BSP-06 Wimbley wins 400m women’s title at US nationals

301

ZCZC

BSP-06

ATHLETICS-USA

Wimbley wins 400m women’s title at US nationals

CHICAGO, June 24, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Shakima Wimbley breezed to victory with
a world-leading time to win the women’s 400-meter crown while Kahmari
Montgomery took the men’s title Saturday at the US Track and Field
Championships.

Wimbley clocked a 49.52-second run, lowering her previous best of 50.18,
to defeat runner-up Jessica Beard by .16 at the Drake Stadium track in Des
Moines, Iowa. Kendall Ellis finished third in 50.37.

Montgomery also ran a personal best time of 44.58 to win his first American
title. Paul Dedewo finished just behind Montgomery in 44.64 while Michael
Cherry was third in 44.85.

With no Olympic or world championship team berths at stake for the only
time in a four-year cycle, many big American names are sitting these
nationals out, including world-record holder sprinter Christian Coleman and
100m world champion Justin Gatlin.

In an exciting men’s 1,500m race, Matthew Centrowitz won his fifth American
title in 3:43.37 with the top six finishers all separated by less than a
second.

Centrowitz controled the race late as he ran a closing lap of 53.59 to beat
runner-up Izaic Yorks, who clocked a 3:43.63. Eric Jenkins was third in
3:43.74.

Centrowitz took the early lead then lost it to Drew Hunter at the end of
the first lap. The lead changed several times before Centrowitz regained it
with a blazing final lap.

Emma Coburn ran the fastest last lap to win the women’s steeplechase final
with a time of 9:17.70. Coburn held on to beat Courtney Frerichs, who
finished in 9:18.69. Mel Lawrence was third in 9:33.30.

BSS/AFP/MSY/0830 hrs