The first day of the World Junior Meet is underway in Barcelona, Spain and the Northwest is represented. Gresham High’s Haley Crouser made it through the first heat in the Women’s Javelin with her throw of 51.04, which saw her place sixth in Group B. Briana Bain, also of the US, failed to qualify from Group A with her toss of 47.69.
Izaic Yorks of Lakes ran his personal best in the 1500 with a fine mark of 3:49.2, yet failed to qualify for the next round. He placed seventh in the first heat. Austin Mudd, another American, ran 3:54.82 in the second heat & also failed to qualify.
There is still a fair number of events left to go just for today but Briana Nerud will represent the US in the next round of the Steeplechase after placing fourth in the first heat. Nerud ran a very solid 10:08.15. Nerud's mark established a new American record topping Marie Lawrence, who now runs for the University of Washington. Courtney Frerichs failed to make it to the next round after running 10:35.
Yorks at Pasco
Aisling Cuffe, a freshman at Stanford, placed sixth in the 3K with a time of 9:19.95, while Lindsay Crevoiserat, a prep, followed in ninth with a personal best of 9:21. Kenya’s Mercy Chebwogen edged Ethiopian Hiwot Gebrekiban 9:08 to 9:09 for the triumph.
Ajee Wilson ran second in her qualifying heat, Heat 4, recording a time of 2:07 to easily qualify. Also qualifying was Danielle Aragon, who placed third in the sixth heat with 2:07.84.
Christine Hillman from Iowa State garnered third in the Shot Put with 16.37 (52-10.25) and Torie Owens came in tenth with 15.88 (48-07.5).
The pace had to be blistering in the 10K for young men, as four runners dipped under 29 minutes, and Yigem Demelash of Ethiopia won with a time 28:16. Second went to Kenya’s Philemon Cheboi, who ran 28:23. Jacob Kildoo of the US placed eleventh in a time of 31:09. Ryan Pickering was the second American with a time of 31:33, which was good for fifteenth. Also of note for the US was Gunnar Nixon, who placed second in his heat of the 400 Meters with a time of 49.13.
Last but not least Dondre Echols won his heat of the High Hurdles with a time of 13.74 and will move to the next round. Also advancing was Joshua Thompson, who was clocked in 14.04. He placed third in his heat. The sprints were kind to American performers and Tyreek Hill won his heat with 10.37. Placing second in heat 5 behind Hill was Canadian Moblode Ajomale, who was timed in 10.68. Another American athlete moving on was Aaron Ernest, who won heat 7 in 10.39.