After two days without competition, the Trials resumed on Thursday in Eugene (Oregon) in a pleasant temperature of around twenty degrees. Only two finals were scheduled. In the discus, victory went to Olympic champion Valarie Allman with 70.73 m, ahead of Jayden Ulrich (62.63 m) and Veronica Fraley (62.54 m).
In the 3,000m steeplechase, Valerie Constien won a very high-level final in 9’03”22, a Trials record and 3rd world performance of the year, ahead of Courtney Wayment (9’06”50) and Marisa Howard (9’07”14). Olivia Markezich, in the running for 3rd place, fell during the last passage of the river.
Holloway tops the field in 110m hurdles
After his exceptional time in the series (12”92), the best performance in the world, Grant Holloway again showed great things in the semi-finals, with a victory in 12”96 (0.3 m/s). This is obviously the best time of the day, ahead of Freddie Crittenden (13”05) and Daniel Roberts (13”11). Third in his semi-final, 2022 world vice-champion Trey Cunningham qualified on time (13”26).
Disappointment for Dylan Beard, only 5th in the semi-final (13”38) won by Holloway and eliminated. Without a sponsor and working full-time in a North Carolina supermarket to finance his season, he had managed 13”10 a few weeks ago.
Sha’Carri Richardson impresses in 200m, Noah Lyles manages
Back on the track after her 100m title last weekend, Sha’Carri Richardson was very impressive in the 200m heats, winning her race in 21.99 (0.5m/s), while cutting her effort several meters before the line. “I focused on being technically clean in the corner and that allowed me to release him on the straight, she told NBC. But I think I can still do better. I was again very applauded when I entered the stadium, this love is incredible, it gives me even more responsibility and I hope that this support will grow further. »
This is Richardson’s third best time on the half-lap and the second best world performance of the year behind McKenzie Long’s 21”83.
Dressed all in white and a little less demonstrative than before his victorious 100m final, Noah Lyles did not strain his talent to win his series in 20”10 (zero wind). He certainly had no reason to do so, and the world half-lap champion will obviously gain momentum in the semi-finals on Friday. “I wanted to keep my energy as high as possible.” Lyles acknowledged. The same observation was made for Kenny Bednarek and Courtney Lindsey, each winner of their series in 20”28.
McLaughlin-Levrone very comfortable
Olympic 400m hurdles vice-champion Rai Benjamin won the heats very comfortably in 49”56, cutting his effort several dozen metres from the finish.
Still in the 400m hurdles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was only running her flagship distance for the second time this year after her 52”70 in Atlanta on May 31. The Olympic champion and world record holder won in 53”07 with remarkable ease, leaving the 2nd in her series, Deonca Bookman, more than 3 seconds behind.
