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Jim Spier, NSSF - Live on-site
Friday Report
from NationalScholastic.org
Morning Session - Afternoon Session
World Youth Champs Day 3 - Morning
It's cold again this morning (mid-fifties). Because of the time change, I'm waking up at about 4:30am. The sun is just coming up at that time, and the last few mornings have been cloudless and warm. But then the clouds roll in and the temperature drops.
We went to dinner last night with friend Scott Davis, the public address English announcer, and his lovely wife Cheryl. We had another terrific meal. The most interesting part was an appetizer of deep fried olives. They were outstanding.
Girls Shot Put Qualifying (auto qualifier 46-3.25 - 14.10m)
Becky O'Brien (Greeley, Cumberland Center, ME) made it easy on herself, getting the automatic qualifier on her first throw (47-3). As it turns out, she was the third leading qualifier overall, the leader being Samira Burkhardt of Germany (49-10.5)
Boys Triple Jump Qualifying (auto qualifier 49-6.5 - 15.10m)
Group B - Bryce Lamb, who will be a junior at Chandler, AZ high school in the fall, got near his PR of 49-7 on his first jump (49-1, +1.8). Then came the monster jump of 51-0 (-0.9) to make him the second leading qualifier in this group behind Stephan Tseng Ke Chen of Singapore (51-5.75). Lamb's jump represented a one foot plus PR, and puts him the number 2 US performer behind Troy Doris (this was before Christian Taylor's equally "monster jump" of 51-8.5).
Group A - Christian Taylor (Sandy Creek, Tyrone, GA) started modestly with a jump of 44-4.75 (-0.2). He improved on his second jump to 49-5.5 (+0.5), near his lifetime PB of 49-7.25. He was the next to last competitor in the competition, and his mark would not get him into the top 12 to qualify for the finals. Then, like Bryce Lamb in Group B, he let go with a monster, covering 51-8.5 (+0.7), more than two feet better than his previous best! That put him in the lead overall going into the finals tomorrow. Taylor moves to # 2 US, with Bryce Lamb #3. Coincidentally, the wind assistance for each jumper's prior PR was identical to their new PR.
It was quite a day for the U.S. triple jumpers, who showed a lot of composure, getting their qualifier on their final jump. They go into the finals ranked #1 and #3 overall.
Girls 200m Round 1 (First 2 in each heat and next 10 fastest times advance)
Heat 1 (-1.5) - Chalonda Goodman (Newnan, GA) makes her debut at the meet in the first heat. Her bad start (second slowest) didn't seem to matter as she totally dominated the race, winning in 23.87.
Heat 2 (2.0) - Olivia Tauro of Australia was pushed slightly by Jura Levy of Jamaica, but got the win, 24.49 to o24.88
Heat 3 (0.0) - An easy run for Nivea Smith of the Bahamas, winning in 24.30, .58 ahead of Gabriela Laleva of Bulgaria.
Heat 4 (-1.5) - Ashton Purvis, a bit more composed after her disappointing 100m final, took charge here early, winning in 24.12. Another 100m finalist, Alyssa Conley of South Africa, was a close second in 24.39.
Heat 5 (-0.3) - A very good race and a bit of a surprise. Elza Vildanova of Russia let convincingly for 170 meters while Souheir Bouali of Algeria began a steady move to gain on, and eventually, pass Vildanova. Its was Bouali's 23.92 (a PB) to Vildanova's 24.09.
Heat 6 (-0.6) - The leader of the first half of the race was Regina Kolevatova of Kazakhstan, but running an even pace on the outside of her was Allison Peter of the US Virgin Islands, who overtook Kolevatova with 20 meters left in the race, running 24.35 an almost half-second PR. Kolevatova ran 24.66.
Heat 7 (-2.9) - This was to be a tight battle between Andreea Ograzeanu of Romania and Rosangela Santos of Brazil, last night's silver medallist in the 100 meters. Both have sub 24 second personal bests. Ograzeanu led from the "get go" with Santos trailing slightly throughout the race. Ograzeanu got the win over Santos, 24.60 to 24.96, with a big negative wind.
Boys 200m Round 1 (First 2 in each heat and next 4 fastest times advance)
Heat 1 (-1.5) - Where did he come from? Out of nowhere, seemingly, Christophe Lemaitre, a 100 meter medallist last night, strided right past leader Oluwasgun Makinde of Canada in the last 10 meters to win in 21.86 over Makinde's 22.11.
Heat 2 (-3.0) - Likourgos-Stefanos Tsakonis of Greece "snuck up" on everyone from lane to win in 22.05. All were fighting a big wind, as Adel Al-Asseri of Saudi Arabia passed Tse-Ching Liang (Taipei) at the end to get the second auto qualfier. It was Al-Asseri's 22.09 to Liang's 22.23.
Heat 3 (-1.2) - The favorite, Saiya Hane (Japan) was in lane 8, but he didn't let that placement bother him, winning in 21.76. Allistar Clarke of St. Kitts eased to a second place finish in 21.95.
Heat 4 (-2.0) - Two finalists in last night's 100 meters were paired here. Patrick Vosloo (South Africa) in an outside line, got the win over Kenneth Gilstrap 21.90 to 22.06.
Heat 5 (-1.0) - This was a race totally dominated by Harold Houston of Bermuda, running from lane 7 and clocking 21.67. Danzell Fortson, attempting a very tough 400-200 double, was the second qualifier at 22.11.
Heat 6 (-1.6) - Impressive in the middle of the track was Ramil Guliyev of Azerbeijan, a 20.67 performer, winning in 21.85. Second was Po-Yu Pan of Taipei in 22.08.
Heat 7 (-1.4) - Last night's 100m silver medallist had an easy time of it, winning in 21.80. The race hampered by two DQ's (false starts). Second was local favorite, Martin Ricar of the Czech Republic (22.24)
Heat 8 (-1.6) - Another good Japanese sprinter won here easily. Hiroyuki Kubota ran 21.31 as Dean Swart of South Africa eked out second by .04 over Mindaugas Baliukonis of Lithuania, running 21.78.
Heat 9 (-2.0) - Vaclav Zich, a 100m finalist last night, won handily at 22.04. Second, edging ultimate third placer Daniel Martin of Australia by .01 for the auto qualifer, was Phillip Hayle of Canada aat 22.23.
Heat 10 (-2.4 - "He's jogging" I said to Joy Kamani. Ramone Mc Kenzie of Jamaica conserved energy like I've seen from no other with an amazingly easy 21.99. He is coming into the meet with a 20.58 best. Second was Izzet Safer of Turkey at 22.06.
World Youth Champs Day 3 - Afternoon
Boys Hammer Throw Final (5kg)
Conor Mc Cullough was in big trouble through two round, fouling twice. The top 8 overall advance to the three throw final. He got a big throw (239-7) on his third attempt, moving him into third at that time.
The finals, like the prelims, were spectacular with nonstop place changes, even moreso than normal. Through five rounds, Mc Cullough improved to 242-11, then to 244-7. He remained in fourth and, on his final throw fouled, to remain in that position. The winner was Andriy Martynyuk of the Ukraine at 249-7.
Boys 400m Hurdles Round 1 (84.0m - 33" - First 2 in each heat and those with the next 6 fastest times advance to the semis)
Heat 1 - PC Beneke of South Africa showed why is world leader at this event and hurdle height (33" vs the 36" we use in the U.S. at this level) running to an easy win of 52.05. Boniface Linga Mutunga of Kenya was a clear second at 52.53.
Heat 2 - A comfortable win for Nathan Arnett of the Bahamas, winning in 52.30, a PB. It was a race for second between Julius Rotich Oletygor of Kenya and Nikita Andriyanov of Russia, Oletygor nipping the Russian, 52.34 to 52.40.
Heat 3 - William Wynne did what every coach preaches against: letting up at the end of the race. He was trying to run comfortably, and led by large margins throughout the race, but did not sense two runners well to the outside of him gaining on him at the end as Wynne tried to shut it down gradually . They gained on him, alright, and passed him at the finish, with Wynne finishing third. He can only hope that he has one of the six fastest time qualifiers to qualify for the finals. The winner waas Tatsuhiko Mizuno of Japan at 53.33, with second being Ihor Shyrokyy of the Ukraine, .01 back. Wynne, who has the second leading time in the world for the 400m 36" hurdles at 49.70, was third at 53.41. After three of the five heats completed, he has the third fastest time among time qualifiers.
Heat 4 - Though he was in lane 8, Reginald Wyatt ran very intelligently, maintaining a 3-4 meter lead throughout. He looked over his shoulder several times after going over the last hurdle to make sure noone was gaining on him. He won easily in 51.69, the fastest time of the competition thus far. Second was Michael Baker of Great Britain at 52.20.
Wynne now stands fourth in the time qualifiers. He may just barely sneak in.
Heat 5 - Another South African hurdler looked strong. Cornel Fredericks won this one without a problem, winning in 52.48. Amaurys Valle of Cuba was second at 53.12. Phew. William Wynne makes it into the semis, with the fourth fastest time qualifier. He won't get a good lane, but at least he advances.
Girls 400m Hurdles Final
A really terrific race. In the early going it was Andreea Ionescu of Romania leading with Ryann Krais not far behind. Dalilah Muhammad was third or fourth through all of this. Ionescu was leading after the ninth hurdle with Krais now charging and gaining on her, and Muhammad moving into third. As they approached the last hurdle, both Ionescu and Krais hurdled it tentatively and Muhammad, who hurdled it beautifully, took advantage and glided past both. And that's the way it stayed through the finish with Muhammad winning in 57.25, Ionescu getting a PB in second at 57.33, and Krais third at 57.50.
Girls 400m Final
A very even race from gun to finish for Yuliya Baraley of the Ukraine, winning convincingly at 53.57. Latoya Mc Dermott of Jamaica made a run over the last sixty meters but couldn't sustain it, yet got second in 54.12. It was a battle for the bronze as almost local favorite Alexandra Stukova of Slovakia (the slovakia part of the former Czechoslovakia) edged two others with a time of 54.46. Meshawn Graham (Bowsher, Toledo, OH), hampered by an injury since her Ohio State meet time of 52.51 in June, managed only sixth at 55.18.
Boys 400m Final
A second false start eliminated Hendrick Maartens of South Africa, a 47.32 performer to start things off. It was a battle between Christopher Clarke of Great Britain and Vladimir Krasnov of Russian though the first 350 meters. That's the way it stayed for the next several meters, with Krasnov trying to hold on. Coming from way back, beginning a sustained charge at 300 meters was Kirani James of Grenada, followed closely by Jordan Mc Grath of Great Britain. James almost caught Clarke to finish second, 46.74 to 46.96, his first time under 47 seconds. Krasnov, laboring, just managed to hold off Mc Grath, running 47.03 to the Brit's 47.09. Danzell Fortson, normally a sub 47 second performer, showed the effects of running trials in the 200 meters a few hours earlier and finished last in 48.13.
Girls 800m Round 1 (First 2 in each each and next 10 fastest times advance)
Heat 1 - Lynsey Sharp of Great Britain led the pack at 400 meters (63.08) and held on for second behind Ekaterina Zavyalova of Russia, 2:09.86 to 2:09.37.
Heat 2 - Natoya Goule of Jamaica set the pace early (27.92, 59.43) with both Elena Lavric (Romania) and Winny Chebet (Kenya) close behind. Chebet passed Goule at 600 meters (1:33.90) with Lavric on her heels. Those two separated themselves from the others, with Lavric passing Chebet down the homestretch. It was Lavric at 2:06.47 and Chebet at 2:06.86, the auto qualifiers. Blaire Dinsdale (North Tama, Traer, IA) had a rough time of it, finishing sixth in 2:15.94.
Heat 3 - An almost solo race for Chanelle Price, leading big at every split (27.99, 59.26, 1:32.90) and running an easy 2:07.82. Eleni Lefkopoulou of Greece was second at 2:11.06.
Heat 4 - The favorite, Juana Ivis Mendez of Cuba, won in 2:07.13, with Natalija Pliusina of Lithuania with a late surge to finish second, one second behind the winner.
Heat 5 - After a relatively slow opener at 30.04 and 61.52 by others, Alison Leonard of Great Britain and Jessica Parry of Canada made it a two girl race. They "shut it down" with 50 meters to go and literally walked across the finish line with Leonard at 2:07.45 and Parry 2:07.52. They can easily go sub 2:05, and would have if they didn't jog to the finish. (Leonard has a best of 2:04.86). This was Parry's PB
Heat 6 - A dreadfully slow pace (31.11, 64.99, 1:37.38) led to the inevitable dash to the finish. And it was a pack of four which came across the finish together, led by Olha Bibik of the Ukraine at 2:09.21 followed by Florina Pierdevara of Romania at 2:09.28 just outleaning Yelena Dombrovskaya of Kazakhstan and beating her by .01 seconds.
Heat 7 - Sofia Oberg of Sweden was the clear winner at 2:08.97, followed by Ewa Jacniak of Poland (2:09.62).
Boys 800m Final
No American has ever made the final at a World Youth Championships until Dylan Ferris (East Forsyth, Winston-Salem, NC) did so here. Dylan had his hands full but ran a brave race. He just didn't know what was in for him. OK, he sort of knew, but it was a formidable task nonetheless. He was fourth at 200m, led by Ali Al-Deraan of Saudi Arabia. Ferris moved into second at 400m, still led by Al-Deraan (54.61). He kept right on the leader and eventually past him at 600m to take the lead (1:23.26). He led for another 50 meters and was passed by two runners by 700 meters. Then, it seemed, the world went by as all of the other runners had that extra gear saved for just this moment. The winner was the pre-race favorite, Geoffrey Kibet of Kenya (1:49.99) who outleaned Al-Deraan (1:50.10) and Amine El Manaoui (Morocco, 1:50.12) for the win. Ferris finished eighth in 1:51.91. This experience will serve him well next year as he, hopefully, continues in world junior competition
Boys 1500m Qualifying (First 3 in each heat and next 3 fastest times advance)
Heat 1 - No major surprises here as Josphat Mitunga Kithii, a 3:41.5 performer, won in 3:51.64. The other auto qualifiers were Dawit Wolde (Ethiopia, 3:52.30) and Jose Juan Esparza (Mexico, 3:54.16).
Heat 2 - Another Kenyan, Fredrick Musyoki Ndunge, got the win in this heat with little effort (so to speak) expended on his part. He was the winner in 3:53.97, followed by Taha Belkorchi of Morocco (3:55.92) and early pacesetter Ryan Gregson of Australia (3:56.82).
Heat 3 - This was a very nice race for Blake Shaw (Cypress Falls, Houston, TX) in his initiation into international competition. Shaw stayed with the pack and gradually moved up and, with a lap to go, was in second. At this point, David Bustos took the lead, and began to pull away. Shaw, with 1:53.61 800m speed, maintained contact and held off the pack down the homestretch, easing into second behind Bustos, 3:52.57 to 3:51.63. Thomas Morrison of Canada (3:52.60) took the third auto qualifying spot.
Girls 1500m Final
Only one American girl had ever made a final in either the World Youth or World Junior Championships. Ever. That was Chantelle Dron who finished tenth in the World Youth Championships in 2003. That was to change in a big way today. Jordan Hasay took the early lead followed closely by Kenyans Sheila Kiprotich and Sammary Cherotich. At 400m, Hasay was with fourth in a tightly knit pack with Bertukan of Ethiopia joining the group. By 800m, Hasay had moved into second behind Cherotich, clocking 2:16.08. With a lap to go (3:07.98), Jordan had moved into the lead with Bertukan and the two Kenyans following closely. At 1200 meters, Cherotich passed Hasay with Hasay trying to catch her. By this time those two had separated themselves from the others. Cherotich was not to be caught and Hasay could do little to gain on her over the last half lap. It was Cherotich at 4:15.47 and Hasay at 4:17.24 for the silver with Kiprotich getting the bronze (4:19.26). Jordan had her hands on her hips past the finish as she warmed down, in a reflective mood. Then her accomplishment seemed to sink in and she flashed her beautiful smile. It was a truly historic day for U.S. female distance running at this level. And a truly great day for Jordan Hasay.
Boys Long Jump Final
Christian Taylor has had a busy day. After getting a big PR in the triple jump this morning, he managed a bronze medal in the long jump. He got his mark on his third jump (23-11) and equaled it on his last. The order did not change in the final three rounds from the preliminaries. The top two were the Japanese: Yasumichi Konishi (24-8.25w) and Daisuke Yoshiyama (24-0.25).
Boys Discus Qualifying
Cameron Tabor qualified 5th into the final with a throw of 186-7. Michael Barbas, at 172-9, in 13th place, just missed it. The leader, with a meet record of 231-10, was Mykyta Nesterenko of the Ukraine.
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