Garrett Heath gets season best in Oordegem..
OORDEGEM, Belgium--Garrett Heath (left/photo by Paul Merca) of the Seattle based Brooks Beasts began his summer European racing with a sixth place finish in the 1500 meters at the 23rd Leon Buyle Memorial Meeting.
Heath, who finished a disappointing ninth at the USA Outdoor Track & Field championships in the 1500 in 3:40.28, rebounded with a strong 3:35.97 clocking, which is a season best.
The Stanford alum's previous season best was 3:36.88 at the Oxy High Performance meet in May.
His current personal best of 3:34.12 was set in this meet last year.
Sadik Mikhou of Morocco won the race in a time of 3:33.47.
In St. Denis, France, University of Washington alum and American record holder Brad Walker failed to clear the opening height in the pole vault at the Meeting Areva at the Stade de France outside of Paris.
Walker opened the competition and missed all three tries at 17-10 1/2 (5.45m), as hometown favorite and reigning world and Olympic champ Renaud Lavillenie won with a clearance of 18-8 1/4 (5.70m).
In other events, Seattle's Phoebe Wright, who trains with the Brooks Beasts, was one of the pace setters in the 1500 as five women ducked under four minutes including Jenny Simpson at 3:57.22, missing the venerable 3:57.12 American record set by Mary Slaney set in 1983.
Results of the Meeting Areva, which is part of the IAAF's Diamond League circuit, are available here.
In Edmonton, several athletes with Washington ties will compete in Sunday's Edmonton International Track Classic at Foote Field.
Spokane native Britney Henry, competing for Oiselle, will throw the hammer in a predominantly American field that includes most of the top throwers from last week's USA outdoor championships.
One of the best pacers in the business, Matt Scherer of the Brooks Beasts, will pace the men's 800 that includes US national champ Duane Solomon.
Edmonton native Angela Whyte, who is expected to be named to the coaching staff at Washington State University by new Cougar head coach Wayne Phipps, is entered in the 100 hurdles.
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