(Feb. 16) — The two-day USATF Indoor Championships began today in Albuquerque, with all eyes on On Athletics Club's Yared Nguse and New Balance Boston's Elle St-Pierre in the 3,000 meters. With their victories, both athletes booked spots on Team USATF for next month's World Track and Field Indoor Championships in Glasgow.
Nguse, who won last Sunday's Wanamaker Mile in New York with a blistering time of 3:47.83, had another smart race tonight. He stayed close to the front, but gave up the pace to Abdi Nour (Nike) midway through the race. Null took the lead at about 1300 meters and led the way for the next five laps, maintaining a steady pace of just under 32 seconds per lap.
The big move with about 500 meters left was when HOKA Northern Arizona Elite's Orin Hacker surged up the backstretch and took the lead from Null. Hacker slowed his pace to 29.7 seconds and Nuguse responded quickly. Null was still there, as were Dillon Maggard (Brooks Beast) and Morgan Beadlecomb (Adidas).
On the penultimate lap, Nguse jumped into the lead and Hacker tried to cover his move, but the former Notre Dame star ran the final two laps in 28.3 seconds and 26.1 seconds, making it too hot for Hacker. Ta. Namase won in 7:55.76, earning him a spot on the team and his first national title in the indoor 3,000 meters.
“Yared executed as planned,” ON Athletics Club coach Dathan Ritzenhein said in a text message. “With a short turnaround from Millrose of just four days, we thought simply: just stay out of trouble, wait until the last few laps, take the lead and use our speed. .It's good to get this done, like he does.''Now I can focus on Glasgow.'' ”
Hacker took a clear second place with a time of 7:56.22, holding off a strong charge from Beadlescom to take third place with a time of 7:56.70. Since Hacker does not have the criteria for the World Indoor Championships, he will have to see if he can qualify for the competition based on the World Athletics points system.
The women's race got off to a painfully slow start, taking just 79 seconds for the first 400 meters. St-Pierre stared at his players in almost disbelief. Although she did not pick up speed right away, she waited to take the lead at the 800 meter mark. After that, she was never seriously challenged. She won her second national 3000m indoor in 8:54.40 and holds her World Athletics Indoor Championships entry standard record of 8:37.00, which is her first national appearance. rights were also ensured.
St-Pierre, 28, who won silver at the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade, was just trying to play it safe today. After winning the Millrose Games Women's Wanamaker Mile last Sunday in a world-class time of 4:16.41, she was confident in her fitness and was only looking to avoid her mistakes. .
“She didn't want to lead just five days after Millrose, but had decided in advance that if they were jogging, she would honestly say she was fine,” coach Mark Coogan texted explained in the message. “Elle said that racing at high altitudes is difficult.”
Josette Andrews of On Athletics Club won the battle for second place with a time of 9:03.10 from Katie Wasserman of HOKA Northern Arizona Elite (9:06.99). However, Andrews was only given a provisional spot on the team because he did not meet the criteria. In fact, of all the athletes competing in Albuquerque today, the only one with a standard is Ellie Hennes, who finished sixth in 9 minutes, 12.25 seconds. Andrews will have to see if he can improve enough in the World Athletics points system to earn a spot.
Also, the first round of the men's and women's 800 meters was held today, with all the winning candidates advancing to tomorrow's final. On the women's side, Addie Wylie (Adidas) recorded the fastest time of 2:01.29 in the second of three heats. She edged out reigning Millrose 800m champion Allie Wilson on schedule in 2:01.64. Nia Akins of Brooks Beast Track Club won the third heat despite losing her left shoe early in the race. She kept her composure and recorded a time of 2:02.53.
“Ugh, stress,” coach Danny McKee joked in a text message.
The remaining three participants were Sammy Watson (Adidas), Angel Piccirillo (Puma Elite Running), and Olivia Baker (Atlanta Track Club Elite).
On the men's side, only two men who met the Glasgow qualifying standard of 1:46.00 made it to the finals, Isaiah Harris representing Brooks Beast and Bryce Hoppel representing Adidas. Hoppel won the first heat with a time of 1:48.57 over hot pursuit Matt Wisner (1:48.63). Harris won the second heat with a time of 1:46.97, but Josh Hoey (Adidas) advanced with a time of 1:47.04 and put up a good fight. Other qualifiers were Vincent Crisp (1:47.04), Abe Alvarado (1:47.17) and Shane Streich (1:48.15). Brooks Beast's Brandon Miller, who ran the 600 meters in a blistering time of 1:14.03 a week ago, did not start.
The 2024 USATF Indoor Championships continues tomorrow with the men's and women's 800m and 1500m finals.
