2016 Drake Relays Friday Recap: Kirani James Blazes 44.08 World Leader, Jenny Simpson (4:06.44) Outkicks Kate Grace in 1500 as Mary Cain Is 8th (4:12.62)
By Jonathan Gault
April 29, 2016
2011 world champs Kirani James and Jenny Simpson put on a show for the Drake Relays crowd on Friday night, taking big wins in the men’s 400 and women’s 1500, respectively. We recap all the pro events from Des Moines below.
Full results * All LRC coverage
MB: Official 2016 Drake Relays Thread
James was terrific on Friday
Men’s 400: Kirani James Blazes a 44.08
This race was billed as a showdown between Olympic champs Kirani James and LaShawn Merritt and it didn’t disappoint. James held a lead of about a step over Merritt entering the home stretch and held it all the way to the line, winning in a meet-record and world-leading 44.08 to Merritt’s 44.22. James’ fellow Grenadian Bralon Taplin was third in 44.92.
Finals 1 James, Kirani Nike 44.08D 2 Merritt, LaShawn Nike 44.22D 3 Taplin, Bralon Grenada 44.92 4 Verburg, David United States 45.03 5 Brown, Chris adidas 45.82 6 Yousif, Rabah Great Britain 46.14 7 Al-Masrahi, Yousef Nike 46.38 -- Santos, Luguelin Puma DNF
Quick Take #1: 44.08 is really, really fast
44.08 is a great time, period, but James’ run was extra impressive given that it’s still April and the weather was not ideal for sprinting (48 degrees and overcast with swirling winds). Only one man has ever run faster in the month of April: world record holder Michael Johnson, who ran 43.75 in 1997.
“It just shows that I’m on a great track to do some great things this year,” James told Lewis Johnson after the race.
Simpson powering to victory
Women’s 1500: Jenny Simpson Looks Great in Opener
The leaders (Brenda Martinez and Heather Kampf) hit 400 meters in 65.5, spotting rabbit Kenia Sinclair about a second. Sinclair’s lead only grew over the second lap and it became apparent that there was not going to be any super fast times tonight. Martinez held the lead at 800 (2:14.4) with Simpson on her shoulder; just before the bell (3:04), Simpson assumed the lead and began the long drive for home. Martinez quickly fell off, with Kate Grace taking her place behind Simpson as they flew down the backstretch. By the final turn, Kampf and Rachel Schneider had joined Simpson and Grace.
Simpson is known for her strong final 100, however, and it was on full display today as she pulled away comfortably for the win in 4:06.44 with a 61.97 last lap. Grace came through for second in 4:07.15 with Kampf third in 4:07.26 while Martinez totally blew up on the final lap and wound up ninth (10 person field) in 4:14.21, one spot behind teen Mary Cain who as eighth in 4:12.62. Cain was with the pack until the real racing began in the final 300.
Cain had a good attitude about her finish as she’s quoted in the Des Moines Register as saying: “I kind of joke with people that as soon as I got onto the American circuit, the American Circuit got really competitive. As soon as I break onto the international circuit, now everybody’s crazy fast.”
Finals
1 Simpson, Jenny New Balance 4:06.44
48.629 (48.629) 1:56.964 (1:08.335) 3:04.469 (1:07.505)
4:06.434 (1:01.966)
2 Grace, Kate Oiselle 4:07.15
48.862 (48.862) 1:57.176 (1:08.315) 3:04.644 (1:07.468)
4:07.145 (1:02.502)
3 Kampf, Heather ASICS 4:07.26
48.300 (48.300) 1:57.120 (1:08.820) 3:04.779 (1:07.660)
4:07.251 (1:02.472)
4 Schneider, Rachel Under Armour 4:08.70
49.058 (49.058) 1:57.584 (1:08.527) 3:05.155 (1:07.571)
4:08.694 (1:03.540)
5 Sifuentes, Nicole Canada 4:08.93
48.654 (48.654) 1:57.299 (1:08.645) 3:04.985 (1:07.687)
4:08.926 (1:03.941)
6 Lagat, Violah Unattached 4:10.54
48.824 (48.824) 1:57.408 (1:08.585) 3:04.936 (1:07.529)
4:10.533 (1:05.597)
7 Moser, Treniere United States 4:11.92
49.203 (49.203) 1:57.739 (1:08.537) 3:05.318 (1:07.579)
4:11.916 (1:06.599)
8 Cain, Mary Nike Oregon Project 4:12.62
48.910 (48.910) 1:57.442 (1:08.532) 3:05.515 (1:08.074)
4:12.614 (1:07.099)
9 Martinez, Brenda New Balance 4:14.21
48.431 (48.431) 1:56.884 (1:08.454) 3:04.680 (1:07.796)
4:14.209 (1:09.529)
10 Eccelson, Amanda Brooks 4:22.08
49.069 (49.069) 1:57.535 (1:08.467) 3:07.373 (1:09.838)
4:22.073 (1:14.700)
-- Sinclair, Kenia Unattached DNF
47.697 (47.697) 1:55.783 (1:08.086)
Quick Take #1: Simpson starts strong, as usual
Simpson hasn’t lost her outdoor 1500 opener since 2007 and she looked great in taking her fourth 1500 win at the Drake Relays tonight.
We thought Simpson may have been injured this winter as she didn’t race at all indoors, and she suggested that may have been the case in her post-race interview but did not say for sure.
“This whole buildup of this season has been different from any other season of my life,” Simpson said cryptically after the race. We’ll be sure to follow up on that when we run into her on the circuit.
Quick Take #2: A great run for Kate Grace
The first outdoor race of Oiselle’s Kate Grace for Drew Wartenburg‘s NorCal Distance Project was a big success. Grace, who missed the entire 2015 season due to a foot injury but ran PRs in the mile (4:28.30) and 1500 (4:06.75) indoors, continued that form tonight, just missing her 1500 pb even though the pace wasn’t that fast early and conditions (temps in the 40s) weren’t great for fast running.
Quick Take #3: What happened to Brenda Martinez?
Martinez, who was 5th at World Indoors at this distance a month ago, looked good through three laps, but once Simpson passed her, she fell apart, running her final lap in 69.53. There’s no need to panic after one bad race, but this was a night to forget for Martinez.
You can see the kinesiotape here
Quick Take #4: A slight improvement on indoors for Mary Cain
Both Cain and Nike Oregon Project teammate Treniere Moser were decked out in kinesiotape tonight, with strips running along their upper and lower arms and upper and lower legs on each side of their body (perhaps Alberto Salazar’s newest innovation?). Cain’s run — 4:12.62 for 8th — was nothing to shout about, but it’s a small step forward from indoors (her sb was 4:13.46), especially when you consider conditions weren’t great for running fast.
Men’s 400 hurdles: Batman Wins It
Bershawn “Batman” Jackson won this race in typical fashion, getting out hard, backing off on the back stretch and coming on strong over the final 150 to take the victory in 49.30. He had to work for it, however, as Olympic silver medallist Michael Tinsley almost ran him down on the homestretch but came up just short, taking second in 49.36.
Finals 1 Jackson, Bershawn Nike 49.30 2 Tinsley, Michael United States 49.36 3 Clement, Kerron Nike 49.86 4 Gibson, Jeffery Bahamas 49.98 5 Bennett, LaRon United States 50.14 6 Stigler, Michael adidas 50.25 7 Culson, Javier adidas 50.44 8 Gaymon, Justin New York Ath Club 50.95
Quick Take #1: “This season will define my legacy”
Jackson turns 33 next week and he’d like to claim another Olympic medal to add to the bronze he won in 2008.
“I feel like this season will define my legacy,” Jackson said.
He also revealed that his father passed away a month after last year’s World Championships, making for a challenging offseason.
Women’s Long Jump: Ugen Uses the Wind
Great Britain’s World Indoor bronze medallist Lorraine Ugen got revenge on World Indoor champ Brittney Reese, taking the win here with a 6.82-meter jump on her first attempt. Ugen benefited from a massive 3.5 m/s wind and took full advantage (no other measured jump had a wind greater than 2.2). Both Reese and Ugen also added to their coffers thanks to the “Leap for Loot” promotion that saw the athlete with the longest jump in each round take home an extra $1,500. Both earned $4,500 extra as Ugen had the best leap in rounds 1, 5 and 6 while Reese had the best leap in rounds 2, 3 and 4.
Finals
1 Ugen, Lorraine Unattached 6.82m 3.5 22-04.50
6.82m(3.5) 6.01m(1.1) 6.61m(1.1) 6.32m(+0.0) 6.61m(1.0) 6.54m(0.9)
2 Reese, Brittney Nike 6.74m 1.5 22-01.50
6.69m(2.0) 6.62m(1.9) 6.74m(1.5) 6.61m(1.1) FOUL 6.37m(-0.5)
3 Hayes, Chelsea United States 6.32m 2.0 20-09.00
6.32m(2.0) 6.25m(1.8) FOUL FOUL 5.67m(0.4) FOUL
4 Okagbare, Blessing Nigeria 6.25m 0.9 20-06.25
6.24m(1.0) FOUL 5.97m(1.2) 6.20m(0.5) FOUL 6.25m(0.9)
5 Stuart, Bianca Bahamas 6.20m 2.0 20-04.25
6.16m(1.1) 6.20m(2.0) FOUL 5.97m(2.2) 5.97m(0.8) 5.90m(0.2)
6 DeLoach, Janay Nike 6.18m 0.9 20-03.50
FOUL 6.17m(0.1) 6.18m(0.9) PASS 5.58m(-0.1) 5.70m(-1.0)
7 Jimoh, Funmi Nike 6.07m 1.8 19-11.00
6.07m(1.8) 6.02m(2.2) FOUL FOUL FOUL FOUL
-- Day, Sharon ASICS DNS NWI
Men’s High Jump: World Champ Derek Drouin Wins
Drouin and Bryan McBride both cleared 2.24m, but McBride’s miss at 2.14 cost him as Drouin won on countback.
Finals
1 Drouin, Derek Nike 2.24m 7-04.25
2.09 2.14 2.19 2.24 2.28
O PPP O O XXX
2 McBride, Bryan Unattached J2.24m 7-04.25
2.09 2.14 2.19 2.24 2.28
O XO O O XXX
3 Robertson, Ricky United States 2.19m 7-02.25
2.09 2.14 2.19 2.24
O O O XXX
4 Barry, Trevor Bahamas J2.19m 7-02.25
2.09 2.14 2.19 2.24
PPP O XO XXX
5 Thomas, Donald Bahamas J2.19m 7-02.25
2.09 2.14 2.19 2.24
O XO XXO XXX
6 Wilson, Jamal Bahamas 2.14m 7-00.25
2.09 2.14 2.19
PPP O XXX
6 Mason, Mike Mizuno 2.14m 7-00.25
2.09 2.14 2.19
O O XXX
8 Davis, Geoff Unattached 2.09m 6-10.25
2.09 2.14
O XXX
-- Townsend, Roderick United States NH
2.09
XXX
-- Purcell, Darius Unattached NH
2.09
XXX
-- Jonas, Dusty United States NH
2.09
XXX
Men’s Pole Vault: Barber Sweeps
World champ Shawn Barber followed up his win at Wednesday’s Capital Square Vault in Des Moines by winning at Drake, though his 5.50 winning mark was 21 centimeters lower.
Finals
1 Barber, Shawn Canada 5.50m 18-00.50
5.30 5.40 5.50 5.60
XXO O O XXX
2 Kendricks, Sam United States J5.50m 18-00.50
5.30 5.40 5.50 5.60
O O XO XXX
3 Coover, Jeff Under Armour 5.30m 17-04.50
5.30 5.40 5.50
O XPP XX
-- Scott, Jordan Unattached NH
5.30
XXX
-- Uhle, Joey Unattached NH
5.30
XXX
-- Paech, Carlo Germany NH
5.30
XXX
-- Hollis, Mark United States NH
5.30
XXX
Women’s Shot Put: Tia Brooks Pulls the Upset
Tia Brooks took down World Indoor champ Michelle Carter by unleashing a 19.37-meter heave on her fifth attempt, tying her PR set last week.
Finals
1 Brooks, Tia Nike 19.37m 63-06.75
18.11m 18.38m 18.48m 18.12m 19.37m FOUL
2 Carter, Michelle Nike/NYAC 18.72m 61-05.00
17.73m 18.23m 18.72m 17.45m 18.15m 18.62m
3 Bunch, Daniela Nike 17.95m 58-10.75
FOUL FOUL FOUL FOUL 17.95m FOUL
4 Smith, Brittany Nike 17.87m 58-07.50
17.64m 17.48m 17.75m FOUL 17.87m FOUL
5 Camarena-Williams, Jilli Nike 17.73m 58-02.00
17.73m FOUL FOUL FOUL FOUL FOUL
6 Johnson, Felisha Nike 17.69m 58-00.50
17.58m 17.55m FOUL 17.69m FOUL FOUL
7 Stevens, Jeneva New York Ath Club 17.46m 57-03.50
16.78m 16.93m 16.66m FOUL 17.46m 17.11m
8 Ramsey, Jessica Unattached 16.98m 55-08.50
15.88m 16.90m FOUL FOUL 16.98m 16.36m
Coed Shuttle 4×110 Hurdles Relays
Heat 1 (Team Blue vs. Team Red)
Team Blue’s World Indoor champ Nia Ali ran a strong third leg to give anchor Eddie Lovett the lead and world record holder Aries Merritt could not make up the deficit as Team Blue got the win in 54.42.
Heat 2 (Team Green vs. Team White)
The first leg was crazy, with Keni Harrison slowing way down after hitting the first hurdle before Janay Deloach, who was 4th at World Indoors in the long jump, also hit a hurdle. Harrison wound up reeling her in and giving her Team Green a lead through one leg. Jamaican Andrew Riley made some ground up for Team White but Brianna Rollins broke the race open on leg three, allowing Omar McLeod to power home and give Team Green the win in 54.89. Team White was later DQ’d (we think for leaving the blocks too early on one of the legs).
Finals
1 Team Blue 54.42 1
1) Castlin., Kristi 2) Adams., Spencer
3) Ali., Nia 4) Lovett, Eddie
2 Team Red 54.77 1
1) Stowers., Jasmin 2) Parchment., Hansel
3) Coward, Jacqueline 4) Merritt., Aries
3 Team Green 54.89 2
1) Harrison., Kendrea 2) Harris., Aleec
3) Rollins., Brianna 4) McLeod, Omar
-- Team White DQ 2 Rule 170.17
1) DeLoach, Janay 2) Riley., Andrew
3) Harrison., Queen 4) Oliver., David