Day Four

*********

Just in case you did not see our corrections, Tiombe Hurd won the triple jump in 47-05, Shakeema Walker was second in 46-1.5 and Vanitta Kinard was third in 44-0.5.

******

Don't miss the 2004 Super Clinic on Wednesday, July 14. On Friday, July 16 and Saturday, July 17, there will be a coaches clinic and an ASICS/Hind distance clinic on Saturday, at the Hoppy Brewery. The super clinic will have over 60 clinicians and the Hoppy series will have great panels as well. Check www.runningnetwork.com for details.

******

Men's Hammer Final

James Parker had one of those zen days, when all is good with the world, the throwing is effortless and the sixteen pound ball and the 47 and one half inch chain just flies. And that is what happened tonight. First a 74.71m, then a 75.44m, then a 76.61m, then the winner, 77.58m or 254-06.

A.G. Krueger had an excellent hammer adventure as well, with throws of 71.6m, foul, 72.85m, 76.02 ( pr by six feet), 74.98m, and a foul. A.G. improved by six feet, and his new pr, 76.02m, or 249-05.

Travis Nutter went 70.79m, 70.11m, 72.35m, 72.46m, foul and 72.27m, his best, 72.46m, or 237-09 gave him third place.

Kevin McMahon, a Bellarmine Prep (San Jose, CA) graduate and design teacher, four time World Championship team member and two time Olympian just did not have the gas tonight. His throws of 71.32m, 70.72m, foul, 69.62m, 71.28m, and 69.73m looked labored. His best throw of the night, 71.32m or 234-00 put him in fourth.

Jud Logan, one of the grand old men of this event, finished eleventh in 222-00. Jud injured his arm in the prelims.

*****

Some thought on Kevin McMahon

I am not sure how much longer Kevin will throw, but in my mind, Kevin McMahon is the epitomy of the word, "sportsman" and the word, "Olympian." The hammer has become one of my favorite events to watch, as the guys (and gals) have to spend so much solitary time to perfect something that has meaning to a strong few. The hammer is an instrument to teach people life lessons--pursuing a passion, challenging yourself.

Kevin was encouraged in the hammer by his high school coach, Terry Ward, and the real apostle of West coast hammer throwing, Ed Burke, the four time Olympian in the hammer. An Explorer Post 813 was established to encourage young hammer, discus and javelin throwers.

Perhaps that is why not everyone understands our sport, because it is so absurd. Watching someone run around a track four times trying to break four minutes, or thowing a javelin the length of a soccer field is inspiring but has little meaning outside of our stadiums.

Not only on the field, but off, Kevin has followed his conscience. He found a way to protest his concern over sweat shops making sports gear, and he did it in such a way that whether you shared his beliefs or not, you were impressed by his concern, and, more importantly, how he handled himself.

I have watched Kevin throw since my son Adam was four months old. In fact, I took Adam in a little baby harness to watch Kevin throw in high school. That was seventeen years ago. It has been nice seeing him throw and pursue such a noble event.

*********

Women's hammer qualifying

Erin Gilreath, the US leader (67.93m or 222-10), Paris finalist Ann Mahon ( 67.58/221-9), and Amber Campbell (66.46/218-00) all moved on. Jessica Cosby, the top American in the NCAA Outdoors, finished ninth in a throw of 62.80m or 206-0. Five time US champion and Sydney finalist, Dawn Ellerbe, barely made the cut with 61.81/202-9.

********

Women's 800 meter final--Jearl Miles-Clark, 800m goddess

Jearl Miles-Clark is 37 years old, and she has not forgot much about competing. She knows how to run from the front, how to run from the back, how to lead from start to finish, how to sit and kick. Nicole Teter has been of the leading 800m runners for several years now, and Hazel Clark, the sister in law of Jearl Miles, has also been one of the major players in the US ranks.

The front pack always included Hazel Clark and Jearl Miles, but Teter was in the second pack, trying to decide her move. Nicole Teter made her move at 300 meters, wtih Kameisha Bennett joining the lead pack with Teter.

Off the final curve, it looked tight, but the 400 meter speed of the cool vet won out, and Jearl Miles won by over one second, in 1.59.06. Nicole Teter was second in 2.00.25 and Hazel Clark was third in 2.01.57.

*******

Men's 800 meters, a long strange trip....

If I would have told you that David Krummenacker did not make the 800 meter team, some dear reader would have suggested that I dispose of the crack pipe so many have suggested that I use before my team predictions. However, dear readers, it is true.

Jebreh Harris, Jonathan Johnson and Khadevius Robinson hit the 200 meters in 24.53 and the 400 meters in 50.33. David Krummenacker was in sixth, perfectly positioned, and moving up.

Johnson and Robinson took off, with Peterson, O'Connel and Krummenacker in tow, but here is where the problem happened. Krummenacker allowed too much distance and the work it took to get back with the pack, which is what he did by 700 meters, had taken its toll.

Jonathan Johnson improved his PB by one full second running 1.44.77 for first. Khadevius Robinson held on and took second in 1.44.91. And Derrick Peterson went by David Krummenacker with 40 to go, and David did not respond, so Peterson took third in 1.45.08 to Krummenacker's 1.45.67.

*********

Women's 400 meter dash, quarterfinals

What a fast night of 400 meter running!

In heat 1, Dee Dee Trotter ran 50.52, with Crystal Cox, Debbie Dunn and Moushami Robinson also moving on.

In heat 2, Sanya Richards broke her own American Junior record with a 50.22, with Suzian Reid, Mary Danner, Jerikka Chapple, and Melissa Barber moving on.

In heat 3, Demetria Washington won in 52.13, with Tonette Dyer, Charlette Greggs going on. Miki Barber stopped at the 200 with an apparent muscle pull.

In heat 4, Monique Hennigan ran a real fast 50.31, with Monique Henderson, and Angel Perkins.

********

Men's steeplechase, semi-finals

Heat 1

Anthony Famiglietti looked just like the character from John Parker's Once a Runner, the cult favorite book of track geeks everywhere. It told the story of a miler, who trained with an Olympic champion to test his limits and be an Olympic miler.

Famiglietti, sporting a beard and long hair, led from the beginning to the end, running 8.26.51. Steve Slattery was second, running relaxed and smart the entire way. Also joining the first two in the final will be Isaiah Festa, Jordan Desilets, Darin Shearer, Raymond Hughes and Micheal DiGennaro. It took 8.35.27 to make it from this heat.

Heat 2

Daniel Lincoln and Robert Gary controlled this one, running next to each other the last few laps, with times of 8.26.57 to 8.27.00. Jarred Cordes, Sandu Rebenciunc, John Mortimer, David Cullum, and Kevin Barra also moved forward.

So, the patented Larry Eder pick? Daniel Lincoln, Anthony Familglietti, Steve Slattery, with Robert Gary to spoil. Gary looked the best he has in six years.

*******

Men's 400 meters, semi finals

Heat 1

Derrick Brew ran an increadible race, with Kelly Willie right behind him. Brew ran 44.75 to Willie's 44.89. Darold Williamson ran 44.92 for third, and Otis Harris ran 45.13 for fourth. Alvin Harrison, a 2000 Olympian, went out hard and just did a duck walk to the back of the field.

Heat 2

Jeremy Warimer will be an Olympic 400 meter champion--you heard it here first, sports fans. This kid knows how to run, and knows how to run through the darn finish line. Warimer ran 44.81. Andrew Rock ran 44.97 to show he is for real, and Calvin Harrison was third in 44.99. Jerry Harris was fourth in 45.07, 2003 World champ Jerome Young as fifth and Tyree Washington was sixth in 45.46.

*******

Women's discus, final

Aretha Hill just missed the Olympic team in 2000. She sure made up for it tonight, with her 208-6, or 63.55m. Stephenie Brown, who took second in 61.90m or 203-1, has the coolest name for a sponsor--Moreno Trenching (I need the t-shirt). In third was Seliala Sua, who threw 61.60m or 202-1.

In sixth was the injured Suzy Powell, who threw 190-11, and was trying to make her third Olympic team.

*******

Women's high jump

Tisha Waller had a rough 2000, as she was tied for third and then missed going to Sydney due to loosing the jump off. Not so this time around, as her 6-06 or 1.98m jump gave her first. In second, Chaunte Howard cleared 1.95m or 6-4.75--Chaunte would be a great heptathlete.

Amy Acuff jumped brilliantly tonight, and took third in 1.95m, or 6-4.75.

********

Men's 5,000m semi finals

Heat 1

The first heat was run pretty conservatively, with Matthew Gonzales from New Mexico taking the nod in 13.44.19. Second was Chad Johnson in 13.44.53. Eric Savoth was third, and Matt Lane was fourth. Also going on were Luke Watson, Luis Luchini, Mark Manafee, and Seth Hejny.

Adam Goucher did not go on, he looked good for about five laps then floated back to 13.58 and tenth place.

Heat 2

This heat had all the players in it. Tim Broe took the lead with a kilo to go and ran 13.42 for the win. Bolatta Asmeron was there as well, in second in 13.42. Also running 13.42-13.43 were Brandon Rogers, Jonathan Riley, James Carney, Sean Graham and Jorge Torres. Ahman Dirks was the last qualifier in 13.43.

My picks for the final-Jonathan Riley, Tim Broe, Jorge Torres, with Luis Luchini to spoil.

********

Women's 5,000m finals

So, what do we have here? The first lap of this race was run in 79 seconds--at first I thought that perhaps we had a race walk going on. Then they got running, a nice 73 second 400, (800 in 2.32), got the race going. Flanagan took the lead after the first 200 meters, with Tollefson, Runyan and Culpepper in tow. Flanagan, Rudolph, Tollefson, Culpepper, Runyan ran through the mile, in that order, in 4.58. The third and fourth laps were both in 73 seconds, or 15.15 pace.

Shalane Flanagan continues to lead, running strong 73 second pace, and the front pack has ten runners. Flanagan continued her relentless drive, hitting the 3k in 9.14.58, a 3.03 kilometer.

The pack has dropped to seven, as they hit 3200 meters in 9.51.34. The pack has now dropped to six, Flanagan, Rudolph, Tollefson, Runyan, Culpepper and Rhines are the race pack.

The 4 kilo mark was passed in 12.14.37. That last kilo was run in 3 minutes. With two to go, Flanagan leads, Rudolph on her back, Runyan has moved into third, and Culpepper is in fourth. Tollefson drops into fifth, with Rhines in sixth. There are twenty meters between Rhines and Tollefson and the lead pack.

Flanagan begins to kick. Rudolph is in second, Runyan in third and Culpepper menacing. The bell is hit in 14.05. Flanagan continues to lead, as she has done from lap two. Flanagan has Runyan and Culpepper with her, and Rudolph drops off the back.

And, so, with a lap to go, it is Shalane Flanagan, Marla Runyan, and Shayne Culpepper. At 200 meters, in 14.36, Runyan has the lead, and Culpepper goes ahead of Flanagan. Shalane holds on, but Culpepper and Runyan have a race to finish...

Shayne Culpepper goes into lane two, Runyan leading down the straightaway. Runyan looked great, she was not giving any land up. But Culpepper begins to really move with 50 to go. The fans are all on their feet and the screaming begins, 40..30..20..10..5..and Shayne Culpepper leans passed Runyan and wins in 15.07.43. Marla Runyan ran 15.07.45.

And our hat is off to Shalane Flanagan, who showed that running in the lead, and keeping a race fast, against kickers, is a smart way to run. Ms. Flanagan, running now for Nike, in her own Shalane shoes, ran15.10.52 for third.

Amy Rudolph was fourth in 15.13.74 and Jen Rhines, already a marathon Olympian, ran a nice 15.19.15.

*******

Women's Long Jump qualifying

It took 20-09 to qualify and Ola Sesay was longest jumper in 21-09. Grace Upshaw was the second qualifier in 21-05.5 and looked good. Marion Jones was sixth best in 20-11, and looked bettter each jump.

atf newswire is published by Shooting star media, inc.
www.shootingstarmediainc.com
A proud member of the running network
www.runningnetwork.com
copyright 2004