Joe Abbott and Brie Felnagle each score PRs at London Diamond League meet...
LONDON, England--Washington State alum Joe Abbott (left/photo by Paul Merca) and Tacoma's Brie Felnagle scored significant personal bests on the first night of the Sainsbury's Anniversary Games at the Olympic Stadium, the final IAAF Diamond League meet before next month's world championships in Moscow.
Competing against a predominantly American field, Abbott, wearing his trademark black Air Jordan singlet, finished seventh in the 800 meter run, just missing the 1:44 mark, as he crossed the line in 1:45.04, eclipsing his previous best of 1:45.35 set a few weeks ago in winning the Harry Jerome meet in Burnaby.
Springfield's Nick Symmonds took the win in 1:43.67, with fellow USA world championships team members Duane Solomon (1:44.12) and Brandon Johnson (1:44.19) took second and third.
Matt Scherer of the Seattle based Brooks Beasts handled pace-setting chores for the first 500 meters of the race.
Courtesy of Universal Sports, here is video of the race.
In the women's 3000, Tacoma's Brie Felnagle, the Bellarmine Prep and University of North Carolina grad set a big personal best in the 3000, as she finished eighth in a time of 8:52.59, as she also ran against a predominantly American field.
Shannon Rowbury, who will run the 5000 for Team USA took the win in a personal best and world leading time of 8:41.46, followed by Gabrielle Anderson (8:42.64) and Molly Huddle (8:42.99), also personal bests for the two Americans.
In the women's 1500, University of Washington alum Katie Mackey of the Brooks Beasts finished third in a time of 4:09.02, as Kenya's Mary Kuria took the win in 4:08.77.
The meet continues Saturday with UW grad and reigning US champ Brad Walker in the pole vault, and Auburn-Riverside HS grad Jordan McNamara in the men's mile.
Comments