Hayes grabs world lead, wins first 400 national title

Saunders improves to No. 4 all-time on American list in shot put; Coburn, Simpson each extend championship streaks to four in a row, with Bartoletta capturing her second crown in three years and Harrison winning her first

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Quanera Hayes hobbled away from the U.S. Olympic Trials in July on crutches, still making the women's 400-meter final, despite competing with a stress fracture in her left shin.

With two healthy legs and plenty of inspiration Saturday, Hayes finally realized her dream by winning her first USATF Outdoor Championship in Sacramento, clocking a world-leading 49.72 to improve to 13th on the all-time American list.

"For me to PR, in a way I literally felt free because when I was on the third curve, I was like 'God, this is your race,' and he just took over," said Hayes, whose previous personal best was 49.91 from the Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational in April 2016.

"I knew my time will come when it comes, but it's going to come. Whether it's later or whether it's now, eventually my time is going to come. I've been trusting in God that it's going to happen and just taking it day by day and trying to increase my faith along the way."

Hayes, who set the American indoor 300-meter record by clocking 35.71 in January, had only run one outdoor 400 in April before running three consecutive days under demanding conditions at Sacramento State's Hornet Stadium.

"I've always known it was in me," Hayes said. "I've always known I was designed to run, it was just a matter of me staying healthy and me trusting in God and letting him do it for me and not trying to do it by myself."

Phyllis Francis improved to No. 3 in the world this year by placing second in 49.96 and USC junior Kendall Ellis elevated to fourth in the world with her personal-best 50.00 to take third. Only six collegiate athletes have ever run faster at any point in their careers than Ellis.

After placing a surprising fourth June 8 at the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships, Ole Miss junior Raven Saunders not only rebounded to win the U.S. title in the women's shot put, but produce a world-leading 64 feet, 10 inches (19.76m) with her sixth-round effort.

"I knew the last throw was going to be a big one, I wasn't sure if it was going to be a PR, but I knew it was going to be a throw to get me on the team. It was a great throw, I was so excited," said Saunders, who improved to No. 4 on the all-time American list.

"I knew coming into USAs it was going to be a great competition with a lot of tough competitors and I came in here really ready for a fight."

Dani Bunch improved to No. 6 in U.S. history with her second-place effort of 64-5.25 (19.64m), ranking second in the world this year. Reigning Olympic gold medalist Michelle Carter placed third at 63-5.5 (19.34m).

Although Olympic gold medalist Tianna Bartoletta had the wild card as the reigning World champion to participate Aug. 4-13 at the IAAF World Championships in London, she still competed Saturday and won her second national long jump title in three years with a sixth-round leap of 23-1.75 (7.05m).

Brittney Reese, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist who captured silver in Rio de Janeiro, placed second at 22-10.75 (6.98m). Kentucky star Sha'Keela Saunders was third at 22-8.5 (6.92m) and Alabama standout Quanesha Burks was fourth at 21-11.75 (6.70m), also earning a World Championship berth based on Bartoletta already qualifying.

“I don’t care about the wild card. I’m looking at winning championships," Bartoletta said. "There’s no bigger stimulus than this. Brittney makes me remain present for every moment because she can always unleash a huge jump.”

Following a sixth-place finish at last year's Olympic Trials, world-record holder Keni Harrison won her first national title in the 100 hurdles in 12.60.

"The race went by so fast that I’m just feeling blessed to come out here and get my first title," Harrison said. "I want to show what I have inside me and coming out here and performing well felt good. My goal for London is to try and go get my first World title."

Olympic silver medalist Nia Ali was second in 12.68, Christina Manning placed third in 12.70 and Dawn Harper Nelson also qualified in fourth in 12.78 as a result of Harrison having the Diamond League wild card to participate in London.

Emma Coburn and Jenny Simpson, former training partners in Colorado and New Balance teammates, both won their fourth consecutive national titles. Coburn captured her sixth title in seven years in the 3,000 steeplechase in 9:20.28, with fellow Olympians Courtney Frerichs and Colleen Quigley taking second and third in 9:22.23 and 9:25.40.

"The USATF championships are always so important. As the year goes on, there is kind of a double-edge sword where I feel more comfortable and confident, at the same time I feel like I have more to lose because I want to keep my streak going," Coburn said. "And women’s steeple is getting more and more competitive, so I was physically ready and prepared."

Simpson, who has won 11 national titles overall, prevailed in the 1,500 in 4:06.33, with Kate Grace taking second in 4:06.95 and Sara Vaughn finishing third in 4:07.85.

"I'll leave all the streaks and history to all of you, but every one feels good and they all take on a different significance," Simpson said. "Even though I was leading, I have to balance it. I had to slowly ramp it up to keep the lead and make sure I finish top three and make the team."

Former Mississippi State standout Erica Bougard, the reigning U.S. indoor pentathlon champion, led the heptathlon after the first day with 3,966 points. Seven-time NCAA champion Kendell Williams of Georgia had 3,925 points.

Three-time NCAA 400 hurdles champion Shamier Little posted the fastest semifinal time of 53.78, followed by 2012 Olympian Georganne Moline in 53.84. Reigning Olympic gold medalist Dalilah Muhammad won her semifinal in 53.95.

Oregon teammates Deajah Stevens (22.55) and Ariana Washington (22.57) led all qualifiers in the first round of the 200.