IAAF World RelaysMay 2, 2015 by James Cameron
IAAF World Relays: Day One Recap
IAAF World Relays: Day One Recap
Team USA impressed yet again at the 2015 IAAF World Relays. A scene dominated by mainly North American nations, the U.S. walked away with 3 out of the 4 championships this evening: Men’s 4x800m, Men's 4x100m, and the Women’s DMR.
The men’s 4x800 kicked things off for Team USA. Olympian Duane Solomon led off for the U.S., splitting 1:47 and handing off the stick to Erik Sowinski. After a patient first lap, Sowinski passed Kenya with 250m to go and handed off to Casimir Loxsom in the lead. Sowinski split a 1:44, the fastest leg of the squad. Loxsom ran a solo 1:45, extending Team USA’s lead with Robby Andrews on the anchor. Team Kenya made a lot of ground up on the 2x NCAA Champion, but with 100m to go, Andrews kicked into his final gear, celebrating as fireworks shot from the finish line.
The women’s DMR was Team USA all the way, as Treniere Moser, Sanya Richards-Ross, Ajee Wilson, and Shannon Rowbury became the first team ever under 10:40, in a World Record time of 10:36.50. Moser’s 3:17 opening leg was good enough to hand off in the lead by a short margin, but Sanya Richard-Ross’s 49.95 split separated the U.S. from the field. Richards-Ross handed off to Ajee Wilson with a very sizable lead, and after a 2:00 split, Rowbury was home free. The record books were rewritten as the Nike Oregon Project member split a comfortable 4:27 en route to a new world record and a $50,000 bonus check.
The disappointment of the night came from the women's 4x200m, as Jeneba Tarmoh and Alyson Felix missed the 2nd exchange and collided in a fury of batons, spandex, and hair.
But, the event of the night was the matchup between the United States and Jamaica. The 100m, 200m and 4x100m world record holder Usain Bolt was set to anchor for Team Jamaica as Mike Rodgers, Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay, and Ryan Bailey were primed and ready for the United States. After both teams comfortably won their heats earlier in the evening, the crowd was left in suspense until the final event of the night.
Team USA was off to the early lead with a great start out of the blocks from Mike Rodgers. Clean handoffs were key for the Americans, as Justin Gatlin extended Team USA’s lead for Tyson Gay. Again, clean handoffs across the board put Ryan Bailey in excellent position against Usain Bolt on the anchor leg. Even with Usain Bolt powering down the home stretch, he was no match for Team USA, as Ryan Bailey celebrated with fireworks ablaze in a world leading time of 37.38.
Post-Race Interviews: HERE
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