McPHERSON, Kan.—
Amy Hastings (former Leavenworth HS) was the USA’s top finisher in the women’s 10,000 meters run Friday, August 3 in London, the first final event on the track of the 2012 Olympic Games. Her time of 31:10.69 was an all-time personal best and led the USA team to the 11th, 12th, and 13th places in the final only event. All three medals went to African runners as the winner was from Ethopia and the silver and bronze went to Kenya. 2008 double gold medalist in the 10,000 and 5,000 meters Tirunesh Dibaba successfully defended her 10,000 meter title, winning in 30:20.75 over Kenyans Sally Kipyego (30:26.37) and Vivian Cheruiyot (30:30.44). The silver medalist Kipyego ran collegiately for Texas Tech from which she graduated in 2009.
In Wednesday’s semifinal round, Isiah saw his 2012 season come to an end as he ran 20.89 and finished eighth in the section two which was won by defending Olympic champion Usain Bolt of Jamaica who cruised home with a time of 20.18.
Congratulations to both Amy and Isiah for representing Kansas on the world stage!
*****
2012 prep season wraps up
AAU National Junior Olympics
Turner Stadium, Humble HS – Houston, TX
July 30-August 4, 2012
Kansas high school athletes weren’t able to bring home any gold from the AAU National Junior Olympics track and field championships in Houston, Texas, but they still represented the state well.
Leading the way were second place finishes by Emily Brigham (Mill Valley) in the Young Women’s pole vault (12’6”) and Joe Reagan (Seaman) who brought home a pair of silver medals, one in the Intermediate Boys long jump with the #3 jump Kansas for 2012 (23’6.75”) and the other in the 100 meters (legal wind 10.91 after a 10.83 in semifinals). Reagan also placed third in the 200 meters with the #4 time in Kansas for 2012 (21.86), the best known legal wind time for a Kansas prep during the 2012 season. James Atwood (Blue Valley Southwest) rounded out Kansas’ second place finishes with his in the Intermediate Boys high jump with a jump of 6’4”.
Claire Sanner (Lawrence Middle School, 8th Grade) clocked the #1 time in Kansas for the 2,000-meter steeplechase in 2012 with her fifth place time of 7:59.20. Also breaking into the state’s top 10 performers for 2012 were Rasheed McAlpin (Shawnee Heights), who place third in the Intermediate Boys 400-meter hurdles with the #3 Kansas time of 56.31, and Lukas Koch (Centralia), whose 6:43.26 in the Young Men’s 2k steeplechase placed sixth and ranks #8.
Listed below are the top six finishes by known Kansas preps in the Youth, Intermediate, and Young age divisions. Hopefully, we haven’t overlooked anyone. We saw that several other Kansans posted season and personal bests in Houston. Congratulations go out to all Kansas preps on a great 2012!
Complete results are at http://image.aausports.org/sports/athletics/results/2012/jogames/complete.htm
Youth Girls
Shot Put 3. Amana Kakoulias (Peck, KS, MS) 42-07 (6-lb)
Discus 4. Payton Roberts (Newton Chisholm MS) 111-05
Intermediate Girls
2k Steeplechase 5. Claire Sanner (Lawrence MS) 7:59.20 (#1 KS ’12)
Young Women
High Jump 3. Shannon Parr (Rossville) 5-06
Pole Vault 2. Emily Brigham (Mill Valley) 12-06
Youth Boys
High Jump 3. Ira Hines (Wichita) 5-08
Discus 5. Joshua Fulmer (Newton Chisholm MS) 149-11 (1kg)
Javelin 6. Ryan Kraushaar (Frankfort) 126-07
Intermediate Boys
100 2. Joe Reagan (Seaman) 10.91+; SF 10.83q; Heats 10.93q
200 3. Joe Reagan (Seaman) 21.86+ (#4 KS ’12); SF 21.95q; 22.17wq
400 Hurdles 3. Rasheed McAlpin (Shawnee Heights) 56.31 (#3 KS ’12); 57.05q
High Jump 2. James Atwood (Blue Valley Southwest) 6-04
Long Jump 2. Joe Reagan (Seaman) 23-06.75 (#3 KS ’12, legal wind)
Discus 4. Connor McMullen (Louisburg) 160-00
Young Men
2k Steeplechase 6. Lukas Koch (Centralia) 6:43.26 (#8 KS ’12)
*****
Thanks to everyone, but especially Kansas’ prep track and field athletes for a great 2012!
We’re looking forward to a super 2013!
