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Detailed Results on Event Pages
Stories
Highlights
W 400H finals
Lashinda Demus breaks her own world junior
record with a scorching 54.70 victory, more than
a second ahead of Penn Relays champion Melanie Walker of Jamaica
56.03. Another Jamaican, Camille Robinson, got a personal best 56.14
to beat out Demus' U-South Carolina teammate Tiffany Ross 56.52
for bronze.
Jim Spier's analysis: Wow!
What picture-perfect runner! Lashinda Demus (USA) led from hurdle
3 on and bettered the World Junior record she had set at the NCAA
meet in May - 50.70! (The only place where she slowed down slightly
and chopped her steps was over the last hurdle - “just to
make sure”). Tiffany Ross was in the hunt in the early part
of the race, but both Jamaicans, Camille Robinson and Melanie Walker,
put themselves in the medal positions at the bottom of the final
turn. Ross finished fourth in 56.52, with Robinson (56.14) and Walker
(56.03) the bronze and silver medallists, respectively.
 |
Lashinda Demus
photos by Joy Kamani, NSSF team |
M 400H finals
Team USA's Kenneth Ferguson
and Bershawn Jackson ran the fastest race of their lives, but .
. .
Louis Van Zyl RSA ran faster -- 48.89. This was half a second ahead
of Ferguson, whose 49.38 is a new US high school record. Jackson
was another split second behind at 50.0, and everyone else was bunched
in the 51-second range.
Ferguson (R) and Jackson
photo by Joy Kamani, NSSF team
Jim Spier's analysis: Both
Americans, Bershawn Jackson and Kenneth Ferguson, were out fast,
one-two at the top of the back stretch. Jackson took the lead at
the top of the turn with Louis Van Zyl (South Africa) between the
2 Americans. Ferguson began his charge over hurdle seven to take
the lead. Van Zyl, now in second with Jackson fading, began HIS
charge, and caught Ferguson at the tenth and final hurdle. Ferguson
appeared stunned to be overtaken by Van Zyl. Van Zyl then lengthened
his lead to win “going away” in a spectacular 48.89,
a PB by almost 1.5 seconds. But that’s not all. When I saw
the time of 48.89 flash at the finish line, and the closeness of
Ferguson, I said to Mike Kennedy, “High School Record!”
And so it was, with both Kenneth Ferguson and Bershawn Jackson under
that time. For Ferguson, 49.38!!! He destroyed the 18 year old record
held by Patrick Mann (Gar-Field, Woodbridge, VA) of 50.02 (and the
hand time by Bob Bornkessel - Shawnee Mission North, Overland Park,
KS - in 1968 of 49.8). The time for Ferguson was a one second PR,
his previous best of 50.38 being in the heats here a few days ago.
Incredible!
W 200 meter finals
Vernicha James GBR edges Anneisha McLaughlin
JAM, 22.93 to 22.94 with a -0.2 headwind. Both marks were
personal bests. Sanya Richards USA was third at
23.09 and Allyson Felix USA fifth at 23.48.
Here were Sanya Richards' coach John Guarino's thoughts a couple
of hours before the last individual race of his superstar athlete's
high school career: "Back again for another
night of world class track and field. The 200 not doubt will be
hot. Sanya and I were very happy with her lane draw (3). She is
in very good spirits and ready to roll. James from GBR looked real
fast in the semis. Allyson struggled a bit in her semi, but the
bottom line is she has the best PR going in. Mclaughlin looks fast
thru 100, but I can't tell how much she is tightening up and/or
easing up. I guess we will know tonite. Sanya is going to leave
her best on the track tonite. After four years with her, tonight
will be bitter sweet for me. So another emotional night for us all.
And the tension builds.............." DyeStat
TrackTalk tlhread
the finish was a blur |
Medalists: McLaughlin (yes, she
runs with her hair that way), James, Richards |
|
photos by Joy Kamani, NSSF team |
M 200 meter finals
"Thunder Bolt" gives Jamaica first
gold
photo by Joy Kamani, NSSF team
After the disappointment of the women's 200 final, the raucous
home crowd got the gold medal they wanted when Jamaican wunderkind
Usain Bolt dominated with a 20.61 victory, 0.l3
ahead of Brendan Christian of Texas and Antigua.
Next were the Team USA pair of Wes Felix, getting
a PR at 20.82, and Rubin Williams 20.90. Bolt is
the youngest ever World Junior champion at 15 years, 333 days.
Jim Spier's analysis: Here
comes the Usain Bolt (Jamaica) show! This race took place immediately
after the women’s 200 meters and, again, the place was rocking.
Everyone in the race has run 20.97 or better. Let’s see how
the 15 year old can handle to pressure. He did, running 20.61 (+0.9)
and getting Jamaica’s first gold medal of the competition.
And, boy, did the place erupt! He did not get an especially good
start. In fact Bruno Pacheco (Brazil), one lane on Bolt’s
inside, appeared to get the best start. Bolt was third coming off
the turn, then put on a big charge. Brendan Christian (Antigua)
tried to catch him but Bolt was on his way. Christian managed second
(20.74), and a surprisingly consistent Wes Felix (USA - 20.82) took
third. Rubin Williams of the USA was fourth in 20.90.
More Day 4 Highlights
See Event Index for detailed
results.
Evening Session
17:00 M JAVELIN THROW QUALIFICATION A -
18:05 W 1500 METRES HEATS - Lisa
Dobriskey GBR 4:19.83 led a remarkably tight packed 12
qualifiers into the finals. Only 2.01 seconds separated Dobriskey
from the slowest qualifier. Kathryn Andersen USA 4:24.77
missed the finals.
18:10 W HIGH JUMP QUALIFICATION - Thirteen
jumpers advanced to the finals, not including Kaylene Wagner
and Ashley Robbins of Team USA. One extra
miss cost Wagner, who cleared 1.80 5-10.75, but lost the last spot
on tie breakers.
18:20 M JAVELIN THROW QUALIFICATION B -
18:25 M 1500 METRES HEATS - Abdulrahman
Suleiman QAT ran a personal best 3:40.57 to lead 12 qualifiers
into the finals. Chris Lukezic USA was 5th in his
heat at a personal best 3:46.24, just 0.26 second behind Nick
Willis NZL, who will attend the University of Michigan
next year.
18:30 W LONG JUMP FINAL - Adina
Anton ROM wins gold with a personal best jump of 6.46 21-2.25.
18:40 W SHOT PUT HEPTATHLON - After winning
the first two events, Carolina Kluft SWE was fifth,
but still increased her overall lead to 308 points, with a total
of 2,851 after three events.
18:50 W 800 METRES FINAL - Alex
Kipchirchir KEN won a garrison finish in 1:46.59, with
the next three runners crossing the finish line in 0.27 second.
Ahmed Ismail Ismail SUD led through one lap in
50.95 but faded to fifth.
19:05 M 800 METRES FINAL - Janeth
Jepkosgei KEN overpowered the field in 2:00.80 in nearly
even splits, 60.02 and 60.78.
19:20 W 200 METRES FINAL - Vernicha
James GBR edges Anneisha
McLaughlin JAM, 22.93 to 22.94 with a -0.2 headwind. Both
marks were personal bests. Sanya Richards USA was
third at 23.09 and Allyson Felix USA fifth at 23.48.
19:35 M 200 METRES FINAL - Jamaican wunderkind
Usain Bolt dominated with a 20.61 victory, 0.l3
ahead of Brendan Christian of Texas and Antigua.
Next were the Team USA pair of Wes Felix, getting
a PR at 20.82, and Rubin Williams 20.90.
19:40 W DISCUS THROW FINAL -
19:50 W 400 METRES HURDLES FINAL -
20:05 M 400 METRES HURDLES FINAL -
20:20 W 200 METRES HEPTATHLON - Carolina
Kluft SWE 23.81 PB to win three of the four events and
take a crushing 428 point lead after the first day with 3,850 total
points. USA twins Diana Pickler 3,260 and Julie
Pickler 3, 207 are 10th and 11th out of 16 competitors.
Kluft, who won the same event at Santiago Chile 2 years ago, had
personal bests in all three of her event victories today. "When
I stepped on the track this morning, I had great sensations. It
all felt perfect," the 5'10" blonde told the IAAF reporter.
Kluft is ahead of her personal best pace of 6272, and may break
the world junior record of 6466 when the heptathlon finishes on
Saturday.
Morning session
8:30 M TRIPLE JUMP QUALIFICATION - Rafeeq
Curry USA gets a personal best 15.91 52-2.5 -0.4 to advance
to finals as 4th best of 12 qualifiers. Best was Davy Manga
FRA 16.11 52-10.25 +0.3.
9:10 M POLE VAULT QUALIFICATION - Twelve
vaulters advance to finals with clearances of 5.15 16-10.75. Team
USA is shut out as Tommy Skipper USA no heights
at opening height (4.85 15-11) and Matt Weirich misses
at the second height, 4.95 16-3.
9:30 W 100 METRES HURDLES HEPTATHLON - Diana
Pickler USA ran 13.97 +1.2, second fastest of the session
(Carolina Kluft SWE 13.53 PB), and twin sister
Julie Pickler ran 14.11 +0.8.
9:45 W SHOT PUT QUALIFICATION - Laura
Gerraughty USA 17.08 56-0.5 advances to the finals as second
best of 12 qualifiers. Top finalist is Valerie Adams NZL
17.17 56-4.
9:50 W HAMMER THROW QUALIFICATION A -
10:00 W 200 METRES SEMI-FINAL - Sanya
Richards USA wins heat in 23.33 +0.4, but fastest finalist
is Vernicha James GBR 23.07 -0.1. Allyson
Felix USA 23.73 is second to James. Third heat is won by
Anneisha McLaughlin JAM 23.39 -0.3. Photos
10:15 M 200 METRES SEMI-FINAL - Jamaica's
15-year-old phenom Usain Bolt (right)
bolted into the finals by beating Brendan Christian ANT,
20.85 to 21.04 into a 2.5 mps headwind. Grafton Ifill BAH
won the first heat in 21.02 -1.1, just ahead of Rubin
Williams USA 21.07. Wes Felix USA won
the third heat in 21.50 -4.1. Photos
10:20 W HIGH JUMP HEPTATHLON - Carolina
Kluft SWE 1.92 6-3.5 took a huge lead after winning the
first two events. Kluft's 2,178 points were 268 ahead of Jennifer
Oeser GER. Kluft's jump is #2 in the world this year for
all junior high jumpers. USA's Diana Pickler 1.65
5-5 and Julie Pickler 1.62 5-3.75 were last in
this event and dropped to 10th and 16th overall.
10:35 M 110 METRES HURDLES HEATS - Team USA's
pair of Antwon Hicks 14.01 -3.5 and Kenneth
Ferguson 14.04 -2.9 won their heats in the fastest times
of the first round. Other heat winners were Jacinto Dias
BRA 14.08 -1.7 and Dongpeng Shi CHN 14.54
-1.5. Photo
US heptathlon team:
Julie Pickler (left) and Diana Pickler |
|
photo by Donna Dye
at the Nike Indoor Classic |
Jim Spier's Event by Event Analysis
- Friday morning
Men
200m - Semi-Finals (Top 2 from each each and those
with the next 2 fastest times overall advance to the final)
Heat 1 A great start by Rubin Williams (USA) but quickly
covered by Bahamian Grafton Ifill. Ifill, Sebastian Ernst (Germany)
and Ifill battled down the homestretch with Ifill the ultimate victor
(21.02) and Williams nipping Ernst at the tape, 21.07 to 21.09.
Heat 2 It’s hard to believe that anyone can make
Brendan Christian look slow, but Usain Bolt (Jamaica) did just that.
His 20.85 with a negative 2.5mps wind was quite extraordinary. Christian
ran a creditable 21.04, but was never in the hunt.
Heat 3 With round 1 “under his belt”, Wes Felix
(USA) strode confidently from start to finish to win this wind-hampered
race (-4.1 mps) in 21.49.
The final will contain 2 Germans, 2 Americans, a Brazilan, and
3 from the Caribbean. Here are the lane assignments for tonight’s
final:
1. Sebastian Ernst Germany
2. Bruno Nascimento Pacheco Brazil
3. Usain Bolt Jamaica
4. Wes Felix USA
5. Grafton Ifill Bahamas
6. Brendan Christian Antigua
7. Till Helmke Germany
8. Rubin Williams USA
110h - Round 1 (Top 3 from each each and those
with the next 4 fastest times overall advance to the semi-final)
Heat 1 Kenneth Ferguson looked totally under control, running
a surprisingly fast time (14.04) given the big negative wind (-2.9).
Also running easily was Shamar Sands (Bahamas) from lane, qualifying
in 14.18.
Heat 2 With the absence of World leader Xiang Liu (13.12),
his countryman Dongpeng Shi picked up the slack, winning this heat
in a :”so so” 14.54 (-1.5).
Heat 3 What a beautiful hurdler! Antwon Hicks (USA) won
in a spectacular 14.01 (given the -3.5 wind). Richard Phillips (Jamaica)
was second in 14.33.
Heat 4 Jacinto Thiago Dias of Brazil dominated this field,
running 14.08 (-1.7), well ahead of the Swiss Andreas Kundert (14.44)
Pole Vault - Qualifying
Not a good day for the Americans. Matt Weirich cleared the opening
height (15-11) on his first attempt, but could not manage 16-2.75.
Tommy Skipper failed three tims at 15-11. Here are the qualifiers
for the final (all at 16-10.75):
:
Jerome Clavier France
Vincent Favretto France
Artem Kuptsov Russia
Marksym Mazuryk Ukraine
Przemyslaw Czerwinski Poland
Vladyslav Revenko Ukraine
Yevgeniy Olkhovskiy Israel
Stavros Kouroupakis Greece
Fabio Gomes Da Silva Brazil
Matti Mononen Finland
Gustaf Hultgren Sweden
Vasiliy Petrov Russia
Triple Jump - Qualifying
There were seven automatic qualifiers (50-10.25), including American
Rafeeq Curry who got a big PR with a jump of 52-2.5! Here are the
12 qualifiers for the final:
1. Davy Manga France 52-10.25
2. Yanxi Li China 52-8
3. Aleksandr Sergeyev Russia 52-4
4. Rafeeq Curry USA 52-2.5
5. Ndiss Kaba Badji Senegal 51-9.75
6. David Giralt Cuba 51-8.25
7. Nelson Evora Portugal 51-6.25
8. Kenen Shadd Canada 51-5
9. Alexandr Petrenko Russia 51-3
10. Osniel Tosca Cuba 51-2.25
11. Leonardo Elisario Dos Santos Brazil 51-1
12. Oleg Panyutin Azerbaijan 51-0.75
Women
200m - Semi-Finals (Top 2 from each each and those
with the next 2 fastest times overall advance to the final)
Heat 1 A good start for Sanya Richards who never relinquished
her lead, winning at 23.33. Back nearly 2 tenths was Nickesha Anderson
of Jamaica (23.52)
Heat 2 Vernicha James (Great Britain) showed once again
that she is the favorite, dominating the field at 23.08. Allyson
Felix (USA) wisely ran for “auto” second spot, not straining
to catch James. (James has Jamaican connections: both her mother
and grandfather are from the island).
Heat 3 The better of the 2 Jamaicans, Anneisha Mc Laughlin
had no major problem winning this one (23.39). Vincenza Cali (Italy)
closed quickly to pick up the second “auto” spot (23.42).
The final will contain 2 Americans, 2 Jamaicans, 2 Brits, an Italian
and a Canadian. Here are the lane assignments for tonight’s
final:
1. Ashley Purnell Canada
2. Amy Spencer Great Britain
3. Sanya Richards USA
4. Anneisha Mc Laughlin Jamaica
5. Vernicha James Great Britain
6. Vincenza Cali Italy
7. Allyson Felix USA
8. Nickeisha Anderson Jamaica
Shot Put - Qualifying
Laura Gerraughty (USA) showed that she is a prime medal contender,
qualifying on her first throw at 56-0.5. Teammate Briona Reynolds
qualified as well (48-8.75), though not automatically. Here are
the qualifiers:
1. Valerie Adams New Zealand 56-4
2. Laura Gerraughty USA 56-0.5
3. Kristin Marten Germany 53-1
4. Anna Avdeyeva Russia 51-3.5
5. Tatyana Ilyushchenko Belarus 51-2.25
6. Chiara Rosa Italy 50-10
7. Ying Zhang China 50-7.5
8. Yuliya Leantsiuk Belarus 50-3.25
9. Claudia Villeneuve France 49-5.5
10. Julia Wiechmann Germany 49-3.5
11. Briona Reynolds USA 48-8.75
12. Ursula Ruiz Spain 48-1.25
Hammer Throw - Qualifying
American Kristen Michalski missing qualifying by the slimmest of
margins, finishing 13th at 186-11 (converted from 56.97, which happens
to convert to the same as 56.98, but is obviously less than the
former). Here are the 12 qualifiers:
198-4 Berta Castells Spain
195-9 Yuliya Rozenfeld Russia
195-7 Ivana Brkljacic Croatia
194-3 Nataliya Zolotukhina Ukraine
193-8 Martina Danisova Slovakia
191-6 Karin Engstrom Sweden
191-0 Yekaterina Khoroshikh Russia
190-7 Mariya Smolyachkova Belarus
189-7 Gabrielle Neighbour Australia
187-4 Emma Olsson Sweden
187-2 Jennifer Dahlgren Argentina
186-11 Stephanie Falzon France
Heptathlon - 100m Hurdles
Carolina Kluft (Sweden) started off well with a fast 13.53 100m
hurdles (1046 points). Diana Pickler (USA) was second overall at
13.93 (1046 points). Her twin Julie ran 14.11 (963 points).
Heptathlon - High Jump
A “monster” day thus far for Carolina Kluft, clearing
6-3.5 (!). That is #2 in the world this year among all high jumpers
(not just heptathletes). It is also a Swedish junior record. That
height yielded here 1132 points, for a mammoth point total after
2 events of 2178!
Jim Spier's event by event analysis
- Friday evening
Women
200m - FINAL
An incredible start put Jamaican Anneisha Mc Laughlin into the lead,
with favorite Vernicha James (Great Britain) almost 2 meters behind
off the curve. James began her charge down the homestretch and caught
Mc Laughlin just at the tape, to take a 22.93 to 22.94 win, PB’s
for both. Sanya Richards (USA), not really part of that battle,
held on for third at 23.09. By the way, the noise level during the
race was deafening. When one considers half the field of eight had
Jamaican connections, that would make sense. (In the race were Mc
Laughlin and Nickesha Anderson of Jamaica, Sanya Richards, born
in Jamaica, and Vernicha James, whose mother was born on the island).
Allyson Felix of the USA finished a creditable fifth in 23.48.
800m - FINAL Janeth Jepkosgei (Kenya) took the
lead early and let a tight pack, passing 400 meters at 60.02. World
junior leader (at 2:01.59) Lucia Klocova tried to pass at 200 meters,
but was held off by Jepkosgei. Jepkosgei pulled away down the home
stretch to capture the gold in 2:00.80, the world’s fastest
Junior time. It was almost 4 seconds better than her previous PB!
1500m - Qualifying (First 4 in each heat and those
with then next 4 fastest times advance to the final)
Heat 1 A fine inauguration to the big time for Chris Lukezic, never
losing contact, he stayed in the lead pack through the bell lap.
The race began and he was “right there” with the leaders.
He couldn’t quite keep the pace of the “big guns”,
being passed at 1300 meters a remaining in sixth down the homestretch.
He smartly (or not so smartly) passed the fifth placer just before
the tape to capture fifth place and hope that he can be a time qualifier.
His 3:46.24 was a PB and improves on his US high school lead. The
winner was Samuel Nwera (Tanzania) in 4:43.56.
Heat 2 Isaac Songok (Kenya) went out very fast and kept the lead
for most of the race. He was passed down the homestretch by Abdulrahmann
Suleiman (3:40.57) but was content to simply qualify in 3:41.65.
Chris Lukezic’s time “stood up” from heat 1, and
he advances to the final.
400m Hurdles - FINAL
Wow! What picture-perfect runner! Leshinda Demus (USA) led from
hurdle 3 on and bettered the World Junior record she had set at
the NCAA meet in May - 50.70! (The only place where she slowed down
slightly and chopped her steps was over the last hurdle - “just
to make sure”). Tiffany Ross was in the hunt in the early
part of the race, but both Jamaicans, Camille Robinson and Melanie
Walker, put themselves in the medal positions at the bottom of the
final turn. Ross finished fourth in 56.52, with Robinson (56.14)
and Walker (56.03) the bronze and silver medallists, respectively.
High Jump - Qualifying
Not a good day for the Americans, as both Kaylene Wagner and Ashley
Robbins failed to qualify. Robbins could clear only 5-8.75 and Wagner
5-10.75 (Wagner actually missed the cut based on few misses). Here
are the qualifiers (6-0 was the automatic qualifier):
at 6-0:
Anna Ksok Poland
Elena Meuti Italy
Renata Medgyesova Slovakia
Blanka Vlasic Croatia
Peaches Roach Jamaica
Aileen Herrmann Germany
Levern Spencer St. Lucia
Raffaella Lamera Italy
Petrina Price Australia
at 5-10.75:
Shaunette Davidson Jamaica
Angelica Johansson Sweden
Emma Green Sweden
Anett Jambor Germany
Long Jump - FINAL
Discus - FINAL
Heptathlon - Shot Put
The best throw here was by Laurien Hoos of the Netherlands, with
a throw of 44-11.5. Diana Pickler threw 37-5.75 and her sister Julie
36-4. The leader, Carolina Kluft of Sweden, threw 39-11.5, to remain
in first with 2851 points. Diana Pickler is in tenth and Julie in
14th.
Heptathlon - 200m
Men
200m - FINAL
Here comes the Usain Bolt (Jamaica) show! This race took place immediately
after the women’s 200 meters and, again, the place was rocking.
Everyone in the race has run 20.97 or better. Let’s see how
the 15 year old can handle to pressure. He did, running 20.61 (+0.9)
and getting Jamaica’s first gold medal of the competition.
And, boy, did the place erupt! He did not get an especially good
start. In fact Bruno Pacheco (Brazil), one lane on Bolt’s
inside, appeared to get the best start. Bolt was third coming off
the turn, then put on a big charge. Brendan Christian (Antigua)
tried to catch him but Bolt was on his way. Christian managed second
(20.74), and a surprisingly consistent Wes Felix (USA - 20.82) took
third. Rubin Williams of the USA was fourth in 20.90.
800m - FINAL
Salem Amer Al-Badri (Qatar) out fast with David Fiegen (Luxembourg)
second for the first 150 meters. Alex Kipchirchir (Kenya) was content
to stay in seventh at 400 meters which was passed by the leaders
in 50.95. Fiegen made a big move down the backstretch and, for some
unknown reason, slowed down, perhaps trying to hinder Kipchirchir
who was right behind him charging there as well. Then the race began
around the turn and down the homestretch. Kipchirchir was second
to the rail with Fiegen charging on the outside. Four runners came
across the line virtually together, with Kipchirchir the close winner.
The top 4, separated by only .27 (!) were: Kipchirchir (1:46.59),
Al Badri (1:46.63), Fiegen (1:46.66) and Adam Abdu Adam Ali (Qatar
- 1:46.86).
1500m - Qualifying (First 4 in each heat and those
with then next 4 fastest times advance to the final)
Heat 1 A slow pace meant that the race began at 1100 meters. Kassie
Anderson (USA) was stuck in the back of the pack and, by the time
she could let loose, the leaders had taken off. Anderson sprinted
hard over the last 200 meters but could only manage eighth at 4:24.77.
She is holding her breath to see if she can sneak in on a time qualifier
based on the next heat’s results. The winner was Kenya’s
Viola Kibiwot in 4:20.93, followed by Ethiopia’s Berhane Herpassa
in 4:21.16.
Heat 2 As expected, a much faster pace, as the athletes in this
race knew exactly what they had to run to move on. The race was
won by the British Lisa Dobriskey in 4:19.83. A major surprise was
the failure of World Youth champion Georgie Clarke (Australia) to
qualify. Though she had run 4:09.70 this year for the World Junior
lead, she could manage only 4:32.03 for third from last.. Kassie
Anderson missed the cut. Had she run in the 4:22 range, she would
have advanced.
400m Hurdles - FINAL
Both Americans, Bershawn Jackson and Kenneth Ferguson, were out
fast, one-two at the top of the back stretch. Jackson took the lead
at the top of the turn with Louis Van Zyl (South Africa) between
the 2 Americans. Ferguson began his charge over hurdle seven to
take the lead. Van Zyl, now in second with Jackson fading, began
HIS charge, and caught Ferguson at the tenth and final hurdle. Ferguson
appeared stunned to be overtaken by Van Zyl. Van Zyl then lengthened
his lead to win “going away” in a spectacular 48.89,
a PB by almost 1.5 seconds. But that’s not all. When I saw
the time of 48.89 flash at the finish line, and the closeness of
Ferguson, I said to Mike Kennedy, “High School Record!”
And so it was, with both Kenneth Ferguson and Bershawn Jackson under
that time. For Ferguson, 49.38!!! He destroyed the 18 year old record
held by Patrick Mann (Gar-Field, Woodbridge, VA) of 50.02 (and the
hand time by Bob Bornkessel - Shawnee Mission North, Overland Park,
KS - in 1968 of 49.8). The time for Ferguson was a one second PR,
his previous best of 50.38 being in the heats here a few days ago.
Incredible!
Javelin - Qualifying
James Finneran, the sole American in the competition, did not qualify,
throwing only 193-10. Here are the qualifiers for the final:
242-3 Igor Janik Poland
240-6 Sang-Jin Jung Korea
236-9 Jarrod Bannister Australia
234-10 Vitezalav Vesely Czech Republic
234-7 Teemu Virkkala Finland
232-10 Yudel Moreno Cuba
231-8 Kalle Sillanpaa Finland
231-8 Vladistlav Shkurlatov Russia
231-4 Qiang Qin China
229-8 Ludo Van der Plaat Netherlands
229-2 Kazuki Yamamoto Japan
224-5 Volodymyr Petrychenko Ukraine
Vernicha James defeats Jamaican favourite
for Great Britain’s first gold
IAAF release by David Martin (PA)
19 July 2002 - Great Britain's first gold medal in the World Junior
Championships went to Vernicha James - and in the country where
her mother once lived she did it in spectacular style. Eyeballs
out, James had to call on every ounce of injury when sneaking past
Jamaica's Anneisha McLaughlin with her last stride in the blue riband
200 metres race which she won by a mere 1/100sec in 22.93sec.
James wasn't only taking on McLaughlin. The 18-year-old Londoner
was also tackling a totally partisan 20,000 plus ecstatic Jamaican
crowd who, without shame, urged on their own starlet holding a lead
of well over a metre coming off the final bend. Coming into the
home straight it looked that after a poor start, her best shot might
see James take the silver medal. That was how it looked until last
year's European champion went into overdrive.
Last night the action was different. In her preliminary rounds,
James had been the dominant figure winning by huge distances on
both occasions. Now with the coveted gold medal at stake, the opposition
was fighting back. Her poor reaction out of the blocks didn't help
James. But from the same training regime that looks after the interests
of British Number One 100m man Dwain Chambers, there was no panic
in her head as she realised what she had to do.
Insisting strength has always been her biggest attribute, inch
by inch she clawed towards McLaughlin with 400m silver medallist
Sanya Richards of the United States who was to finish third in 23.09sec,
well out of contention. It still looked as if her rival would take
the tape first - and even after pushing her torso ahead of McLaughlin
almost on the finishing line, there wasn't a Jamaican in the crowd
who believed James, fifth at the last Championships two years had
stolen the glittering gold medal.
But the photo-finish told no lies and James who last year was also
the fastest senior British 200m runner, finished in the same personal
best time which gained her the European title 12 months ago.
"I was so nervous I didn't get out well, but I always come
strong in the home straight. But that was a bit close," admitted
James. "I knew I could have run better and I'm not happy with
the time." But on reflection she knew she had beaten world
class opposition, particularly McLaughlin the Caribbean champion
"She's a good athlete but so am I too."
James failed to allow the crowd to distract her. She said: "I
could hear them booing but there was no way I was going to let them
put me off. I came here to achieve a target and I've done that."
Knowing there was a sizeable gap on the run-in, James said: "I
just started to relax and work hard. I was more worried how she
would react. But I always come back strongly in the later stages."
Barely was the women's race over when Jamaica finally got the gold
medal they had been craving for since the Championships started
last Tuesday. Again it was a corker - and when Usain Bolt crossed
the line there was complete bedlam.
The youngster responsible for the pandemonium was Usain Bolt. Still
only 15, the aptly named "ThunderBolt" had in his heats
proven he is an exciting talent ready to be released upon the sprinting
world.
Never headed, the Carribean Youth champion this year who set a
personal best in his heats, raised the decibels in the National
Stadium to an almost unbearable level with his 20.61sec win ahead
of a well beaten Antigua's Brendan Christian (20.74sec) and the
USA's Wes Felix who ran a personal best 20.82sec.
Normally a world junior record would be the major attraction of
any Championships. But both 200m sprints overshadowed the outstanding
performance of Lashinda Demus winner of the 400m hurdles gold medal
in 54.70sec.
That struck a healthy 0.15sec off the time the American ran at
the end of May. It gave Demus a huge win ahead of the Jamaican pair
of Melanie Walker and Camille Robinson who finished in 56.03sec
and the latter a personal best 56.14sec.
Winner of the men's 400m hurdles in a championship record 48.89sec,
was Louis Van Zyl of South Africa. The silver and bronze medals
went to American's Ken Ferguson and Bershawn Jackson who clocked
49.38sec and 50.00sec. Then came Green in 51.14sec.
Last summer's African junior silver medallist Janeth Jepkosgei
held off Lucia Klocova in a sprint for the line to win the 800m
in a personal best and world leading time for the season of 2:00.80.
Although the Slovak tried clawing the winner back in the home straight,
Klocova lost the gold medal by almost a second in a time of 2:01.73.
Third was Brazil's Juliana Paula de Azevedo clocking 2:03.81.
A first lap of 50.95sec was only the first talking point of the
men's race. Back in the pack after leading until tripping on the
kerb coming into the home straight for the first time, was Alex
Kipchirchir who had looked impressive in the first two rounds.
Over the last 100 metres on the final circuit Ali Adam was forcing
the pace along. But in the final thirty metres, Kenya's Kipchirchir,
Salem Al-Badri of Qatar, Luxembourg's David Fiegen all came broadside
of the Qatar runner.
With only 0.27sec seperating the quartet, Kipchirchir gained the
verdict in 1:46.59. Runner-up was Al-Badri (1:46.63) with the bronze
medal gained by Fiegen in 1:46.66.
Romania's Adina Anton captured the long jump title with a personal
best in the fourth round of 6.46m. The silver and bronze medals
went to China's Lina Wang (6.36m) and Esther Aghatise from Nigeria
who cleared 6.34m.
A personal best throw of 58.95m won Ma Xuejun the discus title
ahead of Chinese team mate Xu Shaoyang whose best was 57.87m. Seema
Antil from India captured the bronze medal throwing 55.83m.
Bolt strikes first gold for Jamaica
IAAF release
19 July 2002 - At 15 year and 333 days, Usain Bolt became today
the youngest ever World Junior Champion in the history of athletics.
Thunder bolt – as he’s known in Jamaica – powered
to the finish line in a relatively modest 20.61.
“The time doesn’t matter. I hadn’t the best of
starts, maybe even one of the worst today. But what mattered is
that I was able to grab that gold medal I so much wanted.”
Jamaica’s most promising sprinter, Usain “Thunder”
Bolt is fast like lightning and explosive like thunder. Following
his easy victory in the morning semi finals he predicted a 20.2
run in the final.
“I am proud of what I achieved today. I am proud of myself
and proud of my country.”
Running in a thunder of applause, Bolt’s race was scheduled
10 minutes after the women’s 200m final which turned out to
be a major disappointment for Jamaica. “I watched Anneisha
race and she should have won it. She should have been the first
gold medalist of our country but she didn’t. So my race is
for myself, for my country and for her as well.”
Anneisha McLaughlin ran a personal best of 22.94 but was preceded
at the tape by Great Britain’s Vernicha James who she had
been trailing for 195 metres of the race.
“This is a great day for us, look at the crowd, listen to
them, it is fantastic!” Bolt said.
Bolt had an excellent season improving on his personal best with
each race. At the recent CAC Championships he accomplished an unprecedented
triple winning the 200, 400 and 4x400m relay.
Three PBs in a day for Carolina Kluft in heptathlon
IAAF release
19 July 2002 - It was just one of those days when everything goes
well for Sweden’s Carolina Kluft today. The heptathlon defending
World Junior Champion and this winter European bronze medalist in
Vienna, Kluft just was in her own world in Kingston.
She lined up for the 100m hurdles under the morning Jamaican heat
and with a 1.2m/s tail wind improved on her personal best by 35
hundredths of a second.
1.78m tall, Kluft headed to the high jump pit with a lead of 63
points and fabulously cleared a new national junior record of 1.92
an exceptional feat for an all-round athlete.
“I have suffered a knee injury last year and this winter
I concentrated specifically in high jump training so has to prevent
a similar injury in the future,” Kluft said.
The comparison to high jump Swedish super star Kajsa Bergqvist
is inevitable.
“Yes I know Kajsa very well and we often speak on the phone.
We talk about everything, we are just good friends.”
Asked about what specific advice Kajsa, who is the current world
leader with a new Swedish record of 2.04m had given her, Carolina
seems vague. “I can’t remember really.” And maybe,
we think, she doesn’t want to reveal any Swedish-made secret.
Accompanied by two men who follow her and never lose touch with
her throughout the four events of day one, Carolina explains: “It’s
the coach of the team and the doctor. My coach is back home but
don’t worry he already knows about my performances.”
Carolina refuses to make any predictions about her overall total
tomorrow. “Before coming to Kingston I knew it would be a
difficult competition. Because of all the expectations that were
put on me and all the pressure. Everybody expects me to win gold
here because I won two years ago in Santiago. But when I stepped
on the track this morning, I had great sensations. It all felt perfect.
So I just want to take each event as it comes and have fun.”
And as she reminds us, anything can happen in the heptathlon. We
remember how France’s 1999 World Champion Eunice Barber fouled
three times in Edmonton last year.
“The high jump is my best event of all seven. The long jump
is not bad either. My weakest event is the shot put but I look forward
to it today as I’m in such a great shape that maybe I can
throw my pb,” said Kluft after cooling down from her massive
1.92 high jump clearance.
The smiling Swedish had a relatively poor shot put with her best
effort being measured at 12.18m.
Carolina brilliantly ended her first day of competition with a
23.81 200m, her third personal best of the day. She will now have
a good night sleep before stepping back on the track tomorrow morning
for her remaining three events.
Not the least tired, Carolina who is en-route to set a new World
Junior record explained why she loves her discipline.
“What is most important for me is to have fun in what I do.
The heptathlon is great fun because I have the possibility of doing
so many events. I love it. Maybe in the future I will find a specific
discipline which will satisfy me more, I don’t know, but for
the time being, I am going to stick to the seven events as it is
what gives me most pleasure.”
With a personal best of 6272 points, Carolina needs to improve
her score by 194 points to set a new World Junior record. At the
end of day one and with four events completed, she is already in
advance on her personal best she set earlier this year in Riga.
One medal for the Felix family
IAAF release
19 July 2002 - Curiously tonight, a brother and a sister were both
scheduled to compete at the World Junior Championships just ten
minutes apart. Allyson and Wes Felix had both qualified for their
respective 200m finals and were lining up with the hope of taking
two medals back home.
Unfortunately, Allyson who is still only 17 and will therefore
be able to compete at the next edition of the World Junior Championships
in Grosseto 2004 could only manage 5th in a tremendous 200m final.
A better outcome was awaiting the Felix family as Wes, 19 years
of age, clocked a new personal best of 20.82 to win a well-deserved
bronze medal.
“I am a bit disappointed for Allyson, I watched her race.
She did her best I am sure. The other girls were just too fast for
her,” Wes said. But the spotlight tonight at the Felix household
will be on him “I am very happy, I didn’t dare predict
a medal for the field of the 200m was so deep that one never knows.
I am proud of our family.”
The crowd should watch out for this nice tabloid story for both
Allyson and Wes will compete in the sprint relays. And knowing the
level of Team USA sprint squad at these Championships this could
well mean that another two medals will end up in the Felix souvenir
box.
“Hopefully we’ll get a gold each on Sunday,”
said Wes after his 200m race tonigh.
Wes just finished his freshman season at the University of Southern
California while little sister Allyson will be a senior at LA Baptist
high school in the fall. Wes is the 2002 US Junior National champion
and Allyson is the 2002 US Junior National runner-up, both at 200m
.
This was the first Team USA trip together, although they both competed
for Team USA separately in 2001. Allyson won the 100m gold at the
World Youth Championships and ran the 200m leg of the gold medal
winning medley relay. Wes competed at the US junior dual meet against
Great Britain in Edinburgh where he finished sixth at both 100 and
200m.
Demus lowers World Junior 400H record at World
Junior Champs; US leads competition with 15 medals
USATF release
KINGSTON -- Lashinda Demus (South Carolina) lowered her World Junior
400H record to 54.70 with her gold medal performance in the finals
of the women’s 400H. Demus set the previous the world junior
mark of 54.85 at the NCAA Championships in Baton Rouge, La. Demus’s
gold was one of five medals for Team USA on day four of the IAAF
World Junior Track & Field Championships in Kingston, Jamaica.
Teammate Tiffany Ross just missed the bronze with a time of 56.52.
“I ran like I normally ran,” said Demus following the
race. “I did not get out as hard. I did not want to get too
excited and mess up my steps. When I got to the 7th hurdle that
is when I kind of took off again. I heard the crowd, but not the
announcer so I didn't know the time or how close it was.”
In the men’s 400H hurdles final, Kenneth Ferguson (Mumford
(MI) HS) and Bershawn Jackson (Central (FL) HS) won the silver and
the bronze respectively. Both Ferguson and Jackson ran personal
best times, Ferguson (49.38) and Jackson (50.00). Ferguson also
set the American H.S. record for the 400H. The previous time of
50.02 was set by Patrick Mann in Los Angeles in July 1984.
Team USA won bronze medals in the men and women’s 200 meters.
Sanya Richards (St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) HS) returned from her silver
medal performance in the 100m dash on Thursday to claim the bronze
medal on Friday. Richards ran 23.09, while Vernicha James (GBR)
and Anneisha McLaughlin (JAM) won the gold and silver in 22.93 and
22.94, both personal bests. Allyson Felix (LA Baptist (CA) HS) finished
fifth in the women’s 200m in 23.48. Older brother Wes Felix
(USC) claimed the bronze medal in the men’s 200m in a personal
best time of 20.82. Teammate Rubin Williams just missed the medal
stand with a time of 20.90 and a fourth place finish.
In other finals for Team USA on Friday, Billie-Jo Grant (Arroyo
Grande (CA) HS) finished fifth in the women’s discus. Grant
threw 52.66m/172-9 on her first attempt, but couldn’t make
up the difference as the finals went on. China’s Xuejun Ma
won the world junior title with a mark of 58.85m/193-0. In the women’s
long jump, Erica McLain (East (TX) HS) finished 12th in the final
with a mark of 5.75 meters/18-10.25.
Twin heptathletes Diana and Julie Pickler (Sasche (TX) HS) began
their two-day, eight event competition on Thursday. Julie is the
2002 U.S. Junior National champion and sits in 11th place with 3,207
points, while sister Diana, the 2002 U.S. Juniors runner-up, is
in 10th place with 3,260 points. Both finished second in their respective
heats of the 100H, the first event of the day. Diana (13.97) edging
Julie (14.11) in the points standing. Up next was the high jump,
where Julie recorded a mark of 1.62m/5-3.75 and Diana cleared 1.65m/5-5.
In the shot put, Diana finished 10th in her flight (11.42m/37-5.75)
and Julie finished 12th in her flight (11.07m/36-4). The twins finished
up with the 200m, with Julie finishing second in her heat (25.02)
and Diana finished fourth ain her heat in 25.31.
In the evening qualifiers, Chris Lukezic (Auburn (WA) HS) qualified
for the finals of the men’s 1500m with a personal best time
of 3:46.24. Lukezic just missed the automatic qualifier, but finished
fifth in his heat to qualify for Sunday’s final. In the women’s
high jump, Kaylene Wagner (Dos Pueblos (CA) HS) and Ashley Robbins
(McMullen (TX) HS) cleared 1.80m/5-10.75 and 1.75m/5-8.75 respectively,
but did not qualify for the finals. Kathryn Andersen (BYU) ran 4:24.77
in the women’s 1500m, but did not qualify for the final. James
Finneran (Rhode Island) and Jarrad Matthews (Texas A&M) both
competed in the men’s javelin qualifier on Friday. Finneran
threw 59.09m/193-10 on his third and final attempt, while Matthews
threw 64.94m/213-1 on his first attempt, but they did not advance
to the finals.
In the morning session, Laura Gerraughty (North Carolina) threw
an automatic qualifier on her first attempt (17.08m/56-0.5) to advance
to Saturday’s final. Teammate Briona Reynolds (UCLA) also
advanced to Saturday’s final. Reynolds qualified with her
mark of 14.85m/48-8.75, which came on her second attempt. Miami,
Fla., native Rafeeq Curry jumped a personal best 15.91m/52-2.5 in
Friday’s triple jump qualifier. Curry, who fouled his first
attempted and then jumped the automatic qualifier on his second
attempt, advances to Saturday’s triple jump final. In the
women’s hammer, Kristin Michalski (West Warwick (RI) HS) just
missed qualifying for Saturday’s final by one centimeter.
Michalski’s best mark of 56.97m/186-10 came on her first attempt
and she finished sixth in her flight, but it wasn’t enough
as Stephanie Falzon (FRA) claimed the 12th and final spot in the
finals with a mark of 56.98m.186-11.
Also in the morning, Team USA hurdlers Antwon Hicks (Mississippi)
and Kenneth Ferguson (Mumford (MI) HS) ran 1-2 in the qualifying
heats to advance to Friday’s semi finals. Hicks won his heat
in 14.01, while Ferguson won his heat in 14.04. In the qualifier
of the men’s pole vault, Matt Weirich (BYU) cleared on the
opening height of 4.85m/15-11 to finish 9th overall in his flight.
Teammate Tommy Skipper (Sandy (OR) HS), the 2002 U.S. Junior National
Champion, missed on all three attempts of the opening height of
4.85m/15-11 and did not record a mark.
With 15 total medals after four days of competition, including
five on Friday, Team USA tops the medal count and leads the point
standings. Saturday’s finals will see men’s triple jump
(Curry), men’s 10,000m (Glaz and Millioen) and women’s
shot put (Gerraughty).
World Junior Championships
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