more!!)
There were a few decent Pentathlon's!
Michelle Atherley's 4292 at Texas Tech wasn't a PR!
Nor was Kelsey Herman's 4189, or Madeline Holmberg's 4219!
But Great Britain's Niamh Emerson made some noise at the Cardiff meet!
Her 4544 not only is a World Leader, but it makes her the best ever British teen INdoors!
She was born April 22, 1999.
DeAnna Price sent the WT flying out 80-7.50.
It's a slight PR, but she remains 5th World and US!
Payton Otterdahl rolls on, this time by exploding out to 71-0 with the SP!!
He makes a triumvirate of lists--
3rd A-T Collegiate!
12th A-T US!
And 23rd A-T World!!
Maggie Ewen used her SP prowess to win Boston--and beat Christina Schwanitz and Anita Marton!!!
Her 63-3.25 is a small PR, and moves her from 7th to 6th on the A-T US list!!
Schwanitz--who got off the plane from Europe just before the meet!!--hit 61-11.
Jordan Geist's toss measured 68-2.25.
In an OUTdoor meet Down Under, Tom Walsh opened his season with a good 70-1.75!
A few Women's teams ran sub-11:00 DMR's on Seattle's OT, but Villanova ran a LEGAL one at the Armory, their 10:59.98 not a PR!
At today's Paris meet, Fabrice Zango TJ'ed 57-7.25.
This gives him Burundi's National Record, and makes him 20th A-T World!
Tori Franklin TJ'ed 46-3.50 at the Penn State meet.
Kiara Parker took over the Collegiate lead in the 60, her 7.15 making her 16th A-T Collegiate, tied with 7 others!!
Grant Holloway expanded his horizens with another Collegiate leader (and World leader!)!
His 6.51 in the short sprint makes him 10th A-T Collegiate, tied with 5 others!!
Yet another World lead was run by Christina Manning, whose 7.90 is this year's first sub-8 60H!
Trey Cunningham's 7.53 for 60H at the Armory makes him 9th A-T Collegiate, tied with 3 others!
I'm going to end (!!) this humongous post with maybe the year's most UNexpected HS distance result!!
We EXPECTED Katelyn Tuohy to lead everyone in the distances!!
But Marlee Starliper's 9:20.91 at Penn State was a bit of a shocker!
Not just because her time makes her 8th A-T HS, but because she WON the race--against a field of Collegiates!
(Okay, so the elders weren't exactly Top Tier Collegiates!! So what!!)
And next week might be even better!!
Get out the fire hoses!!
(And bless the Stanford athletes, who made it home safe after that bus fire!!)
See you soon!
A back tire caught fire, but before the entire bus was consumed, everyone was evacuated safely!
You can catch a video of the newscast if you google it!
But the 2018-2019 INdoor season ALSO was set aflame!
A World Record!
A HSR!!
A multitude of incredible marks!!
But let's begin with the Dubai Marathon--which was also pretty damn hot--pardon the pun!!
Both Course Records were broken, with attitude!
After an estimated Half in 62:00 (passed 10K in 29:11--20K in 58:31), it came down to 2 Men--Herpassas Negefa and Getaneh Molla!
One or two others tried to stick, but drifted back as the mileage increased!
A 29:12 3rd 10 saw the duo side by side, hitting 30K in 1:27:43.
But by 40K (4th 10K in 29:33), Molla had moved ahead by 10 meters, and was sprinting!
While he checked his side-view mirror, Molla was safe with the win--time of 2:03:34 (to Negefa's 2:03:40)!!
Molla is now 8th A-T World, while Negefa becomes 10th A-T World!!
Asefa Mengstu ran a non-PR 2:04:24 in 3rd!!
The Women's race was just as quick, and interesting!
Surrounded by male pacers, Worknesh Degefa battled Ruth Chepngetich for the first 30-35K!
But Chepngetich--a sub-65 minute Halfer--took control, and cruised to the line in 2:17:07, becoming 3rd A-T World!!
They'd hit 32:26 at 10K, and did the 2nd 10 in 32:15.
Their approximate Half time was 1:08:35!
(Half times are guesses because the livestream didn't show the times!!)
For Chepngetich, it's the Age 24 Record!
She moves from 7th A-T World, tied with 1 other, to 3rd!
Degefa becomes the National Record holder of Ethiopia--over the most venerable Tirunesh Dibaba!!
Her time (2:17:41) makes her 4th A-T World!!
She's now also the best 2nd Place mark ever!!
The WR was by the Brooks Beasts group!
They covered the 4 X Mile in 16:03.68, beating the Hoka NJ/NY TC by over 12 seconds!!
They were anchored by Izaic Yorks!
As for the HSR, who else but Katelyn Tuohy could be the name?
But she didn't win the 3000 at the Dr Sanders meet at the Armory!
Amanda Eccleston and Heather Kampf finished around 8:56-57, while Tuohy faded to 9:01.81 in 3rd!
Didn't see the race, but she apparently had the lead at 2K in about 5:58.
Her last 400 was 70.7.
If you compare her to Mary Cain, the latter had a kick---while Tuohy doesn't!
But she makes up for it with a much more aggressive first half!!
Anyway, Tuohy gets the Junior Class Record!
She moves from 2nd A-T HS to 1st!!
The PV had a busy and productive weekend!!
Mondo Duplantis finally hit his stride, clearing 19-1.50!!
BUT--he was soon joined at that height by Matt Ludwig, the Akron Senior!!
Mondo got the Frosh Class Record, and became 3rd A-T Collegiate, tied with 1 other!
When Ludwig joined the party, he also became 3rd A-T Collegiate, but tied with TWO others!!
(Who woulda thunk MONDO would have a challenger to his Throne??!!)
Ludwig is now 13th A-T US, tied with 1 other!
The Boston meet saw Katie Nageotte out-duel Ekaterina Stefanidi!!
Her clearance of 15-11.25 did the trick, and became the World Leader!
Stefanidi topped out at 15-5.25!
In 3rd came Annie Rhodes-Johnigan, whose 15-1.25 clearance moves her from 23rd A-T US to 16th!!
In Arkansas, Lexi Jacobus, Tori Hoggard, and Lisa Gunnarsson all cleared 14-9.50, but finished 1-2-3!
For Gunnarsson, she moves from 18th A-T Collegiate to 10th, tied with 2 others!!
In 4th was Desiree Freier, who made 14-5.50!!
Other good PV marks--
OUTdoors, Eliza McCartney opened her season at 15-11!!
INdoors, Sondre Gutormsen made the Men's NCAA picture a bit less clear, as he went over 18-8.75, making him 13th A-T Collegiate, tied with 2 others!!
Olivia Gruver competed as unattached (though she attends U of Washington), so her 14-10 clearance at the Seattle meet didn't count for the Collegiate list!
Also, Sam Kendricks won the Paris meet today with his World leading mark of 19-2!!
(Rumor is that Renaud Lavillenie didn't show!! Don't know why!)
Events from the 300 to 1000 saw quite a bit of quality running!
Let's take it distance by distance!!
300
While running in separate sections, Kendall Ellis (She just signed with New Balance, so this was her initial Pro race!!) beat Gabby Thomas--36.97 to 37.03!!
Ellis is now 22nd A-T US!
Thomas just misses the US list--by 0.02 seconds!!
At the Armory, Jaide Stepter's 37.05 outran Anavia Battle's 37.08!!
For Battle, this makes her 10th A-T Collegiate!!
Rai Benjamin also made HIS Pro debut--his 32.55 making him 11th A-T US (Remember, he's now competing for US--in every sense of the word!! LOL)--and 20th A-T World!!
400
Kayla Davis continued her attack on the HS Record Book!!
Davis's 52.96 makes her the Frosh Class Record holder!
(Her time is better than the Soph Class mark also!!)
She moves from 13th A-T HS to 9th!!
500
One name--or moniker!
Syd the Kid!!
HER virgin Professional race took all of 1:09.46!
A jog for her, it fits somewhere in the Top 10 or so INdoor marks!
Sorry, but I don't have lists for the 500!!
She clearly was cruising, and said she'll be focusing on the 400H OUTdoors!!
600
Ajee Wilson had some contenders, but won her race in 1:25.91--the Age 24 Record!!
Olivia Baker--in one of her better races!--finished 2nd in a good 1:26.75!!
This makes her 10th A-T US!!
Cecelia Barowski's 1:27.71, and Christiane Williams's 1:27.93 were not PR's!
Byron Robinson's 1:16.65 beat Erik Sowinski's 1:16.75 in the Men's race!
Raevyn Rogers took the Boston race in 1:27.31, but might have gone faster if she hadn't tangled with Georgeanne Moline--sending Moline flying to the turf!!
800
Devin Dixon was the star here!!
His 1:45.27 claimed the Junior Class Record!!
And he makes THREE lists!
He's 3rd A-T Collegiate (But top American Collegiate!), 13th A-T US, and 24th A-T World!!
(That was at the Texas Tech meet!)
At Boston, Donavan Brazier went against Clay Murphy!!
He won--in 1:45.91--leaving Johnny Gray's 37 year old American Record intact!!
Murphy, right behind him in 1:45.94, moves from 22nd A-T US to 10th!!
Danae Rivers continued her quality season with her 2:02.94, which makes her 22nd A-T Collegiate!!
1000
Athing Mu extended her range up to the K, stopping the clock at 2:44.43!
This gives her the Junior Class Record!!
And it makes her 3rd A-T HS!!
Millie Paladino's 2:42.13 makes her 10th A-T Collegiate!
Besides Mu's race, the Armory meet saw a pair of other K races!
The Women's was taken by Natoya Goule in 2:37.55!!
This gives her the Jamaica National Record!!
She beat a comebacking (??) Laura Roesler, whose 2:38.11 makes her 12th A-T US!!
Claudia Saunders ran 2:38.95, making her 17th A-T US!
Shannon Osika's 2:40.16 in 4th gives her 23rd A-T US!!
Knocked OFF the US list was my initial Track infatuation--Francie Larrieu!!
Her 2:40.2 dated from 1975!!
The Men's HS race saw Luis Peralta speed a 2:24.53, making him 10th A-T HS!
Bronxville's (Sound familiar??) Matt Rizzo ran 2:25.41 in 2nd, making him 16th A-T HS!!
(BTW, he has a brother who finished 4th or 5th!!)
Alfred Chawouza's 2:25.77 makes him 19th A-T HS!!
Finally, Craig Engels took the Men's Pro race in 2:18.98, making him 16th A-T US!!
This is getting a bit long, but so much happened this weekend, so hope you'll stick with me!!
Gabrielle Stafford is making a name for herself (and bringing joy to Canadian T&F fans!!), this time by winning the Boston Mile in 4:24.80, and nabbing her second National Record!!
(Remember her 14:57+ 5000 against Laura Muir a bit ago!! See previous post!!)
She also gets the Boston Meet Record, but misses my World DDD by -0.09 seconds!!
She had to fight off a determined Elinor Purrier, as the former New Hampshireite ended in 4:24.88!
She moves from 13th A-T US to 8th, tied with 1 other!!
Favored Dawit Seyaum took 3rd, as she faded in the rush to the tape!
Her time was 4:26.83!
Cory McGee's 4:28.07 wasn't a PR!
Brenda Martinez ran 4:29.11, but ended 7th, while Emma Coburn's 4:32.68 gave her just 10th!
BTW, Purrier's enroute 1500 time of 4:08.50 makes her 13th A-T US!!
Yomif Kejelcha ran a LEGAL World Leader, his 3:51.70 winning the Boston Men's race!
He gets the Ethiopia National Record, as well as the Age 21 Record!!
Bethwell Birgen was a far back 3:54.82!
Nick Willis took 4th in 3:56.76.
While not an Age record, not bad for a 35 year old!!
Cut FROM my World list was none other than Kiwi John Walker, whose 3:52.8 dated from 1981!!
Jessica Hull's 4:31.03 took the Arkansas race, and makes her 15th A-T Collegiate!
Taking second was Lauren Gregory's 4:32.92!
There were several other great marks, so I'll just group them together in one jumbled pile!!
We'll begin with the duel (??) between Jenny Simpson and Konstanze Klosterhalfen in the Boston 5000!!
And it was a DUD!!
Jogging the first 3000 in 9:28, KK got bored and took off, leaving Jenny to jog to the finish, about 18 seconds back of KK's 15:15.80!!
Embarrassing!
The "race" between Hagos Gebrhiwet and Ed Cheserek wasn't much better, though they stuck to a near-60 second 400 clip through 1200 or so!
Gebrhiwet ran away from the (former!) King, winning by 5 seconds in 7:37.41.
(Both appeared ready for more!!)
There were a few decent Pentathlon's!
Michelle Atherley's 4292 at Texas Tech wasn't a PR!
Nor was Kelsey Herman's 4189, or Madeline Holmberg's 4219!
But Great Britain's Niamh Emerson made some noise at the Cardiff meet!
Her 4544 not only is a World Leader, but it makes her the best ever British teen INdoors!
She was born April 22, 1999.
DeAnna Price sent the WT flying out 80-7.50.
It's a slight PR, but she remains 5th World and US!
Payton Otterdahl rolls on, this time by exploding out to 71-0 with the SP!!
He makes a triumvirate of lists--
3rd A-T Collegiate!
12th A-T US!
And 23rd A-T World!!
Maggie Ewen used her SP prowess to win Boston--and beat Christina Schwanitz and Anita Marton!!!
Her 63-3.25 is a small PR, and moves her from 7th to 6th on the A-T US list!!
Schwanitz--who got off the plane from Europe just before the meet!!--hit 61-11.
Jordan Geist's toss measured 68-2.25.
In an OUTdoor meet Down Under, Tom Walsh opened his season with a good 70-1.75!
A few Women's teams ran sub-11:00 DMR's on Seattle's OT, but Villanova ran a LEGAL one at the Armory, their 10:59.98 not a PR!
At today's Paris meet, Fabrice Zango TJ'ed 57-7.25.
This gives him Burundi's National Record, and makes him 20th A-T World!
Tori Franklin TJ'ed 46-3.50 at the Penn State meet.
Kiara Parker took over the Collegiate lead in the 60, her 7.15 making her 16th A-T Collegiate, tied with 7 others!!
Grant Holloway expanded his horizens with another Collegiate leader (and World leader!)!
His 6.51 in the short sprint makes him 10th A-T Collegiate, tied with 5 others!!
Yet another World lead was run by Christina Manning, whose 7.90 is this year's first sub-8 60H!
Trey Cunningham's 7.53 for 60H at the Armory makes him 9th A-T Collegiate, tied with 3 others!
I'm going to end (!!) this humongous post with maybe the year's most UNexpected HS distance result!!
We EXPECTED Katelyn Tuohy to lead everyone in the distances!!
But Marlee Starliper's 9:20.91 at Penn State was a bit of a shocker!
Not just because her time makes her 8th A-T HS, but because she WON the race--against a field of Collegiates!
(Okay, so the elders weren't exactly Top Tier Collegiates!! So what!!)
And next week might be even better!!
Get out the fire hoses!!
(And bless the Stanford athletes, who made it home safe after that bus fire!!)
See you soon!
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
2018 AOY's, New 2019 Marks, and More!
Only returning to blogging on January 9th--and having been "out of it" for much of the latter half of '18, I considered NOT doing my AOY's etc for the World & US--which I normally have done on December 31st!
But come on, friends, pass up the AOY's??
Hell, no!!
That said, it being well into the 2018-2019 INdoor season, I'm going to do a truncated version of my picks!
Besides, I have a number of marks I came across AFTER my previous post!!
But let's do the 2018 OUTdoor stuff first!!
World Athlete of the Year--MEN
ELIUD KIPCHOGE
This was a nail-biter. How can you ignore the "World's Greatest Athlete"--as Decathlon World Record holders are known??
Could I call it a tie between Kipchoge and Kevin Mayer?
I COULD, but I chose NOT to!!
Honorable Mentions
Mayer of course stands way above the other HM's!
But add Christian Coleman, Noah Lyles, Emmanuel Korir, Yomif Kejelcha & Selemon Barega, Sergey Shubenkov, Mutaz Barshim, Michael Norman, Abderrahman Samba & Rai Benjamin, as well as Tim Cheruiyot to this list!!
US AOY--MEN
CHRISTIAN COLEMAN
HM's Noah Lyles, Clay Murphy, Norman, Christian Taylor, and Reggie Jagers
Performance of the Year--MEN
Kipchoge's 2:01:39 wins over Mayer's 9126 Dec score.
He had a wider margin from the old mark than Mayer did!
Personality of the Year--MEN
ELIUD KIPCHOGE--again!!
His stoic nature, his humility and confidence--and just the WAY he runs!
Oh my!!
World Athlete of the Year--WOMEN
I chose Mariya Lasitskene, even though Beatrice Chepkoech broke the only WR!!
The Russian's consistency, and her many attempts at higher heights after winning!!
HM's
Chepkoech leads this group.
But add Dina Asher-Smith, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Sandra Perkovic, Sydney McLaughlin, Sifan Hassan and Helen Obiri, as well as Caterine Ibarguen!
US AOY
This one goes to SHELBY HOULIHAN
HM's
McLaughlin, Sandi Morris
Performance of the Year--WOMEN
This must go to Chepkoech's 8:44.32 Steeple!
I just hope it was legit---if you know what I mean!!
Personality of the Year--WOMEN
I'll give this one to SHELBY HOULIHAN
I just like her style, he snazzy hair colorings, and the way she finishes her races!!
Sorry for the brief comments!
(Or maybe you're cheering!! LOL)
With due thanks to the newest eTN from T&FN, I have several marks to add.
But first a comment!
Having been VERY sick--even hospitalized for 20 days---and still recovering!---I didn't do as thorough a job of researching results as I've done in the past!
So I am not as reluctant to rely on the eTN to "fill in the spaces".
The Newsletter ALWAYS provides marks I somehow missed---even when I was much healthier!!
But my recovery, plus the fact I refuse to pay for the services of Mile Split, Runner Space, or Flotrack--causes me to use the eTN more than normal!!
That said, here's some "new" marks---
More Reno PV Summit results--
Matt Ludwig won the Men's event with his 18-8.75!
Saitu Yamamoto also cleared 18-8.75 in 2nd!
Mondo ended 6th with his 18-1! (See previous post!)
Lexi Jacobus took a strong 3rd behind Ekaterina Stefanidi and Katie Nageotte, her height being 15-3.50--a clear Collegiate leader!!
Morgann LeLeux, Alysha Newman, and Annie Johnigan all topped 14-11.50!!
The first pair tied for 4th, with Johnigan taking 6th!!
More good WT's--
Payton Otterdahl tossed the WT out 77-8.25.
He's now 16th A-T Collegiate, and 20th A-T US!
Janeah Stewart extended her PR by inches, her 79-3.75 keeping her 10th A-T US.
But it does move her from 11th A-T World to 10th, tied with 1 other!
Brittany Brown sped a 300 in 36.30, making her 7th A-T US, and 11th A-T World, tied with 1 other!
Britton Wilson's 37.71 makes her 5th A-T HS!!
Georganne Moline ran the 600 in 1:27.59--but it's not a PR!
Isaiah Jewett ran the 3-lapper in 1:15.95, making him 8th A-T Collegiate, and 11th A-T US!!
But he misses the World list by just 0.05 seconds!!
Ending 2nd to Jewett was Thomas Staines, whose 1:16.38 makes him 11th A-T Collegiate!
A good HS Men's 1000 saw Matthew Payamps run 2:25.09, making him 12th A-T HS!!
Second was Theo Woods in 2:25.95, which makes him 20th A-T HS!!
Remember Kayla Davis from my previous post??
She ran Frosh Class Records in the 300--times of 38.03 and 37.92!
Well, she tried a 400, and ran 53.30!!
This makes her 12th A-T HS!!
And she misses the Frosh Class Record by only 0.07 seconds!!
I have a couple of HJ marks to report---which are a full 8 inches apart---both by Women!!
One comes from Mariya Lasitskene, whose 6-8 retook the World lead from Anna Chicherova!
But Chicherova ended 2nd with her 6-7 leap!!
Lasitskene ties the Age 26 Record!!
(She turned 26 on January 14th!!)
The other HJ'er is Shelby Tyler!
Pardon me if you've never heard of her!
But her 6-0 leap broke a TWELVE-way tie for my 24th A-T Performer!!
No really big names from those eliminated, but the oldest marks dated from 1976 and 1980!!
(And now I have a REALLY messy page to redo!!
BTW, the jump makes her 11th A-T HS, tied with 8 others!!
Sooooo, folks, how is this INdoor season going so far, almost 7 weeks into it??
Pretty damn fine, thank you!!
(See previous posts for all the details!!
We began with that incredible Women's 5000 at Boston U on December 1st!
Ms Lasitskene (& Chicherova) have made the Women's HJ an early key event!!
HS'ers have run amok!!
The Bullis Men's sprint Relayers, Taylor Ewert's great Walk, and Trey Knight's massive HSR in the Pro WT!!
Would you believe Athing Mu misses the WORLD lead in the 400 by a mere 0.01 seconds??!!
Grant Holloway exploded early in the 60H!
The sprints have been slow to develop--except for the speedy 300's!!
Some fast 600's too!!
Not much from the horizontal jumps--from either sex!!
Some decent PV'ing, but nothing REALLY spectacular!!
Most of the Professionals have yet to begin their seasons!
That should come soon!!
Not much from the distances--except for Ewert's Walk, and the OT marks from Yomif Kejelcha!!
(Which of course count for NOTHING!!)
Emily Sisson ran that strong Half at Houston!!
Bottom line--more than you'd expect, it being just January 22nd!!
See you soon!
But come on, friends, pass up the AOY's??
Hell, no!!
That said, it being well into the 2018-2019 INdoor season, I'm going to do a truncated version of my picks!
Besides, I have a number of marks I came across AFTER my previous post!!
But let's do the 2018 OUTdoor stuff first!!
World Athlete of the Year--MEN
ELIUD KIPCHOGE
This was a nail-biter. How can you ignore the "World's Greatest Athlete"--as Decathlon World Record holders are known??
Could I call it a tie between Kipchoge and Kevin Mayer?
I COULD, but I chose NOT to!!
Honorable Mentions
Mayer of course stands way above the other HM's!
But add Christian Coleman, Noah Lyles, Emmanuel Korir, Yomif Kejelcha & Selemon Barega, Sergey Shubenkov, Mutaz Barshim, Michael Norman, Abderrahman Samba & Rai Benjamin, as well as Tim Cheruiyot to this list!!
US AOY--MEN
CHRISTIAN COLEMAN
HM's Noah Lyles, Clay Murphy, Norman, Christian Taylor, and Reggie Jagers
Performance of the Year--MEN
Kipchoge's 2:01:39 wins over Mayer's 9126 Dec score.
He had a wider margin from the old mark than Mayer did!
Personality of the Year--MEN
ELIUD KIPCHOGE--again!!
His stoic nature, his humility and confidence--and just the WAY he runs!
Oh my!!
World Athlete of the Year--WOMEN
I chose Mariya Lasitskene, even though Beatrice Chepkoech broke the only WR!!
The Russian's consistency, and her many attempts at higher heights after winning!!
HM's
Chepkoech leads this group.
But add Dina Asher-Smith, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Sandra Perkovic, Sydney McLaughlin, Sifan Hassan and Helen Obiri, as well as Caterine Ibarguen!
US AOY
This one goes to SHELBY HOULIHAN
HM's
McLaughlin, Sandi Morris
Performance of the Year--WOMEN
This must go to Chepkoech's 8:44.32 Steeple!
I just hope it was legit---if you know what I mean!!
Personality of the Year--WOMEN
I'll give this one to SHELBY HOULIHAN
I just like her style, he snazzy hair colorings, and the way she finishes her races!!
Sorry for the brief comments!
(Or maybe you're cheering!! LOL)
With due thanks to the newest eTN from T&FN, I have several marks to add.
But first a comment!
Having been VERY sick--even hospitalized for 20 days---and still recovering!---I didn't do as thorough a job of researching results as I've done in the past!
So I am not as reluctant to rely on the eTN to "fill in the spaces".
The Newsletter ALWAYS provides marks I somehow missed---even when I was much healthier!!
But my recovery, plus the fact I refuse to pay for the services of Mile Split, Runner Space, or Flotrack--causes me to use the eTN more than normal!!
That said, here's some "new" marks---
More Reno PV Summit results--
Matt Ludwig won the Men's event with his 18-8.75!
Saitu Yamamoto also cleared 18-8.75 in 2nd!
Mondo ended 6th with his 18-1! (See previous post!)
Lexi Jacobus took a strong 3rd behind Ekaterina Stefanidi and Katie Nageotte, her height being 15-3.50--a clear Collegiate leader!!
Morgann LeLeux, Alysha Newman, and Annie Johnigan all topped 14-11.50!!
The first pair tied for 4th, with Johnigan taking 6th!!
More good WT's--
Payton Otterdahl tossed the WT out 77-8.25.
He's now 16th A-T Collegiate, and 20th A-T US!
Janeah Stewart extended her PR by inches, her 79-3.75 keeping her 10th A-T US.
But it does move her from 11th A-T World to 10th, tied with 1 other!
Brittany Brown sped a 300 in 36.30, making her 7th A-T US, and 11th A-T World, tied with 1 other!
Britton Wilson's 37.71 makes her 5th A-T HS!!
Georganne Moline ran the 600 in 1:27.59--but it's not a PR!
Isaiah Jewett ran the 3-lapper in 1:15.95, making him 8th A-T Collegiate, and 11th A-T US!!
But he misses the World list by just 0.05 seconds!!
Ending 2nd to Jewett was Thomas Staines, whose 1:16.38 makes him 11th A-T Collegiate!
A good HS Men's 1000 saw Matthew Payamps run 2:25.09, making him 12th A-T HS!!
Second was Theo Woods in 2:25.95, which makes him 20th A-T HS!!
Remember Kayla Davis from my previous post??
She ran Frosh Class Records in the 300--times of 38.03 and 37.92!
Well, she tried a 400, and ran 53.30!!
This makes her 12th A-T HS!!
And she misses the Frosh Class Record by only 0.07 seconds!!
I have a couple of HJ marks to report---which are a full 8 inches apart---both by Women!!
One comes from Mariya Lasitskene, whose 6-8 retook the World lead from Anna Chicherova!
But Chicherova ended 2nd with her 6-7 leap!!
Lasitskene ties the Age 26 Record!!
(She turned 26 on January 14th!!)
The other HJ'er is Shelby Tyler!
Pardon me if you've never heard of her!
But her 6-0 leap broke a TWELVE-way tie for my 24th A-T Performer!!
No really big names from those eliminated, but the oldest marks dated from 1976 and 1980!!
(And now I have a REALLY messy page to redo!!
BTW, the jump makes her 11th A-T HS, tied with 8 others!!
Sooooo, folks, how is this INdoor season going so far, almost 7 weeks into it??
Pretty damn fine, thank you!!
(See previous posts for all the details!!
We began with that incredible Women's 5000 at Boston U on December 1st!
Ms Lasitskene (& Chicherova) have made the Women's HJ an early key event!!
HS'ers have run amok!!
The Bullis Men's sprint Relayers, Taylor Ewert's great Walk, and Trey Knight's massive HSR in the Pro WT!!
Would you believe Athing Mu misses the WORLD lead in the 400 by a mere 0.01 seconds??!!
Grant Holloway exploded early in the 60H!
The sprints have been slow to develop--except for the speedy 300's!!
Some fast 600's too!!
Not much from the horizontal jumps--from either sex!!
Some decent PV'ing, but nothing REALLY spectacular!!
Most of the Professionals have yet to begin their seasons!
That should come soon!!
Not much from the distances--except for Ewert's Walk, and the OT marks from Yomif Kejelcha!!
(Which of course count for NOTHING!!)
Emily Sisson ran that strong Half at Houston!!
Bottom line--more than you'd expect, it being just January 22nd!!
See you soon!
Sunday, January 20, 2019
Hot HS'ers Surge
The above title was NOT my first choice!
No, that would have been a wordplay (actually a NAMEplay!) I thought of!
I changed it because I would've had to explain the title I'd chosen!
But here it is anyway!
Mu (A-thing) to behold
HER name is Athing Mu, and she's been a star for a few years now, despite being just a 16 year old HS Junior--born June 8, 2002!
Get it??
Mu A(-thing) to behold??
OK, let's move along!!
And despite there being THREE new HSR's to report, I'll begin with Ms Mu!
She began a tremendous week with a 400 time of 53.54, which made her 17th A-T HS!!
Then at the Virginia Showcase, she blew that time away by almost a full second (0.99 to be exact!), crossing the line in 52.55, moving her from 17th all the way to 5th!!
But she wasn't done!!
She followed that with a 600 in 1:28.54!!
That makes her 2nd A-T HS, with just Sammy Watson ahead of her!!
It gave her the Junior Class Record also!
She'd shown promise at distances longer than 400 before---as her OUTdoor 800 best is a sub-2:05!!
And it's only the 3rd week of January!!
As for those HSR's, Bullis HS of Maryland took down TWO of them!!
Their stud Relayers broke the 4X400 mark with a 3:12.53.
Then they sped the 4X200 in 1:25.60, again a HSR!!
Don't know how many ran both races!!
Taylor Ewert put on her WALKING shoes--after a successful XC season!
She Walked the 3000 in 13:24.76, breaking her own Record by over 20 seconds!!
She said she wants to Walk in the Pan Ams this summer, and try a 20K!!
(On Twitter, I predicted she could Walk 1:35 for that distance!!)
But HSR's weren't all that took place this weekend!!
Grant Holloway had quite a meet!
He ran the 60H in 7.49--twice!!--in the heat and the final!!
It's the Junior Class Record!
He also ran the 200 in 20.69, and ran 2nd leg on the 4X400!!
Speaking of Relays, Houston sped the 4X400 in 3:03.31, moving them from 7th A-T School, tied with 1 other, to 4th!!
A quick Men's 600 saw Donavan Brazier beat Carleton Orange, the Pro beating the Collegiate 1:15.46 to 1:16.51!
For Brazier, it makes him 5th A-T US, and 10th A-T World!
For Orange, he's now 10th A-T Collegiate, and 23rd A-T US!!
Removed FROM my US DDD were a pair of athletes who are Legends of the sport (to one degree or another!)
Lee Evans's 1:16.7 was run in 1973!!
And Nick Symmonds's 1:16.89 was run more recently--in 2013!!
Some other 600's were good.
Luis Perallta leads the HS crowd with his 1:19.14--which makes him 14th A-T HS!
And Natoya Goule ran the distance in 1:26.33--but it wasn't a PR!
Let's say it right now----MONDO CRASHED!!!
His best was just 18-1---with 3 fails at 18-6.25!
One disclaimer---he was using his biggest pole---and it was his 2019 rust-buster!!
But Ekaterina Stefanidi and Katie Nageotte battled it out in Reno---with Stefanidi edging Nageotte---both clearing 15-6.50!!
Chloe Cunliffe (See earlier post!) led the Girl HS'ers with her 14-0 clearance!
She became the 8th female HS'er to clear 14 feet INdoors!!
She moves from 12th A-T HS, tied with 2 others, to 7th, tied with 1 othet!!
Keturah Orji opened her season with a solid TJ of 47-2.50!
Anna Chicherova HJ'ed 6-7--taking over the World lead---and nabbing the Age 36 Record held by Ruth Beitia!!
I have some "old" marks to report---
Justin Robinson ran the 400 in 46.77, becoming 9th A-T HS!!
Cheyenne Figueroa--sister of Gabby--threw the WT 59-11.50, making her 21st A-T HS!!
In her 4:39.15 Mile (See earlier post!), Katelyn Tuohy hit the 1500 point in 4:19.72, moving her from 9th A-T HS to 5th!!
And we just might have a new long sprint star in the female ranks of HS!!
Kayla Davis's 38.03 shattered the Frosh Class Record in the 300!!
But she then broke her own mark with a 37.92!!
The former made her 13th A-T HS---while the latter moved her up to 12th!!
Not bad for a Frosh!!
The Houston Half saw some significant results!!
The Men's race was won by Shura Kitata in 60:11.
The Women's race went to Brigid Kosgei in 65:50--the fastest ever run in the United States!!
It makes her 14th A-T World, tied with 1 other!
On course for the American Record early on, Emily Sisson slowed a bit at the end--her 67:30 missing Molly Huddle's AR by just 5 seconds!
It makes her 3rd A-T US!!
However, Kara Goucher (who ran in the full Marathon) has a 66:57 to her credit!
It was run on the South Shields course, which is considered a downhill course!!
I have two interesting news items to report!!
Rai Benjamin has been cleared to compete for the United States---immediately!!
And the Prefontaine Classic---its home stadium being renovated--will be held at Stanford on June 30th!!
Yes, Athing Mu is surely a "a thing" to behold!!
LOL
See you soon!!
No, that would have been a wordplay (actually a NAMEplay!) I thought of!
I changed it because I would've had to explain the title I'd chosen!
But here it is anyway!
Mu (A-thing) to behold
HER name is Athing Mu, and she's been a star for a few years now, despite being just a 16 year old HS Junior--born June 8, 2002!
Get it??
Mu A(-thing) to behold??
OK, let's move along!!
And despite there being THREE new HSR's to report, I'll begin with Ms Mu!
She began a tremendous week with a 400 time of 53.54, which made her 17th A-T HS!!
Then at the Virginia Showcase, she blew that time away by almost a full second (0.99 to be exact!), crossing the line in 52.55, moving her from 17th all the way to 5th!!
But she wasn't done!!
She followed that with a 600 in 1:28.54!!
That makes her 2nd A-T HS, with just Sammy Watson ahead of her!!
It gave her the Junior Class Record also!
She'd shown promise at distances longer than 400 before---as her OUTdoor 800 best is a sub-2:05!!
And it's only the 3rd week of January!!
As for those HSR's, Bullis HS of Maryland took down TWO of them!!
Their stud Relayers broke the 4X400 mark with a 3:12.53.
Then they sped the 4X200 in 1:25.60, again a HSR!!
Don't know how many ran both races!!
Taylor Ewert put on her WALKING shoes--after a successful XC season!
She Walked the 3000 in 13:24.76, breaking her own Record by over 20 seconds!!
She said she wants to Walk in the Pan Ams this summer, and try a 20K!!
(On Twitter, I predicted she could Walk 1:35 for that distance!!)
But HSR's weren't all that took place this weekend!!
Grant Holloway had quite a meet!
He ran the 60H in 7.49--twice!!--in the heat and the final!!
It's the Junior Class Record!
He also ran the 200 in 20.69, and ran 2nd leg on the 4X400!!
Speaking of Relays, Houston sped the 4X400 in 3:03.31, moving them from 7th A-T School, tied with 1 other, to 4th!!
A quick Men's 600 saw Donavan Brazier beat Carleton Orange, the Pro beating the Collegiate 1:15.46 to 1:16.51!
For Brazier, it makes him 5th A-T US, and 10th A-T World!
For Orange, he's now 10th A-T Collegiate, and 23rd A-T US!!
Removed FROM my US DDD were a pair of athletes who are Legends of the sport (to one degree or another!)
Lee Evans's 1:16.7 was run in 1973!!
And Nick Symmonds's 1:16.89 was run more recently--in 2013!!
Some other 600's were good.
Luis Perallta leads the HS crowd with his 1:19.14--which makes him 14th A-T HS!
And Natoya Goule ran the distance in 1:26.33--but it wasn't a PR!
Let's say it right now----MONDO CRASHED!!!
His best was just 18-1---with 3 fails at 18-6.25!
One disclaimer---he was using his biggest pole---and it was his 2019 rust-buster!!
But Ekaterina Stefanidi and Katie Nageotte battled it out in Reno---with Stefanidi edging Nageotte---both clearing 15-6.50!!
Chloe Cunliffe (See earlier post!) led the Girl HS'ers with her 14-0 clearance!
She became the 8th female HS'er to clear 14 feet INdoors!!
She moves from 12th A-T HS, tied with 2 others, to 7th, tied with 1 othet!!
Keturah Orji opened her season with a solid TJ of 47-2.50!
Anna Chicherova HJ'ed 6-7--taking over the World lead---and nabbing the Age 36 Record held by Ruth Beitia!!
I have some "old" marks to report---
Justin Robinson ran the 400 in 46.77, becoming 9th A-T HS!!
Cheyenne Figueroa--sister of Gabby--threw the WT 59-11.50, making her 21st A-T HS!!
In her 4:39.15 Mile (See earlier post!), Katelyn Tuohy hit the 1500 point in 4:19.72, moving her from 9th A-T HS to 5th!!
And we just might have a new long sprint star in the female ranks of HS!!
Kayla Davis's 38.03 shattered the Frosh Class Record in the 300!!
But she then broke her own mark with a 37.92!!
The former made her 13th A-T HS---while the latter moved her up to 12th!!
Not bad for a Frosh!!
The Houston Half saw some significant results!!
The Men's race was won by Shura Kitata in 60:11.
The Women's race went to Brigid Kosgei in 65:50--the fastest ever run in the United States!!
It makes her 14th A-T World, tied with 1 other!
On course for the American Record early on, Emily Sisson slowed a bit at the end--her 67:30 missing Molly Huddle's AR by just 5 seconds!
It makes her 3rd A-T US!!
However, Kara Goucher (who ran in the full Marathon) has a 66:57 to her credit!
It was run on the South Shields course, which is considered a downhill course!!
I have two interesting news items to report!!
Rai Benjamin has been cleared to compete for the United States---immediately!!
And the Prefontaine Classic---its home stadium being renovated--will be held at Stanford on June 30th!!
Yes, Athing Mu is surely a "a thing" to behold!!
LOL
See you soon!!
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Records top 2nd week of '19
In a week when a Collegiate Record fell, can news of a High School Record in a RARELY held event top that??
IMO, yes it can!
To that end, I'm thrilled to announce that Trey Knight OBLITERATED the HSR for the Pro-weight Weight Throw by about 27 inches!!!
He'd previously thrown it 63-9, but at the Seattle meet (proving that great marks can happen in an arena holding an Oversize Track!!), Knight tossed that ball & chain out 67-11.75, eating up the old record of 65-8.25 from 2010!
Of course, the Junior is still about 13 feet short of the HS WT Record of 93-3.25.
Can he get that one also??
As for that Collegiate Record, say hello to Danae Rivers, long a threat to Collegiate middle distance records!
But who knew she'd beat Sammy Watson to the punch?!
Her 1000 meters run at the Penn State meet took all of 2:38.58, taking down Kaela Edwards's old mark by over two seconds!!
It's also the Junior Class Record, and ranks her 14th A-T US!!
An NAIA athlete--Anna Shields--took 2nd in a good 2:42.51.
Another excellent mark was run by Jacory Patterson!
A Virginia Tech Frosh, Patterson's 32.49 over 300 meters makes him 2nd A-T Collegiate, and is the Frosh Class Record!
But note that Brian Herron's 32.64, run as a HS Junior, is probably better by comparison!
It's the Age 18 Record as well.
It makes him 9th A-T US, and 16th A-T World!!
As often happens INdoors in the early season, the Pole Vault produced a slough of decent marks--despite MONDO not competing in LSU's 1st meet of the season!!
Renaud Lavillenie topped 19-1.
The former Weeks' twins went 1-2 at Arkansas's opener.
Lexi Jacobus went over 14-8.25, while Tori Hoggard cleared 14-6.75!
Add Desiree Freier to the Razorback's threesome--as she went over 14-2.75 in 3rd!
Perhaps the best PV mark goes to Anzhelika Sidorova, as she soared over 15-11 to lead the World!
Katie Nageotte topped 15-3, while Morgann LeLeux went over 14-6.75 in a different meet!
But 2nd to LeLeux was a Collegiate Frosh--Nastassja Campbell--whose 14-4.75 is credited as the American Junior Record!
While it betters Tori WEEKS's (Sic!!) HSR of 14-4 from 2015, it's far below the Collegiate Frosh Class Record of Lexi WEEKS's (Sic again!! LOL)--15-2.25, set in 2016.
(Note that the twins were born in late '96, thus Lexi's mark didn't count as a "Junior" record, as she turned 20 that same year!
And THAT is why this blogger & blog does NOT recognize "Junior", "Youth", or "Masters" records, as we rely on actual birthdates for the cut-off point for AGE Records!!)
Still, Campbell's mark IS good for a Collegiate Frosh!!
We all know Hannah Cunliffe, the former Oregon sprinter!
And last year we saw a 14-0 mark from her younger sister, Chloe (OUTdoors!).
So it's not a shock to see Chloe top 13-9.25 INdoors at the Seattle meet!
This makes her 12th A-T HS, tied with 2 others!
In earlier results--but all in 2019--a fast Women's 300 saw Lynna Irby LOSE!!
Tamara Clark sped 37.01, topping Irby's non-PR of 37.14!!
Clark's time makes her 8th A-T Collegiate, and 22nd A-T US!!
Third went to Daija Lampkin's 37.35, which makes her 12th A-T Collegiate, tied with 1 other!
A good Collegiate 600 saw Abike Egbuniyi (sp??) race a 1:27.80, which lists her as 7th A-T Collegiate!
Second went to Kayla Johnson's 1:28.31, which ranks her 13th A-T Collegiate!!
Daniel Haugh threw the WT 78-11.25, making him 11th A-T US, and 14th A-T World!!
Micah Williams sped the 60 in 6.67, making him 19th A-T HS, tied with 2 others!!
And Katelyn Tuohy (Huh? Who is she??) won the Millrose Trials Mile at the Armory in 4:39.15.
This moves her from 17th A-T HS to 6th!!
(Rumors are she CRUISED the race!!)
She also (in a later meet) anchored her team to a 4X800 win, her split just under 2:10--not exactly a ripper!!
Okay!
Long-time readers of this blog know my attitude toward OVERSIZE TRACK marks---they're WORTHLESS!!
But when HUGE names run fast times---even on an OT---you pay attention---even if they remain essentially worthless!!
Anyway, the Seattle meet (Where else??!!) saw the return of Shannon Rowbury to competition, just 6 months after giving birth to her first child!!
She finished second, but her 9:03.00 over 3K was more than a rust-busting quality mark!!
Yomif Kejelcha ran a double within one hour!
His 1000 mark of 2:18.34 led off the double, followed by his Mile of 3:52.61.
While I don't accept OT marks, I believe his mark is the fastest Mile ever run on an OT!!
Konstanze Klosterhalfen also did that double!!
Her times were 2:43.07 and 4:29.06.
There are tons of big names yet to appear, so I'm hoping we have lots to look forward to.
But I do have some "off-track" news to report---although no one else is pregnant!!
LOL
Tara Davis is now a Texas Longhorn!!
She's signed with them, but because of her abrupt departure from Georgia, she needs to sit out 2019 as a Longhorn.
She CAN, however, compete as "unattached", and all signs point to that being the case!!
Finally, Tia Jones, just beginning her Senior year of HS, has turned Professional!
She hasn't signed a shoe deal as yet, but she HAS signed with an agent!!
Therefore, any marks she runs this year (INdoors or OUTdoors) will be eligible for my HS PRO Records & Lists ONLY!!
(As I have no 60H or 100H marks on those lists, she'll be the record-holder--if & when she competes!!)
See you soon!
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
A New (T&F) Season---A New Life
I'm back.
And so is this blog.
A brief synopsis of the past 6 weeks---
Beginning about 2015, a lower leg & foot infection worsened---a lot!
And like an addict denying his addiction, I ignored it, thinking it would cure itself.
As the years, months & days wore on, I came THIS close to the door of death!!
Bob Dylan---my hero & life inspiration---sang he's "trying to get to Heaven before they close the door"!!
In fact, my residence became a living HELL!!
And then my greatly needed intervention arrived.
Adult Protective Services brought 3 EMT's to my apt and persuaded me to go to the hospital!
Long story short, I was in St Joseph's Hospital here in Bellingham between December 4th and the 24th!
And I'm 100% CURED!
The infection is GONE!!
Thank you to Dr Huong, the many nurses and nurses aides (CNA's), the PT's and others who tended to, cared for, and conversed with me (non-medical subjects) through all 20 days there!
I was cured within 12 days, actually, but my apt needed to be cured also---paint job, new flooring, a new bed---and that's why I didn't come home until late on Christmas Eve!!
Scrooge---and his abode---redeemed!!
No more "Bah! Humbug's!" from me!!!
Soooo---
let's return from that door of death, and get back to the reason and purpose of this blog!!
With that in mind, I'm going to begin my report with the NCAA Cross Country Championships held on November 22nd!!
The Men's race was slow.
Nohing new in the post King Ches era!
Morgan McDonald--out of Australia--won it in 29:06, a full 2.5 seconds ahead of the favored Grant Fisher!
Edwin Kurgat followed in the Cardinal's shadow, ahead of Isai Rodriguez, Aaron (Sic!) Templeton, and Tyler Day!
Aman Kemboi, Joe Klecker, John Dressel, and Connor Mantz filled places 7 through 10.
Some other names---Alfred Chelanga was 12th, Matt Baxter 15th, Rory Linkletter 22nd, and Casey Comber 34th!!
No times were even close to my Top 24 A-T list for this event!!
The Women's race--seemingly a given!---was faster!!
Dani Jones used her incredible kick to move into the Winner's circle---and come to within a second of making my A-T list---her time being 19:42.
She blew past the diminutive Eritrean--Weini Kelati---and beat her by 3 seconds!!
Another 5 seconds back came Jessica Hull.
Yet another 5 seconds behind came Alicia Monson, Ednah Kurgat, and Allie Ostrander!
Also under 20 minutes was Erica Birk!!
Makena Morley, Charlotte Prouse, and Anna Rohrer filled out the Top 10!
Other big names included---
Elise Cranny and Weronika Pyzik in 11th & 12th, followed by Dorcas Wasike in 14th, Katie Rainsberger in 19th, with Sharon Lokedi back in 45th, and Callie Logue in 53rd!
Before leaving November, let's not ignore Kellyn Taylor's fine Half of 1:10:13!!
(For some reason, her time is NOT listed in T&FN's year-end list!!)
Run on November 11th, it ranks 14th A-T US!!
The Istanbul Marathon produced a fast Woman's time!
Ruth Chepngetich missed the Age 24 Record by one second, but her winning time of 2:18:35 ranks her 7th A-T World, tied with 1 other!!
Cut OFF my list was the venerable Edna Kiplagat, her 2:19:50 dating from 2012!!
Now let's review the HS XC Championship races---the NXN and Footlocker!
For those unaware, the NXN is mainly a team race, with some at-large individuals added.
Footlocker is all individuals--although they run for "regions" of the country!
The redoubtable Katelyn Tuohy broke her own Course Record by about 7 seconds, her 16:37.8 beating her NY rival Kelsey Chmiel by about 17 seconds!!
Chmiel's time (16:54 & change) ranks her 4th A-T for the NXN, although please note that the course has changed, while the distance remains 5000 meters!!
In fact, the first 7 make my A-T list!!
Runner-Walker Extraordinaire Taylor Ewart took 3rd, her 17:06.7 ranking 7th A-T.
Emily Covert's 17:10.2 is 9th A-T, tied with 1 other!
Claire Walters's 17:13.3 is 11th, with Brooke Rauber's 17:19.2 ranking 15th A-T, and Alexis Morris's 17:25.3 ranking her 23rd A-T!!
Way back---48th & 49th in a field of 50!!--came BIG names Grace Ping and London Culbreath!!
The Men too broke Records & made my list!!
Unheralded Liam Anderson not only won the race, but his 14:57.6 is the first sub-15 time ever run at NXN!!
Cole Hocker--also unknown to me!--took 2nd about 3 seconds back, his 15:00.9 ranking 3rd on the A-T list!!
Another Cole--Sprout--was 3rd in 15:02.7, ranking 4th A-T!!
Nico Young's 15:04.7 and Easton Allred's 15:05.2 ranks 9th & 11th, respectively!!
Austin Varicil's 15:08.8 makes him 14th A-T!
Alex Maur (??) ran 15:10.3 for 23rd A-T!!
And Matt Strange (???) is 24th A-T with his 15:10.5 in 8th!!
Footlocker saw Cole Hocker again---and here he WON!!
But his 15:13.7 fell 20 seconds short of making my A-T list!!
Jake Renfer took 2nd six seconds behind!
An unknown Soph won the Women's race--her name being Sydney Masciarelli!!
And her 17:00.3 makes her 14th A-T!!
Katelynn Hart took a VERY close 2nd--her 17:01.0 ranking her 15th A-T, tied with 1 other!
A Frosh--Abbey VanderKool (??)--was 3rd in 17:14.
She beat some important names!!
Taylor Ewart was 4th in 17:20, while Emily Covert finished 5th in 17:29.6.
Back to the Roads for a bit!
Emma Bates will be getting married on September 20th, but more important (to our task here!!) is that she WON the Sacramento Marathon in 2:28:18!!
(T&FN says it's a "downhill" course---like Boston--so not eligible for their lists!! But it IS eligible for MY lists!!)
Therefore, she ranks 24th A-T US, tied with 1 other.
Stephanie Bruce also broke 2:30 for the 1st time, her time being 2:29:20!!
BTW, seven Women ran 2:31:22 or faster!!
Yama Hatton (??) took the Fukuoka race in 2:07:27--the first Japanese runner to win there in 14 years!!
The Valencia Marathon saw fast times & a pair of National Records!!
Leul Gebrselassie ran 2:04:31 to rank him 23rd A-T World!
Hassan El Akbasso (??) was 2nd in 2:04:43, but claims the National Record of Bahrain!!
Mahjoub Dazza's 2:05:26 takes down Morocco's NR by one second!!
OOKKAAYYYY!!!!
It's time for the 2018-2019 INdoor T&F season!!!!!!!
And what a BLAZING start it had---at least for one race in one meet way back on December 1st!!
The Boston University track saw an amazing array of fast 5000 times in the Women's race!!
It was BU's Mini-Meet Number One!!
Let the stats speak for themselves---
Ednah Kurgat redeemed her XC season by winning in 15:14.78.
This made her 3rd A-T Collegiate INdoors!
Weini Kelati's 15:15.24 in 2nd makes her 5th A-T Collegiate!
Sharon Lokedi ran 15:15.47 to rank her 6th A-T Collegiate!
Allie Ostrander's 15:16.38 makes her 7th A-T Collegiate---and 9th A-T US!!
While Elise Cranny's 15:24.32 in 5th WOULD have made the Collegiate list, she was listed as "unattached"---so is probably either graduated, out of INdoor eligibility, or is redshirting!!
So no listing!!
However, she DOES make the US list--in 15th place!!
Dorcas Wasike's 15:25.35 makes her 12th A-T Collegiate!
Charlotte Prouse ran 15:26.01 to rank 13th A-T Collegiate!
Jaci Smith's 15:28.07 makes her 15th A-T Collegiate, and 19th A-T US!!
Aubrey Roberts's 15:32.38 makes her 19th A-T Collegiate, and 23rd A-T US!!
Lauren LaRocco's 15:33.20 makes her 20th A-T Collegiate!!
Finally--in 11th place in the race!!--came Jessica Pascoe, her 15:34.76 ranking her 23rd A-T Collegiate!!
WOW!!!!
The HS'ers and Collegiates (Except in that 5K race!!!) have been slow to come around----or come around at all!!!---but a few Pro's have wound their INdoor clocks into overdrive early!!
The venerable Mariya Lasitskene opened her INdoor season with a 6-6.75 (2.00) HJ, leading the World, of course!
Kaitlyn Long threw the WT out 79-1.25, but it's 10 inches shy of her PR!
An 18 year old Irish lass (born 12/12/2000)--Kate O'Connor--did a Pentathlon, scoring 4174 points to lead the World--and nab the Ireland National Record!!
But on January 4th in Glasgow, a pair of Women ran fast 5K's!!
Laura Muir's 14:52.02 isn't a PR, but was quick enough to beat Canada's Gabriela Stafford, whose time of 14:57.45 SMASHED the National INdoor Record of Canada to pieces!!!
It also makes her 17th A-T World!!
BUT--cut FROM my DDD list was USA's Shelby Houlihan, whose 15:06.22 dates from 2016!
Well, that takes care of the Records & Marks--but maybe I'll be setting a record (of sorts) for "off-track" news!!
Pregnancy--and giving birth--is HUGE (Sic!!) news now!
Sarah Brown is pregnant with her 2nd child--and announced her retirement from Professional racing!!
VCB--Veronica Campbell Brown--- gave us a beautiful photo of her VERY pregnant self on Instagram--and said she too MIGHT be retiring!!
And Allyson Felix!!!---who ran 51 seconds last August while pregnant!---gave birth recently to her first child!!
Tara Davis has left Georgia!!
Disagreements with her coach there--plus personal issues--caused her to depart and head home to California and her family!!
What 2019 holds for her---coaching, school, her LIFE---is unknown at this time!!
Finally, Mary Cain---Remember her???---is in serious training at the Mammoth Lakes site (Deena Kastor's group!)---in her 2nd of 3 weeks there!!
What 2019 holds for HER is also unknown right now!!
(But a photo of her showed she's lean and smiling!!)
Hopeful signs!
As for myself---and this blog--all signs are pointing towards Heaven---hopefully(for now!!) Heaven on Earth!!
Cured, home, getting stronger every day, this blogger---and blog--- LIVES!!
See you soon!
And so is this blog.
A brief synopsis of the past 6 weeks---
Beginning about 2015, a lower leg & foot infection worsened---a lot!
And like an addict denying his addiction, I ignored it, thinking it would cure itself.
As the years, months & days wore on, I came THIS close to the door of death!!
Bob Dylan---my hero & life inspiration---sang he's "trying to get to Heaven before they close the door"!!
In fact, my residence became a living HELL!!
And then my greatly needed intervention arrived.
Adult Protective Services brought 3 EMT's to my apt and persuaded me to go to the hospital!
Long story short, I was in St Joseph's Hospital here in Bellingham between December 4th and the 24th!
And I'm 100% CURED!
The infection is GONE!!
Thank you to Dr Huong, the many nurses and nurses aides (CNA's), the PT's and others who tended to, cared for, and conversed with me (non-medical subjects) through all 20 days there!
I was cured within 12 days, actually, but my apt needed to be cured also---paint job, new flooring, a new bed---and that's why I didn't come home until late on Christmas Eve!!
Scrooge---and his abode---redeemed!!
No more "Bah! Humbug's!" from me!!!
Soooo---
let's return from that door of death, and get back to the reason and purpose of this blog!!
With that in mind, I'm going to begin my report with the NCAA Cross Country Championships held on November 22nd!!
The Men's race was slow.
Nohing new in the post King Ches era!
Morgan McDonald--out of Australia--won it in 29:06, a full 2.5 seconds ahead of the favored Grant Fisher!
Edwin Kurgat followed in the Cardinal's shadow, ahead of Isai Rodriguez, Aaron (Sic!) Templeton, and Tyler Day!
Aman Kemboi, Joe Klecker, John Dressel, and Connor Mantz filled places 7 through 10.
Some other names---Alfred Chelanga was 12th, Matt Baxter 15th, Rory Linkletter 22nd, and Casey Comber 34th!!
No times were even close to my Top 24 A-T list for this event!!
The Women's race--seemingly a given!---was faster!!
Dani Jones used her incredible kick to move into the Winner's circle---and come to within a second of making my A-T list---her time being 19:42.
She blew past the diminutive Eritrean--Weini Kelati---and beat her by 3 seconds!!
Another 5 seconds back came Jessica Hull.
Yet another 5 seconds behind came Alicia Monson, Ednah Kurgat, and Allie Ostrander!
Also under 20 minutes was Erica Birk!!
Makena Morley, Charlotte Prouse, and Anna Rohrer filled out the Top 10!
Other big names included---
Elise Cranny and Weronika Pyzik in 11th & 12th, followed by Dorcas Wasike in 14th, Katie Rainsberger in 19th, with Sharon Lokedi back in 45th, and Callie Logue in 53rd!
Before leaving November, let's not ignore Kellyn Taylor's fine Half of 1:10:13!!
(For some reason, her time is NOT listed in T&FN's year-end list!!)
Run on November 11th, it ranks 14th A-T US!!
The Istanbul Marathon produced a fast Woman's time!
Ruth Chepngetich missed the Age 24 Record by one second, but her winning time of 2:18:35 ranks her 7th A-T World, tied with 1 other!!
Cut OFF my list was the venerable Edna Kiplagat, her 2:19:50 dating from 2012!!
Now let's review the HS XC Championship races---the NXN and Footlocker!
For those unaware, the NXN is mainly a team race, with some at-large individuals added.
Footlocker is all individuals--although they run for "regions" of the country!
The redoubtable Katelyn Tuohy broke her own Course Record by about 7 seconds, her 16:37.8 beating her NY rival Kelsey Chmiel by about 17 seconds!!
Chmiel's time (16:54 & change) ranks her 4th A-T for the NXN, although please note that the course has changed, while the distance remains 5000 meters!!
In fact, the first 7 make my A-T list!!
Runner-Walker Extraordinaire Taylor Ewart took 3rd, her 17:06.7 ranking 7th A-T.
Emily Covert's 17:10.2 is 9th A-T, tied with 1 other!
Claire Walters's 17:13.3 is 11th, with Brooke Rauber's 17:19.2 ranking 15th A-T, and Alexis Morris's 17:25.3 ranking her 23rd A-T!!
Way back---48th & 49th in a field of 50!!--came BIG names Grace Ping and London Culbreath!!
The Men too broke Records & made my list!!
Unheralded Liam Anderson not only won the race, but his 14:57.6 is the first sub-15 time ever run at NXN!!
Cole Hocker--also unknown to me!--took 2nd about 3 seconds back, his 15:00.9 ranking 3rd on the A-T list!!
Another Cole--Sprout--was 3rd in 15:02.7, ranking 4th A-T!!
Nico Young's 15:04.7 and Easton Allred's 15:05.2 ranks 9th & 11th, respectively!!
Austin Varicil's 15:08.8 makes him 14th A-T!
Alex Maur (??) ran 15:10.3 for 23rd A-T!!
And Matt Strange (???) is 24th A-T with his 15:10.5 in 8th!!
Footlocker saw Cole Hocker again---and here he WON!!
But his 15:13.7 fell 20 seconds short of making my A-T list!!
Jake Renfer took 2nd six seconds behind!
An unknown Soph won the Women's race--her name being Sydney Masciarelli!!
And her 17:00.3 makes her 14th A-T!!
Katelynn Hart took a VERY close 2nd--her 17:01.0 ranking her 15th A-T, tied with 1 other!
A Frosh--Abbey VanderKool (??)--was 3rd in 17:14.
She beat some important names!!
Taylor Ewart was 4th in 17:20, while Emily Covert finished 5th in 17:29.6.
Back to the Roads for a bit!
Emma Bates will be getting married on September 20th, but more important (to our task here!!) is that she WON the Sacramento Marathon in 2:28:18!!
(T&FN says it's a "downhill" course---like Boston--so not eligible for their lists!! But it IS eligible for MY lists!!)
Therefore, she ranks 24th A-T US, tied with 1 other.
Stephanie Bruce also broke 2:30 for the 1st time, her time being 2:29:20!!
BTW, seven Women ran 2:31:22 or faster!!
Yama Hatton (??) took the Fukuoka race in 2:07:27--the first Japanese runner to win there in 14 years!!
The Valencia Marathon saw fast times & a pair of National Records!!
Leul Gebrselassie ran 2:04:31 to rank him 23rd A-T World!
Hassan El Akbasso (??) was 2nd in 2:04:43, but claims the National Record of Bahrain!!
Mahjoub Dazza's 2:05:26 takes down Morocco's NR by one second!!
OOKKAAYYYY!!!!
It's time for the 2018-2019 INdoor T&F season!!!!!!!
And what a BLAZING start it had---at least for one race in one meet way back on December 1st!!
The Boston University track saw an amazing array of fast 5000 times in the Women's race!!
It was BU's Mini-Meet Number One!!
Let the stats speak for themselves---
Ednah Kurgat redeemed her XC season by winning in 15:14.78.
This made her 3rd A-T Collegiate INdoors!
Weini Kelati's 15:15.24 in 2nd makes her 5th A-T Collegiate!
Sharon Lokedi ran 15:15.47 to rank her 6th A-T Collegiate!
Allie Ostrander's 15:16.38 makes her 7th A-T Collegiate---and 9th A-T US!!
While Elise Cranny's 15:24.32 in 5th WOULD have made the Collegiate list, she was listed as "unattached"---so is probably either graduated, out of INdoor eligibility, or is redshirting!!
So no listing!!
However, she DOES make the US list--in 15th place!!
Dorcas Wasike's 15:25.35 makes her 12th A-T Collegiate!
Charlotte Prouse ran 15:26.01 to rank 13th A-T Collegiate!
Jaci Smith's 15:28.07 makes her 15th A-T Collegiate, and 19th A-T US!!
Aubrey Roberts's 15:32.38 makes her 19th A-T Collegiate, and 23rd A-T US!!
Lauren LaRocco's 15:33.20 makes her 20th A-T Collegiate!!
Finally--in 11th place in the race!!--came Jessica Pascoe, her 15:34.76 ranking her 23rd A-T Collegiate!!
WOW!!!!
The HS'ers and Collegiates (Except in that 5K race!!!) have been slow to come around----or come around at all!!!---but a few Pro's have wound their INdoor clocks into overdrive early!!
The venerable Mariya Lasitskene opened her INdoor season with a 6-6.75 (2.00) HJ, leading the World, of course!
Kaitlyn Long threw the WT out 79-1.25, but it's 10 inches shy of her PR!
An 18 year old Irish lass (born 12/12/2000)--Kate O'Connor--did a Pentathlon, scoring 4174 points to lead the World--and nab the Ireland National Record!!
But on January 4th in Glasgow, a pair of Women ran fast 5K's!!
Laura Muir's 14:52.02 isn't a PR, but was quick enough to beat Canada's Gabriela Stafford, whose time of 14:57.45 SMASHED the National INdoor Record of Canada to pieces!!!
It also makes her 17th A-T World!!
BUT--cut FROM my DDD list was USA's Shelby Houlihan, whose 15:06.22 dates from 2016!
Well, that takes care of the Records & Marks--but maybe I'll be setting a record (of sorts) for "off-track" news!!
Pregnancy--and giving birth--is HUGE (Sic!!) news now!
Sarah Brown is pregnant with her 2nd child--and announced her retirement from Professional racing!!
VCB--Veronica Campbell Brown--- gave us a beautiful photo of her VERY pregnant self on Instagram--and said she too MIGHT be retiring!!
And Allyson Felix!!!---who ran 51 seconds last August while pregnant!---gave birth recently to her first child!!
Tara Davis has left Georgia!!
Disagreements with her coach there--plus personal issues--caused her to depart and head home to California and her family!!
What 2019 holds for her---coaching, school, her LIFE---is unknown at this time!!
Finally, Mary Cain---Remember her???---is in serious training at the Mammoth Lakes site (Deena Kastor's group!)---in her 2nd of 3 weeks there!!
What 2019 holds for HER is also unknown right now!!
(But a photo of her showed she's lean and smiling!!)
Hopeful signs!
As for myself---and this blog--all signs are pointing towards Heaven---hopefully(for now!!) Heaven on Earth!!
Cured, home, getting stronger every day, this blogger---and blog--- LIVES!!
See you soon!
Sunday, November 25, 2018
For Now, It's Over!
As November 2018 began, I had a pretty good idea of where this blog would be going.
Cover the NYC Marathon.
Check.
The NCAA Regionals, but only a cursory glance.
Done
The Championships
Top 10's, with some interesting lower finishers mentioned!
And that's when the hesitation set in, day by day, hour by hour!
Long story short, a chronic foot & lower leg infection seemed to be getting worse---though ironically might now be improving!
On top of that, a bad sore throat began.
The two problems together has made daily life pretty uncomfortable.
While I wrote down the top NCAA finishers, I did so differently than I normally do---with much less energy!
(I haven't even yet changed my OUTdoor Record Book to note Kellyn Taylor's fast Half---which DOES make my Top 24 list!!
Plus whatever else I missed due to this recent onslaught of discomfort.
Suffice to say--and I am VERY sad to say so---I just don't have the necessary health to do what this blog would be doing---Previewing the 2018-2019 INdoor T&F season , making all kinds of Records predictions, then enthusiastically reporting all the best marks sure to come----soon!!
With the utmost regret, I must call a halt to this blog.
(I've also greatly reduced my commentary on the T&FN Message Board---and on my Twitter site.
I need to get healthy again!
I will still check out my normal research sites for major results.
I'll be watching LOTS of stuff on Netflix and from my private DVD collection!!
I'll watch or listen to NFL & Collegiate football games!
I'll READ the MB's!!
To prove that what I'm saying is true---I'm going to end this now!
Too uncomfortable to concentrate!!
Will you see another post?
MAYBE!!
But don't look for it!!
If and whan I can, I'll tell you more!
One thing I DO want to say---
THANK YOU for sticking with me these past 5 years!
Enjoy the 2018-2019 T&F INdoor season!
I'll try to!
Cover the NYC Marathon.
Check.
The NCAA Regionals, but only a cursory glance.
Done
The Championships
Top 10's, with some interesting lower finishers mentioned!
And that's when the hesitation set in, day by day, hour by hour!
Long story short, a chronic foot & lower leg infection seemed to be getting worse---though ironically might now be improving!
On top of that, a bad sore throat began.
The two problems together has made daily life pretty uncomfortable.
While I wrote down the top NCAA finishers, I did so differently than I normally do---with much less energy!
(I haven't even yet changed my OUTdoor Record Book to note Kellyn Taylor's fast Half---which DOES make my Top 24 list!!
Plus whatever else I missed due to this recent onslaught of discomfort.
Suffice to say--and I am VERY sad to say so---I just don't have the necessary health to do what this blog would be doing---Previewing the 2018-2019 INdoor T&F season , making all kinds of Records predictions, then enthusiastically reporting all the best marks sure to come----soon!!
With the utmost regret, I must call a halt to this blog.
(I've also greatly reduced my commentary on the T&FN Message Board---and on my Twitter site.
I need to get healthy again!
I will still check out my normal research sites for major results.
I'll be watching LOTS of stuff on Netflix and from my private DVD collection!!
I'll watch or listen to NFL & Collegiate football games!
I'll READ the MB's!!
To prove that what I'm saying is true---I'm going to end this now!
Too uncomfortable to concentrate!!
Will you see another post?
MAYBE!!
But don't look for it!!
If and whan I can, I'll tell you more!
One thing I DO want to say---
THANK YOU for sticking with me these past 5 years!
Enjoy the 2018-2019 T&F INdoor season!
I'll try to!
Friday, November 16, 2018
"New" Champs Expected Tomorrow
A reminder of how this blogger sees Cross Country---
Times can mostly be taken with two grains of salt!
Even the NCAA Championship course doesn't remain the same every year!
Weather---good and bad---greatly affects the outcome!
There WILL be some shocks tomorrow!
The Regionals of XC---unlike T&F's "regionals"--DO offer some significant data to mull over!
So let's briefly review what happened a week ago !!
The Northeast Regional times seem to be outliers---on the deeply negative side!
I mean, come on---32:31 and 21:29 won these races!!
Paul Hogan took the Men's 10K, and Shannon Milnar won the Women's!
No serious contenders here!!
The South has a top returner in Alfred Chelanga, who took the 10K in 30:59!
Zach Long was 12 seconds back!
Militar Mitcheva won the 6K in 20:17.
A couple of Jessica's followed, with Ms Paslov beating Ms Drop!
They were each spaced 6 seconds apart!
The South Central race went to Jamie Crowe's 31:36!
Abraham Chirchir was 4 seconds back!
The Women's race had a tougher set of podium toppers!
Katrina Robinson--despite her time of just 20:20 here--should be considered a Top Ten threat in Madison!
Both Taylor Werner and Lauren Gregory etched 20:29's into their logbooks!
Again, please ignore the times run in the Regionals!
For while the Mid-Atlantic saw the winning 10K time as 31:04, you can't ignore Casey Comber as a potential threat tomorrow!
He beat Nick Wareham's 31:08!
Likewise, say what you will about the Women's winning time being just 21:02, you cannot overlook Rachel McArthur!
She beat Grace Mancini's 21:08!
The Southeast race went to James Sugura's 29:27!
He nipped Peter Saufer's same time!
Dorcas Wasike took the 6K in 19:42, with Elly Henes just 5 seconds back!
The Midwest presents some intriguing names!
Callie Logue has been steady all season, and her 10 second win over tough Sharon Lokedi---20:13 to 20:23---didn't change that!!
Winny Kosgei matched Lokedi's time, while Aubrey Roberts was just a second behind!
Edwin Kurgat took the Men's race in 30:41, just edging Isai Rodriguez, 30:41 to 30:42!
That leaves us with the three "strongest" regions--the Great Lakes, the Mountain, and the West!
It's likely we'll see a majority of tomorrow's Top 20 or so coming from these regions!!
The Great Lakes Men's 3rd placer--Morgan McDonald--may be the key to tomorrow's race, as Australians are feisty frontrunners!
But his 31:13 was beaten in the Regional by Jaret Carpenter's 31:09 and Ben Kandell's 31:11.
Again, ignore the slowish times!
But it's on the Women's side where we might have seen tomorrow's eventuial winner emerge!!
Her name is Alicia Monson---and she's ALSO from Australia!!
NOTE ADDED SATURDAY---HUGE ERROR!
Apparently Ms Monson is from Wisconsin---quite a few kilometers from Australia!
My apologies!!
That she beat Anna Rohrer in the process takes nothing away from my "feel" for her talent!!
The West region supposedly has "everyone's" consensus favorite in their mix!
His name is Grant Fisher!
He DOES have quick track times, and a winning record!
That is, until you note he ended only 16th here!!
Most say he was "resting", and just tempoed to the line safely.
Also, he was just 9 seconds behind Nick Hauger's 29:42 winner!
Carlos Villarreal finished just one second back!
The West Women definitely saw more "realistic" results---meaning ones that can be expected to be matched tomorrow!!
Allie Ostrander is not only the best "Cross" runner, but her Steeplechase technique can take her over any hay bales or other "barriers" unscratched and unperturbed!!
That she clocked a stunning 19:09---10 seconds faster the the NCAA Championship Meet record!!--and beat Jessica Hull by 13 seconds---should place her at the very top of the Podium challengers tomorrow!!
Susan Ejore ran 19:25 to edge past Stanford's tough Elise Cranny by a second!
Fiona O'Keefe is another to watch, as is Weronika Pyzik, even though the latter ended in 19:35, a full 26 seconds being the diminuitive Allie O!!
And then we come to the Mountain Region!!
Whew!!
From there, we just might see the same 3 top finishers in the Regional cross the line close together----1, 2, 3???---tomorrow!!
Joe Klecker's 29:17 won the race, but Tyler Day and Matt Baxter each tossed in 29:19's to take the next two spots!!
And do NOT discount Rory Linkletter, even though he ended 8th in 29:26.
As for the Females, watch out!!!
Is Weini Kelati REALLY that much better than last year's record-smashing champion, Ednah Kurgat??
She's beaten her in every race this year, and by fairly decisive margins!!
But is Kurgat merely biding her time, keying on tomorrow's BIG race??
Kelati is a known frontrunner, unafraid to take it out from the gun!
Does she now have the confidence to back up her talent??
Erica Birk and Jaci Smith ran good times too--19:35 and 19:44--they were nowhere near Kelati!
And what about Dani Jones, who ended 6th??
Will she shock them all??
While I've never done predictions for XC, here's my take on tomorrow's races.
Allie Ostander wins it!
She's followed by Kelati, Monson, Cranny, Jones, Logue, and Kurgat!!
The Men's race goes to McDonald, followed VERY closely by Fisher, Klecker, Chelanga, Baxter, and Linkletter!!
The Women's Meet Record WILL be broken tomorrow---maybe even dipping into the 18's!
The Men's will be more tactical, and may not break 29!!
See you soon!!
Times can mostly be taken with two grains of salt!
Even the NCAA Championship course doesn't remain the same every year!
Weather---good and bad---greatly affects the outcome!
There WILL be some shocks tomorrow!
The Regionals of XC---unlike T&F's "regionals"--DO offer some significant data to mull over!
So let's briefly review what happened a week ago !!
The Northeast Regional times seem to be outliers---on the deeply negative side!
I mean, come on---32:31 and 21:29 won these races!!
Paul Hogan took the Men's 10K, and Shannon Milnar won the Women's!
No serious contenders here!!
The South has a top returner in Alfred Chelanga, who took the 10K in 30:59!
Zach Long was 12 seconds back!
Militar Mitcheva won the 6K in 20:17.
A couple of Jessica's followed, with Ms Paslov beating Ms Drop!
They were each spaced 6 seconds apart!
The South Central race went to Jamie Crowe's 31:36!
Abraham Chirchir was 4 seconds back!
The Women's race had a tougher set of podium toppers!
Katrina Robinson--despite her time of just 20:20 here--should be considered a Top Ten threat in Madison!
Both Taylor Werner and Lauren Gregory etched 20:29's into their logbooks!
Again, please ignore the times run in the Regionals!
For while the Mid-Atlantic saw the winning 10K time as 31:04, you can't ignore Casey Comber as a potential threat tomorrow!
He beat Nick Wareham's 31:08!
Likewise, say what you will about the Women's winning time being just 21:02, you cannot overlook Rachel McArthur!
She beat Grace Mancini's 21:08!
The Southeast race went to James Sugura's 29:27!
He nipped Peter Saufer's same time!
Dorcas Wasike took the 6K in 19:42, with Elly Henes just 5 seconds back!
The Midwest presents some intriguing names!
Callie Logue has been steady all season, and her 10 second win over tough Sharon Lokedi---20:13 to 20:23---didn't change that!!
Winny Kosgei matched Lokedi's time, while Aubrey Roberts was just a second behind!
Edwin Kurgat took the Men's race in 30:41, just edging Isai Rodriguez, 30:41 to 30:42!
That leaves us with the three "strongest" regions--the Great Lakes, the Mountain, and the West!
It's likely we'll see a majority of tomorrow's Top 20 or so coming from these regions!!
The Great Lakes Men's 3rd placer--Morgan McDonald--may be the key to tomorrow's race, as Australians are feisty frontrunners!
But his 31:13 was beaten in the Regional by Jaret Carpenter's 31:09 and Ben Kandell's 31:11.
Again, ignore the slowish times!
But it's on the Women's side where we might have seen tomorrow's eventuial winner emerge!!
Her name is Alicia Monson---and she's ALSO from Australia!!
NOTE ADDED SATURDAY---HUGE ERROR!
Apparently Ms Monson is from Wisconsin---quite a few kilometers from Australia!
My apologies!!
That she beat Anna Rohrer in the process takes nothing away from my "feel" for her talent!!
The West region supposedly has "everyone's" consensus favorite in their mix!
His name is Grant Fisher!
He DOES have quick track times, and a winning record!
That is, until you note he ended only 16th here!!
Most say he was "resting", and just tempoed to the line safely.
Also, he was just 9 seconds behind Nick Hauger's 29:42 winner!
Carlos Villarreal finished just one second back!
The West Women definitely saw more "realistic" results---meaning ones that can be expected to be matched tomorrow!!
Allie Ostrander is not only the best "Cross" runner, but her Steeplechase technique can take her over any hay bales or other "barriers" unscratched and unperturbed!!
That she clocked a stunning 19:09---10 seconds faster the the NCAA Championship Meet record!!--and beat Jessica Hull by 13 seconds---should place her at the very top of the Podium challengers tomorrow!!
Susan Ejore ran 19:25 to edge past Stanford's tough Elise Cranny by a second!
Fiona O'Keefe is another to watch, as is Weronika Pyzik, even though the latter ended in 19:35, a full 26 seconds being the diminuitive Allie O!!
And then we come to the Mountain Region!!
Whew!!
From there, we just might see the same 3 top finishers in the Regional cross the line close together----1, 2, 3???---tomorrow!!
Joe Klecker's 29:17 won the race, but Tyler Day and Matt Baxter each tossed in 29:19's to take the next two spots!!
And do NOT discount Rory Linkletter, even though he ended 8th in 29:26.
As for the Females, watch out!!!
Is Weini Kelati REALLY that much better than last year's record-smashing champion, Ednah Kurgat??
She's beaten her in every race this year, and by fairly decisive margins!!
But is Kurgat merely biding her time, keying on tomorrow's BIG race??
Kelati is a known frontrunner, unafraid to take it out from the gun!
Does she now have the confidence to back up her talent??
Erica Birk and Jaci Smith ran good times too--19:35 and 19:44--they were nowhere near Kelati!
And what about Dani Jones, who ended 6th??
Will she shock them all??
While I've never done predictions for XC, here's my take on tomorrow's races.
Allie Ostander wins it!
She's followed by Kelati, Monson, Cranny, Jones, Logue, and Kurgat!!
The Men's race goes to McDonald, followed VERY closely by Fisher, Klecker, Chelanga, Baxter, and Linkletter!!
The Women's Meet Record WILL be broken tomorrow---maybe even dipping into the 18's!
The Men's will be more tactical, and may not break 29!!
See you soon!!
Sunday, November 4, 2018
NYC Marathon's Amazing Closers
Did the 2017 Champions do it again?
An absolute "NO!" doesn't suffice!
Because Geoff Kamworor and Shalane Flanagan ran VERY well, and ended on the podium!
But this year's version of the New York City Marathon gave up a whole lot more than heroic American achievers, or African track speedsters showing their worth on this venerable city's streets and bridges!
The Women's race began a half hour before the Men's.
And almost to the second, the first uphill mile matched 2017's--6:41 to 6:43, with the entire elite pack tied in a neat little bow.
While the downhill portion over the Verazanno Narrows Bridge picked up the pace, they hit the 5K in 18:45, 24 seconds up on 2017's jogfest!
But 10K was reached several seconds behind last year's pace.
The field was still all together!
Then an American took over.
Was it Shalane Flanagan, Molly Huddle, Des Linden, or Allie Kieffer?
How about Brittany Charboneau, a 30 year old Marathon drifter with a 2:35-ish PR!!
But her "lead" was negligible, even though it held for a few more miles!
Then Linden took over, hitting the 15K point in 55:08 after a 5000 in 18:03.
They were now running Miles of 5:50!!
And Flanagan was NOT in the Top 10 on the Leaderboard!!
Mary Keitany, whose "bad" day allowed Flanagan to become the US's first NYC Champion in over 30 years, surged a 5:38 Mile between 10 and 11.
Flanagam was now back with the lead group!
Mamitu Daska and Rahma Tusa were now leading, reaching 20K in 72:08, the first pair of 10K's having been run in 37:05 and 35:03!!
And now, at the Half, Keitany was leading, time of 1:15:50---about 18 seconds faster than in 2017,
But they had run their 2nd half under 1:11, and all of the frontrunners seemed capable of repeating!!
Coming over the bridge from Queens into Manhatten, Keitany was hitting the gas--HARD!!
Her 5000 from 20 to 25K was just 16:15, by far the fastest of the race!
And then she BLASTED a 4:54 Mile, followed by a 4:57!!
Two Miles in 9:51, right up there with the Men's pace!
And she was only at 18 miles!!
It took Keitany--now running alone!--just 15:19 for the 5000 between 25 & 30K!!
Her next 5000 took only 15:34, making her previous 10K a blistering 30:53!!
There would be no Shalane Flanagan screaming "FUCK YES!" this year!!
At 20 Miles, Keitany led Tusa by 54 seconds, with Flanagan and Huddle battling for US supremacy!
Vivian Cheruiyot was ahead of the Americans!
That 15:34 left the Kenyan vet over two minutes in the lead.
It was now a Coronation for this A-T great heading to her 4th W in NYC!!
At 23 Miles, closing in on Central Park, Tusa was 2:16 behind Keitany, but just 22 seconds ahead of Flanagan, who was finishing hard!!
Could she make the podium!!
The finish line was approaching, and race-able territory was dropping out of sight!!
Her last measurable 5K splitting a more "human" 16:13, Keitany sped across the line in 2:22:48, missing the Course Record by just 17 seconds!!
Tusa was clearly dying!
With every new camera image, Flanagan was now clearly attacking Tusa's rearguard!
Cheruiyot had used her Track speed to end 2nd in 2:26:02, and Shalane was now pumping her arms to reach the line in 2:26:22, this time yelling "I love you!" to her adoring fans!!
Huddle PR'ed by over a minute to end 4th, time of 2:26:44!!
She moves from 21st A-T US to 14th!!
Tusa crawled to the finish in 2:27:13, brave to finish!
She was followed by more Americans--Linden's 2:27:41 in 6th, with Kieffer 7th in 2:28:12.
This makes her 22nd A-T US!!
But what was utterly stupifying was the time of Keitany's SECOND Half!
It was 66:58, the fastest ever in a full Marathon!!
The Men's race soon became another African slugfest, with the fave being Kamworor!
Tell that to Shura Kitata, a young up-and-comer!
He took the lead early--even making a tiny break of about 5 meters!!
This wasn't the norm in Men's Marathoning!!
After 5000's of 15:37 (over the V-N Bridge) and 15:11, Kitata led a group of 5 or 6 through 15K in 45:47, barely dipping into the 14's on their last split!!
Kitata was still leading at the Half, reached in 1:03:55!!
Quite a bit faster than in 2017!!
But he had company, with Lelisa Desisa being just 2 seconds back, with Kamworor close in tow!
In fact, Kamworor held a small lead at 25K, after a last 5000 of 15:05!!
No super fast splits, but not a MoBot race either!!
And GK was hitting the gas, exploding to a 14:36 split between 25 & 30K!!
Into Central Park they went, with Kamworor leading Kitata and Desisa!!
But it was close--VERY close!!
This wasn't a Keitany runaway--this was a RACE!!
At 40K--with just 2195 meters left--Kamworor and Desisa were side by side--almost clipping each other, while Kitata had now fallen behind by 10 seconds!!
The road through CP was winding, each turn revealing a closer race!!
The young Kitata had more left!
He was attacking, even taking the lead again!
Kamworor wasn't "gone", but it would take a sub-60 final 400 to bring him back into contention!!
And then Desisa was sprinting, and the gap between he and Kitata was narrowing!
At the line, Desisa's 2:05:59 beat Kitata's 2:06:01 for the big W!!
Kamworor faded to 2:06:26, ending 3rd!
The first American was Jared Ward, his 6th place time being 2:12:24!!
Bernard Lagat was said to be seeking the US "Masters" record, but after a fairly smooth first half, his initial go at the 26.2 distance took him 2:17 & change--far off any record, but not bad for a guy approaching Age 44!!
The weekend began with the USATF 5000 being held over the closing miles of the Marathon!!
Paul Chelimo outsprinted Shadrack Kipchirchir for the win, both timed in 13:45!
Stan Kebenai took 3rd in 13:53.
Eric Jenkins was 4th in 14:00, with Matthew Centrowitz ending 2 seconds farther back in 8th!!
The Women's race saw Emily Sisson running 15:38 for the Win, with Erika Kemp's 15:50 taking the Silver.
Amy Cragg followed in 15:54.
Aisling Cuffe ran a decent 16:06 in 8th!!
Some "other" news to report---
Centro has left the Nike Oregon Project!!
His volunteer coaching position at the University of Washington finds him aligned with UO's former coaches, the Powell's, but no indication of anything official!!
Chelimo has left the US Army team, and signed with Nike!!
Finally--and sadly--there is news of a knee injury to Katelyn Tuohy!
It's serious enough that she didn't run in her State final!
And all indications are this will close out her XC season!!
As for INdoors, who knows??!!
Next up are the Collegiate Regionals!!
See you soon!
An absolute "NO!" doesn't suffice!
Because Geoff Kamworor and Shalane Flanagan ran VERY well, and ended on the podium!
But this year's version of the New York City Marathon gave up a whole lot more than heroic American achievers, or African track speedsters showing their worth on this venerable city's streets and bridges!
The Women's race began a half hour before the Men's.
And almost to the second, the first uphill mile matched 2017's--6:41 to 6:43, with the entire elite pack tied in a neat little bow.
While the downhill portion over the Verazanno Narrows Bridge picked up the pace, they hit the 5K in 18:45, 24 seconds up on 2017's jogfest!
But 10K was reached several seconds behind last year's pace.
The field was still all together!
Then an American took over.
Was it Shalane Flanagan, Molly Huddle, Des Linden, or Allie Kieffer?
How about Brittany Charboneau, a 30 year old Marathon drifter with a 2:35-ish PR!!
But her "lead" was negligible, even though it held for a few more miles!
Then Linden took over, hitting the 15K point in 55:08 after a 5000 in 18:03.
They were now running Miles of 5:50!!
And Flanagan was NOT in the Top 10 on the Leaderboard!!
Mary Keitany, whose "bad" day allowed Flanagan to become the US's first NYC Champion in over 30 years, surged a 5:38 Mile between 10 and 11.
Flanagam was now back with the lead group!
Mamitu Daska and Rahma Tusa were now leading, reaching 20K in 72:08, the first pair of 10K's having been run in 37:05 and 35:03!!
And now, at the Half, Keitany was leading, time of 1:15:50---about 18 seconds faster than in 2017,
But they had run their 2nd half under 1:11, and all of the frontrunners seemed capable of repeating!!
Coming over the bridge from Queens into Manhatten, Keitany was hitting the gas--HARD!!
Her 5000 from 20 to 25K was just 16:15, by far the fastest of the race!
And then she BLASTED a 4:54 Mile, followed by a 4:57!!
Two Miles in 9:51, right up there with the Men's pace!
And she was only at 18 miles!!
It took Keitany--now running alone!--just 15:19 for the 5000 between 25 & 30K!!
Her next 5000 took only 15:34, making her previous 10K a blistering 30:53!!
There would be no Shalane Flanagan screaming "FUCK YES!" this year!!
At 20 Miles, Keitany led Tusa by 54 seconds, with Flanagan and Huddle battling for US supremacy!
Vivian Cheruiyot was ahead of the Americans!
That 15:34 left the Kenyan vet over two minutes in the lead.
It was now a Coronation for this A-T great heading to her 4th W in NYC!!
At 23 Miles, closing in on Central Park, Tusa was 2:16 behind Keitany, but just 22 seconds ahead of Flanagan, who was finishing hard!!
Could she make the podium!!
The finish line was approaching, and race-able territory was dropping out of sight!!
Her last measurable 5K splitting a more "human" 16:13, Keitany sped across the line in 2:22:48, missing the Course Record by just 17 seconds!!
Tusa was clearly dying!
With every new camera image, Flanagan was now clearly attacking Tusa's rearguard!
Cheruiyot had used her Track speed to end 2nd in 2:26:02, and Shalane was now pumping her arms to reach the line in 2:26:22, this time yelling "I love you!" to her adoring fans!!
Huddle PR'ed by over a minute to end 4th, time of 2:26:44!!
She moves from 21st A-T US to 14th!!
Tusa crawled to the finish in 2:27:13, brave to finish!
She was followed by more Americans--Linden's 2:27:41 in 6th, with Kieffer 7th in 2:28:12.
This makes her 22nd A-T US!!
But what was utterly stupifying was the time of Keitany's SECOND Half!
It was 66:58, the fastest ever in a full Marathon!!
The Men's race soon became another African slugfest, with the fave being Kamworor!
Tell that to Shura Kitata, a young up-and-comer!
He took the lead early--even making a tiny break of about 5 meters!!
This wasn't the norm in Men's Marathoning!!
After 5000's of 15:37 (over the V-N Bridge) and 15:11, Kitata led a group of 5 or 6 through 15K in 45:47, barely dipping into the 14's on their last split!!
Kitata was still leading at the Half, reached in 1:03:55!!
Quite a bit faster than in 2017!!
But he had company, with Lelisa Desisa being just 2 seconds back, with Kamworor close in tow!
In fact, Kamworor held a small lead at 25K, after a last 5000 of 15:05!!
No super fast splits, but not a MoBot race either!!
And GK was hitting the gas, exploding to a 14:36 split between 25 & 30K!!
Into Central Park they went, with Kamworor leading Kitata and Desisa!!
But it was close--VERY close!!
This wasn't a Keitany runaway--this was a RACE!!
At 40K--with just 2195 meters left--Kamworor and Desisa were side by side--almost clipping each other, while Kitata had now fallen behind by 10 seconds!!
The road through CP was winding, each turn revealing a closer race!!
The young Kitata had more left!
He was attacking, even taking the lead again!
Kamworor wasn't "gone", but it would take a sub-60 final 400 to bring him back into contention!!
And then Desisa was sprinting, and the gap between he and Kitata was narrowing!
At the line, Desisa's 2:05:59 beat Kitata's 2:06:01 for the big W!!
Kamworor faded to 2:06:26, ending 3rd!
The first American was Jared Ward, his 6th place time being 2:12:24!!
Bernard Lagat was said to be seeking the US "Masters" record, but after a fairly smooth first half, his initial go at the 26.2 distance took him 2:17 & change--far off any record, but not bad for a guy approaching Age 44!!
The weekend began with the USATF 5000 being held over the closing miles of the Marathon!!
Paul Chelimo outsprinted Shadrack Kipchirchir for the win, both timed in 13:45!
Stan Kebenai took 3rd in 13:53.
Eric Jenkins was 4th in 14:00, with Matthew Centrowitz ending 2 seconds farther back in 8th!!
The Women's race saw Emily Sisson running 15:38 for the Win, with Erika Kemp's 15:50 taking the Silver.
Amy Cragg followed in 15:54.
Aisling Cuffe ran a decent 16:06 in 8th!!
Some "other" news to report---
Centro has left the Nike Oregon Project!!
His volunteer coaching position at the University of Washington finds him aligned with UO's former coaches, the Powell's, but no indication of anything official!!
Chelimo has left the US Army team, and signed with Nike!!
Finally--and sadly--there is news of a knee injury to Katelyn Tuohy!
It's serious enough that she didn't run in her State final!
And all indications are this will close out her XC season!!
As for INdoors, who knows??!!
Next up are the Collegiate Regionals!!
See you soon!
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