Morning Session Concludes at World Youth Champs
Rudy Winkler (Averill Park, NY) qualified for the final on his first throw (ultimately) even though it was not an auto qualifier. His throw was 226-8. The leading qualifiers:
79.36 260-4 Bence Pasztor Hungary
76.32 250-5 Ozkan Baltaci Turkey
72.76 238-8 Eslam Ahmed Ibrahim Egypt
71.49 234-6 Marco Bortolato Italy
71.21 233-7 Tolgahan Yavuz Turkey
70.32 230-8 Anders Eriksson Sweden
Girls Pole Vault Qualifying
Sydney White (East Forsyth, Winston-Salem, NC) had a very fine international debut, advancing to final and clearing all her heights with no misses. She qualified with 11 other girls at 12-7.5.
Girls 800m Qualifying
Amy Weissenbach (Harvard-Westlake, North Hollywood, CA) had her first taste of international competition and handled herself admirably. She was in contention the entire race and qualified as one of the four autos with no problem, finishing third in 2:08.09. Ajee Wilson (Neptune, NJ) go into a painfully slow race, with the halfway point being just under 70 seconds. The race seemed to play into her hands (though most athletes in this event can kick with the "best of them"). She won in 2:14.07, as 1 through 5 ran between 2:14.07 and 2:14.73.
Boys 1500m 1st Round
Wow! A new star! Jacob Burcham (Cabell-Midland, Ona, WV) showed sheer guts and several gears as he qualified for the final. The Ethiopian (and ultimate winner) Teshome Dirirsa had a 30 meter lead on the field for most of the race which he never relinquished. Burcham led a chase pack with those in 3rd place and beyond for much of the race. With 200 meters to go he was actually in second, then held third until 3 meters before the finish where he was passed by Emilio Perco of Italy. Burcham dove at the finish but was .02 off third. His 3:51.22 (equivalent to a 4:09.6 mile) was the fastest "time" qualifier.
Boys 110m Hurdles
Todd Gurley (Tarboro, NC), the lone US entrant, finished third in his heat to advance to the semifinal (13.86).
Girls 400m Hurdles SemiFinals
Nnenya Hailey (Mt. Vernon Presbyterian, Atlanta, GA) led from wire to wire to get the win and the World Junior lead at 58.44. She let up at the end, so that sub 58 is certainly within the realm of possibility for the final. Amber Bryant-Brock (Mc Eachern, Powder Springs, GA) was in the race for at least half of the 400 meters, but began to fade. She was passed down the home stretch and managed to hang on for fourth. She was the third fastest non-qualifier and only two are taken, so she did not advance to the final.
