Swirling Winds Take Toll On Sprints, But Felix And Cherry Provide Highlights In The 400

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Allyson Felix showed Tuesday at the USATF Open at AP Ranch in Texas that she is not fading from the scene in the 400 meters. 

Felix, who aims to make her fifth Olympic team for the United States this summer at age 35, dominated the field assembled on a windy day and won in 50.88 seconds. 

It was her first competitive 400 since 2019 and her fastest one since 2017. 

Still, the competition for an Olympic berth will be fierce. Six American women have run faster times outdoors than Felix. 

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Another sprinter with a big day in the 400 was Michael Cherry, who fought through a cross-wind to win with a personal-best 44.37 seconds. 

That puts Cherry No. 2 in the world behind LSU's Noah Williams (44.30). Cherry's previous best was 44.66 from 2017. 

Cherry was pressed on the homestretch by reigning world champion Steven Gardiner of the Bahamas. But Gardiner tied up and fell about eight meters from the finish line and did not complete the race. It was unclear if he was injured. Gardiner is entered in Sunday's adidas Boston Boost Games.

In the first event of the day, Maggie Malone caught hold of a big throw in the javelin and earned a personal best with 205 feet, 8 inches (62.70m). That improved her previous best by one foot. 

The meet was delayed due to weather and when it started gusting winds were a factor. More often than not, sprinters and hurdlers faced a head-wind, which slowed times.

Ronnie Baker won the men's 100 meters in 10.39 seconds but faced a -3.2 m/s headwind.

Mikiah Brisco won the women's 100 in 11.42 into a -3.3 wind reading. 

Candace Hill led throughout the women's 200 but an onrushing Tynia Gaither overtook her in the final five meters. Gaither, of the Bahamas, won it in 23.11 and Hill was second in 23.17. 

Gianna Woodruff of Panama won the women's 400-meter hurdles in 55.37.

Aaron Mallet won the men's 110-meter hurdles with 13.64. 

Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico beat a strong women's field in 12.84. Christina Clemons ran a strong second in 12.92. 

Rudy Winkler won the men's hammer with 261-5 (79.69m). His best throw was 25 feet farther than second-place Erich Sullins. 

Nigerian long jumper Ese Brume was the only woman over 21 feet, with a first-attempt 21-2 (6.45m) that held up as the best mark of the day.