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2008 Millrose Games Recap: Lagat Gets #6, Nelson Entertains, and Goucher Gets It Done The Millrose Games entered its 2nd century on Friday night in New York and although it may not have the luster and fanfare it once had it still is track and field's biggest attraction indoors. The 12,647 fans didn't leave Madison Square Garden disappointed on Friday Night as Kara Goucher won a thrilling women's mile, Adam Nelson entertained the crowd and then threw huge in the shot put, and Bernard Lagat won the marquee event, the Wanamaker Mile, for the 6th time. Highlights of the meet with the big 3 events (miles and shot put) from Friday first. Women's Mile: Goucher Gets It Done More Glory for Goucher Former Villanova star Marina Muncan took the early lead and opened a gap on the field. She reached the quarter in 65.9, a super fast pace for the 11 laps to the mile track. Muncan slowed considerably the 2nd 400 (2:17.4) but the other women didn't respond as they let a gap remain between them and Muncan. However they began to close the gap the 3rd quarter mile, and the racing was on. Goucher, who had been near the back early, was the first to strike as she blasted to the lead with 2 laps to go (290 m). Miler Sara Hall was in hot pursuit. Would the strength of Goucher be able to hold off the miler Hall? Hall wasted no time and passed Goucher at the bell. Surely her speed would put away the long distance specialist Goucher. Think again. (Although Hall is seen as a miler and Goucher a longer distance runner, Goucher's 1500m pr is actually over 3 seconds (4:05.14 to 4:08.99) faster than Hall's.) Goucher dug deep on the turn trying to come around for the pass. Then Hall swung wide onto the straight and Goucher had an opening on the inside. She took advantage of it and tried to pass Hall on the inside. They were stride for stride down the stretch but Goucher had just enough to get the win and even put up her hands before the finish, winning only by .08, 4:36.03 to Hall's 4:36.11. Goucher talked to the press about taking advantage of Hall's tactical mistake (going wide) on the final turn: "Sara swung a little wide coming off the final turn and I was just able to sneak in to get past her...I didn't know I could win here but I thought I could be competitive." For Goucher it was her first time on a banked track since her days at the University of Colorado in 1999. Goucher before the race (photo, story and video here) said she was returning to the indoor circuit to work on her speed and hopefully her finishing kick for the 10,000m at the Olympics. She got the desired results on Friday. She said, "This race proves that I can kick." Sara Hall had a marked improvement over her previous 2 results this year where she was 5th at the New Balance Games in the mile and 5th in the Reebok Boston Games (losing to Jen Rhines and Liliya Shobukhova, both who she beat today), but she left Millrose knowing a tactical mistake likely cost her the race. The tight turns and short straightaway make passing on the final turn very difficult at Millrose. She discussed letting Goucher get by on the inside: "I was not sure where she was and I was trying to run her wide." Next up for Hall is the Indoor Nationals where she hopes to qualify for the World Indoor Champs in Valencia, Spain. Hall said of her goals, "I just want to build momentum in an Olympic year and be inspired by Kara." Goucher will skip US indoors and World indoors but up next is a 3000m in Birmingham, England in 2 weeks. 101st Millrose Games Madison Square Garden, New York, NY Event 20 Women 1 Mile Run NYRR ================================================================ Name Year Team Finals ================================================================ Finals 1 Kara Goucher USA 4:36.03 2 Sara Hall USA 4:36.11 1500m 4:17.9 3 Liliya Shobukhova RUS 4:37.10 4 Jen Rhines USA 4:37.75 5 Marina Muncan SER 4:41.09 6 Miesha Marzell USA 4:47.22 Men's Shot Put: Adam Nelson Our Hero By Victah Sailer Thank You for Entertaining Not only are the shot putters the world's best but they are excellent entertainers. Adam Nelson put on a show on and off the track on Friday night. Last week, the star shot putters put on a lackluster performance in Boston as Christian Cantwell won with a throw of 68' 9". This time things were different from the get go.The sound system pumped AC DC and Nelson ripped off his shirt before his first throw and would get the crowd involved big time before every throw (we wish more track and field athletes were like him and we see Nike has picked him up as a sponsor again which is smart). After tossing his shirt aside and getting the crowd to wake up from its slumber, Nelson threw 69' 8" on his first throw to quickly erase memories of last week. Cantwell, on his first throw, just eclipsed Nelson throwing 69' 11 3/4". The battle was on. Nelson threw a bomb on his 2nd throw (well over 70 feet) but fouled. On his third throw Nelson became the first man over 70' throwing 70' 6". But the Dartmouth grad and business school student, saved his best for last. Nelson unleashed a monster on his final throw, 72' 5" (22.07), an indoor pr, and a mark he has only eclipsed in 2 of his storied professional years. The bomb barely stayed in the sector as it went off to the left but it was a legal throw. Reese Hoffa went 69' 3" in the final round, as three throwers beat the winning mark from last week. For his performance, Nelson was the performer of the meet and received a waterford crystal. Nelson told USATF afterwards, "I used Reese's shot put. It helped me out a whole lot. Christian had opened with a big throw and I had to respond to that." Since we honestly know nothing about the shot put except that it is entertaining as hell, we have no idea how a different shot put could help you (they're all balls and weight the same right?), but we figure it's worth noting. Nelson was right on the mark when he said, "We have proved time and time again that when we have the crowd behind us that we can put on a real good show." The only thing missing on Nelson's resume is an Olympic gold (he has 2 Olympic silvers, 2 World silvers, and 1 World gold). He definitely showed he is in the "best shape I have been in at this time of year." 101st Millrose Games Madison Square Garden, New York, NY Event 34 Men Shot Put VISA ========================================================================== Name Year Team Finals ========================================================================== Finals 1 Adam Nelson USA 22.07m 72-05.00 21.24m FOUL 21.49m 22.07m 2 Christian Cantwell USA 21.33m 69-11.75 21.33m 21.08m FOUL FOUL 3 Reese Hoffa USA 21.13m 69-04.00 19.11m 19.80m 20.58m 21.13m 4 Dan Taylor USA 20.38m 66-10.50 19.10m 19.86m 20.38m 19.98m 5 John Kalnas USA 18.98m 62-03.25 18.22m 18.98m 18.92m FOUL Wanamaker Mile: #6 for Lagat Enjoy It While You Can This year's race featured a rematch of last year's duel between Bernard Lagat and Craig Mottram (and Alan Webb) which Lagat won in 3:54. Both Lagat and Mottram at the prerace press conference (story with quotes, pictures, and video here) thought the race this year would be just as fast. However, they were wrong as the rabbit, Sherridan Kirk, did a poor job. Kirk ran great the first quarter (57.61) and was followed by the four main protagonists (Tim Bailey pulled out of the race with after coming down with a virus and throwing up) in expected order of finish (Lagat, Mottram, Nick Willis, and Rupp in his attempt to go sub 4 for the first time, tried to move up on Willis right at 1200 (3:00.96), but he was soon outclassed in this field of world class milers, once the real racing began upfront. #6 Lagat, knows how hard it is to pass on the final lap at Millrose (he did it last year, but said at times he thought the race was lost), made his move with a lap and half to go. He passed Mottram, and Willis was still on their heels. Lagat would open up the smallest gap as Mottram tried to stay close, but he had too much speed once again. Lagat got his 6th Wanamaker Mile title (one less than the record 7 by the "Chairman of the Boards" Eamonn Coghlan) in 3:57.51, as Mottram was 2nd in 3:57.90, Willis 3rd in 3:58.14 and Rupp short of the 4 minute barrier in 4:02.17. After the race, Lagat was pleased with the win and in particular to be one step closer to Coghlan's record 7 Wanamaker titles. Lagat loves the big lights of New York City and has not tried to hide the fact he'd like to break Coghlan's record. He said afterwards, "I am the first one to confirm my participation for next year. I'm confirming it right now- it's official...Maybe we'll share the (title of) 'Chairman of the Boards (next year if he wins). And if I come back after that (in 2 years), then I'll become the 'President (of the Boards)'" Mottram was relegated to runner-up once again to Lagat. He told USATF, "The race is what I expect except the pacemaker started slow. That was a little frustrating. I knew Bernard was going to come at some point. I had to just hold on." Lagat, Despite Being World Champ, Does Not Have the Olympic Standard at 5k 101st Millrose Games Madison Square Garden, New York, NY Event 37 Men 1 Mile Run Wanamaker ================================================================ Name Year Team Finals ================================================================ Finals 1 Bernard Lagat USA 3:57.51 1500 3:42.4 2 Craig Mottram AUS 3:57.90 3 Nick Willis NZL 3:58.14 4 Galen Rupp USA 4:02.17 -- Sherridan Kirk TRI DNF Other Events: Dragila was not expected to contend for the win before hand as she said she'd be ecstatic with 14' 5". Instead she no heighted at 13' 10". Someone forgot to tell Jillian Schwartz that Stuczynski was supposed to win. Just like in the past Stuczynski struggled at Millrose. She missed once at her opening height (14' 10") and twice at her 2nd height (15' 2"). Schwartz was clean through 14'10" and only missed once at 15' 2" a new pr. When Stuczynski and Schwartz both failed at 15' 6", the Millrose title was Schwartz's. Schwartz was pleased afterwards. She told the NY Times afterwards, "I had to use the biggest pole in my bag. Im going to have to add more now." 101st Millrose Games Madison Square Garden, New York, NY Event 25 Women Pole Vault adidas ========================================================================== Name Year Team Finals ========================================================================== Finals 1 Jillian Schwartz USA 4.63m 15-02.25 4.23 4.38 4.53 4.63 4.73 O O O XO XXX 2 Jenn Stuczynski USA 4.63m 15-02.25 4.23 4.38 4.53 4.63 4.73 P P XO XXO XXX 3 Lacy Jansen USA 4.53m 14-10.25 4.23 4.38 4.53 4.63 O O O XXX 4 April Steiner USA 4.38m 14-04.50 4.23 4.38 4.53 O O XXX -- Stacy Dragila USA NH 4.23 XXX Men's 600: Bershawn Jackson Turns Tables on Khadevis Robinson Jackson took the early lead, and on the tight turns of Millrose that is a big advantage. Robinson, however, was in hot pursuit. On the final lap, he attempted to pass Jackson coming off the final turn. Most of the Millrose races end near the middle of the track, but the 600 ends near the end of the straight. Even with the extra yards to pass on the final stretch, Jackson had too much left and he held off Robinson to get the win. Afterwards he told USATF: Bershawn Jackson: "Khadevis (Robinson) put a move on me in Fresno a couple weeks ago and I couldn't catch up with him. I wanted to get out in front this time and try to hold on and I was able to do that." Khadevis Robinson: "Bershawn did what he was supposed to do. He got out in front and slowed the pace down and it worked well for him." Event 18 Men 600 Yard Run Mel Sheppard =============================================================== Name Year Team Finals =============================================================== Finals 1 Bershawn Jackson USA 1:10.34 2 Khadevis Robinson USA 1:10.53 3 Michael Blackwood JAM 1:11.88 4 Jamaal Torrence USA 1:12.65 5 James Carter USA 1:12.87 Men's 4*800: Pig Sooey Razorbacks Twin Power Arkansas splits from hogwired.com Event 21 Men 4x800 Meter Relay College =============================================================== Team Finals =============================================================== Finals 1 Arkansas 7:34.18 2 Villanova 7:35.45 3 Georgetown 7:39.97 4 Columbia 7:43.76 5 George Mason 7:45.96 6 Cornell 7:47.23 7 Seton Hall 7:56.96
Event 23 Women 60 Meter Hurdles Tyson Foods =============================================================== Name Year Team Finals =============================================================== Finals 1 Priscilla Lopes-Schliep CAN 7.95 2 Perdita Felicien CAN 8.05 3 Damu Cherry USA 8.07 4 Joanna Hayes USA 8.08 5 Dawn Harper USA 8.18 -- Andrea Bliss JAM DNF
Event 7 Men Pole Vault F Schmertz ========================================================================== Name Year Team Finals ========================================================================== Finals 1 Tom Skipper USA 5.70m 18-08.25 5.35 5.50 5.60 5.70 5.80 P O O O XXX 2 Derek Miles USA 5.60m 18-04.50 5.35 5.50 5.60 5.70 5.80 P O O XPP PXX 3 Russ Buller USA 5.60m 18-04.50 5.35 5.50 5.60 5.70 P O XO XXX 4 Giovanni Lanaro MEX 5.60m 18-04.50 5.35 5.50 5.60 5.70 O O XXO XXX 5 Brad Walker USA 5.50m 18-00.50 5.35 5.50 5.60 5.70 5.80 P XO P XPP PXX
101st Millrose Games Madison Square Garden, New York, NY Event 26 Men 60 Meter Hurdles Hershey's =============================================================== Name Year Team Finals =============================================================== Finals 1 Antwon Hicks USA 7.53 2 David Oliver USA 7.59 3 Joel Brown USA 7.66 4 Anwar Moore USA 7.69 5 Aubrey Herring USA 7.75 6 Henrique Llanos PUR 7.89
Event 33 Men 60 Meter Dash Metro =============================================================== Name Year Team Finals =============================================================== Finals 1 Leonard Scott USA 6.59 2 Dabryan Blanton USA 6.64 3 Leroy Dixon USA 6.67 4 Phil Derosier USA 6.74 5 Aulton Kohn USA 6.80 6 Dwight Phillips USA 6.83
Event 13 Women High Jump John Thomas ========================================================================== Name Year Team Finals ========================================================================== Finals 1 Amy Acuff USA 1.92m 6-03.50 1.75 1.80 1.85 1.89 1.92 1.95 1.98 PPP O XO P XO PPP XXX 2 Sharon Day USA 1.89m 6-02.25 1.75 1.80 1.85 1.89 1.92 PPP O O O XXX 3 Gwen Wentland USA 1.89m 6-02.25 1.75 1.80 1.85 1.89 1.92 PPP O O XO XXX Women's 60: Carmelita Jeter Wins a Close One Flash Results, Inc. 101st Millrose Games Madison Square Garden, New York, NY Event 32 Women 60 Meter Dash adidas =============================================================== Name Year Team Finals =============================================================== Finals 1 Carmelita Jeter USA 7.29 2 Miki Barber USA 7.30 3 Angela Daigle-Bowen USA 7.32 4 Oludamola Osayomi NGR 7.34 5 Hasani Roseby USA 7.39 6 Aleen Bailey JAM 7.47 *Recap of 2008 Millrose Games High School Miles
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