NEW YORK CITY -- U.S. athletes had a field day Saturday at the adidas Grand Prix, as windy and warm conditions didn’t stop world class athletes from putting on a show for a standing-room only crowd at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island. Americans won 10 events in a row Saturday, including an adidas Grand Prix record.
Francena McCorory ran the second-fastest time of her life in the women’s 400 meters. The Diamond League leader set a world lead and new adidas Grand Prix record with her time of 49.86. McCorory looked to be in fantastic form, breaking the previous record of 49.91 (Amantle Montsho).
Tori Bowie ran a season’s best 22.23 in the women’s 200 meters, running into a serious headwind of -2.8 to cruise to the win. It was Bowie’s second win at the adidas Grand Prix, having captured the women’s 100 meters a year ago.
Joe Kovacs battled with compatriot Jordan Clarke in the men’s shot put. Kovacs finished the day with a best of 21.67m/71-1.25 for another Diamond League victory, while Clarke threw a season’s best 21.34m/70-0.25 to set up an exciting matchup at USATF Outdoors in two weeks. Kovacs and Clarke both have the USATF standard, as do Olympians Reese Hoffa, Ryan Whiting and Christian Cantwell who all competed Saturday.
In a thrilling finish that brought the crowd to its feet, Ben True made history Saturday with his victory in the men’s 5,000 meters. True turned on the afterburners in the homestretch to outkick New Zealand’s Nick Willis and snatch the win in 13:29.48. True’s victory is the first 5,000m win ever by an American in a Diamond League meeting.
The high hurdles were equally exciting, as Diamond League leader David Oliver ran a clean race to get the win and four points in 13.19, just ahead of Olympic silver medalist Jason Richardson in 13.26. Sharika Nelvis, currently tied for second in the Diamond League standings, won the women’s 100-meter hurdles in 12.65.
In the women’s 800 meters, Ajee’ Wilson reigned supreme, scoring valuable Diamond League points to inch closer to reigning champion Eunice Sum. Wilson was flawless, finishing in 1:58.83. Compatriot Chanelle Price turned in a lifetime best of 1:59.47, finishing third. Boris Berian stunned in the men’s 800 meters, recording a runner-up finish to Olympic champion and world record holder, David Rudisha. Berian crossed in 1:43.84, setting a new personal best by almost two seconds.
Tyson Gay took the men’s 100 meters title in a tight race, out-leaning Trinidad and Tobago’s Keston Bledman at the line to win in 10.12.
The adidas Dream races did not disappoint, as 12 athletes set personal bests Saturday. Grant Fisher defended his mile title with a time of 4:01.73, defeating Andrew Norman and Mikey Brannigan, who finished in PBs of 4:02.36 and 4:03.18, respectively. The top four girls in the adidas Dream Mile set personal bests despite the warmer temps, as Christina Aragon edged Ryen Frazier for the win, 4:37.91-4:38.59.
In the 100 meters, Candace Hill ran a personal best of 11.21 to take the title over World Junior relay gold medalist Teahna Daniels, while Michael Norman stormed to a 10.36 victory in the boys 100 meters, setting a new personal best despite the windy conditions.
11-year-old Jonah Gorevic set his second straight world record in the boys mile, running a new personal best of 4:51.85 to turn in the fastest time ever by a 11-and-under boy. He set the 10-and-under world record in the boys mile a year ago in 5:01.55.
In non-Diamond League races, English Gardner recovered from a stumble to win the women’s 100 meters with her time of 11.00, while DeeDee Trotter won the women’s B 400 meters in a season’s best 51.96.
The final stop on the USATF Championship Series is the 2015 USATF Outdoor Championships, June 25-28 at Historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Tickets are available at goducks.com/tracktickets and fans can join the conversation by following USATF on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and using the hashtag #USATFoutdoors.