EUGENE, Ore. – Day three of the USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, was highlighted by several standout U20 performances on Saturday.
Freshman Sal Capaldo began his decathlon with a first place effort in the 100-meter dash, breaking the tape in 10.91. Following a sixth-place mark of 6.33 meters (20’ 9.75”) in long jump, Capaldo went on a run of three consecutive top-three placings. A silver-medal finish in shot put (12.36 meters | 40’ 6.75”) and a pair of bronze placings in high jump (1.93 meters | 6’ 4”) and the 400-meter race (51.15) positioned Capaldo in second place overall at the end of day one. The Hawkeye’s 3,670 total is just 92 points off of the leader. Capaldo resumes competition on Sunday with the 110-meter hurdles beginning at 1:00 p.m. (CT).
Freshmen Hayden Kuhn and Alexandria Edison took to the track in the U20 competition. Kuhn got things started in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, crossing the line in 9:09.80 – good for sixth overall. Edison wrapped up her season in the women’s 100-meter dash, stopping the clock in 11.96.
The throws group was active in Eugene with young talent on full display. Freshmen Wisdom Williams and Mike Stein took home silver medals in their respective events, while fellow freshman Walker Whalen claimed fourth in discus against a loaded field. Williams saved her best throw for last to jump to second place in the women’s shot put, hitting a mark of 15.39 meters (50’ 6”). Stein finished his rookie campaign with another stellar javelin performance, letting it fly 65.82 meters (215’ 11”) to take second. Whalen wrapped up his season with a solid performance in discus, firing a fourth-place mark of 56.51 meters (185’ 4”).
Senior competition highlighted the evening session as a mix of current and former Hawkeyes performed well under the lights. Austin Kresley auto-qualified for Sunday’s 200-meter semifinals, using a 20.44 to take third in his heat and tenth overall. The men’s 110-meter hurdle competition was loaded with Hawkeyes, two current and one former. Hawkeye alum Jamal Britt led the way, claiming fourth and qualifying for Sunday’s semifinals. Junior Gratt Reed will join Britt, following his 13.64 performance. Teammate Grant Conway wrapped up his season, crossing the line in 14.29.
Hurdler Paige Magee represented the Hawkeyes in the 100-meter hurdle semifinals, concluding her season in 13th-place with a 13.10. Former Hawkeye Erin Dowd ended her run in Eugene with a 58.34 in the 400-meter hurdle semifinals. On the men’s side, Julien Gillum brought his season to a close in the 400-meter hurdles semifinals, stopping the clock in 50.74.
The USATF Outdoor Championships conclude on Sunday with U20 action begins at 1:00 p.m. (CT), while senior competition resumes at 7:00 p.m. at Hayward Field.
HAWKEYE RESULTS
Men’s 200-meters
10. Austin Kresley – 20.44, Q
Men’s 110-meter hurdles
4. Jamal Britt – 13.20, Q
16. Gratt Reed – 13.64, q
28. Grant Conway – 14.29
Women’s 100-meter hurdles
13. Paige Magee – 13.10
Women’s 400-meter hurdles
15. Erin Dowd – 58.34
Men’s 400-meter hurdles
14. Julien Gillum – 50.74
U20 Decathlon
2. Sal Capaldo – 3,670 points
1. 100-meters – 10.91
6. Long Jump – 6.33 meters (20’ 9.75”)
2. Shot Put – 12.36 meters (40’ 6.75”)
3. High Jump – 1.93 meters (6’ 4”)
3. 400-meters – 51.15
U20 Men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase
6. Hayden Kuhn – 9:09.80
U20 Men’s Javelin
2. Mike Stein – 65.81 meters (215’ 11”)
U20 Women’s 100-meters
18. Alexandria Edison – 11.96
U20 Men’s Discus
4. Walker Whalen – 56.51 meters (185’ 4”)
U20 Women’s Shot Put
2. Wisdom Williams – 15.39 meters (50’ 6”)