Cheserek follows record mile with 7:38.74 3K in Boston

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Edward Cheserek completed an historic two-day, two-venue double Saturday at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston. 

Less than 24 hours after running the fastest indoor mile ever on U.S. soil, the first-year pro won the 3,000 meters by ramping into gears that nobody else had and crossing the finish line in a personal-best time of 7:38.74. 

Cheserek's arrival on the global scene might long be pinned to this weekend and his back-to-back races at Boston University and the Reggie Lewis Center. 

Right before Cheserek took the track, U.S. star Jenny Simpson made her annual appearance in Boston memorable by running a lifetime-best 8:40.31 in the 3,000 meters. She pulled away from Emma Coburn after the two had run side by side for several laps. 

"Tonight the only goal was just win the race, Jenny," she said in a post-race TV interview. "I own this track, out of my way, I've got a job to do."

Christian Coleman took a playful jab at his world-leading 60 meters time of 6.37, which won't be ratified as an IAAF record because of a technical issue with the blocks he used at Clemson last month. Coleman eased off the last five meters and still came through in 6.46 seconds. 

Chris O'Hare, coming in off a Wanamaker Mile victory last weekend in New York, broke the meet record in the 1,500 meters in 3:37.03. 

"This week we wanted to chill out and hit the last 250 hard," O'Hare said. 

Canadian Jenna Westaway ran away from an elite field in the women's 800 meters, which included Raevyn Rogers and Charlene Lipsey. Westaway gained a lead that couldn't be overcome and she finished strong in 2:01.22. 

"Team selection (for the IAAF World Indoor Championships) is tomorrow and hopefully I'll see my name on there," Westaway said.

Sharika Nelvis caught Christina Manning at the finish line for a close win in the 60-meter hurdles, in 7.89 seconds. 

Shakima Wimbley ran a meet-record 51.82 seconds to win a 400-meter showdown with world champion Phyllis Francis, who was second in 52.38. 

Jereem Richards of the Trinidad & Tobago ran the seventh-fastest performance ever to win the 300 meters in 32.10 seconds. 

Dawit Seyum of Ethiopia, the 2016 world indoor silver medalist, overcame a late challenge from Aisha Praught-Leer to win the women's 1,500 meters in 4:04.38. Praught-Leer was second in a Jamaican indoor record 4:04.95. 

In the girls junior mile, Saratoga Springs junior Kelsey Chmiel turned the tables on the NYRR Millrose Games winner, Gabrielle Wilkinson, by winning in 4:44.84. Wilkinson was second in 4:46.95. 

Dalton Hengst surged on the final lap to win the boys junior mile in 4:10.58.

Chris Carter won the men's triple jump with 54-8.25. Erica Kinney claimed the women's high jump with 6-3.25.