Destinee Hooker sails over 1.98m at the NCAA Indoor Championships (© Kirby Lee)
University of Texas student Destinee Hooker cleared 1.98m to set a collegiate High Jump record and a quartet from the University of Tennessee ran a World best in the women's Distance Medley Relay to highlight the first day of competition at the NCAA Indoor Championships (13).
The meeting was held at Texas A&M University’s new indoor facility.
Hooker improves to 1.98m, close at 2.01m national record
After a miss at 1.80m - "It was just nerves, believe me", she said - Hooker made first-try clearances of 1.83m, 1.86m, 1.89m, 1.92m and and a 1.95m), but she was tied for the lead with Elizabeth Patterson of Arizona, who also had one miss. The Texan made 1.98m on her second attempt, barely brushing the crossbar, while Patterson went out. Hooker had the bar raised to an American record 2.01m, but only her third try was close.
Women's Distance Medley World Best
The University of Tennessee quartet of Phobe Wright, Brittany Jones, Chanelle Price and Sarah Bowman ran to a 10:50.98 * victory in the Distance Medley relay, shattering the previous World best of 10:54.34 set in 1988 by Villanova University. Wright opened with a 3:23.18 run in the opening 1200m leg, with Jones covering her 400m leg in 53.51. Price, a former high school star, split 2:03.19 for 800m before Bowman ended with a 4:31.11 anchor leg over 1600m.
The men's event was won by the University of Oregon, anchored by Galen Rupp who closed with a 3:57.1 anchor leg (1600m). earlier in the evening, Rupp won the 5000m with ease in 13:41.45, ahead of Liberty University's Sam Chelanga (13:44.57) of Kenya. Rupp will also contest the 3000m on Saturday.
Kenyan Sally Kipyego won the women's 5000m in 15:51.14 to capture the ninth NCAA title of her career. On Saturday she'll chase a record 10th title when she competes in the mile.
On the infield...
D’Anna McCarthy moved into 17th place on the women’s 20-pound Weight Throw all-time list with a final-round throw of 22.09m. That passed Stevi Large’s opening throw of 21.79m, which puts her just outside the top 20 on the list.
The women’s Long Jump was won by Eleni Kafourou (Boise St) of Greece at 6.53m, with Jeomi Maduka close behind at 6.50m, and five others at 6.40m or better.
In the men’s events, Ryan Whiting of Arizona State won the Shot Put by nearly a metre with a 20.16m effort, and Jason Colwick, the most promising young American pole vaulter, won his event at 5.60m.
Other winners in women’s events included Marielle Ahoure who edged Porscha Lucas 22.80 to 22.83 in the 200m. The men's 200m title went to Trey Harts of Baylor, who clocked 20.63. Both winning performances were the the fastest in the world this season.
The men’s 60m dash heats set up an interesting final, with Jacoby Ford winning one heat in 6.51 (looking around), and Trindon Holliday taking the other in 6.55.
James Dunaway for the IAAF
* The IAAF does not recognise World records in this event
