A bit disappointing from Hocker for me, although that might be more because of unrealistic expectations.
Positive take would be he still ran 332.1. Possible excuses: he had to suddenly move out to lane 3 on the second lap when a few guys almost went down, and it looked like he almost gave up a bit in the final 20m which is hard not to do when you are in 13th place.
I know those races weren't as quick in 2021 but it seems like Hocker doesn't quite have the kick he had that year.
Onwards!
Really? In his fourth race and third track meet of the season?
Yeah, that was on the back of rabbiting the 800m in 49.77 with 40 minutes rest.
Yeah for sure the issue was actually running near 29 seconds from 100-300. The race bunched until there was room for Stewy to go to him. Probably after a 49.77 and then 13.4 from the gun it makes sense he had to reset a bit.
Huge day for Great Britain MD already. 3:30.6-3:31.3 PBs for Gourley, Giles and Stonier. Giles definitely vindicates his spot on the team over Mills, who laid an egg. Stonier (3:31.30) is only 21, a few months younger than Hocker.
Adam Spencer (Australia/Wisconsin) 3:31.81 is a total shocker. Hocker runs his second fastest time ever at 3:32.14 and he’s probably quite disappointed, finishing 13th of 15. Still, I think it’s important to keep in mind how close 13th is to top 5 at this level (0.84 seconds today), so no reason for real discouragement.
Great race by Spencer, but how does a 3:36 collegiate get into the London DL ?
Of course I picked Hodgkinson and Welteji 1-2 in the Fantasy League.
Ok THOUGHTSLEADER, how much did you pay Welteji to throw the race today?
It was pure situational influence. I was disgusted at the lane assignments. I doubt anyone else was paying attention to this but the organizers essentially nullified Diribe Welteji by sticking her in a joint lane with someone who is known to take it out slowly. That was beyond disgraceful, given Welteji's caliber and credentials.
Perhaps it was intentional, designed to protect Hodgkinson and Reekie.
As soon as I saw that lane assignment I knew exactly how it would unfold. I've emphasized many times on various track forums that Welteji is not assertive enough on the track. Sure enough, her passive personality caused her to defer today. It could not have been more predictable. The other girl was so slow over the first 75 meters that Welteji was essentially eliminated already, before she even got to the break.
Welteji is a natural frontrunner, especially at 800. Now she was stuck in last place, with no chance to run anything resembling her typical race.
I wondered what she would do. Not overly shocking that she jogged for half a lap then stepped off the track.
Of course I picked Hodgkinson and Welteji 1-2 in the Fantasy League.
Ok THOUGHTSLEADER, how much did you pay Welteji to throw the race today?
It was pure situational influence. I was disgusted at the lane assignments. I doubt anyone else was paying attention to this but the organizers essentially nullified Diribe Welteji by sticking her in a joint lane with someone who is known to take it out slowly. That was beyond disgraceful, given Welteji's caliber and credentials.
Perhaps it was intentional, designed to protect Hodgkinson and Reekie.
As soon as I saw that lane assignment I knew exactly how it would unfold. I've emphasized many times on various track forums that Welteji is not assertive enough on the track. Sure enough, her passive personality caused her to defer today. It could not have been more predictable. The other girl was so slow over the first 75 meters that Welteji was essentially eliminated already, before she even got to the break.
Welteji is a natural frontrunner, especially at 800. Now she was stuck in last place, with no chance to run anything resembling her typical race.
I wondered what she would do. Not overly shocking that she jogged for half a lap then stepped off the track.
If that is the case then she.may be too delicate a flower for top level 800 running. The 800 is all about assertiveness.
Ritz made the wrong call on Norris/Andrews. should have given her the chance to show her stuff in the 1500 before this 5000 crap, now she’s wasted a year and we have no data on whether she would have failed at 1500. likely the opposite
Absolutely not. Andrews’ days of the 1500 are over. There are now much faster women rising up the ranks. Many breaking 4. Last time she broke 4 (and the only time) was a race 2 yrs ago. Just can’t bring it home when the competition is fierce.
