News06 Jul 2010


Armstrong’s 21.31m delights home crowd in Burnaby

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Dylan Armstrongoputs a meet record in the Harry Jerome international (© Reese Raybon)

Vancouver’s first warm and calm summer evening provided an ideal setting for some outstanding performances at the 2010 Harry Jerome International Track Classic (5). The meet attracted many top Canadians tuning up for the National Championships on 28-31 July, and also some elite Americans getting ready for their European tours.

Armstrong breaks meet record

Local boy Dylan Armstrong accomplished what many insiders expected on Monday night. The shot-putting superstar won his event and shattered a 15-year-old meet record in the process with a heave of 21.31 metres. 

The Kamloops B.C. native destroyed the competition with his first effort of the night.  After a season best of 20.92 last year, Armstrong is now routinely cracking the 21-metre barrier.  Now sixth in the world season lists, Armstrong was very pleased to break the meet record.

“It’s nice,” he said. “I just got back from Europe with six meets over 21 metres.”  To explain his breakthrough, Armstrong credits his coach and his sponsors.  “I owe a big thanks to Tech Resources and B2Ten.  Without their help I wouldn’t be here today,” he said.  “I’m hoping to take these two companies with me to the podium.”  There would seem to be adequate room on Armstrong’s massive shoulders to carry his supporters to the top.

Patterson continues winning streak

USA’s Kara Patterson capped off an eventful 10 days with a winning throw of 61.58m over New Westminster B.C.’s Krista Woodward (55.45). On June 25 Patterson threw a stunning new American record of 66.67 at the U.S. national championships. Just over a week later, she won the Samsung Diamond League meeting in Eugene (65.90m) beating World record holder Barbora Spotakova.

“I was a little beat up after that,” the 24-year-old Purdue University grad admitted. “So I’m satisfied today but I wouldn’t say I’m happy.”

Patterson, whose father grew up in Vancouver had lots of fans at the Jerome as several of her local relatives came out to watch. Next up for her is the Samsung Diamond League meeting in Gateshead on July 10.

Abdulai recovers to win Long Jump

Last year’s champion Ruky Abdulai of Coquitlam took the event with a 6.53m leap over national record holder Tabia Charles of Pickering, Ont. “It was good,” said the 24-year-old Olympian, “considering all the pain I have.” Just a half hour earlier, Abdulai had smacked her right knee on the last hurdle of the 100-m hurdles, the first event in the evening’s triathlon event. She took the injury in stride and said it didn’t affect her performance. “I was quite happy when I heard Tabia was coming. Competing against her I always try hard.” Charles, who jumped 6.27, recently set a national record in the triple jump (13.96).

Zelinka wins meet’s first-ever three-event challenge

It was the veteran over the upstart in the Jerome’s first-ever women’s triathlon, with Olympic 5th-place heptathlete Jessica Zelinka prevailing over a persistent Ruky Abdulai.

Zelinka took an early lead in the 100m Hurdles with a 13.41sec clocking while Abdulai stumbled on the last hurdle and hobbled to the finish in 16.25. She recovered quickly, taking the Long Jump with a leap of 6.53m to Zelinka’s 5.61. After this event, Zelinka lead by just 95 points.

Abdulai showed great promise in the Javelin Throw, recording three personal bests on her way to 43.68m while Zelinka threw 40.10. But the final tally of points had Zelinka on top, with 2464 to Abdulai’s 2439.

“The most important thing was I wanted to compete against Jessica, to help both of us,” said Abdulai, who intends to focus on the Long Jump for the Commonwealth Games this year, and eventually take on the multi-events. “But I had a lot of fun. I feel great trying the Heptathlon this year. I still have two more years before London so I will see how far I can go.”

Chasing down Commonwealth Games qualifiers

The women’s 1500m featured a tremendously competitive field with Canadian Olympians Malindi Elmore, Diane Cummins and Carmen Douma-Hussar chasing the Commonwealth Games standard of 4:10:24. Douma-Hussar from Cambridge, Ontario took the lead over the homestretch and was the only one to qualify with a time of 4:10:01.  She hasn’t raced much in the last two years and with a new baby of 11 months she was happy to have won. “It was a good hard effort with a good competitive field.”

Megan Wright from Edmonton placed second with a time of 4:10:64.  Elmore placed third in 4:10:74 and just missed the qualifying time.  “I was a little disappointed with my time, but I have the Canadian Nationals in Toronto on July 31 to look forward to so I will try there.”

Edwards upset in men’s 100

Many expected the men’s dash to be a ‘walk in the park’ for American ‘Rae’ Monzavous Edwards. After all, the American 2009 World Championship team member is the sixth-fastest runner of the season so far with a 10.0 clocking at New York.  And all he had to do was beat three of the fastest Canadians on two feet.  In the glamour event of the Harry Jerome International Calgarian Sam Effah triumphed in 10.27 seconds to edge out Edwards, who finished second in 10.32.

Edwards was billed as one of the meet’s “Magnificent Seven” attractions but after arriving only the day before, he had some climate issues.  “You can’t take anything away from Effah,” noted Edwards, “But for me it was a tad colder than what I’m used to.”

For Effah, his remarkable progress continues.  “It’s a good feeling.  The time wasn’t that great but the competition was there.” 

Collegiate star takes High Jump

Derek Drouin, the 2010 NCAA indoor and outdoor champion, won the men’s High Jump, making three attempts at a new outdoor personal best of 2.28m before settling for 2.25. He narrowly defeated American Ed Wright who also cleared 2.25. Drouin, however, made fewer attempts at 2.20.

“I’m working on starting at higher heights,” said the University of Indiana sophomore. “Everything else was a bonus.” In third place (2.20) was former World Junior Champion Mike Mason.

John Moe, Christine Blanchette and Marcie Good for the IAAF

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