The Tribune-Star
Des Moines, Iowa —
Kylie Hutson wasn’t thrilled with an eighth-place finish in women’s pole vault but Major Clay enjoyed a ninth-place showing in men’s high jump as the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships ended Sunday.
Hutson, who recently completed her Indiana State career with her fourth straight NCAA championship, cleared 14-feet-11⁄4 on her second attempt but failed to clear 14-51⁄4. She was the second collegian in the final standings behind Katie Stripling of Arkansas, who also cleared 14-11⁄4 with fewer misses.
Jenn Suhr, the American indoor and outdoor record holder, won her fifth straight USATF outdoor title by clearing 16-1⁄2.
“The wind was swirling during warmups and throughout the competition, which made it pretty tough,” said Indiana State assistant coach Jeff Martin. “Kylie cleared the opening height and the second on her second attempt. She looked good on both clearances but I think the long season finally caught up to her.”
Clay went into the competition ranked 18th but cleared 7-21⁄2 on his first attempt for his ninth-place finish. He had several good attempts at 7-33⁄4, which would have been a career best if cleared, but was unable to successful clear the bar.
“I hurt my knee a couple of weeks before the NCAAs but I knew that I belonged here and if I got a chance, I would do well,” Clay said. “I felt good throughout the competition and I am really looking forward to next year.” Jesse Williams, the 2008 Olympic Trials champion, won the title after clearing 7-5.
“Clay did a really great job against high level competition,” ISU coach John McNichols said. “It was a great way for him to end the 2010 season and establish goals for the 2011 campaign.”
“It was very satisfying to watch our athletes and former athletes compete at a high caliber meet such as this,” said former ISU women’s coach John Gartland. “We had four top-10 finishes in competition against the best in the United States and, in some cases, against the best in the world.”
On Saturday, a false step early in the 400-meter hurdle semifinals cost former Sycamore Erica Moore a chance to advance to the finals, while ISU freshman Stacia Weatherford finished seventh in the finals of the junior 400 hurdles.
Former Sycamore All-American Jordan Fife competed in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase on Friday, finishing 17th overall with a time of 8:59.85, and former Sycamore All-American Aubrey Herring placed 19th overall in 110-meter hurdles on Saturday. Recent senior Lauren Martin was 13th in women’s triple jump on Thursday.
Golf
• Prices win — Linda Price and Diana Price combined for a 63 during the weekend to win the Terre Haute Women’s Golf Association’s Ringer Tournament by two shots over Sharon Horrall and Stephanie Meyer.
Championship flight
63 — Linda Price-Diana Price
65 — Sharon Horrall-Stephanie Meyer
First flight
69 — Sharon Hamilton-Shelva Gaither (won scorecard playoff), Morgan Patterson-Katie Thomas
Second flight
71 — Stacey Bocard-Kathie Hutton
72 — Teresa Matchett-Brenda Anderson
Third flight
79 — Linda Snow-Leta Hiatt (won scorecard playoff), Sheri Harden-Madonna Johnson
Skill prizes
Longest putt — Sandy Stabley (No. 10), Josie Swalls (No. 17)
Closest to pin — Horrall (No. 4), Stabler (No. 16)
• Wrightsman among winners — At Mark’s Par Three, Jake Wrightsman defeated Eric Newton in a playoff to win the 16-19 age group Saturday at the Mark’s Memorial Junior Tourney sponsored by the Riley Township Lions Club.
Other winners in the tournament, renamed last year in memory of the late Mark LaGrange, included the namesake’s grandson, Adam LaGrange, as well as Braxton McIntyre, Andrew Granda, Emily Drake and Megan Ramer.
Granda, who is 9, had an eagle on the par-4, 270-yard fourth hole.
Girls 10-under (9 holes)
61 — Emily Drake
Girls 11-13 (9 holes)
44 — Megan Ramer
55 — Morgan Finney
WD — Hallie Pell
Boys 10-under (9 holes)
33 — Andrew Granda
59 — Austin Willis
70 — Chase Nuckols
74 — Blaize Stennett
WD — David Hayes, Justin Pruiett
Boys 11-13
83 — Braxton McIntyre
93 — Luke Dugger
102 — Dylan Price
129 — Zach Willis
WD — Rashawn Nicoson, Dominic DeSantis
Boys 14-15
66 — Adam LaGrange
68 — Dante Bagnoche
70 — Brendan O’Connell
74 — Andrew Behnke, Sam Kigin
78 — Mario Foradori
82 — Denim Matchett, Sam Mimms
84 — Luke Peoples
91 — Garrett John
95 — Nathan Bashaw
110 — Brayden Hendrixson
Boys 16-19
75 — Jake Wrightsman (won playoff), Eric Newton
107 — Cody Steele
Auto racing
• Jones, Clauson post wins — At Burlington, Iowa, Levi Jones and Bryan Clauson were feature race winners in U.S. Auto Club racing Saturday at 34 Raceway.
Jones led the final 10 laps of the 30-lap main for sprint cars.
Chris Windom was second while Damion Gardner took fourth and maintained first in the sprint point totals going into Thursday’s race at O’Reilly Raceway Park, leading Jones by two points.
Jones is the leader in the dirt track sprint totals.
Clauson also led the final 10 laps of the 30-lap feature for midgets and maintained first place in the midget point totals going into Friday’s race in Toledo.
Saturday’s results
Sprints
Fast qualifier — Terry Babb.
Heat winners — Tracy Hines, Casey Riggs, Chris Windom.
Feature — Levi Jones, Windom, Shane Hmiel, Damion Gardner, Babb, Justin Grant, Henry Clarke, Jerry Coons Jr., Bryan Clauson, Dave Darland.
USAC sprint point leaders — Gardner 1,010, Jones 1,008, Clauson 937, Windom 891, Coons 877.
Midgets
Fast qualifier — Darland.
Heat winners — Brad Kuhn, Kellen Conover.
Feature — Clauson, Zach Daum, Kuhn, Hines, Clarke, Mario Clouser, Coons, Darland, Hmiel, Jones.
USAC midget point leaders — Clauson 811, Hines 726, Kuhn 710, Brad Sweet 660, Coons 635.
