American champions continue to set standard in field events

Winger captures seventh javelin crown, Lewis-Smallwood secures fourth discus title in five years and Orji repeats in triple jump; Young rebounds from runner-up at NCAA Division 1 Championships to win men's hammer

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Several winners of national titles at the USATF Outdoor Championships and potential members of the American roster selected to compete Aug. 4-13 at the IAAF World Championships could celebrate Thursday knowing they already had the qualifying standard to compete in London.

Others were quickly shifting their focus to find the next available competition in pursuit of securing the standard to confirm their spots on the national team.

Kara Winger moved into a tie for the second most women's javelin national titles -- Dorothy Dodson won 11 in a row from 1939-49 -- with a first-round throw of 206 feet (62.80m) and is the only athlete among the top three finishers to have the standard.

“It was just a little bit difficult energywise sometimes when you are in the warm-up track and not in the main stadium, it’s really hard to get the excitement going,” said Winger, who won four in a row from 2008-11.

“My last round’s energy was what I wanted in the first round, so I am not necessarily happy (Thursday) but I am happy with my seventh national championship.”

Former Rice standout Ariana Ince took second with a throw of 191-4 (58.32m) and LSU senior Rebekah Wales third at 181-4 (55.28m), both needing to achieve of the standard of 201-5 (61.40m).

Georgia star Keturah Orji won her second national title in the triple jump, needing only a second-round leap of 46-9.5 (14.26m) to make another national team, including winning the junior triple jump championship in 2014.

“I wish my series was more consistent, but a win is a win and I am very happy to win,” said Orji, the American record holder.

“On my 14.26m jump I wasn’t even on the board, so I know there is more there. I just need to get more comfortable working with a shorter approach.”

Tori Franklin, the reigning U.S. indoor champion, was second at 45-3.5 (13.80m) and former Kansas star Andrea Geubelle placed third at 44-8.25 (13.62m). Both athletes still need to secure the standard of 46-3.25 (14.10m) in order to compete in London.

All three athletes in the women's discus had no such worries, already securing the standard.

Gia Lewis-Smallwood captured her fourth title in five years with a fifth-round throw of 205-6 (62.65m), edging defending champion Whitney Ashley at 204-1 (62.20m). Stanford's Valarie Allman, who is redshirting this outdoor season and has one more year of eligibility next year, placed third at 190 feet (57.93m).

“We had to work for that performance today. To get this win is special. I took a little bit to get moving and going. Once I did I was lucky enough to get a good throw to win the meet,” Lewis-Smallwood said. “With the hot spell and trying to stay hydrated and fresh, to win under these conditions is phenomenal. This is my fourth national title so it is always very special. I am so proud of all my competitors. They worked so hard. To be a national champion amongst that field is very special.”

Following a second-place finish June 7 at the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships, Southeastern Louisiana standout Alexander Young won the men's hammer throw title with a sixth-round throw of 241-11 (73.75m). LSU senior Johnnie Jackson placed second at 235-2 (71.69m) and Sean Donnelly of Iron Wood Track Club was third at 234-5 (71.45m).

All three individuals are still pursuing the standard of 249-4 (76.00m).

“It is really awesome especially coming off NCAAs two weeks ago. It is a great experience to be out here and compete with some great guys,” Young said. “To come back and actually win the championship after finishing second at NCAAs. I am really grateful. I knew I had to hit the world standard out here [and that] would be my best bet for worlds. It did not quite happen but I had fun and came away with a small PR.”

In first-round competition, Emma Coburn led all qualifiers in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase in 9:38.68, with fellow Olympian Colleen Quigley clocking 9:40.63.

Brenda Martinez, the 2013 World Championship bronze medalist in the 800, led all qualifiers in 2:02.31, with former Brigham Young standout Shea Collinsworth clocking 2:02.82 in her first race representing Nike Oregon Track Club and Ajee' Wilson running 2:02.84 in her first outdoor race of the year.

Three-time NCAA outdoor champion and collegiate record holder Raevyn Rogers of Oregon ran 2:03.01 and Rush-Henrietta NY graduate Samantha Watson clocked 2:03.02.

Tori Bowie led three women under 11 seconds in the 100-meter dash in 10.90, with Morolake Akinosun in 10.98 and Barbara Pierre in 10.99.

Kendall Ellis was the fastest semifinal qualifier in the 400 in 50.81, with Courtney Okolo clocking 50.97.

Kate Grace, who won the U.S. Olympic Trials last year in the 800, led all 1,500 qualifiers in 4:09.11, followed by Alexa Efraimson (4:09.65) and Emily Lipari (4:09.84). Olympians Shannon Rowbury (4:11.23) and Jenny Simpson (4:11.96) also advanced.

Olympian Clayton Murphy began his pursuit of making the national team in both the 800 and 1,500, moving on to the semifinals in 1:47.88 and 3:40.94.

Following his collegiate record 9.82 at Tennessee, Christian Coleman clocked 9.93 in the 100 prelims in his first race as a professional. Isiah Young ran 9.97 and veterans Justin Gatlin and Mike Rodgers both clocked 10.00.

Oregon standout Sam Prakel led all qualifiers in the 1,500 in 3:40.76 and Erik Sowinski posted the fastest time in the 800 in 1:46.55.

Gil Roberts led three athletes under 45 seconds in the 400 in 44.63, with Bryshon Nellum clocking 44.85 and Kyle Collins 44.95, ahead of USC freshman Michael Norman in 45.01.