Junior Bianca Knight (Ridgeland, Ms.) put her stamp on the 2006 addition of the Simplot Invitational in Pocatello (Id.) by turning in the greatest high school indoor sprint
double of all time.
First up was the final of the 60-meter dash where she faced the greatest indoor field ever assembled. Knight was already the national leader at 7.26 but Ashley Cruder (Eaglecrest, Aurora, Co.) had run 7.30, which ranked sixth all time. In addition, three other finalists had bettered 11.60 last year led by Ebony Collins (Wilson, Long Beach, Ca.) at 11.44.
Cruder, who has a piston like leg action but a herky-jerky upper body when she runs, got out first but Knight, who runs with silky smooth strength caught Cruder at 40 meters and pulled away to win with a personal best of 7.25, making her the third best performer with the fifth fastest performance of all time. Cruder held on for second, just ahead of a fast closing Jeneba Tarmoh (Mt. Pleasant, San Jose, Ca.), 7.37 to 7.45. Sarah Mathew (Niwot, Co.) was fourth in 7.50, Kristina Davis (Valley Christian, San Jose, Ca.) was fifth in 7.52 and Collins was sixth in 7.58. Knight’s time is also a junior class record.
60m finish - from left, Sarah Mathew, Jeneba Tarmoh, Bianca Knight, Ashley Cruder, Kristina Davis, Ebony Collins
One hour later Knight was back on the track for the 200 final but the question was not if she would win but by how much she would win by. After a rocket quick start and a storming backstretch the only remaining question was how fast she would run and after maintaining her composure through the tape she answered with a resounding 23.26 to move to third on the all-time list behind only Olympic silver medalist Allyson Felix (Los Angeles, Baptist, North Hills, Ca.) and Olympic medalist Sanya Richards (St. Thomas Aquinas, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.).
Here are capsules of Saturday’s finals.
Boys
60 METERS—Trenton Guy Jr. (West Charlotte, Charlotte, N.C.), already the US leader at 6.76, looked to be a solid winner running in lane three, but he was nearly caught by Cameron Island (Skyline, Oakland, Ca.), 6.87 to 6.88. Terrius McMillan (Newburgh Free Academy, Newburgh, N.Y.) was third at 6.90 and J.T. Scheuerman (Littleton, Co.) fourth at 6.91. Guy cramped in the starting block, but the gun went off before he could raise his hand. At the finish, he rolled on the ground as his father and coach, Trenton Guy Sr, came to his aid.
60m finish - from right, Trenton Guy, Terrius McMillan, J.T.Scheuerman, and Cameron Island
200 METERS—Guy came back in the 200 and again got out to a comfortable lead only to have to hold off a last charge, this time by Pearson Crichlow (James Logan, Union City, Ca.), 21.94 to 22.14. Scheuerman, second at the start, faded to third in 22.22.
400 METERS—Clemore Henry (Transit Tech, Brooklyn, N.Y.) opened up with a 22.62 first 200 and then increased his three-yard lead to nearly 20 yards and finish in 47.98 for the second fastest time in the nation. Zach Ancell (Highlands Ranch, Co. and Matthew Armstrong (Transit Tech, Brooklyn, N.Y.) were second and third in 49.75 and 50.17, respectively and Alex Goldberg (Lodi, Ca.), went from fifth to fourth on the final straight running 50.33.
| Karjuan Williams (New Bern, N.C.), the best returning 800 runner in the nation off his 1:50.14, could have been excused if he had put his running on the back burner after Hurricane Katrina destroyed his home. Instead, with the help of Nicholas Sparks, a former national-class 800 runner and the author of the best-selling “The Notebook”, he relocated in North Carolina and undertook an extensive indoor season. Williams made it clear right from the start of the 800 that he was aiming at the national record of 1:50.55 set by Michael Granville (Bell Gardens, Ca.) in 1995. Richard Jones (Benicia, Ca.) kept Williams company through the first 200, passed in 24.76 but by the 400 Williams was all alone in 52.49. He then passed 600 in 1:21.51 and closed well but just fell short of the record with his 1:51.74 to move into third on the all-time list. |
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800 METERS—In the B race behind Karjuan Williams winning time of 1:50.74, Ryan Jones (Fremont, Plain City, Ut.) pulled away in the second 400 to finish second in 1:54.30 and Bob Hewitt-Gaffney (Campbell County, Gillette, Wy.) was third in 1:55.58.
1600 METERS—Adam McDonald (Mountain View, Orem, Ut.), who never broke 4:22.0 when he ran for Canyon (Canyon Country, Ca.) last year, passed 800 meters in 2:07.90 and then pulled away for a 4:16.33 win. Mohamud Ige (South, Denver, Co.), who had run two 800 relay legs earlier in the day, moved from sixth to second in the final 200 running 4:25.59. Chio Lopez (Pocatello, Id.) was third in 4:25.74.
3200 METERS—Daniel Roberts (Crested Butte Academy, Crested Butte, Co.) won as he pleased in 9:33.67. Owen deLange (Canada) was second in 9:48.59 and Jared Ward (Davis, Kayesville, Ut.) was third in 9:54.48.
60-METER HURDLES—Darius Reed (Washington, Denver, Co.) got off well and then when he felt the presence of Terry Prentice (Diamond Ranch, Pomona, Ca.) he pulled away running 7.85 for the fastest time in the nation. Prentice was second at 8.01 and Ray Stewart (James Logan, Union City, Ca.), after stumbling at the start, got up for third in 8.38.
4 X 200 RELAY—Newburgh Free Academy (Newburgh, N.Y.) led from the start but had to hold of James Logan (Union City, Ca.), 1:30.88 to 1:31.23. Tracy (Ca.) was third in 1:31.97.
4 X 400 RELAY—Transit Tech (Brooklyn, N.Y.) showed the advantages of running indoor on a regular basis as it held off various challenges to win in 3:18.73. Steve McLean opened up with a 50.7, followed by Mathew Armstrong at 49.7, Dashoen Kirkland at 51.2 and Clemore Henry at 46.9. Kryptonite (Co.) was second in 3:20.84 and Newburgh Free Academy (Newburgh, N.Y.) third at 3:24.64.
4 X 800 RELAY—Team USA (Colorado) took the lead for the start and was never challenged running 9:38.80. Montana Dorymates was second in 9:44.90 and Wolfpack (Fremont, Plain City, Ut.) was third at 9:50.45.
SPRINT MEDLEY RELAY—Kryptonite (Co.) was an easy winner in 3:32.71, James Logan (Union City, Ca.) was second in 3:34.77. Colorado Springs Striders won the B race in 3:39.64.
HIGH JUMP—Daniel Dompier (Cedar, Ut.) won at 6-7, Eric Follett (Idaho Falls, Id.) was second at 6-5 and Brandon McNew (Donnelley, Id.) was third at 6-3.
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POLE VAULT—Junior Spencer McCorkel (Bryant, Ar.) came in as the national leader in the pole vault at 17-3½ (US#5 all time) but he was facing Scott Roth (Granite Bay, Ca.), who had a indoor best of 16-10 and had a very close try at 17-7 at the Pole Vault Summit. Both vaulters entered the competition at 16-3 but they had some unexpected company in the person of Ben Peterson (Cody, Wy.), who had just cleared that height for a personal best. All three then cleared 16-9. Peterson’s mark made him the third best vaulter in the nation. Both Roth and Peterson failed at 17-3 while McCorkel was over with ease. McCorkel then gave the crowd of 8,000 a real thrill with two very close misses at a national record height of 17-7. Greg Woepse (Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Ca.) was fourth at 15-9.
left, McCorkel clears winning 17-3 on first try. |
LONG JUMP—Junior Terry Prentice (Diamond Ranch, Pomona, Ca.) opened up with a personal best 24-0¾, which ranks No. 2 in the nation, and followed with three other jumps at 23-6 or better. Daniel Elgaaen (Roy, Ut.) was second at 22-0½ and Rich Hansen (Bingham, South Jordan, Ut.) was third at 21-7.
TRIPLE JUMP—Wendall Lawrence (Mountain View, Id.), whose father was a 55-11 triple jumper for the Bahamas in the 1990s, waited until his final jump before pulling out the win with a 47-9½ effort. David McFadgen (Newburgh Free Academy, Newburgh, N.Y.), who also has a father who was a world-class triple jumper for the U.S. in the 1980’s, was second at 45-3½. Rachad Evans (James Logan, Union City, Ca.) was third at 44-11¼.
SHOTPUT—Eric Flores (Custer, S.D.), the nations leading putter at 63-11, won with a 62-8½ effort, junior Colin Beovers (Judge Memorial, Salt Lake City, Ut.) was second at 57-7 3/4 and sophomore Bryce Hall (Davis, Kaysville, Ut.) was third at 55-6.
Girls
60 METERS—Bianca Knight (Richland, Ms.) with her 7.25 win now has four of the 12 best performances of all time. Khrystal Carter (Valley Christian, San Jose, Ca.) won the B race in 7.55 defeating Ashton Purvis, a home schooled eight grader from Oakland, who ran 7.55.
200 METERS—Behind Knight’s breathtaking 23.26, Ebony Collins (Wilson, Long Beach, Ca.) ran 23.90 and the eighth-grader Purvis checked in with an amazing 24.24 which is .02 faster than the national freshman record set by Clarenchell Tate (Gratz, Philadelphia, Pa.) last year. Kristina Davis (James Logan, Union City, Ca.) was fourth in 24.29. Carter won her second B race this time in 24.20. At the end of the meet, Californians Collins, Tarmoh, Carter and Purvis, ranked two through five in the nation.
400 METERS—Junior Sa’de Williams (Rancho Cucamonga, Ca.), the 2005 national outdoor leader at 52.38, opened up quickly with a 25.40 before Nachelle Stewart (Spanish Fork, Ut.) drew to within five meters on the final turn but the sophomore could not quite close the deal, losing 54.36 to 54.73. However both girls had to be happy with the top two times in the nation this year. Makalia Griffith (Hillcrest, Jamaica, N.Y.) was third in 55.79 and Canadian Deanna Sullivan was fourth at 55.83. Nachelle’s twin sister, Natalie, won the B race in 56.23.
800 METERS—Rosa Magana (Holy Names, Oakland, Ca.) took the early lead with splits of 31.97 and 67.20 before Stacy Slight (Cody, Wy.) took over and cruised the third 200 and closed with a 32.0 final 200 for a time of 2:14.77. Kim Vos (Canada) also ran a fast last half of the race to finish second in 2:15.24. Allie Abdouch (Colorado Springs, Co.) was third in 2:18.33. Rosemarie Fleming (Oaks Christian, Westlake Village, Ca.) won the B race in 2:18.53.
1600 METERS—Freshman Candace Eddy (Davis, Kayesville, Ut.) won easily in 5:08.25 followed by Kayra Thweatt (Durango, Co.) at 5:14.19 and Shelley Forbes (Sheridan, Wy.) at 5:14.36.
3200 METERS—Junior Kim Quinn (Bingham, South Jordan, Ut.) ran 11:16.85 to win by almost 15 second. Brooke Andrus (Big Fork, Mt.) was second in 11:30.12 and Karleigh Gempler (Borah, Boise City, Ut.) was third at 11:31.67.
60-METER HURDLES—Ke’Nyia Richardson (Holy Names, Oakland, Ca.) took the early lead before Julian Purvis (St. Elizabeth, Oakland, Ca.) pulled even at 30 meters. Richards then responded and pulled away for a 8.58 to 8.62 win. Vashti Thomas (Mt. Pleasant, San Jose, Ca.) was third at 8.66. The top two times rank fourth and sixth in the nation.
4 X 200 RELAY—Wilson (Long Beach, Ca.) got off to a great start with DeAna Carson’s 24.5 leg and Ebony Collins blew the race open with a 23.9 leg followed by Shalise William, who ran 23.6. Freshman Nyjah Cousar anchored with a 25.7 for a nation-leading time of 1:37.87. James Logan (Union City, Ca.) closed fast to finish second in 1:37.98. The times rank seventh and ninth on the all-time list.
right, James Logan (red and black) and Wilson (orange) are side by side at the tape. |
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4 X 400 RELAY—Much like the 4 x 200 relay Wilson (Long Beach, Ca.) won wire-to-wire with splits of 57.1 for Cousar, 55.2 for Collins, 57.7 for Williams and 58.1 for Angele Cooper for a time of 3:48.17 to just miss the nations leading time of 3:48.04 set by Roosevelt (Greenbelt, Md.). James Logan (Union City, Ca.) was second in 3:55.32 and Cheetahs Storm TC, 3:58.96.
4 X 800 RELAY—Cody (Wy.) got rolling when transfer Emily Higgins took the lead with at 2:23.4 leg. Robyn Rosechandler then clocked 2:35.1 before sophomore Carli Blankenship put the race away with a 2:22.3 leg and Stacy Slight finished with a 2:16.1 for a final time of 9:38.80. Montana Dorymates was second in 9:44.90 and Wolfpack (Fremont, Plain City, Ut.) was third in 9:50.45.
SPRINT MEDLEY RELAY—Despite Brittany Sheffey falling to the track early in her 800 anchor leg, Zzyzx (New York) won the race in 4:05.40. Sheffey, who was scheduled to run the open 800 but scratched, was clocked in 2:14.8 and it was estimated that the fall cost her about three seconds. The rest of the team included Tessa West, Saleena Abdue-Rashed and Jeleesa McDonald.
HIGH JUMP—Canadian Magen Sommerville won with a personal best of 5-7. Sydney Wendt and Kayee Brunel, both of YMC Idaho, were second and third at 5-5, and 5-3, respectively.
POLE VAULT—As expected, it came down to Allison Stokke (Newport Harbor, Newport Beach, Ca.) and Annelise Bertleson (Borah, Boise, Id.). After Jacque Mellinger (unat, Idaho) captured third place at 10-9, Bertleson and Stokke each cleared 11-9 but that was as high as Bertleson could go. Stokke went on to clear a seasonal best of 12-3 and had one decent attempt at 13-1. Her 12-3 ranks ninth in the nation this year.
LONG JUMP—Neidra Covington (Boca Ciega, Fl.) is a big meet performer. Last year she scored an upset win in the U.S. Junior Nationals in Carson, Ca. and she kept up her winning ways here with a 19-5¼ effort as three jumpers bettered 19 feet. Sarah Mathew (Niwot, Ca.), the national outdoor leader in 2005, was second at 19-4 and Ashika Charon (Claremont, Ca.) was third with an indoor best of 19-3.
TRIPLE JUMP—It was a meeting of the top two jumpers in the nation and neither one disappointed. Ke’Nyia Richardson (Holy Names, Oakland, Ca.) arrived in Pocatello with a nation-leading 41-8 ¾ and Ashika Charan (Claremont, Ca.) was second at 40-11 ½. Charon opened the competition with a 40-2 ¾ effort and Richardson responded with a 40-3½ and improved to a 41-9 in the second round to improve her national lead. Charan came back immediately in the third round with a 41-10. Richardson, jumping before Charan in the final three round improved to 41-10 ¾ in the fifth round and Charan was only able to answer with 38-5 and 40-10 ¼ in her final two efforts. Neidra Covington (Boca Ciega, Fl.) was third at 39-6¾ to rank fourth in the nation.
SHOTPUT—Amanda Rollin (Rock Springs, Wy.) won at 45-2¼ and Sarah Cardinal (Blackfoot, Id.) was second at 45-1 ½ as both improved their personal bests by almost two feet. Jaleesa Jeffrey (James Logan, Union City, Ca.) was third at 40-9. |
