Erik Sowinski Edges Robby Andrews, Ajee Wilson Repeats, Ashton Eaton Drops 10 Feet, Sally Kipyego and More 2015 Millrose

by: LetsRun.com
February 14, 2015

NEW YORK — The 2015 Millrose Games was not just the men’s Wanamaker mile duel between Nick Willis and Matt Centrowitz, the women’s Wanamaker Mile win by Shannon Rowbury, the world record in the 500m by Brycen Spratling, the upset by Lopez Lomong in the 5000m, or the near-American collegiate record in the 3000m by Eric Jenkins. We’ve recapped those stories in separate articles. Below we recap the rest of the distance races which saw Ajee Wilson repeat as 800 champ, Erik Sowinski outlean Robby Andrews, and Sally Kipyego win the 3000m.

But first, in non-distance events, Murielle Ahoure ran a world-leading 7.05 in the women’s 60m; Marvin Bracy (6.53) defended his 60m crown; Aleec Harris (7.50) edged Jason Richardson (7.51) and Ashton Eaton (7.51) in the 60m hurdles; Sharika Nelvis won the women’s 60m hurdles (7.91).

In the field, Ekaterina Stefanidi won the pole vault in 15′ 1″ (4.60), Damar Forbes edged Will Claye in the long jump and Jesse Williams won the high jump over Mike Mason (2.31) on countbacks.

The highlight for more casual fans was Ashton Eaton surviving a ten-foot fall over the padding at the end of the hurdles.  Video of race here. Eaton showing off how far he fell below.

Mel Sheppard Men’s 1,000m Run: Erik Sowinski Just Beats Robby Andrews

What a finish What a finish

The results will say that this one was a 1000-meter race, but nothing really happened until the final lap as six men were bunched within half a second with 200 to go. On the backstretch, Erik Sowinski began to pull away from the field, but former University of Virginia star Robby Andrews was right with him and it became a two-man race. Andrews swung outside on the final turn in an effort to go by Sowinski, but the Iowa grad didn’t cede an inch, holding off Andrews by just .05 seconds to win in 2:21.18, over two seconds slower than he ran last week in Boston. Though Andrews couldn’t quite get Sowinski, his runner-up finish was still a promising result as he flashed the wheels that earned him two NCAA titles while at UVA.

Quick Take #1: Sowinski wanted to move earlier but had to bide his time as he was boxed in

Sowinski was glad to nab another win at the Armory, where he said his track and field career took off two years ago with his 1:15.61 American record at 600 meters. He said he felt this was the first time he really got to race this season as his DMR leg two weeks ago was run all alone and he was in no-man’s-land last week in the 1k in Boston.

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Sowinski has several races coming up (one in Ireland on the 18th, then a race in Birmingham next weekend and either the 600 or 1k at USAs in two weeks’ time) and after that will be heading to Boulder for his first extended altitude stint. We thought it was interesting that a speed-based 800 guy like Sowinski would be heading to altitude (all-athletics.com lists no results for him in a race longer than 1k) but Sowinski said that he wants to work on his strength with the hope that the altitude will help him maintain the same quick pace for longer. We’ll see this summer if the decision pays off.

Quick Take #2: Robby Andrews Was Excited After This One

Life as a professional runner hasn’t been easy for Robby Andrews. After running 3:34 and 1:45.06 and finishing 5th at the 2012 Trials at 1500, he only managed to run 3:43/1:47 in 2013 and 3:42/1:46 in 2014.

Reunited with college coach Jason Vigilante for 2015, a competitive showing is exactly what Andrews needed in his first significant race of 2015. The slow pace worked perfectly for Andrews, who is known for having a big kick. It will be interesting to see how he does in faster races down the road.

Andrews was obviously pleased with being in it for the win and didn’t realize he had altered Solomon’s run:

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Quick Take #3: Duane Solomon is happy with his training

2012 Olympic 4th-placer Duane Solomon was right with Robby Andrews on the backstretch of the final lap when Andrews cut out in front of him to go for glory and ended up making contact with Solomon which resulted in a big Solomon stumble. Solomon never really recovered from that (he ended up 6th in 2:24.31), but said he feels like his training is going well and he’s hoping for a strong 2015 after a somewhat disappointing 2014.

Quick Take #3:High school Star Myles Marshall  talks about his race and why he committed to Harvard and not traditional mid-d power Penn State or traditional Ivy League power Princeton. (editor’s note: but remember Yale will win)

Marshall was 7th in 2:24.43.

1 Sowinski, Erik Nike 2:21.18
2 Andrews, Robby adidas 2:21.23
3 Windle, Drew Ashland University 2:22.91
4 Murray, Declan NJ-NY TC 2:22.99
5 Boylan Pett, Liam NJ-NY TC 2:23.44
6 Solomon, Duane Saucony 2:24.31
7 Marshall, Myles Unnattached 2:24.43
8 Holdsworth, Derek XMG Athletics 2:25.25
Reid, Nicholas Shore AC DNF
Iguider, Abdelaati Nike DNS

Women’s 800: Ajee Wilson Repeats

Ajee Wilson, the world’s fastest women outdoors in 2014, successfully defended her Millrose crown by winning the women’s 800 in 2:01.57, ahead of Charlene Lipsey’s 2:02.05. Lipsey had the lead heading into the bell.

Afterwards, Wilson, who was focused on racing her competitors and not the clock, said she is pleased with her early-season results as she thinks they indicate she’s stronger than she was in 2014. Wilson’s last 200 (30.69) was nearly as fast as her next-to-last lap (30.59).

A post-race Q&A with Wilson appears below. When asked if she had any big Valentine’s night plans in New York City, the 20-year-old said she was simply headed back to Philly on the train. *Race video here

PL Athlete Team Final
1 Wilson, Ajee’ adidas 2:01.57
2 Lipsey, Charlene adidas 2:02.05
3 Westaway, Jenna Brooks 2:02.91
4 Thomas, Latavia NJ-NY TC 2:03.12
5 Okoro, Marilyn Nike 2:04.91
6 Zhao, Jing Team Shanghai 2:05.30
7 Verstegen, Sanne New Balance 2:05.75
8 McDonald, Kimarra Juventus 2:05.95

Women’s 3000: Kipyego Too Good, Emily Sisson Becomes #5 Collegian

At the bell, it was a three-person race, but over the last lap no one was nearly as good as 2012 Olympic 10,000 medallist Sally Kipyego of Kenya, who used a 29.65 final lap to win the women’s 3000 in 8:41.72, well ahead of Betsy Saina’s 8:43.19 and Gotytom Gebreslase’s 8:45.05. The top three all entered the last lap closely bunched (separated by just .31).

Over the last lap, Providence’s Emily Sisson, who was out of XC eligibility last fall, won the battle with NCAA cross country champion Kate Avery of Iona for top collegian honors as Sisson ran 8:52.60 for fourth to Avery’s 8:53.12, with pro Jessica O’Connell sandwiched between them at 8:53.09. Sisson’s mark makes her the fifth-fastest all-time collegiately. Avery is now #6. *Race video here

1 Kipyego, Sally Nike OTC 8:41.72
2 Saina, Betsy Nike 8:43.19
3 Gebreslase, Gotytom adidas 8:45.05
4 Sisson, Emily Providence College 8:52.60
5 O’Connell, Jessica Asics 8:53.09
6 Avery, Kate Iona College 8:53.12
7 Mageean, Ciara New Balance 8:55.09
8 Higginson, Ashley Saucony / NJNYTC 8:57.86
9 Hall, Marielle Nike 8:59.88
10 Praught, Aisha Nike OTC 9:03.36
11 Gallagher, Kerri Oiselle/NYAC 9:24.22
Yates, Lucy Juventus DNF

Collegiate top 6 according to TFN.
8:42.03 Jenny Simpson (Colorado) 03/14/09
8:48.77 Sally Kipyego’ (Texas Tech) 02/07/09
8:49.18 Kim Smith’ (Providence) 03/13/04
8:51.91 Abbey D’Agostino (Dartmouth) 02/15/14
8:52.60 Emily Sisson (Providence) 02/14/15
8:53.12 Kate Avery (Iona) 02/14/15

Quick Take #1: Kate Avery was pleased but a bit apprehensive

Avery had some bathroom “issues” last week when she ran a mile in 4:42 and said that she was a bit apprehensive as a result in this race (last week was supposed to be a rust buster). Still, her time was an NCAA leader and a great sign that the NCAA XC champ will be a factor in indoor track, especially considering she’s in a much heavier training block than she was when she ran 8:56.20 at this meet last year. Avery feels that she’s on a different level this year after the NCAA XC title and a runner-up finish at Euro XC.

She’s still undecided about her NCAA plans (she doesn’t have a 5k qualifier but could get one at her conference championships).

Quick Take #2: Emily Sisson is on fire.

Sisson, who set a US HS mark of 15:48 for 5000, has really been running great of late. She ran 15:21.84 in December for 5000. Now she’s the fifth-fastest ever at 3000 indoors.

*All Millrose Coverage Here *All LRC Millrose Interviews here

Disclosure because our trust with you matters: The NYRR Millrose Games was an advertiser on LetsRun.com this week. This is not part of any advertising package.

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