WE’LL SAY IT: the men’s 800 was one of the greatest 2-lappers ever, with its stunning and unexpected result. Forget the formchart. This was track at its very best.
The backstory threads couldn’t have been more fascinating. Could U.S. leader and favorite Josh Hoey make his first outdoor international team? Could AR holder Bryce Hoppel extend his run atop the U.S. heap? Could Donavan Brazier continue his compelling comeback after 3 years away? And in a side note, could high school soph Cooper Lutkenhaus, who shocked by making the final, break his own HSR of 1:45.45?
Thursday’s heats only eliminated three competitors. Friday’s semis proved more eventful. Brandon Miller ran fastest in the first at 1:44.25, just ahead of Brazier’s 1:44.39. Hoppel won the second in 1:45.31, but the excitement came from Lutkenhaus, who got clipped after 400 and nearly fell, then raced after the leaders, snagging the slowest qualifying spot by just 0.05 in 1:45.57. In the third, Hoey confirmed his status as favorite with a comfortable 1:44.47 ahead of Colin Sahlman’s 1:44.80.
In Sunday’s final, Hoey took command in the first 200 (24.15), with Miller, Hoppel and Brazier following. That was the order at 400, with Hoey leading through 49.29 and the top 5 all under 50. Hoey hit 600 in 1:15.54, with Hoppel moving alongside and Miller close, while Brazier tried and failed to make an inside pass. Lutkenhaus ran 7th at that point.
The leaders covered the turn at full blast. Little noticed was the high schooler, who ran that segment faster than anyone. He used just 12.94 seconds to get around the bend and passed two others as he did so. Hoey still led with 100 to go, but clearly all hell was about to break loose.
First Hoppel fought past Hoey into the lead; moments later, Brazier drove between them into the lead. With 40 left, no one was moving faster than Lutkenhaus, who was passing Miller and Hoey. With 20 left, the 16-year-old caught Hoppel. He was closing on the win but ran out of track. Brazier claimed victory in a lifetime best 1:42.16, with Lutkenhaus a half-stride back in 1:42.27. Hoppel grabbed the final team berth in 1:42.49. Hoey (1:43.06) and Miller (1:43.14) missed out.
Brazier scored a meet record in his triumphant return. Lutkenhaus crushed the HSR by more than 3 seconds and broke the American U20 Record of 1:43.55…
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