Multis
Harmon-Thomas, Lint, Moore look to place high

By Steve Underwood

Boys Octathlon
Team USA Meet History:  Team USA has never had an Octathlon medalist.  Coming the closest were eventual USR decathlon-setter Curtis Beach NM 4th in 2007 and Michael Morrison VA 7th in 2005.

Team USA Roster (HS, Grad Yr, hometown)
John Lint, Columbus Acad. OH, 2014 (Westerville, Ohio)
Gabriel Moore, Freeport FL, 2014 (Freeport, Fla.)

IAAF World List (rank among WYC entries when diff. than list #)
1. 6,392, Santiago Ford, CUB
2. 6,088, John Lint, USA
3. 6.078, Gabriel Moore, USA
4. 6,016, Feliks Shestopalov, RUS
5. 6,003, Andrey Fomichev, RUS

Team USA Hopes/Preview:  Although it’s often taken 6,200-plus to medal in this meet (4 of last 5 championships), Lint and Moore with totals just under 6,100 should be in very good position to contend for the medal stand.  Lint came from behind to beat Moore in Edwardsville with a terrific last 1000m.


Girls Heptathlon
Team USA Meet History:  The best finish for a Team USA athlete has been 6th by Gayle Hunter, who scored 5,291 in 2003.  Two years ago, Kendell Williams GA – now the USR holder at 5,578 – scored 5,101 to take 11th.

Team USA Roster (HS, Grad Yr, hometown)
Alexa Harmon-Thomas, Lawrence Free State KS, 2014 (Lawrence, Kan.)

IAAF World List (rank among WYC entries when diff. than list #)
1. 5,725, Morgan Lake, GBR
2. 5,692, Louisa Grauvogel, GER
3. 5,680, Celina Leffler, GER
4. 5,611, Elizaveta Kolokolchikova, RUS
5. 5,583, Emma Stenlof, SWE
...
-- (18), 5,184, Alexa Harmon-Thomas, USA

Team USA Hopes/Preview:  A U.S. prep competing here has to be close to national record level to contend for a medal.  The scores keep getting better, with 5,532 needed to medal in 2011, and British standout Lake has already scored 5,725.  For Harmon-Thomas, it’s already been a great year as she’s broken through the 5,000 point barrier and is closing in on 5,200.  Anything beyond a top 10 finish would be very good.