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 | 6th IAAF World Youth Championships
Wed.-Sun., July 8-12, 2009
Bressanone, Italy |
Mike Kennedy's Event-by-Event Preview
The United States’ 55-person team which will be competing in the World Youth Championships is the strongest contingent it has ever sent, thanks primarily to the first-ever in-season qualifying meet held Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti (Mi.). Included on the team are World Youth leaders in seven events.
Here is an event-by-event capsule looking at the U.S. prospects and which individuals are likely to provide the stiffest competition. Since there are no entry lists available at this time, it is a bit of a guessing game as to who will actually be competing for the rest of the world.
BOYS
100 Meters
Prezel Hardy (Ellison, Killeen, Tx.), the No. 1 ranked Youth in the world at 10.34, won the State 5A meet with a 10.08 with a just-over-the-allowable 2.2 meter per second wind that ranks him No. 3 on the all-time high school all-conditions list. He won the Youth Trials in 10.48. Colin Hepburn (Glenview South, Glenville, Il.) was the State 2A champion at 10.50 after running 10.70 in the heats. No wind readings are available for the races but most observers said the wind was negative. That would fit well with his legal 10.59 he ran in finishing second to Hardy at the U.S.Trials. Hardy should be seriously challenged by Kemar Bailey Cole of Jamaica, who ran 10.41 in the Carifta Games this spring. Abdiykuc Assim of Gambia set a national Junior record of 10.43 in May and Aaron Brown of Canada has run 10.49. Hepburn’s best marks him very competitive for a spot in the final.
200 Meters
Dedric Dukes (St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fl.) was one of the World Youth leaders in the 200 and 400 in 2008, but except for an early February outing this year, he did not compete until after the State meet. Two weeks ago he cranked out a 20.94 for the No. 1 Youth time in world, at the USATF Region IV JO meet, and then won the U.S. Trails easily in 21.38 in less than ideal conditions. Keenan Brock (Carver, Birmingham, Al.) was second in a personal best of 21.74. The Caribbean countries should provide the toughest competition, led by Nicholas Deshong of Barbados at 21.17, Moriba Morain of Trinidad at 21.18 and Kemar Bailey Cole of Jamaica) at 21.32. Johnathan Holder (Trinidad) was second in the Carifta Games under-17 race at 21.36. Alberto Gavalda of Spain ran 21.28 in June and Sean de Klerk of South Africa ran 21.32 in March.
400 Meters
Dedric Dukes (St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fl.) and Josh Mance (Chino Hills, Ca.) are two of the strongest runners the U.S. has sent to the World Youth Championships, but they will be severely tested by Kirani James of Granada, the World Youth leader at 45.45. James was second in the World Junior (under 20) Championships in 2008. Dukes’ best of 46.38 came three weeks ago. Mance won the U.S. Trials at 46.71 but has a best of 46.41 set in finishing second in the California State meet. Jacques de Swardt of South Africa, at 46.69, and Awad Elkarim Maki of Sudan, at 46.87, are the only other athletes under 47 seconds.
800 Meters
It is a good thing for the rest of the world that each country is limited to just two entrants, because in the Kenyan Youth trials they had eight runners at 1:49.2 or faster and currently they all rank in the top 10 on the yearly list. Nicholas Kiplangat won that race in 1:47.4 and Peter Langat was second at 1:47.6. The only two non-Kenyan runners in the top ten are Alejandro Hernandez of Cuba at 1:48.87 and Mohamed Al-Gami of Qatar at 1:49.26. Quincy Downing (Glenville, Cleveland, Oh.) closed very quickly to win the U.S. Trials with a personal best of 1:51.99. Bronson Duran (Sandia Prep, Albuquerque, N.M.) also got a personal best of 1:52.43 in second. Both will probably have to again set PRs to advance beyond the first round.
1,500 Meters
Caleb Ndiku of Kenya was third in the Kenyan Junior championships at 3:38.2 and teammate Gideon Mageka was fifth at 3:40.0, for two of the top three Youth times in the world. Muhamed Al-Gami of Qatar splits the two with his 3:39.06 in June. Kane Grimster of Australia and Duan Yahui of China are the fastest non-Kenyan in the world, both at 3:47.94. The U.S. has no entrants due in part to the fact that there are few opportunities to run 1,500 and that this year the U.S. Trials fell outside of the qualifying window for the WYC.
3,000 Meters
For the first time since 2001, the U.S. will be contesting this event. Zachary Wills (Mason, Oh.) was 2nd in the Nike Outdoor Nationals in 8:55.18 for two miles and was clocked at 8:20.17 at 3,000 meters, which is worth about 8:17.0 in a 3,000 race. Isaiah Koech and David Bett were one-two in the Kenyan trials at 7:55.5 and 7:56.2, respectively, and rank No. 2 and 3 on the yearly list. The good news for the rest of the world is that the fastest non-Kenyan listed is Kane Grimster of Australia at 8:18.6. The not-so-good-news is that, like most previous WYCs, the eventual top placers come from primarily African or Asian countries whose runners were not among the list leaders prior to the meet. Marcel Fehr of Germany has run 8:21.10 and Callum Hawkins of Britain has run 8:21.49. Eric Olson (Novato, Ca.) has run 8:55.08 for 3,200 meters and been clocked at 8:23.5 for 3,000 meters enroute.
2,000-Meter Steeplechase
Hillary Yego and Nelson Kosgei were one-two at the Kenyan trials at 5:37.3 and 5:38.1, respectively, to rank No. 2 and 3 on the World Youth list behind a third Kenyan. The best non-Kenyan time is 5:53.01 by Olewatu Mhlaba of South Africa, but like the flat distance races, a large number of runners show great improvement at this meet. The U.S. will be represented by Connor Martin (Westfield, In.), who has a best of 6:01.97.
110-Meter High Hurdles (36 inches)
All of the U.S. runners compete over the high school 39-inch hurdles, while the rest of the world usually runs over the 36-inch barriers. Dale Morgan (Taft, Woodland Hills, Ca.) won the U.S. trials (36 inches) at 13.68, in less than ideal conditions, and has a HS best of 13.76 in winning the California State title. Kendall Hayes (Lancaster, Tx.) was second at 13.72, but won the Texas State 4A title at 13.71, in what was described by one veteran observer at the best weather he had ever seen in Texas. Gregor Traber of Germany is the world leader at 13.58, closely followed by Arnau Erta of Spain at 13.60, Jake Meredith of Britain at 13.63 and Chu Pengfei of China at 13.67, who also has a wind-aided 13.33. Cuba’s Lazaro Aguerrido has run 13.75. Andy Pozzi of Britain has run 13.83 over the 39-inch barriers.
400-Meter Low Hurdles (33 inches)
Again, the U.S. runs over 36-inch barriers while the rest of the world is at 33 inches. Cheng Wen is the Chinese junior champion at 51.35, but has run 51.21 over the higher hurdles. Jose de Leon of Italy has run 51.50, followed Norge Sotomayor of Cuba at 51.85 and Jeremiah Mitai, the Kenyan trials champion, at 51.9. Jaron Roberson (Campbell, Smyra, Ga.) ran 54.29 at the Taco Bell Invitational, but negotiated the lower hurdles at the U.S. Trials in 52.98.
Swedish Relay (100-200-300-400)
Should be a battle between the U.S. and the Caribbean countries for the gold.
High Jump
James White (Grandview, Mo.), the world leader at 7-5 ¾, chose not to enter the U.S. Trails, but two very solid entrants did qualify for the WYC. David Smith (Lovejoy, Hampton, Ga.) was the Georgia State 2A champion at 7-2 and improved to 7-2 ½ at the U.S. Trials to rank No. 3 in the world. Not far behind is Dwayne Golbek (Claremore, Ok.), the Oklahoma State 5A runner-up at 7-0, who also improved at the Trials to 7-0 ½ to rank No. 5 in the world. Dmitriy Kroyter of Israel has a best of 7-3, followed by Naoto Tobe of Japan at 7-1 ½. Daniyil Tsyplakov of Russia, and Canadians Django Lovett and Branden Wilhelm have also cleared 7-0½.
Pole Vault
Max Babits (Fowlerville, Mi.) has a best of 15-9 ¾ and cleared 15-4 ¼ at the U.S. Trials in conditions than can only be described as grim—55 to 60 degrees and vaulting into winds up to 30 miles per hour. However, he will need to be at his best to make the final. Daniel Clements continues a recent string of outstanding young Germany vaulters with his world leading 17-6 ¾ at the Bauhaus Invitational. Sergey Grigoryev of Kazakhstan is next at 17-0 ¾, followed by Vitaliy Tsepilov of Ukraine at 16-8 ¾. Jin Min-Sup of South Korea, Panayiotis Laskaris of Greece and Carlo Paech of Germany have all done 16-4 ¾.
Long Jump
Carlton Lavong (Methacton, Norristown, Pa.) was the Penn Relays champion at 24-6 ½, which ranks No. 5 in the world. Lavong has been struggling a bit of late, but he won the U.S. trials with a 23-11 ½. Leon Samuels (Vance, Charlotte, N.C.) was a close second with a personal best of 23-10¼. Both jumpers should challenge for spots in the final. Maksim Fayzulin of Russia is the world leader at 25-2, followed by Ankit Sharma of India, who was second in a national grand prix meet at 24-11, and Lionel Abrahams of South Africa, at 24-9. Iason Kirakoulikos of Greece, at 24-7 ¾ and Tomasz Jaszczuk of Poland, at 24-3 ¼, are also over 24-2.
Triple Jump
Ernesto Reve of Cuba was sixth at the Barrientos Invitational, but his 54-4 ranks him No. 1 in the world. Adrian Sornoza of Ecuador won his national championship at 51-10 and Xiao Yangbao of China won his national Youth championship at 51-8 ½. Ben Williams of Britain won his junior championship at 51-6 ¼. The U.S. has no entries.
Shot Put (5 kg/11 lb.)
Ryan Crouser (Barlow, Gresham, Or.) is the world leader at 70-8, although Nick Vena (Morristown, N.J.) has throw farther with the 12-pound orb. Krzysztov Brzozowski of Poland is more than four feet behind at 66-8, followed by Li Meng of China at 66-7 ¾ and teammate Wang Baolei at 66-3. Daniele Secci of Italy set a national Youth record in May at 66-2 ½ and Lukas Weisshaidinger of Austria threw 64-11 the same month. Davis Fraker (McIntosh, Peachtree City, Ga.) was second at the U.S. trials at 63-8 ¼, but his 63-7 ½ indoors is worth something in the 66-foot range.
Discus (1.5 kg/3.2 lb.)
Hamid Mansoor of Syria is the World Youth leader at 211-9, but Ryan Crouser (Barlow, Gresham, Or.) is not far behind with his U.S. Trials mark of 207-9. Alexander Thompson (Winnabago, Il.) won the State A title at 190-11 with the heaver 1.62-kg disc, and then finished second at the U.S. Trials at 198-7—a mark that makes him a medal contender. Zhang Menjie of China won his Youth championship at 197-1 and Lukas Weisshaidinger of Austria threw 196-1 at Bressanone in late May.
Hammer 5 kg/11 lb.)
Vasilios Siakoulis of Greece is the World Youth leader at 252-5 and Yevgeniy Korotovskiy of Russia is second at 242-1, but Alex Faldermeyer (Minisink Valley, Slate Hill, N.Y.) is a close third at 240-11. Vasilios Siakoulis of Greece is next at 236-11, followed by Max Becker of Germany at 236-2. There are 15 potential entries with bests 223-0 or better, but one of them is Bradley Bolton (El Toro, Lake Forest, Ca.) at 223-1. So the U.S. could place two throwers in the final, just as they did last year at the World Junior championships.
Javelin (700 gr.)
Valerie Yordan of Russia, the new World Youth record holder at 262-2, is as close to a “lock” as there is in the mee,t considering that the next closest competitor is Marcin Krukowski of Poland at 244-7. Killian Durechou of France is next at 239-10 followed by Dean Goosen of South Africa at 237-8. The U.S. is led by Devin Bogert (Tomball, Tx.), who won the U.S. Trials at 217-2, but has thrown the heaver international implement 216-8. Christopher Rodriguez (Tucson, Az.) was second at the Trials at 215-11.
10,000-Meter Walk
Trevor Barron (Bethel Park, Pa.) won the U.S. Junior championships at 43:36.38 to rank No. 3 in the world behind Ihor Layashenko of Ukraine at 42:50.16 and Jose Montana of Columbia, who has a best of 43:00.40. However, a number of faster times have been walked on uncertified courses.
Octathon
Justin Gross (McDonough, Owings Mills, Md.) won the U.S. Trials Decathlon.
GIRLS
100 Meters
Two years ago, freshman Ashton Purvis (St. Elizabeth, Oakland, Ca.) placed in both sprints at the fifth annual World Youth Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic. She is back in both events and looking to move up. Purvis and Jodi Williams of Britain are tied for the World Youth lead at 11.48 and Deandre Whitehorne of Jamaica is not far behind at 11.54. She is followed by Josephine Omaka of Nigeria at 11.55 and Allison Peter of Virgin Islands at 11.56. Whitehorne won the Carifta Games under-17 race in a wind-aided 11.38. Jordan Clark (Lathrup, Southfield, Mi.) was a surprise qualifier finishing second to Purvis in 11.82. Clark was out of action the entire spring after running 12.02 last year.
200 Meters
Octavious Freeman (Lake Wales, Fl.), the World Youth leader at 23.20, chose not to compete in the U.S. Trials – but Ashton Purvis (St. Elizabeth, Oakland, Ca.) won the trials with an outdoor personal best of 23.38, which is just behind Jodie Williams of Britain, who ranks No. 2 at 23.25. Allison Peter of Virgin Islands is next with her third place 23.41 at the Nike Outdoor Nationals. Dulami Odelin of Cuba ranks No. 5 at 23.45. Briana Nelson (J.L. Mann, Greensboro, N.C.) was second at the Trials with a personal best of 23.71 that puts her right in the medal hunt.
400 Meters
Ebony Eutsey (Southridge, Miami, Fl.) leads the World Youth list with her 52.07 she ran in winning the Nike Outdoor Nationals two, a few weeks before winning the U.S. Trials in 52.78. Michelle Brown (Seneca, Tabernacle, N.J.) was second in the Trials in 53.14 and her best of 52.91 ranks her No. 2 in the field. Omolara Omotosho of Nigeria ran 52.96, but that was in February. Anri Steyn, at 53.29, and Justine Palfaman, at 53.82, were one-two in the South Africa national Junior championships.
800 Meters
Claudia Francis (Benjamin Cardozo, Oakland Gardens, N.Y.) won the U.S. Trials at 2:05.94, but she will face stiff competition from Alwya Maki of Sudan, who is the World Youth leader at 2:03.66; Rosa Almanza of Cuba, who was third in the Barrientos Invitational in May at 2:03.81; and Ehssan Arbab of Sudan, who has a best of 2:04.95. Ciara Mageean of Ireland won the under-20 schools championship in 2:05.38. Marielle Hall (Haddonfield, N.J.) could surprise with her fine kick that gained her second in the U.S. Trials and has given her a best of 2:07.33.
1,500 Meters
Ehssan Arbab of Sudan, who also has a fine 800 time, is the World Youth leader at 4:08.49, but given the fact that the time came in finishing third in the Super Grand Prix meet in Doha, she might pass on the Youth championships. Chelsey Sveinsson (Greenhill, Addison, Tx.) ranks next in the world at 4:18.13 and has also run 4:40.24 for a mile. Close behind Sveinsson are Ciara Mageean of Ireland, who won the Bauhaus Invitational in Germany at 4:18.52; Sarah Kelly of Britain at 4:19.09; and Ioana Doaga of Romanian at 4:20.00. Cory McGee (Pass Christian, Ms.) was just behind Sveinsson at the U.S. Trials with a personal best of 4:25.98.
3,000 Meters
Purity Cherotich, with a world leading 9:03.7, and Jackline Chepngeno, at 9:07.3, were one-two in the Kenyan World Youth trials and rank No. 1 and 3 on the World Youth list. Louise Small was second in the British Junior championship at 9:18.82 to rank No. 3 in the prospective WYC field. Genet Yalew of Ethiopia ran 9:20.2 in May. The U.S. has no entrants. Athletes are limited to just one race above 800 meters and Sveinsson chose the 1,500.
2,000-Meter Steeplechase
In 2007, this race was a straight final where the top eight finishers went under 6:38.0 and 14 were under 6:43.0. This depth might explain the addition of a qualifying round this year, but judging from the times turned in—there are just five runners under 6:45.0—it might not have been necessary. Korahubish Itaa of Ethiopia leads the World Youth with a 6:26.13 and teammate Halima Hassen has run 6:37.1 to rank No. 4. Even more impressive is the World Youth record of 9:29.52 for 3,000 meters set by Itaa. Hassen has run 9:35.89 for the longer distance. Beatrice Kibor, at 6:36.3, and Lucia Muangi, at 6:37.1, were one-two at the Kenyan Trials and rank No. 2 and 3 in the world. Eleanor Fulton (Highlands Ranch, Co.), at 6:48.11, and McKinzie Schulz (Benet Academy, Lisle, Il.) had a great race in finishing one-two at the U.S. Trials and are just three seconds behind Lina Alainentalo of Sweden, who ranks No. 5 at 6:45.02.
100-Meter High Hurdles (30 inches)
Kori Carter (Claremont, Ca.) took over the world lead over the 30 inch hurdles with her 13.48 win at the U.S. Trials. Nooralotta Neziri of Finland is close behind at 13.49, followed by Aygerim Shynyzbekova of Kazakhstan at 13.65, and Yekaterina Bleskina of Russia at 13.67. Bridgett Owens-Mitchell (Southfield, Mi.) was second at the U.S. Trials at 13.69. Isabelle Pedersen of Norway leads the World Youth over the 33-inch hurdles with her 13.46 at the Bislett Games last Friday. Carter and Zheng Yarong of China have both run 13.59.
400-Meter Low Hurdles (30 inches)
Danielle Dowie of Jamaica was second in the Carifta Games with a 57.88 for the leading Youth time in the world. Amber Allen (Passaic Tech, Wayne, N.J.), who has run 58.44, chose not to enter the U.S. Trials and that makes Ristananna Tracey of Jamaica the next fastest in the field at 58.49. Vera Rudakova of Russia has run 58.62. Angelica Weaver (Rancho Cucamonga, Ca.) was originally disqualified after finishing first in the U.S. Trials, but was later reinstated and is now the fastest U.S. entrant at 59.58. Katie Nelms (Leland, San Jose, Ca.) was second in the Trials at 61.16.
Swedish Relay (100-200-300-400)
The U.S. team should be strongly pushed by the Caribbean teams and Britain.
High Jump
Shanay Briscoe (Cypress Christian, Houston, Tx.) won the U.S. Trails at 5-10 ¾ and has a seasonal best of 6-0 to rank No. 3 on the World Youth list. She also jumped 6-01.25 last year and competed in the World Juniors. Tara Richmond (Poly, Long Beach, Ca.) was second at 5-8 ¾, but her personal best of 5-11 ranks her No. 7 in the world. Alessia Trost of Italy, the world Youth leader at 6-2, should have the home country in frenzy. Mariya Kuchina of Russia is next at 6-0 ¾. Nadia Kampschulte of Germany and Amy Pejkovic of Australia both have personal bests of 5-11 ¼.
Pole Vault
Vaulting in less than ideal conditions at the U.S. Trials, Morgann LeLeux (Catholic, New Iberia, La.) and Kortney Ross (Westview, San Diego, Ca.) both cleared 12-1 ½ to qualify for the U.S. team. LeLeux cleared 12-7.50 in a jumpoff. Ellie McCardwell (Pendleton Heights, Pendleton, In.), the No. 2 Youth vaulter in the world at 13-6 ¼, was sixth and did not qualify. Michaela Meijer of Sweden is the World Youth leader at 13-8 ¼ and defending champion Liz Parnov of Australia is No. 3 at 13-5 ¼, along with Kseniya Chertkoshvili of Ukraine. Ross won the California State meet with a personal best of 13-4 and LeLeux’s best of 13-2 ½ came indoors at the LSU Invitational.
Long Jump
Lu Minjia of China is the World Youth leader at 21-1 ¼, but after that the battle for the medals appears to be wide open. Three Chinese jumpers went right at 20-05 at the national under-18 championships, but that meet took place after the qualifying window. Neele Eckhardt of Germany is next at 20-3, followed by Katrina Thompson of Britain at 20-3 and Irisdaymi Herrera of Cuba at 20-1 ¾. Jennifer Clayton (Suffern, N.Y.) and A’Lexus Brannon (Ozen, Beaumont, Tx.) were 1-2 at the U.S. Trials at 19-7 ½ and 19-7, respectively, but Clayton has a wind-aided 20-7 and Brannon has a wind-aided 20-4 ½.
Triple Jump
Ciarra Brewer (James Logan, Union City, Ca.) won the U.S. Trials at 43-4 ¼ to move into seventh on the all-time high school list and into prime contention for the gold medal. Wu Zhixia, at 43-7 ¼, and Deng Linuo, at 43-6—both of China—rank No. 1 and 2 on the yearly World Youth list. Neele Eckhardt of Germany, at 43-1, and Anastasiya Sayenko of Russia, at 42-11 ½, are behind Brewer. A’Lexus Brannon (Ozen, Beaumont, Tx.) was second at the U.S. Trials at 41-1 ½, but earlier jumped 42-0 in a Texas State high school regional meet.
Shot Put
The German duo of Lena Urbaniak, at 51-2 ¾, and Laurine Norman, at 48-1 ¾, rank No. 1 and 2 on the yearly Youth list. Margaret Satupai of Samoa is next at 48-1 ¾. In all, ten throwers have bettered 45-11 this year. The U.S. team is made up of Lacie Rasley (Shafter, Ca.) at 43-4 ¼, and Sarah Howard (Trinity Christian, Dublin, Ga.), at 42-9. Rasley has a personal best of 44-0 ½ and Howard has thrown 44-6 ¾. In 2007, it took 44-8 ¾ to make the finals. Tori Bliss (Portage, In.), the U.S. Youth leader at 48-2, did not enter the U.S. Trials.
Discus
Alexandra Collatz (Stockdale, Bakersfield, Ca.) is the World Youth leader with her 177-0 thrown in the California State prelims. She has been consistent in the low-to-mid 160s this year. Lena Urbaniak of Germany is next followed by Weng Chunxia of China and Viktoriya Klochko of Ukraine, all at 168-4. Leesa Lealaisalanoa of New Zealand has thrown 167-8 and Viktoryia Nikitsina of Belarus has a best of 166-1. Erica Brand (Northwest, Shawnee Mission, Ks.) was second at the U.S. Trials at 146-9, but has a best of 152-9.
Hammer
Barbara Spiler of Slovenia is the world Youth leader at 212-11, followed by Rana Taha Ibrahim of Egypt, at 200-2, and Wang Yingying of China at 199-6. Katie Kraychir (Twentynine Palms, Ca.) is the U.S. Youth leader at 176-8, but she did not enter the U.S. Trials and no one was chosen for the WYC.
Javelin
Deloma Miller (Lakeview, Stoneboro, Pa.) won the U.S, Trails at 153-2, with Ashley Aldredge (Cedar Creek, Ruston, La.) second at 152-4. Miller has a seasonal best of 157-8 and last year threw 167-2. Aldredge’s personal best is 158-5. Monika Lebenicnik of Slovenia is the World Youth leader at 180-4, followed by Hanna Habina of Ukraine at 176-9 and Iluta Veidermane of Latvia at 172-9. Miller and Aldredge’s bests make them competitive for the finals.
Heptathlon
Katarina Thompson of Britain, at 5,481 and Kira Biesenbach of Germany, at 5,442, are No. 1 and 2 in the world. The U.S. has no entrants.
10,000-Meter Walk
The U.S. has no entrants.
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