Jordan Hasay cemebrates breaking the College 1500m record in Eugene (© Getty Images)
Eugene, USA Jordan Hasay was just looking for experience in the 1500m in the US Olympic Trials at Hayward Field over the weekend.
Hasay, 16, certainly got that as well as a US national high school record of 4:14.50 that broke the previous standard of 4:16.42 by nearly two seconds in the semi finals. She went onto place 10th in the final in 4:17.36 on Sunday (6 July).
The diminutive 1.60m Hasay garnered national attention for her exploits as the youngest competitor in the 1500m as well as her trademark blonde ponytail.
Hasay, who will begin her senior year at Mission Prep High School in San Luis Obispo, Calif. in the fall, was serenaded by the a capacity Hayward Field crowd of more than 20,000 with chants of “Come to Oregon” as she posed by the scoreboard clock after national record run in the semi finals.
Before the final, Hasay drew another loud applause when she was the last runner announced for the 12-woman final.
Hasay didn’t get much of a chance to relish her accomplishments before taking a flight on Monday (7 July) to Bydgoszcz, Poland for the IAAF World Junior Championships (8-13 July).
Looking for a fast pace in Bydgoszcz
The first round of the 1500m in Bydgoszcz is on 11 July and the finals are 13 July, making five races over 10 days for Hasay if she reaches the final.
Nevertheless, Hasay and her coach Dr. Armando Siqueros are hopeful of a brisk pace rather than a tactical race in the World Junior Championships that would be advantageous to Hasay’s strength.
“She lacks great acceleration in just two or three strides,” Siqueros said. “She just needs to have a decent pace. She’s so strong that I wouldn’t bet against her.’’
That strategy worked well in the U.S. Olympic Trials semi finals where Hasay closed with a 48.3 final 300m to pass three runners and qualify for the final and set the national record.
Uncertain itinerary
Hasay departed from her hometown of Arroyo Grande, California to Eugene, Ore. not knowing whether she would be able to compete in the first-round US Olympic Trials.
Hasay had the 31st best time and was not assured of a spot in the 1500m field until two runners pulled out the day before the first round on 3 July.
Then, it was not unclear whether Hasay would be able to run more than the first round on because of the US Junior team’s departure for Bydogoszcz on 4 July.
Ultimately, Hasay was given permission by the USATF to delay her departure to travel separately from the rest of the team on Monday.
“We packed and unpacked bags five times,” Hasay said. “We kept saying it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am glad that I can do both.’’
Emphasis on the 1500m
Choosing between running the 1500 or the 3000m took come contemplation.
Hasay, a silver medallist in the 1500m in the 2007 IAAF World Youth Championships, opted for the shorter distance in spite of running 9:52.13 in the 3200 meters in the California State Championships to break 10 minutes for the first time and move into second on the all-time U.S. list in the California State Championships on 31 May 31.
Siqueros believes that Hasay’s best event may ultimately be the 5000m or 10,000m but he has geared her training toward the 1500m this year even.
“Most people don’t realize how fast she is,” Siqueros said. “So right now, she likes (the 1500m) and is competitive at that distance. So let’s keep going until she get’s maxed out.”
Hasay demonstrated her turnover in the USA Track & Field Junior Championships in Columbus when she won a homestretch duel against Alex Kosinski of the University of Oregon and former national federation record holder in the 1600m.
In the 3200 at the Arcadia Invitational April, Hasay rallied for a win over Christine Babcock, who ran the all-time U.S. high school record in the 1500m broken by Hasay.
In the California State Championships in the 3200, Hasay beat USATF Junior 3000m champion Laurynne Chetelat with a surge in the final 50m.
“She has desire that you can’t coach,” Siqueros said about Hasay. “She won’t quit and push and push.’’
Lesson in humility
One of the biggest changes in 2008 for Hasay, who has also run a PB 2:09.82 in the 800m this season, was a re-evaluation of her race strategy of leading from the start.
That realization came apparent in the Payton Jordan Invitational at Stanford in May against open competition when Hasay ran conservatively to place 10th in 4:17.46 - a time that was fastest by a high school girl since 1982.
“She was in way over head and didn’t belong in a race like that,” Siqueros said. “I tried to get Jordan to understand there was more than one race plan and you can’t always expect to run away and the elements. The main purpose was to gain humility.’’
Siqueros has also watched videos of international competitions to study race tactics, most notably the 1992 Olympic women’s 1500m final where Hassiba Boulmerka (ALG) stormed past front runner Lyudmila Rogachova (RUS) to win the gold medal in the final 200m.
“Everybody figured that (Hasay) had to lead,” Siqueros said. “They would remember that freshman phenom who would push and push and then everyone would pass her. When she learns to utilize her ability, she’s going to run a lot faster than people think. Only God knows what her limits are.”
Kirby Lee for the IAAF
