#93 - Spoiler Alert: Stark Wins Medal

Inside This Issue

• The Wall of Champions

• 100 Hurdles

• 10,000

• 400 Hurdles

• Other Things

Tokyo’s Wall Of Champions

After the 1964 Olympics, the Japanese organizers engraved on the side of the National Stadium the names of all the gold medalists. The tribute is still there — it has a permanence that is hard to match. It is sobering to see the four gold medals won by Michiganders. That era, now more than 60 years ago, showed Michigan talent at its best, glory years that we may never see again.

Stark Wins Bronze!

The FInal: Grace Stark, in lane 4, got a great start and led for the first half of the race. That’s when surprising Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland (with the 7th-fastest PR in the field) shocked by taking the lead. World record holder Tobi Amusan also got past Stark, who finished in 12.34 to claim the bronze.

“I just wanted to walk away from here with a medal, that’s always the goal coming in. I got a bronze medal here and I’m going to have more fun at Athlos. My family''s kept me so grounded and been with me in these moments. Last year at the Olympics was very useful — the first time I was out there with a big crowd. Coming out here the crowd wasn’t overwhelming. Getting on the line with the other great women is amazing. I think its such a great thing happening in our sport and for women because I feel women’s sports aren’t as big. But you know, walking away form here with the medal was the biggest thing for me. I leave Tokyo in 48 hours. Maybe tomorrow I’ll celebrate but I have to move out of my apartment when I get back so I don’t have much time. I’ve been to Shibuya about 30 times, so I’ve had my fair share of fun. Maybe it’s time to go back home.”

Heats: Stark produced the No. 2 time in the field, winning her race in 12.46 (wind 0.1). Aasia Laurencin finished 5^th in her heat in 13.03 and did not advance. (Advancement was the top 3 in each heat, plus 6 time qualifiers, last one being 12.96.)

Semis: Monday’s first race saw Stark dominate her semi, running 12.37 into a 0.5 headwind.

Fisher Kickless In 10K

No one felt like leading fast in that heat and humidity. The beginning miles were so slow you could hear legions of former high school runners groaning that their HS 2M PRs were faster. All of the best runners bet that their kicks would be enough get them on the podium, Fisher included. But Michigan’s favorite son didn’t have the kick, and with 100 left the tank was empty. He finished 8^th in 28:57.85. “Man I just went and there was nothing there, which is a horrible feeling when you see yourself where you want to be and then that final stage of execution… you reach for it and it’s not there.”

Cockrell Among Leaders In 400H Qualifying

Anna Cockrell ranked second in the hurdle qualifying with her 53.63 win in heat 2. Meanwhile, UM’s Savannah Sutherland had a tough day, running just 55.68 in her heat for 5th, missing a time qualifier by 0.36.

Said Cockrell: “I feel good to be the part of a new generation of 400m hurdlers in the USA. To come through our national trials is always tough and challenging, so we’re ready. The 400m hurdles has so many tactical aspects, and it’s also a mental game to put it all together. What an exciting challenge. Now I want some of those 'jiggly’ pancakes they have here. That will set me up for the final.”

Other Things

• Kamryn Tatum was another Michigander who excelled at the AAU Junior Olympics. In the 400, she ran a PR 53.50 in the heats and then took 4th in the final at 54.03.

• Natasza Dudek won her race at the Spartan Invitational in 17:02.1. The fastest boys race was Bobby Jazwinski’s 15:28.4. He’s running for Whitehall this season.

• At the Holly/Duane Raffin Invitational, top performances came from Lennox Naswell of Flint Powers at 15:51.8 and Katie Berkshire of Gaylord at 17:37.7.