Sun, Feb 06, 2022
Adel Mechaal led a series of Spanish victories at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex as he stormed to a European record to win the men’s 3000m. Mechaal, a regular at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, produced a 2:25.91 last kilometer to break the tape in 7:30.82 bettering the previous record which had stood since 2010. Behind him Briton Andrew Butchart clocked a PR 7:37.42 with Luis Grijalva breaking the Guatemalan indoor record with the same mark for third. Jonas Raess completed the trio of national records in the race with a Swiss record 7:39.49.
“I was sure I could do 7:33,” Mechaal said after his race. With somebody pushing me the last few laps I could have run 7:29, but not better than that today.”
There was more joy for the Spanish in the men’s 800m where Mariano Garcia outkicked Bryce Hoppel over the final 100 meters to take the victory in 1:45.12 – the fastest time in the world this year and another Spanish record. Hoppel finished second with 1:46.08, with Dutchman Tony van Diepen clocking a lifetime best 1:46.49 for third.
On the women’s side, Natoya produced a commanding front-running performance to produce a world-leading 1:59.62.
“I was expecting to go under two minutes, it was a great run. I’ve been training hard this week so I can go faster. This time I went out and controlled it and I knew to get under two minutes I had to. Last week my coach was not happy, he said, ‘you have to get out.’”
Spain’s Esther Guerrero sprinted to victory in the women’s 1500m in 4:11.87, proving too strong over the final lap for US rivals Heather Maclean and Nikki Hiltz, who finished second and third respectively in 4:12.29 and 4:12.32.
Guerrero returned shortly after her victory to pace the entire women’s 3000m field to lifetime bests. Canada’s Gabriella Debues-Stafford, who alongside Jersey-native Josette Norris and Ethiopia’s Mekides Abebe went with the ambitious pace, pulled away from the pack with one lap to go and crossed the line in a national record 8:33.92. She was followed home by steeplechaser Abebe in 8:36.31, with USA’s Josette Norris continuing her fine form with a PB of 8:37.91 in third.
Ireland’s Andrew Coscoran paced his race to perfection to take victory in the men’s mile. The Olympic semi-finalist came from well back early in the race to seize command when it counted, clocking 3:53.64 to beat USA’s Colby Alexander (3:53.83) and fellow Irishman Luke McCann (3:53.87).
“I was a bit tired coming off (the Millrose Games) so I sat towards the back and I was able to come through,” said Coscoran. “I wasn’t expecting to run that fast, but I felt like I was strong in the last 200 and if someone came up to my shoulder, I felt like I had another gear.”
Grant Holloway continued his World Athletics Indoor Tour campaign where he left off in 2021. The Olympic silver medallist maintained his eight-year unbeaten streak at the 60m hurdles and powered to victory in a world leading 7.37, beating fellow US athletes Trey Cunningham (7.47), Devon Allen (7.51) and Daniel Roberts (7.60).
On the women’s side, Jamaica’s Danielle Williams set a PB of 7.83 to secure the win ahead of compatriot Britany Anderson, who set a PB of 7.88 in second, with USA’s Gabriele Cunningham third in 7.92.
USA’s Mikiah Brisco blasted to victory in the women’s 60m in a world lead of 7.07, with Jamaica’s Briana Williams following her home in 7.11.
In the men’s 60m, Noah Lyles demonstrated a showcased improvement in both his start and drive phase, to help power him to victory in a PB of 6.56, with Mario Burke of Barbados second in 6.63 and USA’s Travis Collins third in 6.64.
“It felt so good to actually be in the mix of the race instead of having to run from behind,” said Lyles, whose previous best of 6.57 dated back to 2018. “We’ve been analyzing Trayvon (Bromell) and Christian (Coleman) a lot more in that first 20 meters, rethinking the idea of getting the most out of your stride. This means everything for the 100 and 200, making sure I’m in it from the beginning and not struggling to get back in the race.”
Jereem Richards clocked a lifetime best 45.83 in the Jesse Loubier Memorial 400m and dedicated his victory to Trinidadian teammate Deon Lendore, who tragically passed away last month, and who was supposed to line-up alongside him today.
Jessica Beard took the women’s 400m in 52.88 ahead of Canada’s Kyra Constantine (52.96) and Jamaica’s Roneisha McGregor (53.01).
In the women’s 300m, Gabby Thomas again underlined her class with a dominant victory, the 200m Olympic bronze medalist clocking 36.21 to edge US compatriot Lynna Irby (36.42).
In the women’s long jump, Britain’s Lorraine Ugen’s 6.71m in the fourth round was enough to seal victory ahead of USA’s Quanesha Banks, who had a best of 6.65m in second.
USA’s Donald Scott left it late to take the men’s triple jump, his 16.68m in the final round seeing him overtake Jahnhai Perinchief of Bermuda, who had a best of 16.55 in second, while USA’s Will Claye was third with 16.46m.
“It was hard to find my rhythm until the last one but I was glad to get the win,” said Scott. “I had to perform under pressure and I was ready for it. Now it’s about trying to stay consistent and do better than last year.”