Centrowitz, Kendricks Win Fifth U.S. Outdoor Titles

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

DES MOINES – Matthew Centrowitz and Sam Kendricks are at the stages of their careers where they can afford to be selective about which meets to make appearances and cash in on their global standing.

On Saturday, both won at the USATF Outdoor Championships at Drake University for the sake of being seen and adding to their legacies within the U.S.

Centrowitz, the 2016 Olympic 1,500-meter champion, reclaimed the national title after losing to Robby Andrews last year in Sacramento.

“I don’t take the national titles for granted, even in a non-World Championships or Olympics year,” Centrowitz said.

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With his fifth victory, he is one short of Steve Scott’s record of six between 1977 and 1986.

Centrowitz, a master of racing tactics and efficiency, came off the curve next to graduating Oregon senior Sam Prakel and then used a late burst to reach the finish line first in 3:43.37.

A bit earlier in the race, Centowitz was more concerned.

“I actually found myself in a really bad position,” Centrowitz said. “With 700 to go I was out in lane three, probably like in eighth, seventh or something, and I had to go around a lot of guys.”

Izaic Yorks finished strong to claim second place, moving up eight spots from his previous best of 10th.

Andrews, who didn't advance out of the first round, sent Centrowitz a congratulatory text after the final.

Kendricks, the world champion in the pole vault, won his fifth straight U.S. title – a feat no one has accomplished since Bob Richards did it from 1948 to 1952 and Cornelius Warmerdam from 1940-44.

“The legacy of the pole vault is dotted with men and women who weren’t necessarily beholden to the ebb and flow of international track and field,” said Kendricks in his usual professorial manner.

“They’ve always wanted to do their best at the U.S. championships. It’s like I said on the (awards) podium, this is a place for young jumpers to cut their teeth, and shine, and see the upper level.”

After 10 jumpers no-heighted at the opening bar (5.45m/17-10.50), Kendricks made seven bars in a row to maintain a firm grip on the lead and he won the competition with 5.85m (19-2.25).

Chris Nilsen, the NCAA Division 1 champion from the University of South Dakota, was second with 5.80m (19-0.25).

Kendricks explained that he felt an obligation to be at the U.S. meet to let the other vaulters see him, and thereby see for themselves what the global elite level looks like up close.

“You have to recognize your role as the former generation when you are jumping against guys like Chris Nilsen and Cole Walsh and a lot of great NCAA jumpers,” Kendricks said.

Darrel Hill launched a fifth-round put of 21.57m (70-9.25) to move ahead of a struggling Ryan Crouser to win the men’s shot put title.

Crouser, the 2016 Olympic champion, said he feels fit and strong but has misplaced the timing and rhythm needed to throw his accustomed 22 meters. Crouser’s best Saturday was 20.99m (68-10.50), which he threw merely to qualify for the finals. His other five throws were short and Crouser intentionally fouled them. A third straight title would have been the most consecutively since Al Feuerbach (1973-75).

It was a big achievement for Hill, who won his first U.S. outdoor title after winning the indoor title earlier this year.

“I pride myself on being able to compete against the best all the time and I just let those people bring out the best in me,” Hill said. “You can’t consider yourself one of the great shot putters in the U.S. if you never win a U.S. championship. This is my first one and it means the world to me.”

College athletes Kahmari Montgomery of Houston and Kenny Selmon of North Carolina claimed titles Saturday in the 400 meters and 400-meter hurdles, respectively.

Running in wide-open fields with no clear-cut favorites, Montgomery and Selmon displayed the poise and strength to survive rounds and still have a big effort at the end.  

Montgomery was seventh in the NCAA Championship finals two weeks ago and yet came up big running a time of 44.58 seconds. Paul Dedewo was second in 44.62.

Selmon, the NCAA runner-up, ran in Lane 8 and charged into the lead on the home straight to win in 48.21 seconds.

Curtis Thompson, who redshirted this year at Mississippi State, was the class of the men’s javelin competition. He had the two longest throws of the day and won it with 249-3 (75.99m).

Michael Norman, still wearing his USC uniform after declaring he’ll turn pro soon, made easy work of his first round in the 200 meters with 20.46 seconds to win heat 3. Ameer Webb, the reigning champion and Heat 1 winner in 20.39, was the only sprinter to go faster.

Devon Allen ran 13.45 to lead all qualifiers in the first round of the 110-meter hurdles.