Occidental High Performance Recap: Mary Cain Steals the Show, Mo Farah Debuts, and Will Leer Keeps Winning
Salazar: “I didn’t make Mary Cain; she was already made.”
by: LetsRun.com
May 18, 2013
Many of the pros at the 2013 USATF Occidental High Performance meet disappointed as at a meet where the whole point is to chase times, there were no World Championship qualifying ‘A’ standard performances achieved in the men’s 1,500, men’s 5000 or both of the steeplechases, but high schooler Mary Cain saved the day by excelling in the women’s 1,500.
A quick recap and results below.
Women’s 1500: Mary Cain 4:04.62!!!! Mary Cain is Now Nearly 10 Seconds Faster than the 2nd Fastest US High School Runner Ever
Forget about the pros.
The Mary Cain show keeps on rolling. The performance of the night came from Cain, the high school junior, running 4:04.62 for 2nd in the 1500m behind Katie Mackey.
Yes, Cain got under the World Championship “A” standard of 4:05.50 for the first time as did Mackey, but that was almost inconsequential.
This one wasn’t about obscure qualifying standards but records. Cain smashed her previous US high school record of 4:10.77 by over 6 seconds. Until last year no American high schooler had run faster than 4:14.50 (Jordan Hasay) at 1500m. Now Mary Cain has run nearly ten seconds faster. USTFCCA says her time would be the second fastest ever by a collegian which means Jenny Simpson has only run faster. Stat man Mirko Jalava says Cain’s run made her the 4th fastest youth runner (16 and under) ever.
A great run by Cain and she is getting better as the season goes on (she was 6th at Drake Relays).
If there was one person who wasn’t surprised by Cain’s performance, it was her coach, Alberto Salazar. After the race in an interview with FloTrack (full interview embedded below), Salazar said he wasn’t surprised she ran that fast as he knew she could get under 4:05 and even down to 4:02 eventually this season (although he said she’s “ahead of schedule” as he thought Oxy would only be won in around 4:07).
You might think this is because he sees her crushing it in workouts, but you’d be wrong. “Her races are way beyond her workouts” says Salazar. “But still, her workouts have improved from where they were in the winter. … So, just using that sort of extrapolation, I thought she could run 4:05. Still, she does workouts you wouldn’t think would produce a 4:05. They’re not quite that good yet. But for her, I know that they are.”
After Cain’s fine run, Salazar showed great class in not taking much of the credit for getting Cain to achieve it as he said, “She’s a very natural athlete. She ran 4:11 last year (under HS coach Ed Stickles) so she’s ran 6 seconds faster with me this year. That’s not a heck of a lot from a sophomore to a junior in high school; you should probably expect that much. She’s got a lot of talent, my job is to make sure that talent is fulfilled, that she doesn’t get injured, a lot of people have talent, but [inaudible]. I didn’t make Mary Cain; she was already made.”
The women one spot behind Cain at Drake was Sarah Brown. Brown, the former Sarah Bowman, who was a star at Tennessee ran 4:05.67 in 2009, but hadn’t run under 4:08 since. She popped a 4:05.27 here sneaking under the “A” standard of 4:05.30. Well done for her and Mackey but this was Mary Cain’s day. Salazar says “she’s got a shot at making the [US World] team” and with the “A” standard, 3rd in the country ranking, and 2:01 800 speed, you’d be crazy to argue with him.
Quick Take #1 (QT #1): Cain’s run stole the show for the entire night. We said above she’d be the second fastest collegian in history and that is supported by the fact that tonight she beat 2013 NCAA indoor mile champ Emma Coburn of Colorado who PRd herself at 4:06.87 (previous pb of 4:09.42)
QT #2: Let’s don’t forget that the 25-year old former Washington runner Mackey was the race winner in a new pb. Mackey’s previous pb was 4:06.67.
Event 5 Women 1500 M Run ================================================================ Meet: * 4:05.92 2012 Shannon Rowbury, Nike Stadium: # 4:05.92 2012 Shannon Rowbury, Nike Name Year Team Finals ================================================================ Finals 1 Mackey, Katie Brooks 4:04.60# 2 Cain, Mary Unattached 4:04.62# 3 Sifuentes, Nicole Saucony 4:04.65# 4 Brown, Sarah New Balance 4:05.27# 5 Lucas, Julia Nike 4:05.89# 6 Buckman, Zoe Nike 4:05.91# 7 Kuijken, Susan Nike 4:06.59 8 Coburn, Emma Colorado 4:06.87 9 Conley, Kim New Balance 4:07.17 10 Tomlin, Renee Nike 4:08.09 11 Simpson, Jemma Nike 4:08.51 12 Lagat, Violah Unattached 4:08.87 13 Stellingwerff, Hilary Speed River/ 4:10.47 14 Van Buskirk, Kate Brooks 4:11.14 15 Schappert, Nicole Brooks/NYAC 4:11.80 16 Wilson, Heather Njnytc 4:12.58 17 Gallagher, Kerri Pacers New Balance 4:12.97 18 Franek, Bridget Nike 4:15.09 19 Van Alstine, Amy adidas 4:15.65 20 Brown, Stephanie Arkansas 4:16.10 21 Praught, Aisha Nike 4:16.66 22 O'Connell, Jessica University of Ca 4:17.17 23 Carlyle, Laura Bowerman AC 4:17.39 24 Guevara, Cristina Mexico 4:17.67 25 Mecke, Dana San Antonio Elite 4:18.30 26 Salerno, Melissa New Balance 4:18.60 27 Thomas, Callie Unattached 4:18.67 28 Tauro, Danielle Njnytc 4:19.07 29 Cliff, Rachel Vancouver Th 4:19.66 30 McShine, Pilar Trinidad & Tobago 4:19.91 31 Miller, Ashley Asics 4:20.64 32 Hagans, Lauren Asics 4:21.06 33 Infeld, Emily Nike 4:21.23 34 Beck, Cat Cptc New Balance 4:23.20 35 Bizzarri, Angela Brooks 4:23.27 36 Digby, Erica Vancouver Th 4:24.75 37 van der Wyk, Tracee Unattached 4:26.33 38 Jordán Ordiales, Cristin C.D. Seoane- Pampín 4:31.43
Men’s 1500m: Will Leer Wins the Big Race of the Day, Nick Symmonds Win the $2500 and No one Hits the “A” Standard
Will Leer won heat #1 that featured Olympic silver medalists Leo Manzano and Galen Rupp, but the race disappointed as no-one ran quick and got a qualifying time. A bit of justice was served as 800 man Nick Symmonds won heat #2 with the fastest time of the day and as a result took home the $2500 first place prize.
That’s only possible in the non fan friendly world of time trial track and field.
In heat 1, Will Leer’s fine 2013 continued. The indoor USATF 1500 and 3000m champion and Mt Sac 5000m champion, who moved back home with his parents this year, kept on winning. Here he got a ton of scalps including Galen Rupp who was second here for the second straight year. Shockingly, Leer was denied the ‘A’ standard he has so long coveted of 3:35.50 as he won in 3:36.67.
The more credentialed milers Wheating, Manzano and Lomong were close behind Rupp, but no one ran real quick.
In heat 2, Nick Symmonds showed the Bachelor talk isn’t keeping him from training as he got the win over American record holder in the steeple Evan Jager. Symmonds also had the fastest time of the day so he “won” this event.
Interestingly, Symmonds ran .03 faster here last year, (Last year’s results here) but it was a nice start to the more competitive part of his season.
Overall Combined Results at the Bottom We pulled the top 20 overall and put them into their heats as the results site doesn't break down the results by heat. Heat 1 3 Leer, Will Nike 3:36.67 1 6 Rupp, Galen Nike 3:36.98 1 7 Wheating, Andrew Nike 3:37.03 1 8 Manzano, Leo Austin TC 3:37.04 1 9 Lomong, Lopez Nike 3:37.08 1 10 Centrowitz, Matthew Nike 3:37.27 1 17 Boylan-Pett, Liam Njnytc 3:38.26 1 18 Brannen, Nathan Saucony 3:38.41 1 1 Symmonds, Nick Nike 3:36.07 2 2 Jager, Evan Nike 3:36.34 2 4 Brown, Russell Nike 3:36.79 2 5 Levins, Cam Nike 3:36.88 2 11 Heath, Garrett Saucony 3:37.47 2 12 See, Jeff Saucony 3:37.54 2 16 Torrence, David Nike 3:38.25 2 19 Bolas, Jack New Balance 3:38.48 3 20 Bishop, David Great Britain 3:38.72 3 13 Leslie, Cory Unattached 3:37.97 3 14 Robinson, Paul Nike 3:37.99 3 15 Kaan, James Nike 3:38.23 3
Finals 1 Symmonds, Nick Nike 3:36.07 2 Jager, Evan Nike 3:36.34 3 Leer, Will Nike 3:36.67 4 Brown, Russell Nike 3:36.79 5 Levins, Cam Nike 3:36.88 6 Rupp, Galen Nike 3:36.98 7 Wheating, Andrew Nike 3:37.03 8 Manzano, Leo Austin TC 3:37.04 9 Lomong, Lopez Nike 3:37.08 10 Centrowitz, Matthew Nike 3:37.27 11 Heath, Garrett Saucony 3:37.47 12 See, Jeff Saucony 3:37.54 13 Leslie, Cory Unattached 3:37.97 14 Robinson, Paul Nike 3:37.99 15 Kaan, James Nike 3:38.23 16 Torrence, David Nike 3:38.25 17 Boylan-Pett, Liam Njnytc 3:38.26 18 Brannen, Nathan Saucony 3:38.41 19 Bolas, Jack New Balance 3:38.48 20 Bishop, David Great Britain 3:38.72 21 Jordanek, Tony Neo TC Elite 3:38.85 22 Johnson, Brett Unattached 3:38.91 23 Miller, Craig New Balance 3:39.22 24 Phillips, Duncan Austin TC 3:39.24 25 McNamara, Jordan Nike 3:39.25 26 Huling, Dan Nike 3:39.28 27 Gowell, Chris adidas 3:39.29 28 Blankenship, Ben Nike 3:39.39 29 Derrick, Chris Nike 3:39.45 30 Solares, Pablo Bay Area Track Club 3:39.54 31 Harasyn, Eric Brooks 3:39.77 32 Heath, Elliott Nike 3:39.85 33 Gonzalez, Christian Njnytc 3:40.30 34 Morris, Graham Unattached 3:40.41 35 McNiff, Ryan adidas 3:41.52 36 Clark, Daniel Very Nice Tr 3:41.86 37 Batty, Miles Asics 3:41.91 38 Huffer, Craig adidas 3:42.27 39 Schmitz, Tommy Usa 3:42.45 40 Philibert-Thiboutot, Cha Laval (Canada) 3:42.61 41 Corrigan, Peter Running Room 3:43.42 42 Andrews, Robby adidas 3:43.52 43 Degefa, Deriba Bowerman AC 3:43.71 44 Gagnon, Brian Njnytc 3:44.44 45 Fernandez, German Nike 3:53.98 -- Cronin, Ian Team Run Eugene DNF -- O'Hare, Chris Scotland DNF
Men’s 5000m: Mo Farah Wins His 2013 5k Debut
Mo Farah was content to just win this one in his outdoor track debut of 2013 as the World and Olympic champion got the win easily on the final lap with training partner Dathan Ritzenhein 2nd as no one got the “A” standard of 13:15.00.
Galen Rupp ran in this race as a workout until the final mile after he raced the 1500m.
QT #1: Training parnters Chris Solinsky and Alan Webb both ran slower than they did at Stanford.
QT #2: Nice run by Ritz, but did you you realize he ran 13:14 here last year? And Farah seems to be behind where he was last year as he had 3:34 and 13:12 double wins last year.
Event 8 Men 5000 M Run =============================================================== Meet: * 13:12.87 2012 Mo Farah, Nike OTC Stadium: # 13:12.87 2012 Mo Farah, Nike OTC Name Year Team Finals =============================================================== Finals 1 Farah, Mo` Nike 13:15.68 2 Ritzenhein, Dathan Nike 13:17.38 3 St Lawrence, Ben New Balance 13:18.81 4 Gabius, Arne Nike 13:21.39 5 Braun, Aaron adidas 13:22.37 6 Curtis, Bobby Hansons-Brooks 13:24.15 7 Solinsky, Chris Nike 13:27.03 8 Puskedra, Luke Nike 13:31.88 9 Stilin, Joe Unattached 13:33.13 10 Fraser, Rory Bowerman AC 13:36.47 11 Braden, Forest Bruin Bruisers 13:37.93 12 Okello, Tonny Santa Monica 13:39.43 13 Furst, Stephen adidas 13:41.69 14 Romero, Juan Carlos Mexico 13:41.91 15 Vega, Aldo Unattached 13:45.68 16 Webb, Alan Nike 13:46.53 17 Nageeye, Abdi Netherlands 13:54.29 18 Wacker, Andy adidas 13:54.60 19 Borrego, Diego Zatopek 14:09.20 -- Rupp, Galen Nike DNF -- Emanuel, Lee New Balance SCR -- Gonzalez, Mauricio Porvenir- Colombia SCR -- Levins, Cam Nike SCR -- Tully-Doyle, Colton Brooks SCR -- Curtis, Bobby Hansons-Brooks SCR
Women’s 5000m: Molly Huddle Impresses, So Does Treniere Moser
The American record holder Molly Huddle dominated. The surprise was Treniere Moser ran 15:11 for second as her rejuvenation under new coach Alberto Salazar continues. Until this run most people assumed Moser would be a factor this year at 1500, not 5000m. We believe this was Moser’s first “A” standard in any event since 2007.
A Standard 15:18
Event 7 Women 5000 M Run ================================================================ Meet: * 15:14.31 2012 Jackie Areson, Nike Stadium: # 15:14.31 2012 Jackie Areson, Nike Name Year Team Finals ================================================================ Finals 1 Huddle, Molly Saucony 15:05.56# 2 Moser, Treniere Nike 15:11.00# 3 Felnagle, Brie adidas 15:14.33 4 Hastings, Amy Brooks 15:17.35 5 Romero, Marisol Mexico 15:21.41 6 Areson, Jackie Nike 15:27.36 7 Erdmann, Tara Nike 15:47.41 8 LaBeaud, Natasha Brooks 15:51.70 9 Secaffien, Andrea Speed River/ 16:05.41 10 Rohde, Kristen Bowerman AC 16:10.60 11 Tebo, Jessica Brooks 16:27.30 12 Del Toro, Rosa Unattached 16:32.79 -- Jordán Ordiales, Cristin C.D. Seoane- Pampín SCR
Women’s 800m: Jenny Simpson is Back
2011 World 1500m Champion Jenny Simpson’s successful return to college coach Mark Wetmore has started out incredibly well. First was a 4:03 win at 1500m at the Drake Relays. Now a lifetme PR at 800.
Simpson’s got the win over 800m runners Phoebe Wright and Latavia Thomas in a personal best of 2:00.45. Simpson’s previous best was 2:01:20 from 2011.
QT #1: Last year when Simpson dropped down to 800, the results were disastrous as she ran 2:03.49 here and 2:05.79 in New York. She’s officially back!!
IAAF “A” Standard 2:00.00
Event 3 Women 800 M Run =================================================================== Meet: * 1:59.48 2011 Alice Schmidt, USOC Stadium: # 1:59.48 2011 Alice Schmidt, USOC Name Year Team Finals H# =================================================================== Finals 1 Simpson, Jenny New Balance 2:00.45 1 2 Wright, Phoebe Nike 2:00.58 1 3 Thomas, Latavia Nike 2:00.68 1 4 Wallace, Lea Nike 2:00.94 1 5 Gall, Geena Nike 2:01.11 1 6 Kampf, Heather Asics 2:01.14 1 7 Smith, Jessica Valley Royals 2:01.17 1 8 Belleau-Béliveau, Karine Les Vainqueurs 2:01.79 2 9 Crofts, Helen Simon Fraser 2:02.10 2 10 Medina, Gabriela Mexico 2:02.40 2 11 Rodgers, Christina Unattached 2:02.65 2 12 Kajan, Selma New South Wales 2:03.64 2 13 Praska, Bethany Unattached 2:03.96 2 14 Ogbasilassie, LemLem Unattached 2:04.02 2 15 Leinert, Shannon Big River Ru 2:04.38 1 16 Harper, Lyndsay Brooks 2:06.27 2 17 Schmidt, Alice Nike 2:06.57 1 18 Westaway, Jenna Calgary Inte 2:06.89 3 19 Herrick, Stephanie New Balance 2:07.71 3 20 Dubose, Damajeria Unattached 2:07.74 3 21 Zorich, Brett Bay Area Track Club 2:08.08 3 -- MacLean, Leanna Phoenix Athletics SCR 3
Men’s 800m: Who?! Brandon Johnson Wins (Or Does He??? See Note #2)
Heat 1 was a shocker as former 400m hurdler Brandon Johnson got the surprise win and a huge pr of 1:44.85. Johnson’s previous best was 1:46.23 from last year, his first season where his focus was the 800m. Johnson is a former world junior silver medalist in the 400m hurdles and was 6th in the 2008 Olympic Trials at 400m hurdles.
NOTE: Kenya’s Felix Kitur initially won heat 1, but was DQ’d with a lane violation. It would have been a big PR for him as tilastopaja.net lists his PR as 1:46.51.
NOTE #2 (5/20 edit): We received an email from a visitor informing us that Kitur was actually reinstated after initially being DQ’d. We checked the official results to confirm and now Johnson and Ktur are both listed as first place with identical times. (See revised results below.)
Note #3: Turns out our first note was right; Kitur was DQ’d.
QT #1: Michael Rutt prd in 3rd place at 1:45.08 and so did Mark Wieczorek in 4th (1:45.36). Wieczorek’s pr was bittersweet as he just missed the World Championship “A” standard of 1:45.30.
Event 4 Men 800 M Run ========================================================================= Meet: * 1:44.71 2011 Cory Primm, UNA Stadium: # 1:44.64 1996 Johnny Gray, SMTC Name Year Team Seed Finals ========================================================================= Section 1 1 Johnson, Brandon Hsinternatio 1:46.23 1:44.85 2 Jock, Charles Nike 1:44.75 1:45.01 3 Rutt, Michael Njnytc 1:45.20 1:45.08 4 Wieczorek, Mark Brooks 1:45.62 1:45.36 5 Martin, Ryan Asics 1:44.77 1:47.29 6 Yokota, Masato Fujitsu 1:46.16 1:47.82 7 Harris, Geoff Halifast Athleti 1:45.97 1:48.21 -- Kitur, Felix Santa Monica 1:46.54 DQ Section 2 1 Abbott, Joe Unattached 1:47.24 1:46.59 2 White, Sadiki Njnytc 1:47.50 1:47.32 3 Jones, Richard Unattached 1:47.20 1:48.01 4 Mumba, Prince Santa Monica 1:47.87 1:48.02 5 Emmen, Tetlo Unattached 1:46.95 1:48.28 6 James, Jamaal Hsinternatio 1:46.70 1:48.32 7 Dawson, Andrew Unattached 1:46.96 1:49.06 -- Smith, Kyle Phoenix Athl 1:46.83 DNF Section 3 1 Romaniw, Anthony Speed River 1:47.70 1:47.16 2 Husted, Mark Denver TC 1:48.25 1:47.56 3 Bradshaw, Paul Great Britai 1:49.00 1:47.75 4 Perezchica, Andres Unattached 1:49.80 1:49.00
Women’s Steeple: Ashley Higginson Wins. No One Gets “A”
This meet is all about qualifying times and although Ashley Higginson got the win she was short of the 9:43.00 World Championshiop “A” qualifying standard. She did get the 9:48 “B” Standard.
Event 1 Women 3000 M Steeplechase =============================================================== Meet: * 9:41.96 2012 Bridget Franek, Nike OTC Stadium: # 9:41.35 2008 Lindsey Anderson, Nike Name Year Team Finals =============================================================== Finals 1 Higginson, Ashley Saucony 9:45.83 2 Vaughn, Sara Unattached 9:47.58 3 Anderson, Lindsey Unattached 9:48.32 4 Ballinger, Mary Zap Fitness 9:51.33 5 Kipp, Shalaya Unattached 10:02.80 6 Groenewoud, Chantelle Speed River/ 10:05.77 7 Lalonde, Genevieve Speed River/ 10:06.23 8 Hall, Sara Asics 10:06.52 9 Hayakari, Minori Japan 10:06.70 10 Nickless, Bethany Nike 10:08.11 11 Masciana, Juliane adidas 10:09.82 12 Lawrence, Collier Oiselle 10:14.46 13 DeWalt, Kara Bay Area Track Club 10:16.62 14 Goldkamp, Mary Rogue Athletic Club 10:17.10 15 Pease, Sarah Rogue Athletic Club 10:29.10
Men’s Steeple: Matt Hughes Wins Again
Matt Hughes of Canada backed up his win at Stanford with a win here. The men’s steeple was similar to the women’s in that no one got the “A” Standard of 8:26 (Hughes already had it from Stanford). Olympic finalist Donn Cabral disappointed in 7th here. Last year in the midst of the collegiate season, Cabral ran his pb of 8:19.14 here.
Event 2 Men 3000 M Steeplechase =============================================================== Meet: * 8:19.14 2012 Don Cabral, Princeton Stadium: # 8:19.14 2012 Don Cabral, Princeton Name Year Team Finals =============================================================== Finals 1 Hughes, Matt Unattached 8:25.95 2 Nelson, Billy New Balance 8:29.10 3 Cowart, Donald World Express 8:30.02 4 Mahoney, Travis Njnytc 8:30.87 5 Cleaver, Matt Unattached 8:31.28 6 Milne, Taylor Speed River 8:31.48 7 Cabral, Donn Nike 8:34.23 8 Ibarra, Luis Nike 8:34.55 9 Bean, Cameron Zap Fitness 8:35.36 10 Brockerville, Ryan Point Grey Tfc 8:38.71 11 Bruce, Ben adidas 8:40.38 12 Stones, Carl adidas 8:41.63 13 Ripley, Zach Playmakers Elite 8:58.70 -- Turner, DeSean Unattached SCR
*2013 Oxy Results Here *2013 Oxy Photo Gallery Here
FloTrack interview with Alberto Salazar talking about Mary Cain: