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IAAF World Relays

IAAF World Relays: Team USA Wins Golden Baton

IAAF World Relays: Team USA Wins Golden Baton

May 3, 2015 by James Cameron
IAAF World Relays: Team USA Wins Golden Baton




The final day of the IAAF World Relays added several more titles to Team USA’s already crowded weekend trophy case.


The women’s 4x800m kicked things off for the Americans, toeing the line with an All-Star team consisting of Chanelle Price, Maggie Vessey, Molly Beckwith-Ludlow, and Alysia Johnson-Montano. Price was off to the early lead with Cuba hot on her heels and was eventually rolled up by the Carribean nation, but handed off just a step off the lead to Vessey. After a 2:01 split from Price, Vessey accelerated into the lead and Team USA never looked back. Vessey dominated the second leg with a 2:00 split, Beckwith-Ludlow then extended the Americans with a 1:59, and Montano crushed the final carry, splitting 1:58 and a setting a new American Record.


The women’s 4x400m was nothing surprising, as the United States easily secured a victory running a team of Phyllis Francis, Natasha Hastings, Sanya Richards-Ross, and Francena McCorory, Team USA easily walked away with the title in a Championship Record time of 3:19.


On the men’s side, disappointment in the 4x200m as Team USA was unable to get the stick around the track successfully. Team Jamaica secured their first title of the World Relays.


However, the award for the most exciting event of the night goes to the men’s distance medley relay. Late changes to the U.S. roster added a little bit of drama to the relays, but a team of Kyle Merber, Brycen Spratling, Brandon Johnson, and Ben Blankenship were confident going into the race. Merber led off the relay, and after a 2:00 split through 800m, the bunched-up pack started to move well. Australia’s Ryan Gregson found his last gear with 200m to go and handed off the baton in first with Merber in 2nd place. Merber split a 2:53. Spratling held U.S.A’s position with a 45.8 split and Johnson held off a strong push from Kenya with a 1:44 800m leg.

A heavy task was at hand for Blankenship as he was handed the baton in the lead, but Kenya was breathing down Team USA’s neck. The pace was hot off the exchange, with Kenya flying through the first 400m in 52 sec, Blankenship in 54 sec. The title seemed lost for the Americans, but a last strong move by Blankenship with 250m to go was enough to break Team Kenya. Blankenship stormed down the homestretch, a pillar of flame erupting as Team USA secured yet another title, Blankenship splitting a 3:51 1600m leg and a new world record of 9:15.50.
 



The women's 4x100m was a battle between Team USA and Jamaica. The handoffs were clean across the board, but the Jamaicans were too much for the Americans, as they took home the title in 42.14, Team USA in second at 42.32.

The men's 4x400m was a crowd favorite, as the Bahamian team was looking to grab their first team title of the relays. With the crowd erupting, Team Bahamas made a strong push against the Americans, but with LaShawn Merritt on the anchor for the Americans, Team USA secured their final title of the relays in a time of 2:58. In total, Team USA came home with 7 gold and 1 silver in 10 events.


Post-Race Interviews: HERE

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