Hall claimed the U.S. title in the Heptathlon in back-to-back years to qualify for the World Athletics Championships.
EUGENE, Ore. – The world leader in the Heptathlon, Anna Hall, continued her dominance in the event with ease on Friday at the USATF Outdoor Championships, crowning herself the U.S. Champion and qualifying to the World Athletics Championships.
Defending her title from 2022, Hall went back-to-back and dropped 6677 points to earn the crown. Leading to enter the day, Hall began with the Long Jump and scored 975 points with a 6.40m/21’0″ jump in the fifth event. Next was a season best throw in the Javelin, 43.90m/144’0″, landing 742 points to improve her lead. Finally, Hall put the finishing touch on an impressive gold medal performance by topping all participants in the 800 meters at 2:10.91 for 951 points.
Both Talitha Diggs and Ryan Willie will have a chance to race for the U.S. title and a spot at the World Championships in Budapest when they take their marks tomorrow night.
Willie and Jacory Patterson were both in a hot first heat of the men’s 400m semifinals. Willie crossed the line third at 44.85 and Patterson finished sixth in the heat and eighth overall at 45.25. Willie will race tomorrow night at 9:26 p.m. ET. Despite the strong time and an eighth place finish, Patterson did not qualify because he did not finish top three in his heat or with one of the next two fastest times.
Diggs was one of just three runners in the women’s 400m semifinals to dip under 51 seconds and came in third overall at 50.95 to secure her spot in the final tomorrow at 9:19 p.m. ET.
The first Gator on Friday who advanced in their next round was Grace Stark for the 100m Hurdles. In her USA Outdoors debut, Stark crossed the line at 12.83 and finished third in the second heat, as well as eighth among all participants in the first round. She’ll compete in the semifinals on Saturday night at 9:02 p.m. ET.
Following suit in the 400m Hurdles was Vanessa Watson and she qualified for the semifinals via a 56.44. Watson’s time landed her in the top four of the second heat, seventh overall, and will race on Saturday night at 10:10 p.m. ET.
Florida was well represented in the Triple Jump by four Gators and each one landed a spot in the top eight, led by Gator Great Will Claye. Claye jumped a season best 16.98m/55’8.50″ and secured a silver medal. Gator Great Omar Craddock jumped 16.39m/53’9.25 for fifth, followed by Sean Dixon-Bodie in seventh with a 16.31m/53’6.25″ and Gator Great Christian Taylor rounded UF out in eighth at 16.12m/52’10.75″.
Pjai Austin’s season ended in the 100m semifinals where he ran a 10.26. Florida’s 100m record holder enjoyed a tremendous year and was named a two-time USTFCCCA Outdoor First Team All-American (100m, 4×100) in June.
USATF Outdoor Championships (All events are finals unless otherwise noted)
Event
Place, Gators (Time/Distance), Notes
Heptathlon (W)
Long Jump
Javelin
800 Meters
1. Anna Hall (6677), U.S. Champion, Advances to World Championships
(6.40m/21’0″) 2nd in event, 1st overall after fifth event
(43.90m/144’0″) 2nd in event, 1st overall after sixth event, Season Best
(2:10.91) 1st in event, 1st overall after seventh event
100m Hurdles (W) First Round
8. Grace Stark (12.83), Advances to Semifinals
400m Hurdles (W) First Round
7. Vanessa Watson (56.44), Advances to Semifinals
Triple Jump (M)
2. Will Claye (16.98m/55’8.50″), Season Best
5. Omar Craddock (16.39m/53’9.25″)
7. Sean Dixon-Bodie (16.31m/53’6.25″)
8. Christian Taylor (16.12m/52’10.75″)
100m (M) Semifinals
14. Pjai Austin (10.26)
400m (M) Semifinals
3. Ryan Willie (44.85), Advances to Final
8. Jacory Patterson (45.25)
400m (W) Semifinals
3. Talitha Diggs (50.95), Advanced to Final
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