2019 USATF Outdoor Championships

Kerley Stuns Norman, Kendricks Resets AR, Hiltz Makes Team | Day 3 Recap

Kerley Stuns Norman, Kendricks Resets AR, Hiltz Makes Team | Day 3 Recap

Today's action at USA Outdoors is headlined by 11 event finals—follow along with our live updates to get real-time insights on what goes down in Des Moines.

Jul 27, 2019 by Jennifer Zahn
Kerley Stuns Norman, Kendricks Resets AR, Hiltz Makes Team | Day 3 Recap
Today's action at the 2019 USATF Outdoor Championships is headlined by finals in 11 events: the women's 1500m, men's 3000m steeplechase, men's 400m hurdles, women's 400m, men's 400m, women's 100m hurdles, women's hammer throw, men's pole vault, men's javelin throw, women's high jump, and women's long jump.

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Today's action at the 2019 USATF Outdoor Championships is headlined by finals in 11 events: the women's 1500m, men's 3000m steeplechase, men's 400m hurdles, women's 400m, men's 400m, women's 100m hurdles, women's hammer throw, men's pole vault, men's javelin throw, women's high jump, and women's long jump.

In just TWO days, we'll know which athletes will represent the United States in Doha, Qatar, for the IAAF World Championships in October. 

Refresh this page often for live updates from the blue oval. All times below are listed in Central.

READ: Day 1 RecapDay 2 RecapUnlikely Trio Makes W100m Team | Coleman Is World's Top Sprinter

WATCH: Post-Race InterviewsUSA Outdoors Show, Ep. I USA Outdoors Show, Ep. II

2:15 p.m. | Women's 200m, Round 1 of 3

Top 2 each heat + next 6 fastest to 2 semis; Top 4 each semi to final

Into a -1.4 headwind, former Iowa Hawkeye Brittany Brown made herself at home by putting together a strong heat win that rivaled her 22.42 PR with a 22.63 result. Deajah Stevens, who scratched the 100m from round one (probably to give herself a better shot at qualifying in this event), finished runner-up in 23.21. Long Beach State's Courtne Davis was next in 23.22—a PR. NCAA indoor record-holder Gabby Thomas, who's had an up-and-down season so far in 2019, missed the automatic qualifying cut in fourth with a time of 23.45, but will make it in on time.

The wind picked up for heat two with a -3.1 recording, but that didn't bother 2017 400m world champion Phyllis Francis, who has a bye into that event in Doha. She finished first in 23.05, followed by Lynna Irby in 23.25, who missed making the 400m final yesterday and surely will be hungry for redemption in this event. Morolake Akinosun, who qualified in third for the world team in the 100m, grabbed the third automatic spot in 23.36. Her fellow 100m world team member, English Gardner, was right behind her in 23.42. Both of them will go onto the semifinal. Kori Carter, the 2017 world champion in the 400m hurdles, also made an appearance in this race as she owns the bye in that event for Doha, though there might be some reason for concern based on today's result: she mustered a 28.01 following a disappointing 55.63 400m hurdles result at the Monaco Diamond League meet.

Teahna Daniels, last night's U.S. 100m champion, may have been a little tired from running three rounds of the 100m—she finished fourth in 23.31 behind A'Keyla Mitchell (23.28), Ashley Henderson (23.00) and reigning NCAA 200m champion Angie Annelus (22.97)—but she will time-qualify. 

Per usual, Dezerea Bryant shot out of a cannon to the lead and maintained her speed through the line in 22.94—the second-fastest time of the day. Shania Collins was next in 23.21, then Kyra Jefferson (23.26), then Candace Hill (23.46), who will make it into the semifinal on time. Disappointment struck yet again for 2019 NCAA 100m champion and record-holder Sha'Carri Richardson, who finished last in the final yesterday—she was just outside Hill, the final time qualifier, in 23.46.

PlaceAthleteRepresentingResultQ/q
1Brittany Brown Unattached22.63Q
2Dezerea BryantNIKE22.94Q
3Angie AnnelusUSC22.97Q
4Ashley Hendersonadidas23.00Q
5Phyllis FrancisNIKE23.05Q
6Shania Collinsadidas23.21Q
7Deajah StevensNIKE23.21Q
8Courtne DavisLong Beach State23.22Q
9Lynna Irbyadidas23.25Q
10Kyra JeffersonNIKE23.26Q
11A'Keyla MitchellUnattached23.28Q
12Teahna DanielsNIKE23.31q
13Morolake AkinosunNIKE23.36Q
14English GardnerNIKE23.42q
15Gabby ThomasNew Balance23.45q
16Candace HillASICS23.46q

2:45 p.m. | Men's 200m, Round 1 of 3

Top 2 each heat + next 6 fastest to 2 semis; Top 4 each semi to final

Clad in Alabama crimson, Keitavious Walter streaked across the line first in heat one, setting the bar at 20.59 into a -1.5 headwind. Another collegian, Rodney Rowe of North Carolina A&T, finished behind him in 20.65. Isiah Young, who failed to make the 100m world team after running consistently through the first two rounds, followed third in 20.84.

100m world team-qualifier Christopher Belcher put himself in good position heading into semifinals with a heat two win in 20.63. The unattached Remontay McClain was runner-up in 20.65 and Micaiah Harris third in 20.66.

This heat got off to an odd start when the gun echoed and then confused and almost stopped some of the competitors, including Kenny Bednarek, the JUCO phenom who put together a string of sensational performances this year, including his 19.82/44.73 double in May. He coasted to a 20.85 heat win after shutting it down almost 20 meters from the line, gesturing casually either to the crowd or himself while doing so. He struggled during overseas competition after making history in May at the JUCO championships, but looks stone-cold ready this weekend in Iowa, where he spent his years as a JUCO competitor attending college at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa. Marqueze Washington took second in 21.04 and McKinely West was third (21.20). 

The U.S. 100m champion, Christian Coleman, starred in heat four—his fourth race in three days—and ran just hard enough to qualify, pushing hard for 70 meters until he felt confident he could maintain his speed for an automatic spot, though he did need to make a bit of an extra effort at the line as Jamiel Trimble of Air Force tried to get the edge. Trentavis Friday won in 20.69, followed by Coleman (20.70), and Trimble (20.73). 

With his hair sporting a gunmetal-gray dye fade that matched his black-and-gray adidas kit, 200m world leader Noah Lyles cruised to a 20.65 first-place finish in heat five, followed by Kyree King, who was ejected from the 100m for a false start, in 20.97. Devin Quinn was third in 21.10.

PlaceAthleteRepresentingResultQ/q
1Keitavious WalterAlabama20.59Q
2Christopher BelcherNIKE20.63Q
3Noah Lylesadidas20.65Q
4Rodney RoweNC A&T20.65Q
5Remontay McClainUnattached20.65Q
6Micaiah HarrisTexas20.66
7Trentavis FridayNIKE20.69Q
8Christian ColemanNIKE20.70Q
9Jamiel TrimbleUS Air Force20.73
10Andrew HudsonTexas Tech20.73
11Isiah Young NIKE20.84
12Ameer WebbNIKE20.85
13Kenny BednarekNIKE20.85Q
14Just'N ThymesNIKE20.89
15Bryce RobinsonUnattached20.90
16Kyree KingNIKE20.97Q
17Robert EllisUnattached21.00

3:15 p.m. | Women's 100m Hurdles, Semifinals

Top 3 each heat + next 4 fastest to 2 semis; Top 4 each semi to final

A nail-biting heat one saw three women trade off the lead within a span of less than 13 seconds as Nia Ali took the top spot in 12.78, followed by Brianna McNeal in 12.81, Queen Claye in 12.89, and Sharika Nelvis in 12.90. The semifinalists battled a -1.8 headwind as gusts continued to swirl around Drake Stadium.

A false start dispatched Evonne Britton of Evo TC from heat two. 

Although Christina Clemons bolted out to an early lead, she was no match for world record-holder Keni Harrison—after hurdle three, it was all over. Coach Edrick Floreal prefers for his short sprinters and hurdlers to approach every round with as much speed and effort as possible, and that's exactly what Harrison did as she finished in 12.54. Clemons was second in 12.82, then 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Kristi Castlin (12.94), and LSU's Tonea Marshall (12.95).

PlaceAthleteRepresentingResult
1Keni Harrisonadidas12.54
2Nia AliNIKE12.78
3Brianna McNealNIKE12.81
4Christina Clemonsadidas12.82
5Queen ClayeASICS12.89
6Sharika Nelvisadidas12.90
7Kristi CastlinNIKE12.94
8Tonea MarshallLSU12.95

3:27 p.m. | Men's 110m Hurdles, Round 1 of 3

Top 3 each heat + next 4 fastest to 2 semis; Top 4 each semi to final

Another false start kicked off the first round of the men's 110m hurdles, though nothing was charged to the field—it looked like a technical issue. As the hurdle crew reset some of the barriers that were knocked over in the temporary chaos, the competitors took to the shade to get out of the sun that crept out from behind the clouds an hour ago and brought the temperature to 90 degrees.

To the chagrin of the athletes and the fans, yet another false start (still technical) halted the action.

Once the heat actually got going, the unattached Jarret Eaton, 2018 U.S. 60m hurdles champion, won from lane one over Devon Allen by a slim margin of a hundredth of a second, 13.51 to 13.52. Aaron Mallett was third, 13.54, and Myles Hunter fourth, 13.62.

NCAA record-holder Grant Holloway, who broke the vaunted mark formerly held by Renaldo Nehemiah in 12.98, took his heat in 13.56.

PlaceAthleteRepresentingResultQ/q
1Daniel RobertsNIKE13.40Q
2Freddie CrittendenUnattached13.49Q
3Jarret EatonUnattached13.51Q
4Devon AllenNIKE13.52Q
5Aaron Mallettadidas13.54Q
6Grant Hollowayadidas13.56Q
7Michael DicksonUnattached13.61Q
8Myles HunterMinn. St. Mankato13.62Q
9Trey CunninghamFlorida State13.66Q
10Trey Hollowayadidas13.71q
11Robert DunningAlabama13.86Q
12Ryan FontenotUnattached13.97q
13Brendan AmesUnattached14.01Q
14Jordan CharlesUnattached14.03q
15Marquis MorrisUSC14.05q
16Isaiah Moore USC14.05

3:45 p.m. | Women's 1500m Final

At the gun, Lauren Johnson, who did not have the world standard entering this race, surged to the lead and proceeded to build a 20-meter advantage on the rest of the field in 65.9 for 400m and 2:11 for 800m. Jenny Simpson led the chase pack, followed very closely by Shelby Houlihan, Kate Grace, Shannon Osika and Nikki Hiltz. At the bell, Simpson began to gun it, and Johnson was swallowed up by the group. Houlihan remained close, along with Grace and Hiltz, as well as Elise Cranny and reigning NCAA champion Sinclaire Johnson who began to sprint around 300 meters. With a massive effort down the homestretch, Houlihan closed in on Simpson, who finished second (4:03.41), and got there first in a facility record of 4:03.18, but the biggest story was Hiltz's stunning move down the straight—she outran Johnson (fourth, 4:03.72 PR) and Grace (fifth, 4:03.82) to clinch her very first world team berth in a PR of 4:03.55... and I think there's more where that came from. A great result for a very savvy racer. 

PlaceAthleteRepresentingResult
1Shelby HoulihanNIKE/Bowerman TC4:03.18 FR
2Jenny SimpsonNew Balance 4:03.41
3Nikki Hiltzadidas4:03.55 PR
4Sinclaire JohnsonOK State4:03.72 PR
5Kate GraceNIKE/Bowerman TC4:03.82
6Shannon OsikaNIKE4:04.80 PR
7Heather MacLeanNew Balance 4:05.27 PR
8Karisa NelsonBrooks Beasts4:06.14 PR
9Elise Cranny NIKE/Bowerman TC4:06.19
10Katie MackeyBrooks Beasts4:08.57
11Eleanor FultonUnattached4:11.00
12Lauren Johnson B.A.A.4:11.99

3:54 p.m. | Men's 3000m Steeplechase Final

Andy Bayer, who took fourth on so many occasions when trying to make world teams, finally got his opportunity today, finishing third behind winner Hillary Bor (8:18—a facility record) and Stanley Kebenei (8:19.12). 

PlaceAthleteRepresentingResult
1Hillary BorNIKE/US Army8:18.05 FR
2Stanley KebeneiNIKE8:19.12
3Andy BayerNIKE8:23.23
4Benard KeterNIKE/US Army8:37.62
5Mason FerlicNIKE8:37.99
6Obsa AliMinnesota8:42.00
7Frankline TonuiNIKE/US Army8:43.14
8Isaac UpdikeHOKA NJNYTC8:43.47
9Michael Jordan NIKE/US Army8:50.80
10Jordan MannOcean State AC8:56.54

4:09 p.m. | Women's 400m Hurdles, Semifinal 

NO FIRST ROUND; Top 3 each heat + next 2 fastest to final

Shamier Little took control of the first heat, finishing first in 54.49. 

Heat two, loaded up with reigning Olympic champion Dalilah Muhammad and world leader Sydney McLaughlin, saw those two race measuredly into the final with marks of 54.22 and 54.24, respectively. 

PlaceAthleteRepresentingResultQ/q
1Dalilah MuhammadNIKE54.22Q
2Sydney McLaughlinNew Balance54.24Q
3Shamier Littleadidas54.49Q
4Cassandra Tateadidas55.45Q
5Ashley SpencerNIKE56.25Q
6Kiah SeymourGlenarden TC56.28Q
7Anna CockrellUSC56.51q
8Deonca BookmanUnattached57.10q

4:25 p.m. | Men's 400m Hurdles Final

Rai Benjamin celebrated his 22nd birthday today with a U.S. title in 47.23—nearly a second faster than runner-up TJ Holmes (48.58). Amere Lattin ground out a PR to make the world team in a terrific 48.66. Texas Tech's Norman Grimes also finally put together a nice, clean race to earn a PR for fourth in 48.68.

PlaceAthleteRepresentingResult
1Rai BenjaminNIKE47.23
2TJ HolmesNIKE48.58
3Amere LattinCL Athletics Stars TC48.66 PR
4Norman GrimesTexas Tech48.68
5David KendzieraUnattached48.69
6Byron Robinsonadidas49.09
7Khallifah RosserUnattached49.14
8Kerron ClementNIKE50.08

4:34 p.m. | Women's 400m Final

Shakima Wimbley retained her U.S. title despite a formidable headwind that allowed Kendall Ellis to put her in her sights, but not within closing range. Wimbley won her second consecutive championship in 50.21 to Ellis's 50.38, and NCAA champion Wadeline Jonathas of South Carolina made it onto the world team in 50.44 in third. Allyson Felix closed out her comeback tour at the championships in this final with a 51.94-second finish for sixth. 

PlaceAthleteRepresentingResult
1Shakima Wimbleyadidas50.21
2Kendall EllisNew Balance50.38
3Wadeline JonathasSouth Carolina50.44 PR
4Courtney OkoloNIKE50.86
5Jessica Beardadidas51.28
6Allyson FelixUnattached51.94
7Briyahna DesRosiersOregon52.36
8Jasmine BlockerOiselle52.53

4:43 p.m. | Men's 400m Final

Pardon my French, but HOLY SH*T, FRED.

WOW.

The heir apparent to the U.S. 400m title, Michael Norman, has been dethroned.

With a monstrous PR and facility record of 43.64, Fred Kerley took down Norman and his 16-time 400m winning streak to clinch the championship final. Norman ran 43.79 for second.

Your 2019 world team is rounded out by Nathan Strother, who finished third with a PR of 44.29—also a PR.

PlaceAthleteRepresentingResult
1Fred KerleyNIKE43.64 FR PR
2Michael NormanNIKE43.79
3Nathan Strotheradidas44.29 PR
4Vernon NorwoodNew Balance44.40 PR
5Blake LeeperNIKE44.48
6Michael CherryNIKE44.69
7Trevor StewartNC A&T44.94
8Tyrell Richardadidas45.07

4:52 p.m. | Women's 100m Hurdles Final

The world record-holder is the 2019 U.S. title-winner.

Keni Harrison, capable of 12.20 speed, blitzed a 12.44 into a -1.2 headwind to claim the win by more than a tenth of a second over the next-closest competitor, Nia Ali, who finished in 12.55—a season's best. Brianna McNeal took third in a season's best of 12.61, and Sharika Nelvis just missed making the world team in fourth with 12.66, which equaled her season's best.

PlaceAthleteRepresentingResult
1Keni Harrisonadidas12.44
2Nia AliNIKE12.55
3Brianna McNealNIKE12.61
4Sharika Nelvisadidas12.66
5Queen ClayeASICS12.66
6Tonea MarshallLSU12.81
7Kristi CastlinNIKE12.86
8Christina Clemonsadidas13.01


Men's Pole Vault Final

Buried underneath a mass of pole vaulters who dog-piled him in celebration, Sam Kendricks realized his goal of becoming the American record-holder and the second-best vaulter in world history today at the USATF Outdoor Championships.

Kendricks' world-leading PR vault, 6.06m/19-10.5, which he made on his second attempt at the height, improved on the former record held somewhat controversially by dual Swedish-American citizen Armand (Mondo) Duplantis, who set the mark at 6.05m while competing for Sweden at the European Championships last year in August. 

The last time a higher outdoor mark was achieved was when the great Sergey Bubka broke the world record 25 years ago.

Updated All-Time Best Outdoor Marks:

1. Sergey Bubka 6.14m
2. Sam Kendricks 6.06m
3. Maxim Tarasov 6.05m
3. Dmitri Markov6.05m
3. Renaud Lavillenie6.05m
3. Armand Duplantis6.05m


Kendricks shut it down and did not take any more attempts after accomplishing the feat. His facility record at Drake Stadium might last forever. 

A new American Record calls for a dog pile on @samkendricks ? 6.06m!! ? pic.twitter.com/MLohsI7nIM

— Sandi Morris, OLY?? (@sandicheekspv) July 27, 2019

As the 2017 world champion, Kendricks has a bye into Doha, and will be joined by three other Americans at the 2019 IAAF World Championships:

2) Cole Walsh (Nike), 5.76m

3) KC Lightfoot (Baylor), 5.76m

4) Zach Bradford (Kansas), 5.71m

Women's Hammer Throw Final

With a monstrous final toss of 78.24 (256-8), DeAnna Price reset her own American record, established herself as the 2019 U.S. champion and the current world leader, and cemented her position as the fourth-best hammer thrower in history today at the USATF Outdoor Championships. 

The atmospheric mark followed a tremendous series that already clinched her victory on her first throw:

1st2nd3rd4th5th6th
75.6677.5176.4075.7776.7278.24


Her mark improves her former American record of 78.12m (256-3), which she set at last year's outdoor championships.

2019 World Team:

PlaceAthleteRepresentingResult
1DeAnna PriceNIKE78.24
2Gwen BerryNIKE76.46
3Brooke AndersenIron Wood TC75.30


Men's Javelin Throw Final

In yet another throwing event where the champion clinched victory on the final throw, the javelin saw Velaasa's Michael Shuey chuck the spear 82.85 (271-10) for a lifetime best and a U.S. title. He had to give it everything he had, because fellow Velaasa athlete Riley Dolezal was right on his heels, and ultimately finished just behind him for silver with a 82.84-meter toss. Tim Glover took bronze with a 77.47m throw. Unfortunately, none of these athletes achieved the standard within the qualifying window, so they will not compete at the world championships in Doha.

PlaceAthleteRepresentingResult
1Michael ShueyVelaasa82.85m
2Riley Dolezal Velaasa82.84m
3Tim GloverUnattached77.47m


Women's Long Jump Final

2017 world champion Brittany Reese is already heading to Doha with a bye, but that didn't stop her from going ahead and taking the victory and the facility record today in Des Moines with a season's-best 7.00m (22-11.75) leap. Jasmine Todd, who also contested the 100m but didn't make it out of the first round, made it onto the world team in the long jump with a second-place, 6.79m effort. Shakeela Saunders, the third-place finisher with a 6.78m season-best, barely edged out Tori Bowie's 6.78m jump. All four women will compete in Doha for the United States.

PlaceAthleteRepresentingResult
1Brittney ReeseNIKE7.00m
2Jasmine ToddChula Vista Elite6.79m
3Shakeela Saundersadidas6.78m 
4Tori Bowieadidas6.78m


Women's High Jump Final

Vashti Cunningham repeated her U.S. title with a 1.96m (6-5) jump, with Inika McPherson not far behind in 1.94m—a season's best and her best since the 2017 world championships. Ty Butts, who set a PR with her third-place 1.92m effort, unfortunately does not have the IAAF world standard, so she will not be going to Doha.

PlaceAthleteRepresentingResult
1Vashti CunninghamNIKE1.96m
2Inika McPhersonUnattached1.94m
3Ty ButtsUnattached1.92m