London Diamond League (Sainbury's Anniversary Games) 2013Jul 26, 2013 by Jimmy Stevenson
REPORT CARD: Each Team USA member gets a grade before Worlds
REPORT CARD: Each Team USA member gets a grade before Worlds
Next stop, Moscow. With the World Championships on the horizon, we thought we'd give Team USA some grades before their final exam in a few weeks.
Below is a list of the Americans that competed in the London Diamond League meet who will represent the USA at the World Championships. Flotrack split the events up and gave each Team USA member a grade for their performance in London.
Below is a list of the Americans that competed in the London Diamond League meet who will represent the USA at the World Championships. Flotrack split the events up and gave each Team USA member a grade for their performance in London.
Note that the grading scale is different for each athlete. Just because Shannon Rowbury won the 5k does not mean she automatically gets the best grade out of every American in that event. The type of runner each individual is/what they are racing in Moscow and their potential in that particular event are all factored in to determine each athlete's grade.
Let's start with the an event where four Americans set personal records and one ran the world leading time.
Women’s 3k
Shannon Rowbury (5k at Worlds)
Grade: B+
Shannon looked so smooth as she left the entire field looking like school children at recess with 200m to go. It is no wonder this woman has the two best Olympic finishes in the 1,500m by an American woman. But remember she is racing the 5k in Moscow. She looked amazing yes, but that doesn't deem an immediate A+. This is Rowbury we are talking about! As well as she ran she was still 10 seconds off her PR, which is 8:31.38 from three years ago in Monaco.
Molly Huddle (5k at Worlds)
Grade: A
If an almost 15 second PR isn't an "A," I don't really know what is. Huddle showcases some speed that will hopefully also be displayed in the 5k in Moscow with Rowbury.
Jordan Hasay (10k at Worlds)
Grade: A+
Remember how impressive Hasay's 8:57 was at the University of Washington Husky Invite this past winter? After dropping a 8:46.89, that time from indoors doesn't look nearly as impressive. What does though is Hasay's speed. She didn't have that extra gear to get the "A" standard in Portland the other week, but don't jump to any faulty conclusions. This girl has closing speed that can do her well after 24 laps in Moscow!
Grade: A+
Remember how impressive Hasay's 8:57 was at the University of Washington Husky Invite this past winter? After dropping a 8:46.89, that time from indoors doesn't look nearly as impressive. What does though is Hasay's speed. She didn't have that extra gear to get the "A" standard in Portland the other week, but don't jump to any faulty conclusions. This girl has closing speed that can do her well after 24 laps in Moscow!
Kim Conley (5k at Worlds)
Grade: B+
Conley aslo PRs (by 9 seconds) making her the third American woman to PR in the 3k. This is incredibly exciting for the women's 5k team because two weeks from the World Championships, two of them get PRs and the one that doesn't PR wins the race and makes it look easy. The reason Conley doesn't get a higher grade is because since she is running the 5k at Worlds her grading curve is higher compared to Hasay, who is running the 10k in Moscow. Also it is not like Conley races the 3k a lot, so her PR wasn't a surprise. The same could be said about all these women for that matter.
Conley aslo PRs (by 9 seconds) making her the third American woman to PR in the 3k. This is incredibly exciting for the women's 5k team because two weeks from the World Championships, two of them get PRs and the one that doesn't PR wins the race and makes it look easy. The reason Conley doesn't get a higher grade is because since she is running the 5k at Worlds her grading curve is higher compared to Hasay, who is running the 10k in Moscow. Also it is not like Conley races the 3k a lot, so her PR wasn't a surprise. The same could be said about all these women for that matter.
Treniere Moser (1,500 at Worlds)
Grade: D(NF)
The only reason Moser did not get a failing grade is because she appears to still be healthy and just had a rough race. Well, really rough. Her race prior to London was Monaco, where she got last in the 1,500m. She'll need to really get things together before Worlds.
Dathan Ritzenhein
Grade: B
Really not a bad showing for someone Matt Centrowitz calls an "old man." He was five seconds off his PR, but that was from six years ago. It is no doubt Ritz is a different runner from then. Considering he is gearing up for the 10k in Moscow, he showed not just some speed but some guts too leading Mo Farah and Tariku Bekele with 800m to go.
Extra Thoughts on the 3k
I (Mitch Kastoff) may have lost another round of predictions to Alex Lohr, but at least I can say that I called this one. Small victories.
Before we made our prediction for Farah’s 3k, we talked about who would be the top American in London. Without a doubt, I said Ryan Hill.
Like Shannon Rowbury, the 3k is a perfect event for a hybrid-distance runner. 1500m speed + 5k strength = 3k goodness.
Hill won the race for second in 7:42.32. You might be saying, “Well, that’s not too unexpected after he ran 7:42.32 last year at the Husky Classic.” You also might be saying, “Well, he did beat a lot of these guys at USAs.”
You’d be right in both cases. But you’d also be wrong.
Hill’s last lap was ~58.5. At the bell, he was well behind Tariku Bekele and Dathan Ritzenhein, but rallied to finish in front of both of them. That’s the kind of speed that’ll get you into the 5k final in Moscow and we’d love to see all three Team USA members in that race.
Dathan Ritzenhein
Grade: B
In London, we caught a glimpse of vintage Ritz. Full of confidence, Ritz went to the lead with about 800m to go and we immediately started to wonder what kind of finishing speed he had in him. Answer: 62-seconds.
Remember when Ritz ran 8:11.74 for two miles? That same year (2007), he ran 7:39.03. We thought for a moment that we’d see that kind of speed, but it wasn’t in the cards today. Ritz finished fifth in 7:44.68.
So what does a 3k mean for a guy running the 10k in Moscow? If he wants to be in the mix, he’s going to have to be ready to throw down the last few laps. At the Olympics, we saw Ritz just barely hang off the back of the front pack of the 10k and that was before things got hot.
We’ll see if it’ll be any different in Moscow.
Honorable Mention
Andrew Bumbalough
Grade: B +
After a stellar 5k in Heusden (13:12.01), Bumbalough comes back with a solid showing in London. Third place in 7:42.91 isn’t an overall personal best (he ran 7:40.41 en route at the Millrose Games), but he did kick very well in London. However, it was the same result as in Des Moines where he just fell short behind Ryan Hill. When will he stop being a bridesmaid and get married?
How about a consolation prize . . . Bumbalough has the fastest 3k of all the Schumacher guys this season. In Luzern, Evan Jager ran 7:43.36, Chris Derrick ran 7:44.01, and Dan Huling ran 7:44.42.
So, there’s that.
Hassan Mead
Grade: C -
He’s had some absolutely brilliant races and some not-so-good ones. Coming off a 5k personal best from Heusden (13:11.80), Mead finished 12th in London with a time of 7:51.56. The pace may have been slow for the first few laps (64s), but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t have hung with the other Americans.
The 5k at USAs was similar to the race today in London. Mead just doesn’t have the ability for a long, drawn-out kick. Yet.
Women's 800m
Brenda Martinez
Grade: A
Absolutely dusting the field with pretty consistent splits and being .01 off her PR going into World Champs... sounds like B-Mart is ready for something big!
Nobody else is even visible, it's all B-Mart
Ajee' Wilson
Grade: B+
Wilson's second fastest time of her short life, this one could also be on the verge of something great! It looks like B-Mart is in a different league, though. Wilson never seemed quite in it to make a run for the win.
Bershawn Jackson
Grade: C
A 48.53 for Batman, okay performance but we know this guy has something more in the tank. A very similar field will toe the line in Moscow in two weeks, including Tinsley and Sanchez. Let's see if Batman can live up to his name and steal a gold medal like some criminals during a Dark Knight.
Women's 200m
Allyson Felix
Grade: B-
Do I dare give Felix a B- even after a win? Yes, I do. Despite getting the victory Felix I don't believe reached her potential today. She was a little tense at the end and did not increase her gap over the last 50 meters, like she tends to do in some other races. Only .05 off her season's best, though. Maybe Moscow is when she busts the door open.
Men's 200m
Wallace Spearmon
Grade: B
Spearmon was the only American who raced in London. He ran his second fastest 200m time of the season, only behind his 200m final from USA Champs where he got 4th place. Since Tyson Gay's "B" sample tested positive, then Spearmon will step in to represent the USA in Moscow. He certainly is not the old Wallace, but don't be surprised if this experienced sprinter pulls a rabbit out of his hat in Worlds.
Men's 100m
Michael Rodgers
Grade: B
A great race for Mr. Rodgers, no not that Mr. Rodgers. He runs a 9.98, his third best time of the season. Similar to Spearmon, Rodgers got 4th in his respective event at USA Champs and with Gay out, Rodgers might jump in. Look for him to flirt with his 9.85 PR from over two years ago if he gets the opportunity in Moscow.
Grade: D(NF)
The only reason Moser did not get a failing grade is because she appears to still be healthy and just had a rough race. Well, really rough. Her race prior to London was Monaco, where she got last in the 1,500m. She'll need to really get things together before Worlds.
Men's 3k
Ryan Hill
Grade: B+
This guy just keeps doing it up big, starting with rocking his NC State jersey one more time before a new chapter in his life begins as a professional runner. He repped the Wolfpack well in this one getting 2nd place and beating a crew of solid Americans including Andrew Bumbalough and Dathan Ritzenhein. Sure, Ritz isn't a 3k guy but he looked great and even was leading the race for a little bit in the last 1k.
It was a PR for Hill as he reeled in Ritz and Olympic 10,000m bronze medalist Tariku Bekele in the last lap. Hill has surprised so much that a surprising performance in Moscow, almost won't be that surprising anymore.
Ryan Hill
Grade: B+
This guy just keeps doing it up big, starting with rocking his NC State jersey one more time before a new chapter in his life begins as a professional runner. He repped the Wolfpack well in this one getting 2nd place and beating a crew of solid Americans including Andrew Bumbalough and Dathan Ritzenhein. Sure, Ritz isn't a 3k guy but he looked great and even was leading the race for a little bit in the last 1k.
It was a PR for Hill as he reeled in Ritz and Olympic 10,000m bronze medalist Tariku Bekele in the last lap. Hill has surprised so much that a surprising performance in Moscow, almost won't be that surprising anymore.
Dathan Ritzenhein
Grade: B
Really not a bad showing for someone Matt Centrowitz calls an "old man." He was five seconds off his PR, but that was from six years ago. It is no doubt Ritz is a different runner from then. Considering he is gearing up for the 10k in Moscow, he showed not just some speed but some guts too leading Mo Farah and Tariku Bekele with 800m to go.
Extra Thoughts on the 3k
I (Mitch Kastoff) may have lost another round of predictions to Alex Lohr, but at least I can say that I called this one. Small victories.
Before we made our prediction for Farah’s 3k, we talked about who would be the top American in London. Without a doubt, I said Ryan Hill.
Like Shannon Rowbury, the 3k is a perfect event for a hybrid-distance runner. 1500m speed + 5k strength = 3k goodness.
Hill won the race for second in 7:42.32. You might be saying, “Well, that’s not too unexpected after he ran 7:42.32 last year at the Husky Classic.” You also might be saying, “Well, he did beat a lot of these guys at USAs.”
You’d be right in both cases. But you’d also be wrong.
Hill’s last lap was ~58.5. At the bell, he was well behind Tariku Bekele and Dathan Ritzenhein, but rallied to finish in front of both of them. That’s the kind of speed that’ll get you into the 5k final in Moscow and we’d love to see all three Team USA members in that race.
Dathan Ritzenhein
Grade: B
In London, we caught a glimpse of vintage Ritz. Full of confidence, Ritz went to the lead with about 800m to go and we immediately started to wonder what kind of finishing speed he had in him. Answer: 62-seconds.
Remember when Ritz ran 8:11.74 for two miles? That same year (2007), he ran 7:39.03. We thought for a moment that we’d see that kind of speed, but it wasn’t in the cards today. Ritz finished fifth in 7:44.68.
So what does a 3k mean for a guy running the 10k in Moscow? If he wants to be in the mix, he’s going to have to be ready to throw down the last few laps. At the Olympics, we saw Ritz just barely hang off the back of the front pack of the 10k and that was before things got hot.
We’ll see if it’ll be any different in Moscow.
Honorable Mention
Andrew Bumbalough
Grade: B +
After a stellar 5k in Heusden (13:12.01), Bumbalough comes back with a solid showing in London. Third place in 7:42.91 isn’t an overall personal best (he ran 7:40.41 en route at the Millrose Games), but he did kick very well in London. However, it was the same result as in Des Moines where he just fell short behind Ryan Hill. When will he stop being a bridesmaid and get married?
How about a consolation prize . . . Bumbalough has the fastest 3k of all the Schumacher guys this season. In Luzern, Evan Jager ran 7:43.36, Chris Derrick ran 7:44.01, and Dan Huling ran 7:44.42.
So, there’s that.
Hassan Mead
Grade: C -
He’s had some absolutely brilliant races and some not-so-good ones. Coming off a 5k personal best from Heusden (13:11.80), Mead finished 12th in London with a time of 7:51.56. The pace may have been slow for the first few laps (64s), but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t have hung with the other Americans.
The 5k at USAs was similar to the race today in London. Mead just doesn’t have the ability for a long, drawn-out kick. Yet.
Women's 800m
Brenda Martinez
Grade: A
Absolutely dusting the field with pretty consistent splits and being .01 off her PR going into World Champs... sounds like B-Mart is ready for something big!
Nobody else is even visible, it's all B-Mart
Ajee' Wilson
Grade: B+
Wilson's second fastest time of her short life, this one could also be on the verge of something great! It looks like B-Mart is in a different league, though. Wilson never seemed quite in it to make a run for the win.
Men's 400m Hurdles
Michael Tinsley
Grade: A
Tinsley's 47.98 was good enough for his third fastest time of his life. Even still, it was only .06 off his silver medal performance at the London Olympics. Three things can be concluded from this: a) Tinsley is a big fan of London
b) He is shaping up in fine form for Worlds
c) This race he took down Felix Sanchez, the London Olympic Gold medalist.
Michael Tinsley
Grade: A
Tinsley's 47.98 was good enough for his third fastest time of his life. Even still, it was only .06 off his silver medal performance at the London Olympics. Three things can be concluded from this: a) Tinsley is a big fan of London
b) He is shaping up in fine form for Worlds
c) This race he took down Felix Sanchez, the London Olympic Gold medalist.
Bershawn Jackson
Grade: C
A 48.53 for Batman, okay performance but we know this guy has something more in the tank. A very similar field will toe the line in Moscow in two weeks, including Tinsley and Sanchez. Let's see if Batman can live up to his name and steal a gold medal like some criminals during a Dark Knight.
Women's 200m
Allyson Felix
Grade: B-
Do I dare give Felix a B- even after a win? Yes, I do. Despite getting the victory Felix I don't believe reached her potential today. She was a little tense at the end and did not increase her gap over the last 50 meters, like she tends to do in some other races. Only .05 off her season's best, though. Maybe Moscow is when she busts the door open.
Wallace Spearmon
Grade: B
Spearmon was the only American who raced in London. He ran his second fastest 200m time of the season, only behind his 200m final from USA Champs where he got 4th place. Since Tyson Gay's "B" sample tested positive, then Spearmon will step in to represent the USA in Moscow. He certainly is not the old Wallace, but don't be surprised if this experienced sprinter pulls a rabbit out of his hat in Worlds.
Men's 100m
Michael Rodgers
Grade: B
A great race for Mr. Rodgers, no not that Mr. Rodgers. He runs a 9.98, his third best time of the season. Similar to Spearmon, Rodgers got 4th in his respective event at USA Champs and with Gay out, Rodgers might jump in. Look for him to flirt with his 9.85 PR from over two years ago if he gets the opportunity in Moscow.
Men's 3k Steeple
De'Sean Turner
Grade: C
By no means does Turner's grade mean he ran bad. "C" means average and that is what Turner was today. Turner has run three steeple races within 2.4 seconds of his 8:31.25 that he ran today. Nobody expects the former University of Indiana Hoosier to be up with the East Africans, but he is going to have to take a risk in Moscow to get out of this upper 8:20s area.
Editor's Note: For some majors, C's get degrees.
Women's 400mH
Georganne Moline
Grade: B+
She ranked fourth in the world, so being beat by two of those women isn’t bad. Moline’s 54.32 third place finish in London is the sixth fastest time she’s ever run in the 400mH. Though it doesn’t affect her grade, it should be noted that the two women that beat her, Zuzana Hejnova and Perri Shakes-Drayton, both set seasonal bests at the Olympic Stadium.
Dalilah Muhammad
Grade: C -
The 400mH U.S. Champion has been going backwards since her win in Des Moines. At USAs, Muhammad set a big personal best of 53.83 in the final, but has been incrementally losing a second each race since then (not in the good way).
After a 54.87 win in Budapest, Muhammad finished eighth in London. Her time, 55.56, is the third slowest mark of the year out of ten total races and one preliminary round.
Honorable Mention
Kori Carter
Grade: B
I guess I can’t be bitter here, but I had high hopes for Carter after NCAAs. Hejnova looks nearly impossible to beat, but Carter’s rise was so fun to watch.
Unless you count the preliminary round at USAs, this is the first race Carter has lost all season. Yes, she went up against the two best 400m hurdlers in the world, but it’s the first time she was taken down by her former Pac-12 rival, Moline. Carter will not compete in Moscow as she came down with an illness in Des Moines.
Men's 800m
Nick Symmonds
Grade: A+ and two gold stars
Season best. Diamond League win. His second fastest time ever. Perfect execution of his race plan sitting on Solomon until 70 meters left. Can we now say that he has a chance at a medal... and it could be gold? Read more here.
Duane Solomon
Grade: B+
Not his best race, but definitely not his worst. Solomon couldn’t rekindle the London magic and was left in the wake of Symmonds’ big kick.
Still, Solomon hung on for second. If you think second in the Diamond League is something unreal, you should note that is was basically over every American 800m runner. Solomon should be winning those races. His stock falls a bit, but if he can rally before the big dance (like he did last year), we’ll be happy to reinvest.
Honorable Mention
Brandon Johnson
Grade: A
Another third place finish and his third fastest time deems an A written in big red marker.
Joe Abbott
Grade: A
We never want you to retire the Jumpman singlet. Even if you get sponsored. Congratulations on the PR, but it’s still 1:44 or bust! Spoiler alert: We have an idea to what group he’ll join.
Elijah Greer
Grade: B+
He might have finished last, but Greer’s 1:45.96 is his third fastest time of the year. This ends a long season for the double NCAA champion, who raced seventeen 800s this year. Welcome to the big leagues!
Tyler Mulder
Grade: B -
This is his fourth consecutive race where he’s run 1:44.
Matt Scherer
Grade: A
The best rabbit in the game.
Women’s 1500m
Mary Cain
Grade: B
Here’s a little perspective. Remember when Mary Cain ran 4:10.77 to take 6th at the Drake Relays? And everyone was hysterical? Well, that was against the top Americans (and Sheila Reid). Now, she runs 4:09.77 and gets fifth at a Diamond League event, and everyone is worried.
Here’s why her race wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but was actually positive. Throughout the race, we kept noting her position. Dead last. Swinging into lane three-ish on the curve. Way back at the bell.
These are all tactical errors, but remember - it’s her first international race. She looked a bit overwhelmed on the starting line. If she was worried before the final at USAs, imagine the terror of having 80,000 people cheering, plus the rest of the world watching you.
It’s good that she’s making these errors now. She’s smart, talented, and has a coaching staff that knows how to make changes. If you want one big positive, we think she passed seven people in the final 100m to grab fifth. The last few 1500m finals have been tactical, so this bodes will for a high finish for the rising high school senior.
Honorable Mention
Katie Mackey: A
Coming off the curve, we honestly thought Mackey was going to steal the win. This is probably the biggest race of her life, aside from winning a crown and giant check at Oxy HP. She also got this picture, so you can call it a good day.
Men’s 400m
Tony McQuay
Grade: B
Lined up next to King Kirani James, this former Florida Gator showed no fear. McQuay went out exceptionally hard in the first 200m and hung with James until the final meters. We applaud his confidence. He’s still off his season’s best (44.72 from USAs) and his personal best (44.49 from the Olympic Trials), but keep in mind it is very dangerous to deny a hungry Gator food in the biggest part of the season. The food in this scenario is King James.
Men’s Mile
Matt Centrowitz
Grade: C -
The U.S. 1500m Champion seems to have contracted “Leo Manzano Syndrome.” He has flashes of brilliance (USAs) and then moments of concern (Paris, London). Back at the Olympic Stadium, Centro never looked like he was in the race. The ’11 Worlds bronze medalist finished 16th in 3:58.63.
Since USAs, Centrowitz DNF’d in Paris, ran 3:33.58 in Monaco and took second-to-last today.
Still, we’ve learned a lot about American milers this year. Pedigree is something that supersedes bad races. Did you doubt Leo Manzano at USAs? Bad move. We won’t doubt Centrowitz in Moscow, but right now, things don’t look good.
Galen Rupp
Grade: A -
If you were worried about Rupp’s chances of a medal in Moscow, this race should raise your hope. The 10k will most likely come down to the final few laps and if Rupp can muster the same kick he has in the past, he could find himself back on the podium.
His 3:52.11 was good for fifth today. We had Rupp’s last lap at 57.1, which is good for a guy who focuses on a race that is six-times the distance he ran today.
Even if it’s not a personal best, it might be his best mile. While he ran 3:50.92 in a time trial in Boston, his race today in London had some erratic pacing and tough competition. We’ll take the latter.
Honorable Mention
Jordan McNamara
Grade: A
Ryan Fenton and Mitch Kastoff both picked McNamara to be the top American in London. He fell 0.31 seconds short of fulfilling that prediction.
We could give him an A+, but we think JMac could have been the top American if his positioning was a bit better. He was almost last at the bell and rallied to finish seventh in 3:52.42. If he had better position, that would have been a point for Ryan and Mitch.
Andy Bayer
Grade: A +
Absolutely incredible run.
Garrett Heath
Grade: A +
A 2-second PR for Heath. Solid summer campaign, too.
Women’s 100m
Carmelita Jeter
Grade: N/A
She ran 10.93 in the preliminary round, which was a seasonal best. Then, right before the start of the final, we learned that she pulled out with a quad injury. Not good.
English Gardner
Grade: C
After winning NCAAs (10.96), turning professional, and winning USAs (10.85), things haven’t been going well for English Gardner. After her 11.13 fifth place finish in Paris, she said that she had to go back to the drawing board.
Now with her 11.08 seventh place posting in London, she’ll have to pick up the chalk once again. The fifth fastest woman in the world has her work cut out for her in Moscow.
Barbara Pierre
Grade: A
Even though she had a subpar start, Pierre transitioned well and looked untouchable in the later stages of the women’s 100m. However, like her race at USAs, Pierre couldn’t maintain her speed and had to settle for second in 10.85. That ties her personal best from the semifinal at USAs.
She’s in the relay pool for 4x100, so hopefully her baton exchanges are solid.
Women’s 400m
Natasha Hastings
Grade: B
The U.S. champion looked okay in London. After winning in Des Moines with a season’s best of 49.94, Hastings has yet to regain that sub-50 magic. Her race today in London was her best one since USAs (third in 50.68), but not fantastic.
Francena McCorory
Grade: B +
Coming off a personal best of 49.96 from Monaco, McCorory had another superb 400m run. The runner-up at USAs finished in the same position in London with a 50.13.
Honorable Mention
Jessica Beard
Grade: B
Another decent race from Beard. She’s run in the 51 mids roughly seven times this season.
Men’s 110mH
David Oliver
Grade: B
Not his most glorious race, but a win is a win. When you’re the world leader (13.03 from Lausanne), running 13.26 just isn’t as loud. He has a tough grading curve.
Aries Merritt
Grade: C
The world record holder and Olympic gold medalist finally looked to be over his hamstring injury in London. After a decent start, Merritt began to power through the first few hurdles and looked smooth. However, he “skied” his fourth hurdle (it may have been the third) and clipped the fifth one with his trail leg. It’s uncharacteristic to see Merritt DNF, but he had a very positive outlook in his post-race interview.
Ryan Wilson
Grade: C
The fan-favorite Wilson hit half of his hurdles in today’s final including demolishing the last two. Not his best race, but at least he’s FINALLY SPONSORED?!?
Men's 4x100m
The “All-Star” team consisted of Mike Rodgers, Kim Collins, Wallace Spearmon, and Tony McQuay on the anchor against Usain Bolt. We would have loved, LOVED to see that after McQuay’s 100m from the Florida Relays, but he couldn’t get the baton from Spearmon.
Please don’t let that happen in Moscow!
De'Sean Turner
Grade: C
By no means does Turner's grade mean he ran bad. "C" means average and that is what Turner was today. Turner has run three steeple races within 2.4 seconds of his 8:31.25 that he ran today. Nobody expects the former University of Indiana Hoosier to be up with the East Africans, but he is going to have to take a risk in Moscow to get out of this upper 8:20s area.
Editor's Note: For some majors, C's get degrees.
Women's 400mH
Georganne Moline
Grade: B+
She ranked fourth in the world, so being beat by two of those women isn’t bad. Moline’s 54.32 third place finish in London is the sixth fastest time she’s ever run in the 400mH. Though it doesn’t affect her grade, it should be noted that the two women that beat her, Zuzana Hejnova and Perri Shakes-Drayton, both set seasonal bests at the Olympic Stadium.
Dalilah Muhammad
Grade: C -
The 400mH U.S. Champion has been going backwards since her win in Des Moines. At USAs, Muhammad set a big personal best of 53.83 in the final, but has been incrementally losing a second each race since then (not in the good way).
After a 54.87 win in Budapest, Muhammad finished eighth in London. Her time, 55.56, is the third slowest mark of the year out of ten total races and one preliminary round.
Honorable Mention
Kori Carter
Grade: B
I guess I can’t be bitter here, but I had high hopes for Carter after NCAAs. Hejnova looks nearly impossible to beat, but Carter’s rise was so fun to watch.
Unless you count the preliminary round at USAs, this is the first race Carter has lost all season. Yes, she went up against the two best 400m hurdlers in the world, but it’s the first time she was taken down by her former Pac-12 rival, Moline. Carter will not compete in Moscow as she came down with an illness in Des Moines.
Men's 800m
Nick Symmonds
Grade: A+ and two gold stars
Season best. Diamond League win. His second fastest time ever. Perfect execution of his race plan sitting on Solomon until 70 meters left. Can we now say that he has a chance at a medal... and it could be gold? Read more here.
Duane Solomon
Grade: B+
Not his best race, but definitely not his worst. Solomon couldn’t rekindle the London magic and was left in the wake of Symmonds’ big kick.
Still, Solomon hung on for second. If you think second in the Diamond League is something unreal, you should note that is was basically over every American 800m runner. Solomon should be winning those races. His stock falls a bit, but if he can rally before the big dance (like he did last year), we’ll be happy to reinvest.
Honorable Mention
Brandon Johnson
Grade: A
Another third place finish and his third fastest time deems an A written in big red marker.
Joe Abbott
Grade: A
We never want you to retire the Jumpman singlet. Even if you get sponsored. Congratulations on the PR, but it’s still 1:44 or bust! Spoiler alert: We have an idea to what group he’ll join.
Elijah Greer
Grade: B+
He might have finished last, but Greer’s 1:45.96 is his third fastest time of the year. This ends a long season for the double NCAA champion, who raced seventeen 800s this year. Welcome to the big leagues!
Tyler Mulder
Grade: B -
This is his fourth consecutive race where he’s run 1:44.
Matt Scherer
Grade: A
The best rabbit in the game.
Women’s 1500m
Mary Cain
Grade: B
Here’s a little perspective. Remember when Mary Cain ran 4:10.77 to take 6th at the Drake Relays? And everyone was hysterical? Well, that was against the top Americans (and Sheila Reid). Now, she runs 4:09.77 and gets fifth at a Diamond League event, and everyone is worried.
Here’s why her race wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but was actually positive. Throughout the race, we kept noting her position. Dead last. Swinging into lane three-ish on the curve. Way back at the bell.
These are all tactical errors, but remember - it’s her first international race. She looked a bit overwhelmed on the starting line. If she was worried before the final at USAs, imagine the terror of having 80,000 people cheering, plus the rest of the world watching you.
It’s good that she’s making these errors now. She’s smart, talented, and has a coaching staff that knows how to make changes. If you want one big positive, we think she passed seven people in the final 100m to grab fifth. The last few 1500m finals have been tactical, so this bodes will for a high finish for the rising high school senior.
Honorable Mention
Katie Mackey: A
Coming off the curve, we honestly thought Mackey was going to steal the win. This is probably the biggest race of her life, aside from winning a crown and giant check at Oxy HP. She also got this picture, so you can call it a good day.
And I made a new friend...you might know him as the fastest person in the world. #LondonDL pic.twitter.com/V7hZqLUATN
— Katie Follett Mackey (@KatiefMackey) July 27, 2013
Men’s 400m
Tony McQuay
Grade: B
Lined up next to King Kirani James, this former Florida Gator showed no fear. McQuay went out exceptionally hard in the first 200m and hung with James until the final meters. We applaud his confidence. He’s still off his season’s best (44.72 from USAs) and his personal best (44.49 from the Olympic Trials), but keep in mind it is very dangerous to deny a hungry Gator food in the biggest part of the season. The food in this scenario is King James.
Men’s Mile
Matt Centrowitz
Grade: C -
The U.S. 1500m Champion seems to have contracted “Leo Manzano Syndrome.” He has flashes of brilliance (USAs) and then moments of concern (Paris, London). Back at the Olympic Stadium, Centro never looked like he was in the race. The ’11 Worlds bronze medalist finished 16th in 3:58.63.
Since USAs, Centrowitz DNF’d in Paris, ran 3:33.58 in Monaco and took second-to-last today.
Still, we’ve learned a lot about American milers this year. Pedigree is something that supersedes bad races. Did you doubt Leo Manzano at USAs? Bad move. We won’t doubt Centrowitz in Moscow, but right now, things don’t look good.
Galen Rupp
Grade: A -
If you were worried about Rupp’s chances of a medal in Moscow, this race should raise your hope. The 10k will most likely come down to the final few laps and if Rupp can muster the same kick he has in the past, he could find himself back on the podium.
His 3:52.11 was good for fifth today. We had Rupp’s last lap at 57.1, which is good for a guy who focuses on a race that is six-times the distance he ran today.
Even if it’s not a personal best, it might be his best mile. While he ran 3:50.92 in a time trial in Boston, his race today in London had some erratic pacing and tough competition. We’ll take the latter.
Honorable Mention
Jordan McNamara
Grade: A
Ryan Fenton and Mitch Kastoff both picked McNamara to be the top American in London. He fell 0.31 seconds short of fulfilling that prediction.
We could give him an A+, but we think JMac could have been the top American if his positioning was a bit better. He was almost last at the bell and rallied to finish seventh in 3:52.42. If he had better position, that would have been a point for Ryan and Mitch.
Andy Bayer
Grade: A +
Absolutely incredible run.
Andy Bayer 9th in London mile in 3:52.90 - that's @IUTrackXC record, fastest ever by native Hoosier and his 6th PB in 31 days.
— David Woods (@DavidWoods007) July 27, 2013
Garrett Heath
Grade: A +
A 2-second PR for Heath. Solid summer campaign, too.
Women’s 100m
Carmelita Jeter
Grade: N/A
She ran 10.93 in the preliminary round, which was a seasonal best. Then, right before the start of the final, we learned that she pulled out with a quad injury. Not good.
BREAKING NEWS: Carmelita Jeter has withdrawn from the women's 100m final with a tight quad after the first round. #LondonDL
— Flotrack (@Flotrack) July 27, 2013
English Gardner
Grade: C
After winning NCAAs (10.96), turning professional, and winning USAs (10.85), things haven’t been going well for English Gardner. After her 11.13 fifth place finish in Paris, she said that she had to go back to the drawing board.
Now with her 11.08 seventh place posting in London, she’ll have to pick up the chalk once again. The fifth fastest woman in the world has her work cut out for her in Moscow.
Barbara Pierre
Grade: A
Even though she had a subpar start, Pierre transitioned well and looked untouchable in the later stages of the women’s 100m. However, like her race at USAs, Pierre couldn’t maintain her speed and had to settle for second in 10.85. That ties her personal best from the semifinal at USAs.
She’s in the relay pool for 4x100, so hopefully her baton exchanges are solid.
Women’s 400m
Natasha Hastings
Grade: B
The U.S. champion looked okay in London. After winning in Des Moines with a season’s best of 49.94, Hastings has yet to regain that sub-50 magic. Her race today in London was her best one since USAs (third in 50.68), but not fantastic.
Francena McCorory
Grade: B +
Coming off a personal best of 49.96 from Monaco, McCorory had another superb 400m run. The runner-up at USAs finished in the same position in London with a 50.13.
Honorable Mention
Jessica Beard
Grade: B
Another decent race from Beard. She’s run in the 51 mids roughly seven times this season.
Men’s 110mH
David Oliver
Grade: B
Not his most glorious race, but a win is a win. When you’re the world leader (13.03 from Lausanne), running 13.26 just isn’t as loud. He has a tough grading curve.
Aries Merritt
Grade: C
The world record holder and Olympic gold medalist finally looked to be over his hamstring injury in London. After a decent start, Merritt began to power through the first few hurdles and looked smooth. However, he “skied” his fourth hurdle (it may have been the third) and clipped the fifth one with his trail leg. It’s uncharacteristic to see Merritt DNF, but he had a very positive outlook in his post-race interview.
Quote of the meet comes from @amhurdlestar "I was able to catch myself because of my cat-like reflexes" @Nike @Flotrack @spikesmag
— Kris Mychasiw (@sprint_mgmt) July 27, 2013
Ryan Wilson
Grade: C
The fan-favorite Wilson hit half of his hurdles in today’s final including demolishing the last two. Not his best race, but at least he’s FINALLY SPONSORED?!?
Men's 4x100m
The “All-Star” team consisted of Mike Rodgers, Kim Collins, Wallace Spearmon, and Tony McQuay on the anchor against Usain Bolt. We would have loved, LOVED to see that after McQuay’s 100m from the Florida Relays, but he couldn’t get the baton from Spearmon.
Please don’t let that happen in Moscow!