Conor McCullough spins out a national junior record at the 2010 USATF Jnr nationals in Des Moines, Iowa (© Victah Sailer)
Princeton's Conor McCullough demolished the American Junior record in the men's Hammer Throw on Friday (25) at the 2010 USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.
The USA Junior Championships will serve as the selection meet for the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships, July 19-25, in Moncton, Canada. The top two finishers in each event will compete in Moncton, provided that they have met the qualifying standard.
It was the Conor McCullough show today in the men's Hammer Throw as any one of McCullough's throws would have easily won the competition. The 2008 World Junior silver medalist, he started out easy with a 74.63m throw. Then he turned it up a notch. On his second throw of the competition, McCullough launched the hammer 78.28m to demolish the previous American Junior record of 76.92m set by Walter Henning when he won the 2008 World Junior Championships. His fifth throw of 77.70m and sixth throw of 78.26m also would have broken the previous record. Skipping the NCAA Outdoor Championships to train for the USA and World Junior Championships seems to have paid off. Justin Welch was second with 70.29m.
Zimmerman and Eager relegate Crouser to third
In one of the biggest upsets of the Junior Championships thus far, Washington freshman Joseph Zimmerman won the men's Javelin Throw on his second attempt with a throw of 72.65mand Derek Eager of Maple Valley, Wash., took second with 70.24m on his final throw. In his first loss of the season, American Junior record holder Sam Crouser took third with 69.59m
On her last throw of the competition, Allison Updike won the women's javelin with a throw of 50.95m, while Vegas Valley TC's Avione Allgood was the runner-up with 49.71m.
Loxsom upsets Andrews in 800m
2010 NCAA Indoor champion Robby Andrews ran from the back of the pack in his customary style in the men's 800m final. Penn State's Casimir Loxsom made a move with 500m to go and still Andrews sat in the back. When he finally did kick, it was too late. Loxsom was able to hold Andrews off for the win, crossing the line in 1:47.45 to Andrews' 1:47.80. Hamden High School's Christopher FitzSimmons was third in 1:48.83.
Shore AC's Ajee Wilson just beat out Laura Roesler in the women's 800m, winning in 2:05.75 to Roesler's 2:05.80. Arkansas' Stephanie Brown finished third in 2:06.11.
Greany dominates women's 3000m Steeplechase
Reigning USA Junior XC champion Shelby Greany decimated the field in the women's 3000m steeplechase, winning the race in 10:27.15. Her nearest competitor, runner-up Eleanor Fulton, was over 10 seconds back and finished in 10:37.84. Penn State's Nicole Lord took third in 11:05.50.
Texas Tech's Shade Weygandt dominated the women's Pole Vault, winning with a best clearance of 4.38m. Indiana's Kelsie Ahbe was the runner-up at 4.05m/13-3.5, while Kortney Ross and Merritt Van Meter tied for the third at 3.85m/12-7.5.
Craddock, Guebelle victorious in men's and women's Triple Jump
Florida's Omar Craddock only had two official marks in Triple Jump competition, but that was all he needed. On his third attempt, Craddock soared to a personal best 16.56m/54-4 to win. Marquis Dendy was the runner-up with 15.60m.
After taking second in the Long Jump (24), Andrea Geubelle won the women's Triple Jump with a hop, skip and jump of 13.29m. Shanique Walker grabbed second place with 12.65m/41-6 and Ohio State's Kelsey McKinney was third with 12.14m.
2009 Pan Am Junior bronze medallist Erin Pendleton won the women's Discus Throw with a toss of 52.54m, easily outdistancing runner-up Alyssa Hasslen who had a best effort of 50.68m.
Men's and Women's 200m
After claiming runner-up status in yesterday's 100m, Ashton Purvis was on a mission today. When the gun went off in the 200m final, Purvis shot out of the blocks. Storming down the straight, Purvis pulled away from the field to win in 23.32. Clemson's Stormy Kendrick, who took third in the 100m, was second in 23.60. Kansas high school champion Oliver Bradwell, who took fourth in yesterday's 100m final, rebounded today to win the men's 200m in 21.18, just holding off Georgia's Eric Harris, the runner-up in 21.22.
Also on the track, 2009 Pan AM Junior bronze medalist Parker Stinson handily won the men's 10,000m in 30:56.10. Graham Bazell finished second in 31:33.76.
Pressley edges Willms in women's High Jump
2009 Pan Am Junior champion and 2010 SEC champion Maya Pressley of Auburn won the women's High Jump while local favorite Hannah Willms was the runner-up. Each athlete cleared 1.83m on their second attempt, but Pressley was declared the winner on the count back. Georgia's Saniel Atkinson was third with 1.80m.
USATF for IAAF
