Paced By U.S. Champion Kenneth Rooks, Michalski Runs 8:14.07 En Route To Claiming Steeplechase Title on Final Day of NACAC Championships

By Keenan Gray of DyeStat

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In the final weeks leading up to the Tokyo World Championships, American Daniel Michalski secured the world championship standard in the men's steeplechase on the final day of the NACAC Championships on Sunday at Freeport, The Bahamas.

Needing to run, 8 minutes, 15 seconds, Michalski clocked 8:14.07 to win the NACAC title while lowering Evan Jager's championship record of 8:22.55. Michalski finished second in the steeplechase final at the USATF Outdoor Championships on Aug. 2.

Canada's Aaron Ahl ran under Jager's championship record, too, finishing second in 8:17.17. U.S. champion Kenneth Rooks, who helped pace Michalski the first few laps, finished in third in 8:26.52.

The U.S. closed out the meet with 12 more medals won, including three more golds to go Michalski's steeplechase gold.

Curtis Thompson broke his own championship record by three meters to win his second NCACA men's javelin title, throwing 87.24 meters (286-2). Thompson has eclipsed 87 meters twice this season, with his best throw being 87.76m (287-11) at the Texas Relays in March. Dash Sirmon, collegian at Nebraska, took second in 77.04m (252-9).

Krissy Gear won the women's steeplechase race, running 9:35.27. Canada's Grace Fetherstonhaugh finished second in 9:43.91.

Tyus Wilson, the U.S. champion, won the men's high jump at 2.24m (7-4.25). Arvesta Troupe, NCAA champion for Ole Miss, finished fourth at 2.21m (7-3).

Bailey Hertenstein ran to second-place finish in the women's 5,000, running 15:36.34. Cuba's Anisleidis Ochoa Suarez outkicked Hertenstein for the title in 15:35.80.

Two-time world indoor champion Sarah Mitton of Canada won her second NACAC title, throwing 20.02m (65-8.25) in the women's shot put. Jessica Ramsey took second throwing 18.27m (59-11.25) and Jessica Woodward finished third with 18.05m (59-2.75).

Lynna Irby-Jackson ran to a third-place finish in the women's 400 final, running 50.47. Jamaica's Nickiesha Pryce won in 49.95.

Euphiene Andre jumped 13.26m (43-6) and Agur Dwol jumped 13.20m (43-3.75) to finish second and third in the women's triple jump. Jamacia's Shanieka Ricketts jumped a winning mark of 14.23m (46-8.25).

2012 Olympic champion Kirani James of Grenada won the men's 400 final in a championship record 44.48, breaking Christopher Taylor's time of 44.63. American Jenoah McKiver finished fourth in 45.12.

Jamaica's men's 4x400 relay team of Bovel McPherson, Zandrian Barnes, Delano Kennedy and Rusheen McDonald won in 3:02.86.

Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake, Brendon Rodney and Eliezer Adjibi of Canada won the men's 4x100 relay in a championship record 38.05.