DREAMY CALI WEATHER BOOSTS MT. SAC EFFORTS
Molly Huddle
Carmelita Jeter and Molly Huddle raced to world-leading times at opposite ends of the track spectrum, and field eventers enjoyed spectacular Southern California weather that helped elicit six U.S.-leading performances at the Mt. SAC Relays.Jeter dipped under 11-seconds in the 100 with her 10.99, taking the measure of the field by more than a quarter-second. Huddle used a 2:53.2 last kilometer to clock 15:10.63 and beat 3,000m steeplechase American Record-holder Jenny Simpson, among others. In 10th place, Neely Spence of Shippensburg set an NCAA Division II record with her 15:33.83. Her father, Steve, was the bronze medalist for Team USA in the 1991 World Championships marathon.
A finalist at the 2009 World Championships, Amber Campbell moved to No. 2 on the U.S. all-time list in the hammer with her 72.59 meters/238-2 toss. Her series included four throws over 230-feet.
2008 Olympian and two-time World Indoors finalist Jesse Williams tied his lifetime outdoor best in the high jump, clearing 2.34m/7-8 to grab the outdoor world lead, with Tora Harris leaping 2.31m/7-7 to place second.
Defending world indoor and outdoor champion Brittney Reese equaled the outdoor U.S. lead in winning the long jump at 6.83m/22-5, and Blessing Ufodiama improved to 13.92m/45-8 to lead the national triple jump list.
Sean Furey, a 2009 World finalist, upped his lifetime best to 81.62m/267-9 to win the javelin, and Washington’s Scott Roth set a lifetime outdoor best with his 5.72m/18-9.25 clearance to move atop the U.S. lists. Roth’s effort also makes him the first American to notch a vault qualifying mark for the 2011 Worlds in Daegu.
National-leading marks also came in the men’s 100 from Mike Rodgers (10.07) and 1500m, where Russell Brown recorded a 3:35.70. BYU’s Miles Batty finished third in that race at 3:36.25, making him history’s third-fastest American collegian. 10,000m American Record-holder Chris Solinsky nabbed a PR 3:35.89 in second.
Top hurdles marks were turned in by Ginnie Powell in the women’s 100H at 12.86, and Texas Tech’s Bryce Brown in the men’s 400m hurdles in 49.25. Derek Scott knocked more than 20 seconds off his lifetime best to win the 3000m steeplechase in 8:31.52.
Middle distance outdoor national leaders went to Shalane Flanagan in the women’s 1500m (4:11.67) and Maggie Vessey in the women’s 800 (2:02.51). Arizona’s Brigitte Barrett cleared 1.90m/6-2.75 to win the high jump with the best mark by an American this outdoor season.
World Junior Championships team member Avione Allgood, a Nevada prep, dramatically improved her lifetime best to 53.66m/176-0 to take third in the open women’s javelin and move to No. 6 on the all-time high school list.
