Stumptown Twilight Preview: Jessica Hull's NOP Debut
Stumptown Twilight Preview: Jessica Hull's NOP Debut
The 2019 Stumptown Twilight in Portland is this Friday Live on FloTrack.
With the 2019 USATF Outdoor Championships now just a week away, this Friday’s Stumptown Twilight, Live on FloTrack, presents the final opportunity for several U.S. pros to hit USATF and IAAF standards. For other Americans who already have their marks, the meet in Portland will serve as the final tune-up for Des Moines.
Outside of those storylines, Aussie Jessica Hull will make her Nike Oregon Project debut after her signing was announced on Tuesday.
Watch the 2019 Stumptown Twilight Live on FloTrack this Friday
Men’s 800m
Who: Matthew Centrowitz, Jésus López, Eliud Rutto
When: 8:10 PM CT
UPDATE: Matthew Centrowitz is now in the 1,500m.
Analysis: Olympic champion Matthew Centrowitz will run his second 800m in as many races as he puts his final touches on his USA 1,500m preparation. Centro ran 1:46.32 on July 9 in LA, his fastest 800m since 2015, and has looked strong in his two races this season. On Friday he’ll face Mexican national record holder Jésus López (1:45.04 PB), which should provide a good final test ahead of Des Moines.
Women’s 800m
Who: Jessica Hull, Kaela Edwards, Lindsey Butterworth
When: 8:00 PM CT
Analysis: Aussie and former Oregon Duck Jessica Hull will make her Nike Oregon Project debut on Friday in a race that should lower her modest 2:04.93 personal best. Hull ran a huge 4:02.62 1,500m PB on June 30 at Pre-- over a 3.5 second best-- and she will benefit here by the presence of Canadian Lindsey Butterworth, who ran 2:01.33 earlier this month.
1:59 performer and last year’s USATF fourth place finisher, Kaela Edwards, will join those two on the start line. Like Butterworth, Edwards needs the 2:00.60 IAAF standard.
Men’s 1,500m
Who: Matthew Centrowitz, Kyle Merber, Grant Fisher, Robert Domanic, Eric Avila, Nanami Arai
UPDATE: Matthew Centrowitz was a late add to the 1,500m.
When: 9:15 PM CT
Analysis: This race will serve as a last ditch standard attempt for 1,500m runners like Kyle Merber, who needs a USATF qualifier (3:39.00), as well as Robert Domanic and Eric Avila, who are seeking the IAAF mark (3:36.00). New Bowerman pro and 5k specialist Grant Fisher will also go here to work on his speed ahead of the 5,000m at USAs.
Domanic is the favorite after running 3:37.70 on July 9 at Sunset, but don’t sleep on Japan’s Nanami Arai. The 24-year-old ran a 3:38.18 PB in the ‘B’ heat at the Sunset Tour.
Women’s 5,000m
Who: Shannon Rowbury, Stephanie Garcia
When: 9:45 PM CT
Analysis: Former 5,000m American record holder Shannon Rowbury missed the 15:22.00 IAAF standard by less than three seconds on July 9 (15:24.37), and she’ll take her final crack at the mark in Portland this Friday. Rowbury missed all of 2018 track season due to the birth of her child, and has raced sparingly in 2019: Stumptown will mark just her third outdoor track race this season.
The 34-year-old Rowbury will face former steepler Stephanie Garcia, who will look to secure the 15:25 USATF qualifier after falling short of it with her 15:34 at Sunset.
Women’s 1,500m
Who: Marta Freitas, Elise Cranny
When: 8:55 PM Ct
Analysis: Portuguese Olympian and former NCAA champion Marta Pen Freitas will face Bowerman TC’s Elise Cranny with the 4:06.50 IAAF standard serving as their collective goal. Freitas had a monster 2018 season that included 2:00/4:03 800m/1500m PBs, but the 25-year-old has not raced much so far in 2019. Despite this, she should have a good shot at sub-4:06.50 on Friday, a mark she eclipsed on four occasions in 2018.
Cranny ran a 4:08.99 personal best at Sunset and should present a strong challenge for Freitas.
