Thursday Olympic Trials 5-Minute Recap: Val Constien Wins Crazy US Steeple Title, Allman 70m in Discus, Sha’Carri, Noah, Holloway Cruise
Lots of Sprints Prelims and an Amazing Women's Steeple Final Headline the Day
By Joseph Carroll and Harper Clark
We give you a quick recap of all the Day 7 action below, which was highlighted by the women’s steeplechase final and a truly stunning race where Val Constien stole the show.
Women’s 3k Steeple Final: Valerie Constien Rips #3 All-Time U.S. Steeple and Leads PR Brigade
Who said the US steeple is having a down year?
Val Constien moved to #3 on the US all-time list running a stunning 9:03.22 (11-second PB) to break the Trials record as she broke away from the field with 300m to go and led a PR brigade behind her. 2022 and 2023 Worlds team member Courtney Wayment, 2023 NCAA champion Olivia Markezich, and unheralded Marisa Howard were battling for the Olympic spots behind her over the final water barrier.
Makrezich stumbled in the last water jump and then fell after going over the final hurdle and that meant the Olympians were Wayment (9:06.50, three-second PB) and Howard (9:07.14, 15-second pb) as huge PRs were set everywhere in this field. The women might owe Annie Rodenfels a thank-you for all the PBs as she took it out very fast the first km in 3:00.
We have in-depth article on this epic race here: LRC OT Women’s Steeple: Val Constien Wins Instant Classic as Marisa Howard Stunningly Makes the Team.
| Place | Athlete | Sponsor | Time | PB/SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valerie Constien | NIKE | 9:03.22 | PB |
| 2 | Courtney Wayment | On | 9:06.50 | PB |
| 3 | Marisa Howard | Tracksmith/Idaho Afoot | 9:07.14 | PB |
| 4 | Gabbi Jennings | adidas | 9:12.08 | PB |
| 5 | Kaylee Mitchell | NIKE | 9:14.05 | PB |
| 6 | Olivia Markezich | OAC | 9:14.87 | PB |
| 7 | Allie Ostrander | Unattached | 9:21.82 | PB |
| 8 | Annie Rodenfels | Boston Athletic Association | 9:22.66 | PB |
| 9 | Lexy Halladay | Brigham Young | 9:22.77 | PB |
| 10 | Logan Jolly | ASICS | 9:26.32 | |
| 11 | Angelina Ellis | Under Armour/Dark Sky Distance | 9:28.19 | |
| 12 | Kayley DeLay | Brooks/BROOKS Beasts TC | 9:29.07 | SB |
| 13 | Madie Boreman | Oiselle | 9:31.41 | |
| DNF | Krissy Gear | HOKA NAZ Elite | DNF |
Women’s Discus: Valarie Allman Rips 70.73 m Bomb to Win
Reigning Olympic champion Valarie Allman was on fire today as all five of her scoring throws would have won the competition. Allman saved her best for last with a monster 70.73m sixth throw (her 4th-best throw ever) to put the exclamation point on her title. Joining her in Paris will be Jayden Ulrich of Louisville and Veronica Fraley of Vanderbilt.
Men’s 5,000: End of an Era as Chelimo Eliminated
Heat 1: The first heat of the men’s 5,000 went exactly as you’d expect, a blanket finish across the line for the auto-qualifying spots. The entire field was there with 800 to go and Cooper Teare took the pace with 600 to go. His training partner Cole Hocker took the lead at the bell, ripping a 53.11 final lap to win. Six people were fighting for the final five spots in the homestretch and Thomas Ratcliffe was the odd man out. Other auto qualifiers were Parker Wolfe, Cooper Teare, Morgan Beadlescomb, Olin Hacker, and Graham Blanks. Notably Olympic medalist Paul Chelimo got eliminated.
Heat 2: In a similar fashion to the first heat, Woody Kincaid won the second heat in 13:23.91, just 1.14 seconds ahead of sixth place. Abdihamid Nur, who pushed the pace the last 800, finished in second place, ahead of Grant Fisher, Dylan Jacobs, Sam Prakel, and Sean McGorty–who nabbed the other auto-qualfiying spots. All the time qualifiers came from this heat as all but one runner from heat two ran faster than all of heat one.
Men’s 800 Heats: Hoppel and Kessler Ease Through Round 1
Heat 1: Training partners Bryce Hoppel and Hobbs Kessler made light work of the first heat as the pair crossed the line together running 1:46.83 and 1:46.85 respectively. Hoppel did much of the leading dictating the pace as the two ran a 26.43 last 200 to make the final.
Heat 2: Sam Whitmarsh and Isaiah Harris showed no signs of struggle en route to a 1-2 finish in the second heat, Whitmarsh’s winning time was 1:46.13–just 0.01 ahead of Harris. The race was lead out by Penn State’s Darius Smallwood, who crossed 400 meters in 50.61 seconds.
Heat 3: In a tight finish it was Olympic bronze medalist Clayton Murphy taking the win in 1:47.05. In second was Brooks Beast Brandon Miller, while newly signed Puma athlete Eric Holt qualified in 5th place. Josh Hoey did much of the early leading the field through 400 in 52.73, and was in the lead until the final 100 when he got passed in a battle with Murphy and Miller.
Heat 4: Tinoda Matsatsa had no trouble stepping up against the pros, leading gun to tape for the win in the final heat and clocking 1:46.73. Finishing directly behind Matsatsa was Abraham Alvarado, who finished just 0.03 seconds behind. Isaiah Jewett, the 2021 Olympian finished in fourth; one spot behind the NCAA champion, Shane Cohen.
Women’s 1500: Big Dogs Make it Through
Heat 1: It took approximately 1100 meters for Elise Cranny to shake the fatigue from the 5,000-meter final as she took off at the bell of the first heat, leading the top eight finishers under 60 seconds for the final lap. Corey Mcgee would ultimately walk away with the win clocking 4:15.75. Behind Mcgee was Sage Hurta Klecker, Nikki Hiltz, and Cranny; all four runners finished within 0.20 seconds of one another. Allie Buchalski, who finished sixth in Monday’s 5,000 final nabbed the final auto-qualifying spot.
Heat 2: 2021 Olympian Heather MacLean reminded everyone that she has done this before dominating her heat running 4:07.31 to win by more than a second. It was Helen Schlachtenhaufen who was driving the pace the first few laps, coming to the bell in 3:06.44, significantly quicker than the heat before. MacLean then took the lead at the bell and never looked back running a 61.19 to take the win. 2022 champion Sinclaire Johnson finished in second while Schlachtenhaufen held on for third. Addy Wiley who was second at the bell held on to qualify finishing 6th in her heat despite fading the last 200. High Schooler Sadie Engelhardt finished last in the heat.
Heat 3: The New Balance Boston women had no trouble in the third and final heat, Elle St. Pierre and Emily Mackay crossed the line side-by-side, running 4:06.41 and 4:06.47, respectively. Behind the NB teammates was Anna Camp-Bennett, running a season’s best of 4:06.95 to finish in third. Despite a fairly honest pace from the gun, there was minimal struggle from the top women as the last heat boasted the fastest seven times of the evening.
Men’s 110 Hurdles Semis: Holloway Continues to Impress, Jamal Britt Out
Heat 1: It was no issue for world leader Grant Holloway to come away with the win as he led from the gun running 12.96 to dip under 13 for the second race in a row. 2023 USA second placer Cordell Tinch took the second automatic qualifying spot running 13.19. Cameron Murray snuck in the final on time, running 13.27 to take the final spot.
Heat 2: After an early lead from Trey Cunningham, Freddie Crittenden stormed back on the outside to claim the second heat, running 13.05 and tying his season’s best. Texas A&M junior Ja’Qualon Scott finished ahead of Cunningham as well, clocking 13.23 for second place. 2022 Worlds silver medalist Cunningham got into the final on time, running 13.26.
Heat 3: After a callback delayed the start it was 2023 Worlds bronze medalist Daniel Roberts who had a great start and would hold on to win 13.11. Michael Dickson got the second automatic spot running 13.19 while Houston’s Devion Wilson qualified on time running 13.23. Notably, Jamal Britt, who ran 13.07 in round 1, was 5th in the heat and did not make the final.
Women’s 200 Heats: We See You Sha’Carri
Heat 1: Sha’Carri Richardson quickly got out of the blocks and never looked back, making up the stagger before the final straight, allowing her to take her foot off the gas the final few strides and still running a 21.99. Behind her was former U.S. champion Abby Steiner in second. Richardson said that she has been focusing on executing the curve better to set her up for an easier straight and she did just that today.
Heat 2: After an early exit from the 100-meter rounds, NCAA champ McKenzie Long ran a strong straight to win the second heat–crossing the line in 22.49 seconds. Behind Long was Jayla Jamison of South Carolina, who finished fourth over this distance at NCAA’s.
Heat 3: World silver medalist Brittany Brown took first in the third heat running a 22.29 to pull away from the field. Brown was even with Jenna Prandini coming into the final 100 but was able to pull away as Prandini finished second and Tamara Clark took third
Heat 4: Despite a slow start to her 2024 campaign, Gabby Thomas looked just fine in the final heat; finishing in 22.11–the second-fastest time of the day. Jadyn Mays, who had a busy NCAA championships finished in second.
Men’s 400 Hurdles Heats: Rai Benjamin Makes it Look Easy
Heat 1: Rai Benjamin cruised in for the win in the first heat–walking across the line in 49.56 clear of the entire field. Behind Benjamin was James Smith, who ran 50.28. This heat was packed with collegians, 5 of the 7 lanes were occupied by a collegiate athlete.
Heat 2: The second heat was won by Chris Robinson of Alabama, who ran 49.54 en route to the victory. World finalist Khallifah Rosser finished in second, running 49.93.
Heat 3: After running the second-fastest time in NCAA history at the NCAA championships, Caleb Dean had no trouble in his heat–running 49.45 for the win. Behind Dean was high schooler Vance Nilsson who ran 50.13.
Heat 4: Trevor Bassitt, who has made the last two world championship teams in this event ran 50.29 to win the fourth heat. In second place was Aldrich Bailey who closed well and crossed the line in 50.41.
Heat 5: The final heat was all C.J. Allen of Asics, last year’s runner-up at USA’s. Allen got the win in 50.08, ahead of David Kendziera –who clocked 50.72.
Women’s 400 Hurdles Heats: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is Star of the Show
Heat 1: There were no surprises in the first heat as the defending Olympic champ and World record holder, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone blitzed the field and ran away with the win, clocking 53.07 and not breaking a sweat. In second place was Deonca Bookman, who ran 56.25
Heat 2: Jasmine Jones, fresh off her victory in this event at NCAA’s ran away from the second heat–crossing the finish line in 55.54. Jones was followed by Sydni Townsend of Houston in second place, who ran 55.72.
Heat 3: The third heat was all Anna Cockrell–the 2021 Olympian ran 54.71, ahead of freshman phenom Akala Garrett of Texas. Garrett clocked 55.67, finishing in second.
Heat 4: Rachel Glenn, the Arkansas standout, won the fourth heat, running 55.03. Glenn finished ahead of Dalilah Muhammad, the former WR holder in the event who was in second–clocking 55.51.
Heat 5: After a disappointing run in the 400-meter final, Shamier Little got away from the final heat–running 54.93 en route to the win. The world championship silver medalist had only managed a season’s best of 58.22 to this point. Second place was claimed by Cassandra Tate, who clocked 55.55.
Men’s 200: Lyles Makes it Look Easy
Heat 1: It was all Courtney Lindsey in the first heat, the former Red Raider crossed the line in 20.28.
Garrett Kaalund finished in second place, running 20.28. The fastest man in NCAA Division III, Sam Blaskowski, finished in 6th, running 20.61.
Heat 2: For Noah Lyles, fatigue doesn’t exist. Fresh off a 100-meter national title, the 19.31-man cruised into the semifinal–running 20.10 for the win looking around the final 100. Behind Lyles was Robert Gregory, who finished in second place running 20.38 representing the Florida Gators.
Heat 3: Despite booking his ticket to Paris in his “off” event, Kenny Bednarek looks ever so comfortable in the half-lap distance. The 2021 silver medalist in Tokyo won his heat easily, running 20.28 despite stumbling out of the blocks. Behind Bednarek was Kyree King of Nike, who ran 20.50.
Heat 4: Erriyon Knighton took home the win in his first race of the season, running 20.15. He was provisionally suspended for failing a drug test back in April but had his ban lifted after it was determined that he likely failed the test due to tainted meat. Christian Coleman got second in the heat running 20.30 after failing to make the 100 team.
Field Roundup
In men’s high jump, all the top players made it through aside from Vernon Turner with the top ten having clearances over 2.19 m. In men’s discus and women’s long jump, all the top contenders made it through the rounds with Tara Davis-Woodhall jumping 6.93 m on her first jump.
