Davis edges Jones in battle of record-setting hurdlers

Along with long jump win, Agoura CA graduate prevails by one second in 100-meter hurdles matchup; Monsignor Donovan NJ graduate wins hammer throw after taking second in shot put

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

It was a historic matchup and a memorable opportunity Friday for Tara Davis and Tia Jones.

Fortunately for the talented hurdlers, they will get another chance to make history July 21-23 in Trujillo, Peru.

Davis, an Agoura CA graduate and the fastest prep hurdler in U.S. history under all conditions, squared off with George Walton Comprehensive GA sophomore Jones, the wind-legal high school record holder in the women's 100-meter hurdles final at the USATF junior Outdoor Championships.

Although neither individual broke the 13-second barrier in the championship race, Davis prevailed by a 13.01 to 13.02 margin to capture her second junior national title of the day following a 21-9 (6.63m) long jump on her only attempt of the competition.

“I stumbled out of the blocks so it wasn’t a good start at first. I had to keep my composure and go through the whole race,” said Davis, who ran a wind-aided 12.83 at the California state final June 3.

“I hit a hurdle and then I hit Tia right next to me. We both slowed up. She was on me so I had to push a little bit. Overall, I am happy to go to Peru. It feels good.”

Davis clocked 12.95 in the semifinals, with Jones running 13.35. Jones ran a record 12.84 in last year's junior semifinals in Clovis, Calif., then finished second to Alexis Duncan by a 13.04 tio a 13.05 margin.

Davis and Jones are among the four athletes in the past year to have run under 13 seconds and two of the seven in high school history.

“I feel like all of the girls I'm running with are doing a great job and I'm really proud of all of them and I hope they all hit their goals, just as I hit mine," Jones said. "I'm really going to miss them. I miss them already.”

Davis was the only two-time champion crowned Friday, earning a measure of revenge for last year's California state final when she placed second in the long jump to then Clovis North senior and now Oregon freshman Rhesa Foster. Davis watched the remaining five rounds as Foster could only jump 20-5.25 (6.23m) and placed second.

Monsignor Donovan NJ graduate Alyssa Wilson also qualified for the U.S. national team in two events, rebounding from a second-place finish in the shot put with a mark of 53-3 (16.23m) to win the hammer by edging Michigan freshman Courtney Jacobsen by a one centimeter margin with her third-round throw.

Both athletes were credited with 185-11, but Wilson's mark was measured at 56.68 meters and Jacobsen at 56.67.
“I just went out there in the hammer and said, 'You know, whatever happens happens, I already made the team, so I was a kinda more relaxed.' Making the team in two events was one of my goals,” Wilson said. “I didn’t wanted to go for just one event like last year.”

Arizona State redshirt freshman Samantha Noennig won the shot put with a fifth-round mark of 55-0.75 (16.78m), securing her spot on a second U.S. national team after making the American roster in 2015 to compete in the discus at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia.

“It is incredible. I am so excited to win and represent Team USA again,” Noennig said. “Last time I did not do as well as I wanted to, so it is a little bit of redemption for me to show the world what I am capable of.”

Much like Davis and Jones squaring off in the 100 hurdles, there was another significant matchup in the 100-meter dash final.

Candace Hill, a Rockdale County GA graduate who competes professionally for ASICS, clocked 11.37 into a headwind to edge Miami Southridge FL graduate Symone Mason in 11.42.

“Winning (Friday) means a lot especially with the season I had. I have won some and lost some. Coming back strong and running with women who are amongst my age feels great to be how it used to be. It was pretty fun,” said Hill, the World Junior champion last year and World Youth winner in 2015.

“My coach and I discussed it and running the junior 100 would prime me to run the senior 200 (Saturday). We did not want to run three rounds of the 100 if I were to make it on. We decided to both because I wanted to do junior team and make it to Peru just in case.”

Kansas State freshman Ariel Okorie won the junior heptathlon with a personal-best 5,266 points, rallying past first-day leader Tierra Crockrell of Calabasas CA, who became the second-highest scoring high school sophomore in history with 5,149 points. Kendell Williams of Kell GA still holds the national sophomore class record at 5,170.

Georgia freshman Samantha Drop won the junior 5,000 in 16:56.91, with Northern Iowa freshman Hannah Truniger placing second in 17:05.37.

“(The strategy) was to take it easy for the first half and then see how the top people were strategizing and then push at the end,” Drop said. “(Winning) is great. Last year, I did not qualify for this meet, but my sister (Jessica) did.”