Brad Walker earns yet another trip to the world championships...
EUGENE—University of Washington alum Brad Walker (left/photo courtesy Drake University) secured yet another spot on the world championship team by finishing second in the pole vault on day 3 of the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon.
Walker, whose 2008 mark of 19-9.75 (6.04m) at the Nike Prefontaine Classic remains the American record, fell short in his bid to win a sixth USA outdoor title, only clearing 18-4.5 (5.60m).
After passing the opening height of 17-8.5 (5.40m), he made 18-0.5 (5.50m) and 18-4.5 (5.60m) on his first attempt to lead through those heights.
Eventual winner Sam Kendricks turned the tide of the competition with his first attempt clearance of 18-8.25 (5.70m), a height which Walker missed on his first.
After that miss, Walker elected to pass to 18-10.25 (5.75m), which he missed on his two remaining attempts, while Kendricks cleared on his third and final attempt.
In other action:
—Marcus Chambers of Tacoma thought that he had missed making the finals in the 400 yesterday with his fifth place finish in the semis of 44.95. However, he got into Saturday’s finals when Rainier Beach HS grad Michael Berry was disqualified for a lane violation after finishing second in Chambers’ heat in 44.81.
Chambers finished sixth with a time of 45.38, which potentially puts him into the 4 x 400 meter relay pool for Beijing.
--Washington State grad Jeshua Anderson was fifth in the finals of the 400 hurdles, running 49.22;
--Washington State grad Jeshua Anderson was fifth in the finals of the 400 hurdles, running 49.22;
—Spokane native Britney Henry finished ninth in the women’s hammer with a toss of 217-6 (66.29m);
—Auburn/Riverside HS alum Jordan McNamara was 10th in the finals of the men’s 1500 in 3:42.69;
—Club Northwest’s Jamie Cheever was 12th in the finals of the women’s 3000 steeplechase in 9:56.74;
--University Place resident Andrea Geubelle was a disappointing 13th in the long jump with a best of 20-9 (6.32m);
--University Place resident Andrea Geubelle was a disappointing 13th in the long jump with a best of 20-9 (6.32m);
—Rainier Beach HS grad Ginnie Crawford was seventh in the semis of the 100 hurdles in 12.88.
In the national junior championships, Chinne Okoronkwo was second in the women’s triple jump with a best of 41-10 (12.75m). Brooke Feldmeier of Tumwater & Ole Miss finished fifth in the 800 in 2:10.57. Kristen Garcia of Sedro Wooley finished seventh in the steeplechase with a time of 11:15.31.
Washington State’s Brock Eager was third in the junior men’s hammer with a toss of 221-0 (67.37m). Gonzaga’s Brandon Pollard was fifth in the junior men’s 1500 in 3:59.47. Washington’s Jack Lembcke was seventh in the discus at 171-8 (52.33m). Blaise Black of the Huskies was eighth in the pole vault at 16-0.75 (4.90m).
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