Lagat, Polk Win in Impressive Fashion

By Scott Bush

What a Saturday it was at the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships. Amazing results, top notch performances and some unexpected surprises took place, giving fans a reason to be even more excited for Sunday’s action. Here are some of the top performers of Saturday’s contests:

On The Track

Bernard Lagat – Will this man ever slow down? The 39-year old continues to win national titles, this time beating arguably the strongest 3,000m field in USA Indoor Track and Field Championship history. Lagat used a lethal kick, the same speed he used last weekend to break the American record at the Millrose Games, defeating an outclassed Galen Rupp, 7:46:01-7:48.19. With Ryan Hill placing third in 7:49.62, Team USA is sending one amazing 3k squad to Poland for the IAAF World Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Gabe Grunewald – A big congratulations to the Team USA Minnesota and Brooks sponsored runner. Grunewald had a breakthrough 2013 season, running new personal bests across the board, but has seemingly come up just shy of winning U.S. titles and making World Championship teams. Well, that’s no longer. Grunewald ran to an impressive win in the women’s 3,000m, besting a tough field by just over two seconds, winning in 9:23.15. Olympian Shannon Rowbury and Sara Vaughn both came up big in the final lap of the race to place second and third respectively.

In The Field

Erik Kynard – One of the American medal hopefuls in the field events, Kynard showed why he’s one of the world’s best with a big-time win in the men’s high jump. The former Kansas State standout cleared 7-6.5 to rather easily win the event. He’ll have plenty of competition in one of the deeper events on the world stage in Poland, but for now Kynard continues to dominate and impressive against the best in the U.S.

Tori Polk – After finishing 3.5 inches behind USA Outdoor Track and Field Championship long jump winner Janay DeLoach Soukup, Polk earned a U.S. title Saturday with her win over Tori Bowie. Her winning mark of 21-11.75 was a mere inch and a half further than Bowie, but in the end it was enough. Polk’s mark also throws her into the world top five in the event, where she joins Bowie, as the two will now turn their focus to Poland and bringing home a medal.