Weekend Review: Payton Jordan; Fast 800’s at LSU

By Garrett Zatlin

 

I’ll try to make this as short as possible. With finals coming up and another post I want to get out, I’ll just be hitting the major highlights of the weekend. So I apologize if I miss a couple things.

 

Payton Jordan

800

Brannon Kidder of Penn State is the top collegiate finisher in a race where no one expected him to drop such a big time. Kidder puts a 1:45.58 on his resume as well as a win over Shaquille Walker (BYU) who ran 1:45.98. Indoor 800m national champion, Edward Kemboi, was the third collegiate in running 1:46.17. PA alum Luke Lefebure impresses me for the first time all season and drops a 1:47.73. Outstanding racing. I’m not surprised by the times to be honest but I’m shocked that Kidder out-dueled established 800 guys like Walker and Kemboi. Is there a new favorite for the 800 title now? We’ll just have to wait and see…

 

1500

So much to say, such little room…

 

Peter Callahan (New Mexico) continues his comeback season with a 3:40.37 to win his heat. Blake Haney (Oregon) runs another solid 1500 and 3:41.27 which is a PR for him. I’m liking how both of these guys are progressing so keep an eye on them in the future.

 

You would assume that the heat containing some of the best pro’s in the world would hold the fastest winner right? Wrong. Chad Noelle (OKST) lays down a ridiculous, NCAA leading 3:38.35 to win the whole thing. Think that’s impressive? Look at the field behind him…

 

Chad Noelle (OKST)- 3:38.35

Robby Creese (Penn St.)- 3:39.02

Kirubel Erassa (OKST)- 3:39.05

Daniel Winn (Oregon)- 3:39.76

 

I got to be honest I did not see Erassa or Winn running sub 3:40. They are both experienced seniors but I didn’t see anything that would indicate they could go sub 3:40. Props to them.

 

The indoor surprise. Cristian Soratos (Montana St.), finishes 4th in the elite heat running 3:39.68. Not surprised honestly. I expected him under 3:40 but it was just a matter of how far under he would go. With so many sub 3:40’s and some top guys still yet to run the 1500, you need to question if Soratos is still the favorite at NCAA’s. That question will be answered later on in the season I suppose.

5000

How bout dem Hokies? Thomas Curtin (Virginia Tech) holds off Jack Keelan of Stanford to win the heat 13:44.03 to 13:45.82.

 

But we’re just getting started…

 

The early season standout, Thomas Joyce (California), wins a loaded field in 13:34.42. The Syracuse duo of Justyn Knight and Martin Hehir go 13:34.86 and 13:35.70. I’m loving Justyn Knight right now. He has shown some outstanding range and this is all just as a freshman! Beating out Hehir says something about where his confidence is at. Erik Olson (Stanford), Marc Scott (Tulsa), and Pierce Murphy (Colorado) run 13:36.77, 13:36.81, and 13:37.05 respectively.

 

So that’s it right? Nah. Kemoy Campbell (Arkansas) runs a massive PR in the elite race running 13:20.39. That is huge especially for a guy who hasn’t had the most eye-popping season before this weekend. Jenkins and Ches shouldn’t get too comfortable.

 

10,000

Jason Witt continues to go on tear this season. He is the only collegiate in the elite section but still runs 27:54.25. The guy is on fire. He left off right where he started from his indoor season and hasn’t turned back. I’m a fan of a lot of people but right now Witt and Stabler are favorites.

 

3000St.

My goodness Stanley Kebenei… The Razorback runs a mind-blowing time of 8:23.93 to win the elite section. The guy is in a league of his own now. Even on an off day he’s still the favorite. Unfortunately, I’m not sure if we’ll see him go any faster if NCAA’s becomes tactical. D2 stud Tabor Stevens (Adams St.) runs 8:26.81. I’m a little disappointed that Adams St. didn’t run at Penn Relays. It would’ve been outstanding to watch them run against the big guys and put the spotlight on the D2 scene. Ole Hesselbjerg (Eastern Kentucky) and Zak Seddon (FSU) run 8:33.22 and 8:42.75 respectively. 

 

Billy Hayes Invite

800

Tre’tez Kinnaird (Indiana) runs 1:47.91 to win. Not surprised but that is also a PR for him. The sophomore will have to drop it under 1:47 if he wants a chance to be competitive with the big dogs. 

 

LSU Invite

800

Alex Amankwah (Alabama) puts himself into the title conversation with a 1:45.91 PR to win. He was followed by one of the most under the radar guys in the NCAA, Craig Engels (Miss.), who ran 1:46.13. Blair Henderson and Julian Parker (both of LSU) run 1:47.03 and 1:47.33 respectively. 

 

Big time for Amankwah but bigger statement for Engels. He now has a 3:40 and 1:46 this season. 

 

Longhorn Invite

1500

Clayton Murphy (Akron) and Craig Lutz (Texas) go head to head in an off distance race for both men. Murphy takes the win in an unexpected time of 3:40.69. Lutz gets second in 3:44.88. All this means for me is that Murphy has more stamina than I originally thought and Lutz has more speed than most expected. 

 

Kehoe Twilight 

800

Billy Ledder (Georgetown) wins the 800 in 1:47.62 with teammates Nate Gordon and Andrew Ogle following him in 1:49.67 and 1:52.89 respectively. 

 

 

Midseason analysis coming soon!

 

-Garrett

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