LOLZLetter 281 | All Things US Olympic Track and Field Trials
Welcome,
I'm not totally sure what time you'll get this week's newsletter. I'm currently writing this on an 11-hour flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo. I'll be spending the week with my brother and his wife Gail, as well as my dad, and older and younger brothers. It's going to be a lot of fun!
I've been nonstop going at work, so it's nice to get away. Plus, it feels like I've been very behind on blogging and social media, so I'm hoping 24 hours of flying will allow me to catch up.
I don't know about you, but the last two weeks have flown by between the US Swimming Trials and Track and Field Trials. Now, I fully appreciate people don't follow this newsletter for hard-hitting news, but I can't not talk about the second half of the trials. There is so much to talk about! In case you missed the first week of rambling, it's here.
Day 4 of the U.S. Olympic Trials was filled with some of the most unexpected results but that's the US Olympic Trials. We never know what will happen.
Some Lowlights:
Athing Mu: The evening ended dramatically when Olympic champion Athing Mu fell in the 800m final. We now know she was dealing with a torn hamstring and hadn't run much beforehand.
Vashti Cunningham: The 15-time U.S. high jump champion didn't win but still secured a spot on Team USA by finishing third.
Lagi Tausaga-Collins: The World Discus champion failed to advance to the final.
Highlights:
Chari Hawkins: One of my favorite moments was Chari Hawkins qualifying for her first Olympics. With almost one million followers, Hawkins is interesting to follow, giving tips on form and running.
Women's 5000m
Elise Cranny, Elle St. Pierre, and Karissa Schweizer secured the top three spots. Valby set the pace hard and finished fourth, but she later finished in the top 3 in the women's 10,000m.
Women's Steeplechase Final
Val Constien: The highlight was the women's steeplechase final, where Val Constien ended up winning, just a year after ACL surgery. If there is anything I've learned in the trials, it's that so many professional athletes take time off and come back stronger.
Field Events
Valarie Allman: Won her sixth U.S. title with a best throw of 70.73m.
Grant Holloway: His fourth-fastest performance in history in the 110m hurdles. I've been a Holloway fan since he was in high school in Chesapeake, near where I went to school...Holloway is just a "few" years younger.
Monae’ Nichols: Had an amazing final long jump to make her first Olympic team. Her joy was perhaps my favorite part of the event. Tara Davis-Woodhall won after starting off shaky.
200m Finals: Gabby Thomas and Noah Lyles defended their U.S. titles. Sha'Carri Richardson didn't make the Olympic team in the 200 meters. Honestly, I wasn't surprised since the 200m isn't her strongest event.
Women's 10,000m: Weini Kelati won but whew the final moments of the 10k were nuts. Parker Valby and Karissa Schweizer, who finished second and third, will await the final world rankings for their Olympic spots. I was surprised when the 10k went out slow, but hopefully, Valby and Schweizer can represent Team USA.
Final day highlights:
Nikki Hiltz: Secured their spot in the women's 1500m. What a race! If you had told me a 3:57 wouldn't make the Olympic team, I wouldn't have believed you. But whew, what a race.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone ran a World Record in the 400 meter trials. Is sub 50 possible? Probably.
Grant Fisher won his second gold in the women's 5000 after already winning the men’s 10,000.
Got comments? I would love to hear some of your moments.
What's keeping me entertained?
Olympic Trials of course but some articles I've wrote:
Wings Over Miramar 5k Recap (6:28 pace)