Former Cat Abdirahman Captures 10,000 Meters

Abdi Abdirahman leads en route to winning his third U.S. title in the 10,000 meters. He also won in 2001 and 2005

INDIANAPOLIS, June 22, 2007 — Former UA standout Abdi Abdirahman won his third U.S. track and field outdoor crown in the 10,000 meters Thursday. Abdirahman finished in 28 minutes 13.51 seconds to add the 2007 title to wins in 2001 and 2005.

The former UA and Pima College All-American easily outran runner-up Galen Rupp (28:23.31). The times are well off the qualifying standards for the world championships, which will be held in Osaka, Japan, in late August.

"I was ready for this race," Abdirahman said in a news release. "I will talk to my coach about Osaka but the Olympic trials (next year) are my main focus. It never gets old winning national championships."

Abdirahman, who was born in Somalia and became a U.S. citizen in 2000, has also finished second twice in the 10,000.

Also on Thursday, Tucsonan David Krummenacker qualified for today's semifinals in the 800. The three-time U.S. outdoor champion was second in his heat Thursday. His time of 1:48.98 was the eighth best among all heat runners.

Former UA standout Brianna Glenn won her heat in the 100 to move into today's semifinals. Her time of 11.10 was the fourth-best of the day. Breaux Greer broke the American javelin record for the second time this year and won his eighth consecutive national title on the opening night of the meet.

Only race walker Henry Laskau has won more consecutive U.S. track titles. He won 11 in a row from 1948 to 1958. Greer is tied for second with hammer thrower James Mitchell, who won eight straight from 1889 to 1896. Greer threw 299 feet 6 inches on his second attempt to break the record of 297-7 set with his first throw of the season, at the Addidas Classic in Carson, Calif., on May 20.

The always-entertaining, wisecracking thrower from Monroe, La., who now lives in Scottsdale, raised his arms in triumph after the big throw sailed past his American-record mark. He passed on his remaining throws.

He said before the meet that his career goal was to stab one of the officials with a long throw, but they managed to stay well out of the way as the spear stuck in the grassy infield. Greer owns the world's top two marks in the event in this still-young season.

In the evening's final event, Deena Kastor won her fifth U.S. 10,000-meter title. The Olympic bronze medalist in the marathon three years ago won easily in the 31: 57.0.

Tyson Gay eased into today's 100-meter semifinals with a preliminary-round run of 9.98, the fastest of the qualifiers. He said he wanted to play it safe after the field had a false start. Any sprinter who had a false start after that would have been disqualified.

"After I came out of my drive phase (at about 30 meters), I didn't execute too good because my lower back was feeling kind of funny," Gay said. "I think it needs to be adjusted. I'll fix all that tomorrow."

Walter Dix, winner of the 100 and 200 for Florida State at the NCAA championships two weeks ago, won his heat with a wind-aided 10.08.

Dix is after Ato Bolden's collegiate record of 9.92 seconds, and even though he has the world's top 100 and 200 times this year, he said he didn't plan to take part in the world championships.

"If I get the record next round, I'm going to stop," he said.

The top three finishers in each event, providing they have met the appropriate standards, make the U.S. team for the world championships in Osaka. Reigning world champions automatically make the U.S. squad.

Two days after passing his citizenship test, NAU's Lopez Lomong advanced through the preliminary round of the 800 meters.

"I just wanted to have fun with my fellow Americans," said Lomong, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, with a big smile. Lomong won the NCAA 1,500 meters two weeks ago. He chose to run the 800 at the nationals to work on his speed. Lomong finished third in by far the fastest of the four preliminary 800 heats with a personal best 1:46.28.

Favorite Sanya Richards won her heat in the preliminaries of the women's 400 in 51.38. NCAA champion Natasha Hastings, who has the two fastest times in the world this year, was the top qualifier at 51.07.

Source: UA Sports

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