Kentucky, Oregon freshmen both match 110-meter hurdles meet record, with Marshall running fastest time in history by high school junior to elevate to No. 2 all-time prep performer; Boling bounces back from long jump disappointment to win 100 title

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

MIRAMAR – Kentucky has played a major role in some of the most memorable short hurdle showcases in the past two years, whether it was a 12.40-second effort in the 100-meter hurdles by Jasmine Camacho-Quinn at the Southeastern Conference Championships last season or Daniel Roberts’ historic 110 hurdles battle with Florida’s Grant Holloway two weeks ago resulting in both athletes running equal to or better than the collegiate record at the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships.

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Tai Brown added another thrilling chapter Saturday for the Wildcats at the USATF U-20 Outdoor Championships, edging Oregon’s Eric Edwards Jr. in the most exciting 110 hurdles final in meet history at Florida’s Ansin Sports Complex.

Brown clocked 13.204 seconds to hold off Edwards Jr. in 13.209, with both athletes credited with matching the 2015 meet record of 13.21 by former UCLA standout and current Cal athlete Misana Viltz over the 39-inch hurdles after competing over the 42-inch hurdles throughout the collegiate season. Brown and Edwards Jr. also equaled Viltz as the No. 3 all-time American U-20 performers over the 39-inch hurdles.

St. Mary’s Stockton standout Jamar Marshall placed third in 13.22, not only eclipsing the junior class national record of 13.32 established by Edwards Jr. in 2017, but elevating to the No. 2 all-time prep performer with the fastest high school effort since 2009. Marshall also ascended to the No. 6 American U-20 performer in history over the 39-inch hurdles. 

Despite Marshall’s exceptional effort against two talented collegiate freshmen, only the top two finishers will have the opportunity to represent the U.S. on July 19-21 at the Pan-Am U-20 Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica, with Edwards Jr. looking to defend his title from two years ago in Peru.

Following a third-place effort in the men’s long jump, Houston Strake Jesuit TX graduate Matthew Boling rebounded to win the men’s 100-meter dash in a wind-aided 10.15.

Penn State freshman Justin Ofotan challenged the Georgia-bound Boling deep into the race, before finishing second in 10.21.

Ole Miss freshman Brandee Presley used the experience of placing 12th at the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships to capture the women’s 100-meter dash crown by clocking a wind-legal 11.19 seconds. Girard College PA graduate Thelma Davies, an LSU signee representing Athletic Development Group, took second in 11.25.

The day began and ended with distance finals, with a pair of prep standouts prevailing in the women’s 3,000 and men’s 5,000 finals, before collegiate freshmen swept the 3,000 steeplechase titles to cap the schedule on the track.

Northern PA junior Marlee Starliper won the 3,000 in 9:29.39, with Penn freshman Ariana Gardizy taking second in 9:41.15, securing the first of three places on the American U-20 roster for the Quakers.

Springville UT graduate and BYU signee Grant Gardner won the men’s 5,000 in 14:52.47, pulling away from Oklahoma State freshman Adam Dayani (14:54.54) in the final 800 meters to capture the crown.

In the 3,000 steeplechase finals, Washington’s Alex Slenning secured the men’s title in 9:04.57, with Virginia Tech’s Benjamin Nibbelink placing second in 9:07.66.

Villanova’s Lydia Olivere won the women’s steeplechase championship in 10:33.08 and Michigan’s Megan Worrel joined teammate Jessi Larson, the 5,000 champion, on the U.S. U-20 roster by clocking 10:36.14 to secure second.