Lyles and Marshall lead hopes: Boys’ Preview, 2014 Youth Olympics
100 meters
American Entry: Jeffrey Uzzell, Eagles Landing HS-GA, 2017
Was 2nd in the YOT with a 10.86, which remains his legal PR … YOT winner Amir Rasul is not competing, so Uzzell moved up … ran a 10.50 (nwi) at his Class A Area 3 Private Champs in early May, but did not compete at state … did not race again until some sub-par USATF JO performances, raising questions about fitness level.
Event Analysis: It will be quite a challenge for USA to reach the podium unless Uzzell has a serious breakthrough, but Team Americas still has a great chance for at least one medal with Jamaican Raheem Chambers, provided his form is close to what it was in the spring when he ran his World #2 time of 10.27. The World List, actually, is dominated by Americans and Jamaicans who won’t be here – led by NBNO winner Darryl Haraway of Maryland. But two other serious medal contenders under 10.50 are #8 Kenta Oshima of Japan, at 10.44, and #12 Kristoffer Hari of Denmark at 10.47 (10.37 last year). Bahamian Javan Martin is contesting the 200, but his teammate Tyler Bowe (10.42w) is formidable as well.
200 meters
American Entry: Noah Lyles, TC Williams HS-VA, 2016
Lyles could certainly be one of the stars of the Games for the USA, coming in as the top entry (World #3) in the 200 … of course, Noah also has the experience of repping Team USA at the World Youths last summer in the 200 and the medley relay … his outstanding 2014 has, besides his YOT win, included a runner-up finish in the NBNO 200 (behind World Jr champ Trentavis Friday) and a 3rd in the NBNI 200.
Event Analysis: No doubt, Lyles could win gold for Team USA. World #1 Thomas Somers of the GBR (20.37) is not competing and #2 Martin Manley of Jamaica is in the 400. Jamaica will counter with Chad Walker, with 20.99w and 21.12 bests. Other top contenders: Baboloki Thebe of Botswana at 20.85A and 21.24, Brian Kasinda of Zambia at 21.02A, and Chun-Han Yang of Chinese Taipei at 21.03. Don’t count out the aforementioned Javan Martin of the Bahamas, at 21.15w and 21.24. Both Thebe and Kasinda made the WJ semis last month and there are others at 21.20 or better to consider.
400 meters
American Entry: Andrew James, Westminster Acad.-FL, 2015
James had an impressive Trials in multiple events, which included the 48.25 400 win, just .12 off the 48.13 PR he set three weeks earlier (still his best) … he went on to be 1A state runner-up … last competed at AAU Clubs in July and, like Uzzell, one wonders how his form will be.
Event Analysis: Jamaica’s Martin Manley is no doubt “the man” in this event, sporting a World #2 46.24 PR best this year and a 45.89 PR from his World Youth title last year … or is he? He didn’t make it out of his semi at World Juniors, so it remains to be seen if he can regain his form. Similar questions surround Karabo Sibanda of Botswana at 46.77 – for he wasn’t great in Eugene, either. Kenya’s Ian Mutuku was 4th at WY last year and has run 46.67 this year. Of course, World #1 and NBNO champ Josephus Lyles at 46.23 did not compete with his brother in the YOT (injured), but he will cheer on Noah after winning his 4x4 gold at WJs in Eugene.
800 meters
American Entry: Myles Marshall, Kingwood HS-TX, 2015
What a year it’s been for Myles Marshall, who if he can regain his early July form could be a medal threat and another star of the Games for Team USA along with Lyles … his peak to date was the 1:48.43 at USATF Jrs to make that Team USA for Eugene – quite an improvement from the 1:51 he ran to win the YOT back in April … the time also beat the 1:48.44 high school PR of his dad, 1984 Olympian John Marshall … was also 3rd at NBNO, his other sub-1:50 final … the WJ prelim got away from him in his 2nd Eugene trip, as he was 8th in his heat … if he can pull it back together, should be fun.
Event Analysis: Marshall is definitely a medal hope, should he regain form, but the men to beat are Ethiopian Bacha Morka, a 1:47.10 performer who’s World #1, and Kenyan Anthony Kiptoo – with a 1:46.8 hand time to his credit. Also look for Tom Elmer of Switzerland, who’s run 1:50.18. Several others are 1:51 types.
1,500 meters
American Entry: None
It was a painful blow for U.S. distance hopes when YOT champ Grant Fisher withdrew … Fisher, of course, was the NBNI mile champ and also won the Adidas mile, Brooks 2M and repped Team USA at World Juniors – all after making the World Youth 1,500 final in 2013 … he cited preparations for the 2014 XC season (and already having run WJ) as his reasons for withdrawing.
Event Analysis: While Team Americas lost a super talent when Fisher withdrew, it should be noted that YOT runner-up Braydon Rennie of Canada, who ran 3:57.29 in that race, has improved significantly to 3:50.74 and should be a solid representative. Surprisingly, the top entrant in the meet is actually a Spaniard, World #3 Jordi Torrents at 3:44.57 – but he’s in the 3k. So, as usual, look for the East Africans. Kenya’s entered Gilbert Kwemoi Soet, World #4 at 3:45.39, while Ethiopia counters with Mulugeta Assefa Uma at #5 3:46.84. Neither top Ethiopian Aregawi Berhane (#2 3:43.3h) or World Leader Awet Nftalem Kibrab of Eritrea (3:43.14) are entered. Also consider Mostafa Smaili of Morocco at 3:47.99 and Burundi’s Rodrigue Biziyaremye at 3:49.24.
3,000 meters
American Entry: None
Event Analysis: Unlike his 1,500 countryman, Jay Ort of Canada hasn’t really progressed since the Miramar Trials and will be challenged to place as high. Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha Atomsa is far and away the World Leader and top entry here at a ridiculous 7:36.28 – which makes him history’s #2 Youth ever. He was the 2013 World Youth Champ at 3k and just got done winning the World Junior title at 5k last month in Eugene. For Kenya, it’ll be Moses Koech, who’s run 8:05.22. The best of the rest: Burundi’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo at 8:17.93, Morocco’s Amine Zahaf at 8:18.88 and Spain’s Jordi Torrents – who’s run 8:19.09, but with 3:44 wheels over 1,500 can probably go faster.
2,000 meters steeplechase
American Entry: None
Event Analysis: Where’s Bailey Roth when you need him? All humor aside, neither the U.S. or Team Americas will likely have any contenders in an event dominated by East and North Africans. Three of the world’s sub-5:40 performers are here in Ethiopian (#1) Wegene Sebsibe at 5:35.86, Morocco’s Hicham Chemlal at 5:37.63 (5:32.92 last year) and Kenya’s Amos Kirui at 5:39.23. They finished in that order, in fact, back in May in Gaborone. Chemlal was 4th at World Youths last year. The top contenders beyond that big three is Bulgaria’s Ivo Balabanov at 5:45.36.
10,000 meters racewalk
American Entry: None
Event Analysis: One walker has dipped below 42:00; that is Peru’s Cesar Rodriguez at 41:57.90. After walking more than six minutes for 19th at World Youths last year, he hit his new PR while placing 10th against the older guys at WJs. At 42:07.18 is Noel Ali’ Chama from Mexico, easy winner of the Miramar YOT, and at 42:07 (roads?) is Japan’s Minoru Onogawa.
110 meters hurdles
American Entry: Amere Lattin, FB Marshall HS-TX, 2015
Amere Lattin rolled the barriers in a swift 13.73 to easily capture the YOT over the 36” barriers … competing at 39” with his high school the rest of the year, he had bests of 13.95w and 14.00 … was runner-up at Great Southwest after a 3rd at Texas 4A state … last raced at USATF Juniors where he clocked 14.06 in prelims.
Event Analysis: The US’s Lattin is a very good hurdler who can probably go under 13.6 over the 36s – and he’ll probably need to in order to medal. The overwhelming favorite, of course, is the amazing Jaheel Hyde (13.10w) – whose talent and versatility has just produced a World Junior title over 400H after a World Youth title over 110H in 2013. He’s truly one of the top athletes of the Games. Team Americas athletes Joshuan Javier Berrios Mora of Columbia, Diego Delmonaco Eyzaguirre of Chile and Vitor Henrique Venancio of Brazil will be in the running for more medals if they can replicate their sub-13.6 times from the high-altitude Trials. But the talent pool at that level includes four others, led by Australia’s Nicholas Andrews at 13.45.
400 meters hurdles
American Entry: None
Rai Benjamin, a New York prep who also reps Antigua and Barbuda, won the YOT at 53.32 but is not competing.
Event Analysis: Jaheel Hyde of Jamaica could almost certainly break William Wynne’s World Youth record of 49.01 over the 33” barriers (he won WJ over 36” at 49.29). But since he’s running the 110s instead, the rest of the planet has a chance. This will be one of China’s best chances to pick up a men’s track gold, with Zhihang Xu the World Leader at 50.74. Thailand’s Witthawat Thumcha offers the toughest challenge at 51.01, then France’s Victor Coroller at 51.23. Three others have bests under 52 seconds, led by Carifta runner-up and Team Americas top hope, Rivaldo Leacock of Barbados at 51.37.
High Jump
American Entry: None
Event Analysis: Danil Lysenko of Russia has a big edge on the field, having cleared 2.24/7-4.25. He’s was 6th at World Jrs last month and is 4cm up on the rest of the world – and 8cm on the next best this field has to offer. China has the World #2 in Jiaxu Bai at 2.20/7-2.5, but he’s not entered. The entries at 2.16/7-1 are Turkey’s Alperen Acet and the Ukraine’s Oleksandr Barannikov, while Italy’s Stefano Sottile is at 2.15/7-0.5. Barannikov was 4th on his home turf at World Youth last year.
Long Jump
American Entry: None
Event Analysis: Russia’s Anatoly Ryapolov, the 2013 World Youth champ, is the class of the field with a World-Leading mark of 7.79/25-6.75 and a career best of 7.90/25-11. One of the few that could have given him a battle is the U.S.’s Ja’Mari Ward, but due to recovery from an injury could not compete in the Trials and the U.S. had no other entries there. Five other jumpers have PRs at 7.50/24-7.25 or better, led by Algerian Yasser Triki at 7.63/25-0.5, Pelfeng Zhong of China at 7.56/24-9.75 and Hans-Christian Hausenberg of Germany at 7.55/24-9.5.
Triple Jump
American Entry: None
Event Analysis: It’s unfortunate Cuba didn’t compete in Youth Trials for the Games, so the world could again see World Jr champ Lazaro Martinez, who is nearly a meter beyond any Youth jumper. Without him, three 16-meter (52-6) jumpers are the driver’s seat for medals. They include Carifta champ Miguel Van Assen (11th at WJs) of Suriname at 16.33/53-7, Nazim Babayev of Azerbaijan at 16.18/53-1 and Tobia Bocchi of Italy at 16.04/52-7.5. Also, Oleksandr Malosilov (4th at 2013 WYC) of the Ukraine at 15.97/52-4.75
Pole Vault
American Entry: None
Event Analysis: There are four 5-meter (16-4.75) vaulters in the field, but by far the best is Hussein Assem Al-Hizam, the World #3 who has soared 5.32/17-5.5 this year. Americans have four of the top six spots on the World list, but unfortunately none of them competed in the Trials. The others most likely to contend are Vladimir Shcherbakov of Russia at 5.10/16-8.75, Pierre Cottin of France at 5.05/16-6.75 and Noel-Aman Del Cerro Vilalta of Spain, also at 5.05/16-6.75. Three others have done 4.95 (16-2.75).
Shot Put
American Entry: None
Event Analysis: Earlier, we mentioned Jaheel Hyde as a World Junior champ competing who is an overwhelming favorite. Same goes for Konrad Bukowiecki of Poland, who won in Eugene with 22.06/72-4.5. Of course, that was with the 6k ball Juniors use; here it’s the 5kg ball. Bukowiecki’s best with that implement this year is 23.13/75-10.75, more than four feet beyond anyone else and #3 all-time. Andrei Toader, the Romanian who was 9th in Eugene, is a solid silver favorite with a 21.70/71-2.5 best. The third boy over 20 meters in the field is Merten Howe of Germany at 20.32/66-8. The top three in the World, you could do worse than this if you want something close to a sure bet for a top 3.
Discus
American Entry: Tyler Merkley, Los Osos HS-CA, 2015
One of only two boys to make a field event here from the U.S. … Merkley contest three of the throws at the Trials and the discus is where he made it, throwing the Youth implement 54.50/178-10 … that puts him ahead of about a third of the field … he went on to throw 176-5 with the high school discus, so it stands to reason he could add several feet to his PR.
Event Analysis: Like the shot put, there are a trio of throwers that really stand out. They are led by Germany’s World #2-ranked Clemens Prufer, who has whirled the platter 65.02/213-4. He is followed by another strong Chinese medal hopeful in Yulong Cheng at 63.66/208-10 and then Pavol Zencar of at 60.15/197-4. The World leader is actually China’s Xiangnan Zhang, but he didn’t make it. But Cheng was 3rd at World Youths last year.
Javelin
American Entry: None
Event Analysis: Again, the host country has a great gold medal fave in World #2 Jiabo Xiang, who has reached 78.69/258-2 with the lighter 700 kg jav. World leader Simon Litzell of Sweden is not in the field. Six others have hit 72 meters or better, led by Mateusz Strzeszewski of Poland at 76.39/250-7.
Hammer
American Entry: Kenneth Brinson, Jr., Throw 1 Deep/Marist HS-GA, 2015
Brinson, like Merkley, threw the shot, discus and hammer at the Trials – and it was the hammer where he stood out with his 63.52/208-5 victory with the lighter implement … his PR is 67.60/221-9 with that 5 kg hammer … he hit 214-0 with the high school hammer at the Southern Challenge … he’s ranked 12th among entries.
Event Analysis: Bence Halasz of Hungary was just 8th at the World Youths last year at 74.90/245-9. What a difference a year makes. Suddenly he’s become the World Youth record holder with a mighty 87.16/285-11. He’s exceeded 80 meters in 13 meets. With the heavier Junior hammer, he was 7th in qualifying in his Group at World Jrs. But he’s the huge fave here, of course. Five others have thrown 76m or better, led by World #2 Hlib Piskunov of the Ukraine at 79.94/262-3.
