Allen finds himself in solid position entering USA championships after DL win in Paris...

With exactly one week to go before next Sunday's finals in the men's 110 hurdles at the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene, former Renton resident Devon Allen (photo courtesy Wanda Diamond League) finds himself in a strong position to grab one of the three spots on the world championships team.

The two-time Olympic finalist and Oregon alum made his case Saturday night as the Wanda Diamond League made its seventh stop in Paris for the Meeting de Paris.

After winning his heat in 13.20, Allen came back almost 90 minutes later to win the finals in 13.16, with Brazil's Rafael Pereira second in 13.25, and France's Just Kwaou-Mathey third in 13.27.

In a span of six days, Allen's won three straight races, starting in New York on June 12th in a personal best 12.84, then crossed the Atlantic to win the Diamond League meet in Oslo Thursday night in 13.22.

While Allen will go into the national championships as the reigning Wanda Diamond League champion, he will not get a wild card entry into the world championships, as Grant Holloway is the reigning world champion.

Allen, who will report to the Philadelphia Eagles' training camp after the world championships as an undrafted free agent wide receiver and kick returner, said, "My start was the best I have had this year. It was something we were really working on because it used to be the weakest part of my race. With that, it became an issue that I came too close to the hurdles. It is just about a little bit of a practice. I just have to figure it out because I am moving really fast right now and I think I can go much faster. The hot weather feels good, just had to keep my energy up in between the rounds."

Courtesy of NBC Sports, here's is video of Allen's race Saturday.

The Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene begins on Thursday. paulmerca.blogspot.com will have a preview of the meet up before the start of the championships.

NOTE: The Wanda Diamond League, World Athletics, and NBC Sports contributed to this report.

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