Sam Prakel wins 1500m in Hengelo; incoming UW frosh Mary MacLean wins Canadian U20 800 title...
In Hengelo, Netherlands Sunday, Seattle resident Sam Prakel (photo courtesy FBK Games) won the men's 1500 meters at the Fanny Blankers-Koen Games, making a big charge over the last 150 meters, and holding on for the victory.
Through the first 800 meters, Prakel was positioned in about ninth place, as the pacemaker took the field through in 1:52.88.
Just past the 1200 mark, Prakel swung out to the outside of lane 2 to position himself for the final charge.
Just before the 150 mark, Prakel committed, getting himself into second place, then sprinted into the lead and the win, but not before Paul Anselmini of France, who was on the inside, tried to answer with a late surge of his own.
Prakel won by about a step over Anselmini, clocking 3:33.23, with Anselmini second in 3:33.26. France's Titouan le Grix was third in 3:33.51.
Courtesy of Flotrack and World Athletics, here's video of the race:
In the men's pole vault, Washington alum Scott Toney finished eighth, clearing 17-8.5 (5.40m). Unfortunately, Washington's Jimmy Rhoads failed all three attempts at that height and recorded no mark.
Chris Nilsen of the USA, a two-time world outdoor championships medalist and 2021 Olympic silver medallist. took the win with a best of 19-1 (5.82m).
MAC LEAN WINS CANADIAN U20 800M TITLE...
In Ottawa, incoming University of Washington freshman Mary MacLean (Paul Merca photo) of Edmonton won the U20 women's 800 meter title at the Canadian Track & Field Championships that ended Sunday.
MacLean finished in 2:06.03, winning a tight battle over Anieu Chan (2:06.29), and University of Washington freshman Chloe Symon (2:06.56).
As national champion, MacLean earned automatic selection to Canada's world championship team for the World U20 championships August 5-9 in Eugene.
Symon, who broke the Canadian U20 national record in the 800 twice this season, must wait until Athletics Canada's qualifying period closes on July 19th to see if she is selected.
Washington alum Aaron Ahl, who competed earlier in the week in the steeplechase, finished fourth in the men's 1500 meters finals, running 3:38.80.
Late Saturday night, Washington alum Justin O'Toole finished sixth in the mens 800 meters, running 1:48.51.
Washington State alum Jasneet Nijjar was third in the semifinals of the women's 200 in 23.74, and did not advance to the finals.
EX-COUGAR ROSEMARY LONGISA FINISHES THIRD IN 1500 AT KENYAN CHAMPS...
Rosemary Longisa, who announced earlier last week that she will transfer to Iowa State and follow WSU women's cross country and distance coach Laura Harmon, finished third in the 1500 at the Kenyan championships over the weekend in Nairobi.
Longisa, who flew back to Kenya from the USA on Sunday to prep for their national championships, ran 4:10.01, as Naomi Korir won in 4:08.57.
With her third place finish, Longisa was named to Kenya's Commonwealth Games team, where she will run the mile.
SEATTLEU's SEKU SANDERS TRANSFERS TO OKLAHOMA STATE...
Seattle University's track and cross country program took another hit as 800 meter school record holder Seku Sanders will transfer to Oklahoma State University in the fall.
Sanders broke the SeattleU school record in the 800 twice this season, first running 1:48.75 in April at the Bryan Clay Invitational, then breaking it again at the Stumptown Running West Coast Twilight meet in Portland on May 16th, running 1:48.70.
Despite the time, the O'Dea HS graduate couldn't get over the hump and qualify for the NCAA West Regional First Round meet in Fayetteville. That extended SeattleU's streak of not qualifying an individual to the NCAA first round meet to eleven seasons.
NOTE: World Athletics, Athletics Canada, and the Fanny Blankers-Koen Games contributed to this report.
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