Former Devils win national titles at USATF Championships

The 2010 USA Track & Field Championships came to a close June 27 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, with two former members of the Arizona State University track and field program winning national titles and six others finishing among the Top 6 in their respective events. Overall, 19 with ties to the program competed in the Championships, including 10 that were on the 2010 roster.

On Sunday, both Lisa Aguilera and Dwight Phillips took the top spot in their respective events as Aguilera won her second USATF title in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase while Phillips captured his fifth men’s long jump crown. First up on the track was Aguilera, who was part of a four-woman lead pack before breaking out ahead with 300m remaining to take the title in 9:53.59 and win the event for the second time in her career. She also won the title in 2006.

In the men’s long jump, Phillips was once again the top finisher as he took his fifth USATF outdoor crown with a winning mark of 8.37m (27-05.50) while Trevell Quinley, the 2008 champion, was second at 8.20m (26-11.00). Phillips, the 2004 Olympic champion in the long jump, has now won titles in 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2010 and, combined with Quinley, has given a former ASU standout the men’s long jump crown in each of the last four years.

Also on Saturday, four others competed in the finals, including a pair of throwers that placed fifth overall. In the field, Ryan Whiting finished fifth in the men’s shot put with a toss of 20.61m (67-07.50) while redshirting freshman Anna Jelmini finished fifth in the women’s discus with a toss of 58.47m (191-10). Back on the track, Kyle Alcorn placed sixth overall in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase (8:36.96) while Charonda Williams took eighth in the 200m dash (23.15).

One day earlier, four others also competed in the finals of their events with a pair of individuals taking third. On the track, rookie Keia Pinnick placed third in the junior women’s 400m hurdles, running 58.75 and just missing out on a spot on the roster for Team USA at the World Junior Championships (Top 2 from each junior event advance to Worlds). At the same distance (without the hurdles), Donald Sanford placed seventh overall in the men’s 400m dash as he clocked in at 45.99.

In the field, Sarah Stevens and Jelmini competed in the women’s shot put competition with Stevens taking third and Jelmini 13th. Stevens earned the bronze medal with a toss of 18.23m (59-09.75) while Jelmini finished with a mark of 16.09m (52-09.50). The final two Sun Devils to compete on Saturday included Jasmine Chaney, who was 12th in the semifinals of the 100m hurdles (13.64), and Latosha Wallace, who was ninth in the semifinals of the 400m hurdles (56.36), the first person to miss out on the eight-competitor final.

Sun Devils at the USA Track & Field Championships
Day 3 Results (June 26)
Women’s 100m Hurdles - Semifinal
12. Jasmine Chaney - 13.64 (-2.4) - does not advance

Men’s 400m Dash - FINAL
7. Donald Sanford - 45.99

Women’s 400m Hurdles - Semifinal
9. Latosha Wallace - 56.63 - does not advance

Women’s Junior 400m Hurdles - FINAL
3. Keia Pinnick - 58.75

Women’s Shot Put - FINAL
3. Sarah Stevens - 18.23m (59-09.75)
13. Anna Jelmini - 16.09m (52-09.50)

Day 4 Results (June 27)
Women’s 200m Dash - Semifinal
6. Charonda Williams - 23.26 (+1.0) - advances to final

Women’s 200m Dash - FINAL
8. Charonda Williams - 23.15 (+0.6)

Women’s Steeplechase - FINAL
1. Lisa Aguilera - 9:53.59 - second USATF title (2006, 2010)

Men’s Steeplechase - FINAL
6. Kyle Alcorn - 8:36.96

Men’s Long Jump - FINAL
1. Dwight Phillips - 8.37m (27-05.50) - fifth USATF title (‘03, ‘04, ‘07, ‘09, ‘10)
2. Trevell Quinley - 8.20m (26-11.00)

Women’s Discus - FINAL
5. Anna Jelmini - 58.47m (191-10)

Men’s Shot Put - FINAL
5. Ryan Whiting - 20.61m (67-07.50)