Day 1 Evening Event Summaries

by Joy Kamani
Day One - Evening Event Summaries By Jim Spier Photos by Joy Kamani Video Interviews by Paul Limmer Women's 100m Hurdles The U.S. hurdlers faced some challenges here, namely with the two Jamaicans, Shermaine Williams and Rosemarie Carty. Both were out first, with Raven Clay (Findlay U — Cody HS, Detroit, MI '08) following. That's the way it stayed through the finish, with Williams running 13.22w (+2.2), Carty 13.34 and Raven Clay 13.44. US Junior Champion Shericka Ward (Villanova U — Leesburg HS, FL '08) fourth in 13.64. Both Williams and Carty are students of Johnson C. Smith U in Charlotte, NC. Raven Clay Men's 110m Hurdles (39") What a day Wayne Davis had. First it was his high school record of 13.19 [+1.5] in the prelims even after a poor start. That mark took down Chris Nelloms 13.20 auto timed record of 1990, but still inferior to Renaldo Nehemiah's hand timed 12.9 (equivalent to 13.14). Also in the bargain was the meet record of 13.46 co-held by Dayron Robles of Cuba and Johnny Dutch of he USA. He got the wind he wanted in the final — 2.0 mps — and a good but not great start. There was some confusion with the results in that several of the races had 2.2 mps wind posted. It turns out that that was an error, and there was a variety of winds for the various races. We did not find out for some time that the actual wind was 2.0, so that his awesome 13.08 time was legal! That not only got him the World Junior Record held by Liu Xiang of China (13.12), but the U.S. High School record, his time superior to Nehemiah's. Wayne now holds the World Youth and World Junior records. One could say that he is the greatest under 20 hurdler of all time. Wayne Davis' Post-event interview Women's 400 Meters The two U.S. athletes, Alisha Usery (Florida) and Diamond Richardson (Baylor) led for the first 300 meters. At that point, Jenifer Padilla of Colombia, tall and lanky, made her big move, ultimately getting the win in 53.60. Alejandra Cherizola (Mexico) was also moving well at the end and dove for second, running 53.81 and edging Diamond Richardson. But it was learned later that Richardson was disqualified, probably for a lane violation, so Jodi-Ann Muir (Jamaica) moved up for the bronze, running 53.93. Usery was fourth in 54.33. Alishea Usery Diamond Dixon Men's 400 Meters What a race! The stage had been set. Tavaris Tate (Starkville, MS) was well aware of what he was up against. And that would be the World Youth Champion, Kirani James of Grenada. James had about a three-tenth edge on Tavaris in the lifetime best department. Tate had run 45.48 at altitude (Albuquerque) and 45.71 at sea level (the Mississippi State meet). Both performances took place almost two months ago. Tate was out like a "rocket" but couldn't shake James to his inside. James gained the advantage at the halfway point and we thought Tate had been broken. But he is a tough competitor and hung on James' shoulder. He even gained on James down the homestretch, but James barely held Tavaris off for the win, 45.43 to 45.50. It was a great race and both hugged afterwards. Third was James' countrymate Rondell Bartholomew at 46.61. Women's 100 Meters Chalonda Goodman (Newnan, GA) was up against some very stiff competition in her teammate, Amber Purvis (U. of Oregon, Benicia HS '08). It was a race between those two with Purvis trying to make a move at 60 meters, but Goodman responded and kept her margin. Goodman got a PR, running 11.22 (+0.8), #10 all-time in high school). Purvis was second in 11,38 and Jura Levy of Jamaica third in 11.51. Chalonda Goodman Amber Purvis Men's 100 Meters D'Angelo Cherry (Mississippi State, Mt. Zion, Jonesville, GA '08) had a great start a led for the first half of the race. But Marcus Rowland (Auburn, Roebuck HS, Dorman, SC) muscled past him to win pulling away in a lifetime best of 10.03 (+0.7). Cherry hung on for second in a quick 10.17, though short of his personal best. Third was Diego Cavalcanti of Brazil in 10.30. Marcus Rowland D'Angelo Cherry Men's Discus Mason Finley (Buena Vista, CO) had an easy time of it, basically winning the event on his first throw of 207-1. He improved to 208-5 in round 4, and had his winner of 214-4 in the final round. He was well ahead of local favorite Quincy Wilson of Trinidad (188-0) and World Youth bronze medalist Travis Smikle of Jamaica (187-7). Matt Kosecki (Humble, TX) was fourth in 183-6. Mason Finley Women's Shot Put It was Ana Jelmini (Shafter, CA) as expected, winning in a closer than expected contest with Nike Indoor Nationals champion, the Canadian Julie Labonte. Labonte won NIN at 51-9.75, so she was a force to be contended with. Jelmini was actually trailing until the fifth round, when she unleashed the winning throw of 53-8.5. Labonte was ever so close at 53-5.5, that throw also coming in round 5. Geisa Arcanjo of Brazil got the bronze (51-5.75). Fourth was Laishema Hampton (Iowa State, St. Louis Park HS, MN '08) with 48-3.5. (This was probably the greatest medal competition of all time at the Pan Am Juniors). Ana Jelmini Laishema Hampton Men's Javelin Braian Toledo of Argentina surprised the Americans getting his winning throw of 229-1 in the final round. Until then the leader was Sam Crouser (Gresham, OR) at 222-9. Crouser's throw ultimately got him second, with teammate Matt Byers (Northwest, Wichita, KS) getting the bronze at 215-11. Women's Triple Jump With only five competitors, there were no qualifying and final rounds — just 6 jumps to determine the placings. Whoops! Make that six competitors. The Cubans just showed up. But not until round 6. Through 5 rounds, the leader was Alitta Boyd (Moreau, Hayward, CA) winning (we thought) on her last jump (42-5.5 +2.6). Then Dainna Alcantara Pacheco joins the fray in round 6, takes her only jump allowed, and wins in a big way, jumping 43-2.5 (+0.8). Third was Yudelsy Gonzalez of Venezuela with 41-10.5 (+3.4). Jessica Ubanyionwu (Baylor, Eastwood HS, El Paso, TX '08). Alitta Boyd Jessica Ubanyionwu

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