The 116th staging of the Millrose Games held at the Armory Track and Field Centre in New York, between February 9 and 11 was a complete success based on the superb performances of several international stars. Julien Alfred (St Lucia), Christian Coleman (USA) and Devynne Charlton (Bahamas) all posted impressive performances. The Millrose Games which is one of the marquee events of the indoor season did not disappoint track fans. Yared Nuguse and Elle St. Pierre captured the Games signature event, the Men’s and Women’s Wanamaker Mile respectively.
Alfred sizzles in the Women’s 60m Final
Fresh off her 2023 Bowerman Award win, as the best college female track athlete, Julien Alfred has signal to the track world that she is still fine-tuning her start when she took the women’s 60m finals in a world-leading, facility record and meet record time of 6.99 seconds. Alfred, the 22-year-old St Lucian finished ahead of Sashalee Forbes of Jamaica in 7.14 and Destiny Smith-Barnett of the USA in 7.16. The field was rounded-out by Briana Williams of Jamaica in 7.25, Tamara Clark of the USA in 7.27, English Gardner of the USA in 7.27, Crystal Emmanuel of Canada in 7.37 and Shannon Ray of the USA in 7.38. Alfred is no stranger to the sub-7.00 seconds club, posting a personal best 6.94 seconds in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 11, 2023.
Coleman wins Men’s 60m Final
The American and World Record Holder in the event, Christian Coleman, in his season debut won the men’s 60m final in 6.51, to turn back a strong challenge from Abdul Hakim Sani Brown of Japan, who posted 6.54 for second and Ackeem Blake of Jamaica, who posted 6.55 for third. The field was rounded-out by Ryiem Forde of Jamaica in 6.60, JT Smith of the USA in 6.60, Shakur Williams of Jamaica in 6.61, Derrick Kemp of the USA in 6.61, Andrea De Grasse of Canada in 6.62 and Miles Lewis of Puerto Rico in 6.66.
World record for Devynne Charlton in Women’s 60m Hurdles Final
Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas won the women’s 60m hurdles in a then World Record of 7.67, a time she would better by .02 second at the World Indoor Championship that was hosted in Glasgow, Scotland. The 28-year-old Charlton entered the indoor season with a 7.99 performance in January 2024, has been steadily improving to stop the Millrose clock at 7.67 seconds. Danielle Williams of Jamaica was second in 7.79, while Tia Jones of the USA was third in a similar 7.79. The field was rounded-out by Ackera Nugent of Jamaica in 7.80, Cindy Sember of Great Britain in 7.91, Nia Ali of the USA in 7.95, Megan Tapper of Jamaica in 7.98, Sharika Nelvis of the USA in 8.05 and Aleesa Samuel of the USA in 8.26.
Dylan Beard wins Men’s 60m Hurdles Final in Lifetime best
Dylan Beard of the USA won the men’s 60m hurdles in 7.44, a lifetime best and facility record. Beard, the 25-year-old Howard University graduate has shown marked improvement this season. Beard finished ahead of team-mates, Daniel Roberts and Trey Cunningham, were second and third, respectively, in 7.51 and 7.52. The field was rounded-out by Cordell Tinch of the USA in 7.52, Damion Thomas of Jamaica in 7.64, Michael Dickson of the USA in 7.70, Orlando Bennett of Jamaica in 7.76 and Giano Roberts of Jamaica in 7.80.
Wilson and Baker top Women’s 800m Short Track Final
Allie Wilson and Olivia Baker of the USA were first and second, respectively, in the women’s 800m final, while Lorena Martin of Spain was third in 2:01.93. The field was rounded-out by Kaela Edwards of the USA in 2:02.06, Gabija Galvydyte of Lithuania in 2:02.24, Raevyn Rogers of the USA in 2:02.49, Emily Richards of the USA did not finish the race.
Hoppel wins Men’s 800m Short Track Final
Bryce Hoppel of the USA won the men’s 800m in 1:45.54, to get the better of Noah Kibble of Kenya in 1:46.09 and Mark English of Ireland in 1:46.61. The field was rounded-out by Luciano Fiore of the USA in 1:46.73, Luis Peralta of Dominica in 1:46.74 and Sam Ellis of the USA was fourth in 1:47.44. CJ Jones of the USA did not finish the race.
Women’s 2 Mile Short Track
Medina Elsa of Ethiopia won the women’s 2 Mile Final in 9:04.39, but was eventually disqualified. Consequently, Laura Muir of Great Britain was adjudged the winner in 9:04.84, while Melknat Wudu of Ethiopia was second in 9:07.12 and Alicia Monson of the USA was third in 9:09.70. The field was rounded-out by Nikki Hiltz of the USA in 9:15.80, Nozomi Tanaka of Japan in 9:16.76, Emily Mackay of the USA in 9:18.29, Emily Infeld of the USA in 9:23.58, Courtney Wayment of the USA in 9:24.71, Abby Nichols of the USA in 9:35.30, Alicia Knoieczek of Poland in 9:35.43, Roisin Flanagan of Ireland in 9:36.70 and Kristlin Gear of the USA in 9:41.26. Laurie Barton of the USA did not finish the race.
Kerr over Grant in Men’s 2 Mile Short Track Final
Josh Kerr of Great Britain won the men’s 2 mile race in 8:00.67, while Grant Fisher and Cole Hocker of the USA were second and third, respectively, posting 8:03.62 and 8:05.70. The field was rounded-out by George Beamish of New Zealand in 8:05.73, Morgan McDonald of Australia in 8:12.01, Kieran Lumb of Canada in 8:14.52, Keita Sator of Japan in 8:14.71, Samuel Firewu of Ethiopia in 8:15.69, Joe Klecker of the USA in 8:20.57. AJ Ernst of the USA and Hazem Miawad of Egypt did not finish the race.
Nilsen outlast Lightfoot in Men’s Pole Vault Final
Christopher Nilsen and KC Lightfoot of the USA cleared 5.82m for first and second, respectively, in the men’s pole vault, while Austin Miller, also of the USA, was third, 5.75m. The field was rounded-out by Zachery Bradford of the USA with 5.75m, Zach McWhorter of the USA with 5.50m and Matt Ludwig of the USA with 5.35m.
Diggs and Stanley win 300m races
Talitha Diggs of the USA won the women’s 300m in 36.21, to defeat her closest challengers in Rhasidat Adeleke of Ireland, who posted 36.42 for second and Leah Anderson of Jamaica who stopped the clock in 37.40 for third. Candice McLeod of Jamaica was fourth in 38.01.
There were two contested finals for the men’s 300m. Overall, the top three positions were taken by the USA in Caine Stanley, Jayden Mims and Nick Spikes, respectively, with times of 32.85, 32.94 and 33.22. The field was rounded-out James Long of the USA in 33.85, Jayvian Greene of the USA in 34.05, Joshua Davenport of the USA in 34.32, Jaylin Santiago of the USA in 34.34 and Maximiliam Deangelo of the USA in 34.41.
St. Pierre and Nuguse triumph in the Wanamaker Mile events
Ellie St. Pierre of the USA won the women’s Wanamaker mile in 4:16.41, Jessica Hull of Australia was second in 4:19.03 and Susan Lokayo Ejore of Kenya was third in 4:20.61. The field was rounded-out by Yolanda Ngarambe of Sweden in 4:23.68, Danielle Jones of the USA in 4:23.80, Marta Perez of Spain in 4:23.88, Simone Plourde of Canada in 4:24.67, Maia Ramsden of New Zealand in 4:24.83, Lucia Stafford of Canada in 4:24.92, Josette Andrews of the USA in 4:25.86 and Anna Camp Bennett of the USA in 4:26.95. Sadi Henderson and Helen Schlachtenhaufen of the USA did not finish the race.
The USA scored a quinella in the men’s Wanamaker mile through Yared Nuguse and Hobbs Kessler, who posted 3:47.83 and 3:48.66, respectively. George Mills of Great Britain was third in 3:48.93, while his team-mate, Adam Fogg, was fourth in 3:49.62. The field was rounded-out by Casey Comber of the USA in 3:51.92, Adam Spencer of Australia in 3:52.70, Charles Philibert Thiboutot of Canada in 3:53.12, Cooper Teare of the USA in 3:53.41, Liam Murphy of the USA in 3:53.96, Mario Garcia of Spain in 3:54.15, Samuel Prakel of the USA in 3:55.09 and Andrew Coscoran of Ireland in 4:01.69. Derek Holdsworth of the USA did not finish the race.
Mahuchikh leaps to victory in Women’s High Jump
Yaroslava Mahuchikh of Ukraine won the women’s high jump, clearing 2.00m, while Vashti Cunningham of the USA was second with 1.97m and Nawal Meniker of France was third with 1.86m. Elisabeth Pihela of Estonia was fourth with 1.86m, while Kimberly Williamson of Jamaica failed to register a mark.
Henley Taylor (Sensenya Ben Nyah)
Freelance Sports Writer
Devynne Charlton photo courtesy of Joe Swift Photography
Comments
Leave a Comment