If you didn’t get a chance to see the FloTrack Throwdown, just know this:

It Threw Down!

From the Incredible atmosphere, to the thousands of fans, all the way to the world-class competition, tonight was a night to be remembered in Portland. 

In the lone field event of the night, the World's best athlete, Ashton Eaton came away victorious in the pole vault. Not even the sounds of Skrillex's "Cinema" could break Eaton's focus, as he launched himself to a new PR of 5.40m. Eaton took attempts at 5.50, but was unsuccesful. 

Fellow Bendite @AshtonJEaton just had PB at @FloTrack pic.twitter.com/qnLgewXjWw

— Eric Steimer (@pdxersteimer) August 9, 2015

Dressed in all red, Maggie Vessey took a commanding win over the field in the women's 800m. Lea Wallace took the race out hard, coming through the first 400m in around 57.5. After Wallace stepped off the track Vessey took to the front and brought it all the way home. Despite her incredible solo effort, Vessey finished in a time of 2:00.30. This was her sixth time of the season running 2:00-flat. Vessey apologized to the crowd for not breaking the two minute barrier. It's okay Maggie, it's okay.

.@maggievessey wins the 800 right around 2:00. Strong run from her. #FloThrowdown pic.twitter.com/QY9Q9gzjTV

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) August 9, 2015

Duane Solomon is slowly but surely finding his stride again. After a rough outing at USA's, Solomon won his next two 800m races in Edmonton and Karlstad. Solomon extended his win streak tonight in Portland, edging out World championship qualifier Casimir Loxsom to take the win in 1:46.85.

Moments before the 400m,  Nick Symmonds was quoted saying "I don't know how to use blocks". The 31-year-old stood in place as the six other competitors crouched with fingertips to the line in anticipation of the gun. While Deon Lendore won the race in 45.88, Nick Symmonds stole the show in last-place celebration. We can only imagine what this would have been if he won. 

.@NickSymmonds post 400. Video speaks for itself. #FloThrowdown pic.twitter.com/1PUt7WXmZA

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) August 9, 2015

In perhaps the most impressive performance of the night, Canadian Fiona Benson, (the same Fiona Benson that had not run faster than 2:06 in the 800m prior to 2015) set a world leading time in the women's mile. Her seventeen-second PR of 4:25.79 was over four seconds ahead of second place finisher Gabe Grunewald who finished in 4:30.43.



The final event was labeled as "the upset of 2015" by FloTrack's own Lincoln Shryack. In a field lined with world championship qualifiers, record holders, and most notably, 10,000m Olympic silver medalist Galen Rupp, not too many people would have predicted that Peter Callahan would be the one to cross the finish line first.

But it was.

As Mark Wieczorek came through the halfway point at 2:02, it was obvious that the race was going to be won in the last 200m. As they came through the final lap, David Torrence led while Galen Rupp sat comfortably on his shoulder, but around the last bend, Rupp was nowhere close to the front. Instead, it was the "fresh-out-of-college" Callahan who came charging down the homestretch, edging out the former Duck Colby Alexander. Callahan's time of 3:58.43 was also the first sub-4 mile ever recorded at Duniway Park.

Peter Callahan takes the Mile!! First sub 4 at Duniway Park EVER! 3:58 FTW. Fitting end to the races. #FloThrowdown pic.twitter.com/znQXBbKKxl

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) August 9, 2015