Field Events: Valarie Allman Wins Seventh Straight Women's Discus Title; Sandi Morris Wins Sixth Pole Vault Crown; Tyus Wilson Wins High Jump; Russell Robinson Takes TJ

By David Woods for DyeStat

Becky Holbrook photos

EUGENE – Josh Awotunde has never beaten Ryan Crouser – record of 0-36 – and didn’t need to on Sunday.

But to get on the world team, Awotunde had to beat a shot putter, Joe Kovacs, who happens to be a three-time Olympic silver medalist.

Awotunde saved his best for last, throwing 73 feet, 8.75 inches (22.47m) to win his first national title and knock out Kovacs at the USATF Championships.

“I’ve been doing that for a long time,” Awotunde said. “It doesn’t happen all the time. When it does, I get results like that.”

The distance put Awotunde, who represented Nigeria early in his career, into No. 9 on the all-time U.S. list. It would have been good for silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Crouser, a three-time Olympic champion, has a bye to next month’s World Championships and did not compete because of a lingering elbow issue. Crouser or Kovacs had won all but one national title in the shot since 2014.

Payton Otterdahl, fourth at Paris, was second at 73-4 (22.35m). Tripp Piperi was third after launching a personal best 73-1.75 (22.29m).

The 36-year-old Kovacs was fourth, and out, at 72-5 (22.07m). He was in first through three rounds and second through five. He threw a world-leading 73-9 (22.48m) at the Prefontaine Classic a month ago – one centimeter farther than Awotunde did Sunday.

Roger Steen, 33, the world indoor silver medalist, was fifth at 70-10.75 (21.61m).

Awotunde’s only global medal came at Hayward Field, a bronze at the 2022 World Championships. The 30-year-old said he has had one of his most consistent seasons, although he was fifth (at Memphis) and sixth (at Ostrava) in his two most recent meets.

“Steady, day to day. The same attitude going to practice,” Awotunde said. “It shows everything that I’m doing is working.”

He did not compete at Pre, where Kovacs was first, Steen second, Piperi fourth and Otterdahl sixth, all at 71-11 or longer.

“It’s tough to bounce back from that,” said Awotunde, adding he rested more than usual ahead of nationals.

Elsewhere in field events, Valarie Allman came within a centimeter of a non-wind-blown personal best with her meet record of 234-5 (71.45m) in the discus. It was a record seventh straight national title in the event.

Moreover, her six throws averaged 69 meters (226-4).

“It shows I’m locked in,” Allman said. “It shows I’m working on the right stuff.”

The two-time Olympic champion raised her American record to 241-2 (73.53m) at Ramona, Okla., on April 12.

The United States gets four Tokyo spots because defending world champion Laulauga Tausaga-Collins gets a bye. She was second at 212-9 (64.86m).

Gabi Jacobs, who was out of the sport in 2022 and 2023, was third at 207-9 (63.33m). Texas Tech’s Shelby Frank was fourth at 200-6 (61.11m) but lacks the world standard.

Collegiate record-holder Jayden Ulrich of Louisville was sixth at 197-10 (60.30m).

After changing standings, clutch clearances, strategic passes and swirling winds, the women’s pole vault came out as forecast: Four of the world’s top six outdoors are Americans, and all made the grade.

Sandi Morris won a sixth national title, clearing 15-10 (4.83m) to tie Katie Moon and Russia’s Polina Knoroz for the outdoor world lead.

“I feel better than ever, honestly,” said Morris, 33.

Moon, with a world bye as defending champion, was second at 15-6.25 (4.73m). Washington twins Amanda and Hana Moll were third and fourth, respectively, at the same bar. They were NCAA indoor and outdoor champions.

Brynn King and Chloe Timberg, who were in the top three at various stages, were fifth and sixth, both at 15-2.25 (4.63m).

Morris changed coaches this year and collaborates with Brooke Rasnick at Louisville.  The vaulter missed out on Paris after making Olympic teams in 2016 (silver medal) and 2021. She now aims for Los Angeles 2028.

“I absolutely believe I can be world champion this year,” Morris said. “Nothing is standing in my way but myself.”

Other champions were triple jumper Russell Robinson (56-3.25/17.15m) and high jumper Tyus Wilson (7-5.25/2.27m).

Olympic silver medalist Shelby McEwen was second in the high jump at 7-3.25 (2.22m). Wilson, fresh out of the University of Nebraska, won the NCAA Indoor title but was sixth at the outdoor championships in June.

Will Claye, 34, who last won a world medal in 2019, finished third in the triple jump at 56-1 (17.09m). He has made nearly ever national team since 2011, but didn't make it last summer to Paris.

Contact David Woods at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007.