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.

Alberto Salazar Congratulates Mary Cain After Her 4:04.62 National Record (click on photo for more photos) Alberto Salazar Congratulates Mary Cain After Her 4:04.62 National Record (click on photo for more photos)

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.

Article continues below player.

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 Beat the Big Boys (More photos here)

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
Mo Farh Won the 5k on the Last Lap

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

 

Jenny Simpson Wins the 800m

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:

*2013 Oxy Photo Gallery Here

Want More? Join The Supporters Club Today
Support independent journalism and get:
  • Exclusive Access to VIP Supporters Club Content
  • Bonus Podcasts Every Friday
  • Free LetsRun.com Shirt (Annual Subscribers)
  • Exclusive Discounts
  • Enhanced Message Boards