Piperi qualifies for American roster for fourth consecutive year, elevates to No. 3 all-time American U-20 performer with 6-kilogram shot put; Poole becomes first since 2003 to sweep both hurdles

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

BLOOMINGTON – Adrian Piperi qualified for his fourth consecutive national team, winning the men’s 6-kilogram shot put Saturday at the USATF Junior Outdoor Championships with a second-round effort of 70 feet, 6.50 inches (21.50m) at Hayes Track at the Haugh Complex.

Piperi competed at the IAAF World U-18 Championships in 2015 in Cali, Colombia and the World U-20 Championships in 2016 in Bydogszcz, Poland, followed by the Pan American U-20 Championships in Trujillo, Peru, and secured a trip July 10-15 to Tampere, Finland for the World U-20 Championships with an opportunity to contend for a medal.

Piperi elevated to No. 2 among World U-20 performers this year and ascended to No. 3 in American U-20 history.

Tennessee freshman Jordan West placed second at 69-5.25 (21.16m) to improve to No. 4 in the world this year and elevate to No. 6 all-time among U.S. U-20 performers.

Florida freshman Cory Poole became the first male athlete since 2003 and the third in meet history to win both the 110- and 400-meter hurdles in the same year, clocking 49.71 seconds in the latter to improve to No. 2 among World U-20 performers this year after running 13.34 to capture the 110 hurdles title Friday.

Houston freshman Quivell Jordan secured the second berth to compete in Finland by taking runner-up in 50.21.

Germantown Academy PA graduate Kyle Garland, a Georgia signee, won the decathlon with 7,562 points, improving to the No. 5 all-time prep performer using the junior implements and competing over 39-inch hurdles.

High Point freshman Gabriel Stainback placed second with 6,821 points, but did not achieve the IAAF World U-20 standard of 7,200 to compete in Finland.

Bishop Shanahan PA senior Josh Hoey, the national high school indoor record holder in the 800, prevailed in 1:49.48, followed by Georgetown freshman Rey Rivera III in 1:50.47.

Alabama freshman Christian Edwards secured the triple jump championship with a sixth-round leap of 52-1.25 (15.88m), with Miami (Florida) freshman Hasani Knight also qualifying with a jump of 51 feet (15.54m).

Rice freshman Hociel Landa capped the meet by winning the 10,000 title in 31:22.33, followed by Michigan freshman John Aho in 32:07.08.

Neither of the top two achieved the World U-20 standard of 31:00.00, although fourth-place finisher Will Merritt of Mount St. Mary’s entered the meet with a personal-best 30:53.58 and is eligible to compete in Finland, if selected.