NSAF @ IAAF World U20 Champs! Day 5: US wins m4x1 gold, 4 other medals

by Jim Spier


Pedigo (JT), Wilson (HT), Bradford (PV), Blake (HJ) excel on the field


Here is NSAF Director Jim Spier's recap of Saturday's action at the IAAF World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland.
 

Men’s 4x100m Final

After running a solid semifinal the day before, Team USA made two lineup changes for the Final, adding double bronze medalist Eric Harrison on the opening leg, 100 silver medalist Anthony Schwartz on the 2nd, and keeping the semis duo of Austin Kratz and Micah Williams on the final two legs. It turned out to be a recipe for success, as the passes were (mostly) solid and each athlete did their job.

The Americans crossed the line in 38.88, finally capturing their first gold medal of the meet, with Jamaica 2nd in 38.96 and Germany 3rd in 39.22. Harrison finished with three medals for the meet and Schwartz two.
 

Men’s Javelin Final

More big news on the javelin front.  Tzuriel Pedigo, 2nd after 2 rounds, went to 5th place through 4 rounds.  On his fifth throw, he moved into 3rd with a PR 73.27m (240-04).  On is final throw, he unleashed another PR (73.76m / 242-00) to get the silver.  It was the first medal ever for the U.S. in the men's javelin at the U20 championship, and one of only four ever at any level (Breaux Greer, third; Tom Petranoff, second; Dana Baker, third; and now Pedigo second).  Tzuriel has attended several of the NSAFs Javelin Gold clinics over the past two years.

Here is Pedigo’s series

234-05  230-08  232-10  226-03  240-04  242-00


Women’s Hammer Final

Alyssa Wilson (UCLA) gave it a great shot (or hammer).  She finished second to Canadian (and U of California athlete) Camryn Rogers, 212-11 to 211-05.  It was a very good finish for her after struggling with the shot and discus earlier in the week.  Jillian Shippee (North Carolina), getting a throw good enough for 8th place in the prelims to move up to the final, finished 6th overall in 201-03.


Men’s Pole Vault Final

Armand Duplantis (SWE/Lafayette, LA) was the easy winner her, clearing 19-01 for a meet record.  He opened at 18-00.5, then 18-04.5, then 19-01 all of which he cleared on his first attempt.  He had the bar raised to 6.01m (19-08.5), but failed on all three attempts.  Zach Bradford (Bloomington, IL), the New Balance Nationals Indoor champ, was second at 18-02.5, equaling his personal best.  Sondre Guttormsen (NOR/Davis, CA) was 6th at 17-8.75, and Cole Riddle (Arizona State) 7th at 17-04.5.


Men’s High Jump Final

Juvaughn Blake (LSU) was clean through 7-03, sitting in tie for 1st at that point.  He made a PR 7-03.75 on his second attempt, then went out at 7-04.5 as did the other four remaining athletes.  Because of fewer misses, he finished in a tie for third.


Women’s 10000m Racewalk Final

A great performance by Taylor Ewert (Beavercreek, OH).  She absolutely demolished the American Junior record, walking 45:57.81.  She held the record previously, set at the US junior champs.  That was over 49 minutes!  So she bypassed 48, 47 and 46 minutes and went right to 45!  She was another athlete who doubled at the New Balance National Outdoors and USATF Junior Championships that weekend.  She won the 3000m Steeplechase on a Saturday in Greensboro, NC, then made her way to Bloomington, IN to win the 10000m Racewalk in American Junior record time.  Lauren Harris, the other US athlete, did not finish.
 

Men’s Discus Qualifying

Elijah Mason advanced on to tomorrow’s final, finishing 10th overall, throwing 186-06.  Gabe Oladipo, the US Junior leader, finished 14th in 185-05 and did not advance.
 

Women’s Triple Jump Qualifying

Jasmine Moore (Lake Ridge, Mansfield, TX) was the 8th overall qualifier, jumping 42-11 and advancing to tomorrow’s final.  Lexi Ellis (Curtis, Tacoma, WA) was 17th overall, jumping 41-08.75.
 

Women’s 4x400m Qualifying

The US led all qualifiers in setting a yearly best.  They ran 3:33.11 with the team of Symone Mason (Miami – 52.9), Shae Anderson (Oregon – 51.8), Jantajah Ford (Northeast, Oakland Park, FL – 54.69) and Arria Minor (East, Denver, CO – 53.66).  Jamaica was next at 3:34.22).   Taylor Manson (Florida) and Julia Madubuike (Texas A+M) are the “spares” so at least one, we suspect, would replace a runner in the final.

In the second heat there was almost a catastrophe.  The officials lined up the second leg at the start instead of the second leg position.  Only when the first legs were running down the home stretch did anyone notice.  The second athletes races to the proper second leg position with no time to spare.|
 

Men’s 4x400m Qualifying

Like the women, the US led all qualifiers, running 3:05.57.  Three high schoolers were on the team, which consisted of Matthew Boling (Strake Jesuit, Houston, TX – 47.0), Nick Ramey (Brookwood, Snellville, GA – 45.7), Justin Robinson (West, Hazlewood, MO – 45.96), Umajesty Williams (Arizona – 46.72).  We suspect one of those athletes will be replaced in the final by Trey Fields.  Jamaica, who was second in their heat (3:07.18) was disqualified for a lane violation.  That is under protest.  On that team were a 47.90 and a 47.24 leg, and they ran that relay without Chantz Sawyers or Christopher Taylor, 45 and 44 runners.  With them on that team, it had 3:02 capability.
 

Men’s 800m Semis

Josh Hoey (Bishop Shanahan, Doylestown, PA) ran a smart race almost getting third which is the auto qualifier, but got run down in the last 20 meters.  He has to wait to see if he gets a time qualifier.   The second heat was much faster so Hoey did not make the final.  Rey Rivera (Georgetown) was in that second heat.  Second at 400m, he faded to 7th in 1:50.48.
 

Women’s 200m Final

This seemed to be the U.S. legitimate shot at a gold medal in the personage of Lauren Rain Williams (Oregon).  But Jamaica’s Briana Williams (Northeast, Oakland Park, FL) had other ideas, running 22.50, her first time under 23 seconds.  It is the number four all-time high school performer (she was born in the U.S. but represents Jamaica).  Three of those four were also sophomore (Candace Hill and Kaylyn Whitney).  Lauren Rain Williams, seemingly taken aback when Briana Williams passed her at the top of the homestretch, finished second in 23.09, well off her personal best.  Jayla Kirkland (Florida State), originally in fourth, was disqualified for a lane violation.

Men’s Triple Jump Final

Jordan Diaz (Cuba) the favorite, won as expected at 56-03.25.  There were no Americans in the final.

Men’s 5000m Final

Jakob Ingebrigtsen almost broke up the Kenyan party like he tried to do in the 1500m, finishing third in 13:20.78, a European U20 record.  He was 6 tenths behind winner Edward Zakayo (KEN).  Cooper Teare (Oregon) was 10th in 14:23.0.  Soren Knudsen (Northern Arizona) was 20th  in 16:18.33.

Men’s 400m Hurdle Final

Sokwakhana Zazini (RSA), the favorite, won in 49.42 as four broke 50 seconds.  There were no Americans in the final.

Women’s 4x100m Final

The U.S. team was not in the final.  Germany just edged Ireland 43.82 to 43.90 for the gold.


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