THE 15-MAN FINAL was headed by defending champion and Paris 6th-place finisher Salif Mane, USATF indoor champ/list leader Russell Robinson, NCAA outdoor champ Brandon Green and 9 other youngsters whose combined ages averaged 22.7. At the other end of the spectrum was a trio of wily vets — Will Claye (34), Omar Craddock (34) and Donald Scott (33) — who would have loved nothing more than to show the others that there’s still spring in their legs.
James Carter stretched out to a PR 55-6½ (16.93) in round 1, outbounding Mane’s 55-5 (16.89), Robinson’s 55-4¾ (16.88) and Claye’s 54-4¾ (16.58).
In round 2, Carter could do no better and Mane and Russell fouled. Meanwhile, Claye improved his distance to 54-10¾ (17.73), but not his place. He remained 4th.
Claye improved again in round 3, this time moving into 2nd with his 55-5½ (16.90). Carter did not, yet hung in as leader, while the foul bug again bit Mane and Robinson — now in 3rd and 4th. Scott, Green, Hakeem Ford and Craddock rounded out the top 8.
Round 4 was full of fireworks as Claye rocketed to 56-1 (17.09) to take the lead. It was a noteworthy mark for the 9-time global medalist, his longest leap since he last cracked 17m in ’22.
Claye’s reign was short-lived, however. Robinson responded with his own blast and landed at 56-3¼ (17.15) to take the top spot. That bumped Claye to 2nd with Carter 3rd and Mane still 4th after passing his attempt.
Robinson — the 2024 NCAA indoor champion and outdoor runner-up for Miami — flew once more in round 5, this time reaching 55-11¾ (17.06), a mark that would be of consequence. Mane, next in the order, fouled again and Claye posted another foul. Carter could only muster his second-best effort.
In the final frame Robinson, now in the driver’s seat, fouled again. Mane had no choice but to give it his all, and that he did. He reached 56-3¼ to match Robinson but had to settle for 2nd on the strength of his second-best mark.
Carter and Claye both fell short on their final jumps, leaving a podium of Robinson, Mane and Claye. The first two have the WC standard, but Claye, currently outside the 36-man quota, will have to wait and see if he can improve his WA standing.
Interviewed on the PA in the infield by Dan O’Brien, Robinson credited inspiration over many years from watching the performances of Claye. The veteran…
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