USATF Women’s 100 Hurdles — Russell Roars To Meet Record

“I’M BECOMING WHO I BELIEVE that I am,” said Masai Russell. “Hurdle queen, period.”

Already the Olympic champion and the American Record holder, the Kentucky alum stormed to a repeat coronation in a meet record 12.22. “I always come to the Trials ready to run,” she said.

Just two rounds were needed, as only 18 competitors stepped onto the track. All the major figures reported, except for injured 12.19 performer Tia Jones and Trials 4th-placer Nia Ali, who had said she was unhappy with her fitness.

In the first heat, Florida alum Grace Stark — who has run 12.21 this season — showed her readiness with a 12.34 to top Keni Harrison’s 12.39. In the second, Russell came up with a meet record 12.25, beating Ali Armstrong (12.44). In the third, it was Tonea Marshall crossing in 12.46 ahead of a laughing Alaysha Johnson (12.47).

That set the scene for the final. Russell and Stark lined up in the center of the track, in 5 and 4. Former WR holder Keni Harrison stood in 6. Last year’s runner-up, Johnson, was in 8.

Temps were in the mid-80s, sun beating down. The wind, mostly still, was measured at 0.7.

At the gun, Russell rocketed to the first hurdle, just ahead of typically fast-starting Stark. Gradually Russell extended her lead as Stark fell back into the crowd. She would not be headed, her margin growing at every barrier.

At hurdle 8, Stark surged back into the second position. She didn’t threaten Russell, but she secured her Tokyo berth with the late-race attack.

Russell hit the line in 12.22, the No. 5 performance in U.S. history. Stark was clocked in 12.31, tying her second-best time ever. Third would be a battle, with Johnson, Harrison and Marshall all lunging at the finish together. Johnson’s 12.36 got the final team spot, with Harrison at 12.37 and Marshall at 12.40.

Of her 12.25 & 12.22 performances, Russell said, “The prelim is always a rust buster. This time I knew I had to come out hot to prepare myself for the next round in an hour or so. I wasn’t shocked just because, I mean, I’ve run fast times this season. But I haven’t run multiple fast times because after running the 12.17 (on May 02) I did get injured, so I had to take a step back to get back to where I’m at now.”

The ankle injury was serious: “I couldn’t walk, couldn’t run, couldn’t push out.”

But, she added,…