David Oliver leans to a fine 12.93 for the 110m hurdles! photo by PhotoRun.net.

It is hard not to like track & field athletes! From Anne Pierce, to Christian Cantwell, to Wallace Spearmon, to David Oliver, to Jennie Suhr, to Nick Symmonds,  to the hundreds of others who gave us five fantastic days of track & field in Des Moines. FACT 1: Drake Stadium‘s track is FAST! FACT 2: Throws area is fast as well, and shot put ring is placed well to view. FACT 3: Killer long jump and triple jump positioning!

Dan Huling, elated, winning 3,000m steeplechase title, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Some amazing performances, and a crowd of 11-13,000 a day, in a stadium that seats in the 24-25,000, and not a bad seat in the house! Revelation to me: Giving out posters of Allyson/Chris Solinsky, Bernard Lagat/Chaunte Howard Lowe, Galen/Dathan to about 1,500 fans who all liked them, followed them, knew who they were. Next year, want to give posters out to entire stadium (my next challenge).

Dwight Phillips soars to an 8.37m, June 27, 2010, photo by PhotoRun.net.

The VISA Challenge was exciting this year, with Bershawn Jackson waiting through Wallace Spearmon’s 19.77 and David Oliver’s 12.93! Chaunte Howard-Lowe was funny and charming in the press area, she wanted all to race well, but she wanted that $25,000 prize-honesty is good!

Wallace Spearmon runs 19.77, wind aided, for 200 meters, photo by PhotoRun.net

The response by Spearmon, he had to run under 19.81 legal, to win VISA award
was a wind-aided 19.77, had the crowd gasping! Then, David Oliver cranked his 12.93
and he just missed the award too!

Jennie Suhr clears 4.89m, or 16-00.25 ! photo by PhotoRun.net.

Jennie Suhr is back! After dealing with achilles issues, Jennie clears the
highest vault in the globe this year, and will get the AR again soon! And finally,
Nick Symmonds has some competition, and rose to the occasion, holding off
a young Duane Solomon, to show that yes, Mr. Symmonds is our numero uno
at 800 meters (watch for exclusive RBR interview later this week!).

Nick Symmonds takes the 800 meters! photo by PhotoRun.net.

I am off to driving home now, six hours, so enjoy this and a photo gallery and note that my review of day five will be up around midnight tonight! See you at Nike Team and Pre very soon!

EME NEWS (JUNE 28, 2010)

OLIVER 12.93, SUHR 489

DES MOINES (USA): Fast times on
the fourth and final day of the USATF national championships which was watched
by more than 7000 spectators (total of 32 048). David Oliver ran 12.93 in the 110H, what is
not only world leader, personal best but the fastest in the world in last two
years (+1.7).  Second Ryan Wilson (13.17)
and third Ronnie Ash (13.19, PB) were also fast. Wallace Spearman clocked 19.77
(+2.9) to win the 200m final. Walter Dix managed 20.14 out of lane one to take
the silver while Xavier Carter took the bronze in 20.29. Consuela Moore won the
women’s 200m in 22.40 (+0.6) over Shalonda Solomon (22.47) and Porscha Lucas
(22.57). In a tactical 1500m race Lopez Lomong and Leonel Manzano stormed
down the final straight together, it was Lomong who crossed the line first in
3:50.83 before Manzano (3:50.91) and Will Leer (3:51.63). NCAA revelation
Ti’erra Brown took her first national title in the 400H in 54.85. Nick Symmonds
powered home the backstretch to win the 800m title in 1:45.98 ahead of Duane
Solomon (1:47.16) and Jacob Hernandez (1:47.23). The women’s 800m race went to
Alysia Johnson in 1:59.87, silver went to Maggie Vessey (2:00.43), bronze was
for Phoebe Wright (2:00.47). Daniel Huling took his first national crown in the
3000m steeple running a new stadium record of 8:27.87, second was Ben
Bruce (8:30.87), third Steve Slattery (8:33.23). Lisa Aguilera was the winning
on the women’s side with 9:53.59. Strong performance by Jenn Suhr who jumped
a world leading 489 to win the pole vault and tried at five meters. Second
Becky Holliday (460) and third Mary Saxer (450). World champion Dwight Phillips
stole the show in the long jump with 837 (+1.9), Trevel Quinley managed 820
(-0.8) for second with Chris Pipps third in 812 (+1.8). Christian Cantwell took
the gold in the shot put in 21.65, silver went to Reese Hoffa (21.33)  and bronze to Adam Nelson (20.84). Sean Furey
won the javelin (79.86) and the high jump by Jesse Williams with a jump of
226. Becky Breisch won her second national title in the discus throw managing
63.34. The 20km race walk was won by John Nunn (1:29.21) on the men’s side and
by Maria Michta (1:39.46) on the women’s side. 

POWELL SUB 20, O. BAILEY SURPRISE 100 M WINNER

KINGSTON (JAM, Jun 27): Former
Calabar High School top sprinter Oshane Bailey sprinted to a surprise
victory in the 100m at the Jamaica National Champs on Sunday. Writes
TrackAlerts.com. Bailey who now represents the Michael Clarke-coached, Akan
Track Club, was drawn in lane 8 and with all eyes on the Stephen Francis
trained duo Michael Frater and Kimari Roach, sneaked through to take the win in
a personal best 10.14 seconds. Frater and Roach were timed at 10.16 and
10.23 respectively. Lerone Clarke finished fourth in 10.24. 100 m stars Shelly-Ann Fraser
and Asafa Powell captured the men’s and women’s 200 m titles. Powell ran
19.97 for his second 200m title while Fraser, the Olympic and World 100m
champion, was winning her first, which came in 22.49 secs. Powell, who ran
a very careful curve, said the aim was just to deliver a good race.
“I came out her to run a good race, but I was cautious on the curve
and then run the straight because I am still having a little problem
with my toes still,” Powell said. Lanceford Spence with 20.63 and Rasheed Dyer
20.65 were second and third respectively. Anneisha Mclaughlin took second in
22.98, a season best, while Samantha Henry 23.33 was third. In 400m
action, Oral Thompson went to the line in first position in 45.79 ahead of former
champion, Ricardo Chambers, 45.87 and Allodin Fothergill, 45.81. In the women’s
event, 2007 Osaka WC bronze medalist and defending champion, Novlene
Williams-Mills was first in 50.52, a season best, Olympic and World silver
medalist, Shericka Williams next in 51.12 and Kaliese Spencer 3rd 51.24. Indira
Spence took the women’s 100m hurdles in 13.05

ROONEY
THE SAME 44.99

BIRMINGHAM (GBR, Jun 27):  It was another sunny afternoon of action at
the Alexander stadium for the Aviva European Trials and UK Championships, with
a number of athletes adding to their count of UK titles and securing
places on the Aviva GB & NI team for the Spar European Championships.
Michael Rimmer took a historic fifth consecutive victory over the men’s
800m – the first athlete to achieve such a feat – and in some considerable
style in 1:47.22. In the women’s 800m final, the last event of the weekend,
Jemma Simpson retained her UK title with a strong performance 2:01.50
where she took to the front at the bell and gradually pulled away down the home
straight ahead of a fast finishing Vicky Griffiths 2:02.37. Jenny Meadows
having pulled out to protect an ongoing calf niggle that had hampered her
semi-final performance. Martyn Rooney equaled his European lead 44.99 to win
the 400 m
ahead of  Michael Bingham (45.67), Conrad
Williams (45.76) and Rob Tobin (45.84). Another athlete who should also be
considered in the mix for relay places is 400m hurdler Dave Greene. Against
a strong UK field he was a class apart taking the national title and
selection for the European Championships with a 48.77 victory against
training partner Rhys Williams with 49.76. 
In the men’s 110m hurdles final, William Sharman won the thrilling head
to head between himself and Andy Turner as the two could hardly be split over
the ten flights of hurdles. However, Sharman took the final 20m in smooth form,
and in the end, both crossed the line with A standards for Barcelona. The
times 13.45 and 13.48 (-0.3, Turner in heats 13.43). Christian Malcolm won the 200 m in 20.77 (-0.8) ahead
of Marlon Devonish (20.85). The men’s 1500m race saw Andy Baddeley 3:41.49 beat
Colin McCourt 3:41.95 to the title with an impressive home straight sprint. On
the field, there was a great display of high-jump prowess with Martyn
Bernard pipping Tom Parsons to the UK title, both clearing 2.28m. Phillips
Idowu took an expected men’s triple jump victory with his only properly
executed jump of the competition enough to take the title ahead of training
partner Nathan Douglas in 17.10m to 17.03m. Another athlete who competed at
last weekend’s Spar European Team Championships was Goldie Sayers and she did
not disappoint, taking her eighth national title with 58.60 in swirling wind
conditions on the in-field. With help of UK Athletics website.

OTHER RESULTS

TOTTORI (JPN, Jun 27): At
Sprint Challenge meeting Shintaro Kimura clocked 10.24 (+3.1) and 10.28 (+0.9).
National record holder Chisato Fukushima clocked 11.24 (+0.3) and 11.47 (0.0).

THESSALONIKI (GRE, Jun 27): In
an new national meeting Periklis Iakovakis clocked at 400 m hurdles his fastest of
the year 49.57. His brother Sotiris Iakovakis was second in the same race with
50.34. For him it is an B-standard for Barcelona, he must confirm this mark
again in one of the two forthcoming international meets (Patra & Rethimno)
in order to make the team.

ST. ETIENNE (FRA, Jun 27):
Nadir El Fassi scored 8110 points to win the French decathlon title.

NITRA (SVK, Jun 27):
Interesting women long jump duel highlighted the second day of Slovak National
Championships. Renata Medgyesova won with windy 663 (+2.3, legal 646 +2.0)
ahead of Jana Veldakova (653, +0.5) who had long fouls. Lucia Klocova took
after 1500 m
also the 800 m
in solo-race 2:05.80. Milan Haborak won the shot put, but 19.45 was short of
Barcelona qualifier. Sensation of the day was the 200 m personal best of Jozef
Svondrk with 21.01 (+1.4). He never ran before under 21.50.

NIVELLES (BEL, Jun 26): At
Belgian EAP meeting fast sprints by US Otis McDaniel 10.24 (+1.5) personal best
and 20.75 (-0.5). Olivier Colin of Canada improved at 800 m to 1:46.21.

CHONGQING (CHN, Jun 27):
Chinese national pole vault record at National Grand Prix final meet 572 by
Yang Yansheng. Youth national record in 200 m by 17 years old Lu Shangbin 20.74 (+1.0).
Shi Dongpeng clocked 13.45 (+0.9) at 110 m hurdles and Wang Wupin improved in women
long jump to 658 (+0.8).

PORT OF SPAIN (TRI, Jun 27):
Richard Thompson won the Trinidad & Tobago Nationals 200 m gold in 20.37 to
complete the sprint double. Second was defending champion and the 2010 NCAA
gold medallist Rondel Sorillo (20.62) and 2009 World championships 400m bronze
medallist Renny Quow (20.79). Writes TrackAlerts.com. Young talent Jehue Gordon
won the men’s 400m hurdles in  49.96.

ST. PETERBURG (RUS, Jun 27):
Mikhail Bykov won the 21st international marathon White Nights with 2:19:15
ahead of Kenyan Kiplimo Kemboi 2:19:48. Olga Malevich of Belarus was the women
winner in 2:41:22. In total 1583 finishers were registered in the marathon.
Margarita Plaksina won the accompanying 10 km race in 33:40.

EUROPEAN
CUP

TALLINN (EST, Jun 27): Home
Estonia won the men´s European Cup Combined Events Super League with 23 746
points ahead of Russia 22 742 and France 22 556. Relegated are Sweden and
Spain. Romain Barras won the decathlon with 8313 points over Estonian European
indoor champion Mikk Pahapill 8198 and his team-mate Andres Raja 8023. Women
winners France scored 17 654 over Czech Republic 17 402 and Russia 17 301.
Relegation for Poland and Sweden. Ukrainian Hanna Melnychenko was the best in
women heptathlon with 6098 points beating French Marisa De Aniceto (6010) and
Russian Aleksandra Rutvina 5990. Fourth French Yasmina Omrani achieved lifetime
best 5979 ahead of Karolina Tyminska of Poland (5938) and Czechs Eliska
Klucinova still coming from Kladno national record with 5920 and World Youth
Champion 2007 Katerina Cachova with lifetime best 5908 points.

HENGELO (NED, Jun 27): Polish
men celebrated First League victory in the Fanny Blankers-Koen stadium with 22
884 and will be promoted for the Super League 2011 with Czech Republic 22 123.
Relegation for Hungary and Romania. 
Swiss Simon Walter won the decathlon with 7820 points over Dawid Pyra of
Poland (7759). For both personal bests. Women winners Greece 16 995 together
with Netherlands 16 728 are promoted. Relegation for Spain and Austria. Dutch
Remona Fransen was the best in heptathlon with career best 5993 over Belarus
Yana Maksimava 5958 and Greek Sofia Ifadidou 5931 points.

TEL AVIV (ISR, Jun 27): Men
from Belgium 22 176 and Greece 21 070 will be promoted to First League from the
Second League in Israel. Individual winner Serbian Igor Sarcevic scored 7921
points, great personal best for him. Women from Finland 16 660 and Norway 15
766 are the new First League teams for 2011. Individual winner was Nina Kelo of
Finland with 5817 over Iceland´s Helga Thorsteindottir 5757.

OTHER
NEWS     

KINGSTON (JAM): Olympic sprint
relay gold medalist Nesta Carter did not compete at Jamaican Championships
because right hamstring injury. He watched the meet from the bleachers section
of the stadium and told the Sunday Observer that he picked up the injury at
a meet in Ostrava, Czech Republic, but said it „was not that bad”. Carter
could not say how long he would be out of action or when he would return to
full training, saying „hopefully soon”.

ADDIS ABABA (ETH): Double
olympic winner Kenenisa Bekele will not run this season to fully recover from,
the leg injury. It was confirmed by Jos Hermens to L´Equipe. „This year was not
important and he must think about the next ten years,” Hermens said. This year
he competed only in one race, cross-country in Edinburgh on January 9 where he
was fourth.

SYDNEY (AUS): In response to
significant media coverage overnight, Athletics Australia High Performance
Manager Eric Hollingsworth has put a swift end to rumors two-time world
400m hurdles champion Jana Pittman-Rawlinson is considering plans to represent
England at the London Olympic Games in 2012. Informs Athletics Australia.  After extensive talks with the dual world
champion (2003, 2007) and four-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist (2002,
2006), Hollingsworth, on behalf of Athletics Australia, said the 27-year-old
hurdler had no plans to switch her allegiance to England. Hollingsworth said
investigations by Pittman-Rawlinson into gaining a European passport to
assist with travel across the continent may have given rise to the rumours she
was considering a switch to the English track and field team.

KINGSTON (JAM): TrackAlerts
confirms that Asafa Powell is a Li Ning sponsored  athlete officially. He ran in his new brand
outfit at Sunday’s Jamaican Trials. “Yes it’s my first time running in Li
Ning,” said Powell while confirming trackalerts.com breaking story that he
signed with the Chinese company earlier this month.