(Photo by Jason Chiou)

Athletics continues medal-winning streak

by Joshua Weinstock on September 13, 2009

The U.S. Athletics Team continued their medal-winning streak Saturday. This time, however, they won one of each color. The athletics team currently is amassing more medals than the rest of the American contingent combined, with eight medals to the others’ seven, and four gold medals to the others’ three. Josh Hembrough in the 110-meter hurdles, Craig Saalfeld in the decathlon and Amber Nash in the 100-meter hurdles, all hauled in gold, silver and bronze, respectively. Hembrough broke the Games and world records with a time of 14.16. “I’m really thrilled that I got the gold and the record, but it was below my personal best,” Hembrough said. “I felt I could have done better.” It was an excellent race as Hembrough beat out former record-holder Latvian Maris Grenins, despite Grenins hitting Hembrough on the leg/foot during jumps. “It affected my hurdling a little, but at the end, I blew him away,” Hembrough said. “We didn’t talk after the match, though.” Hembrough didn’t really have to say anything. His performance spoke volumes. Craig Saalfeld won silver in the decathlon, giving the U.S. its first silver medal of the 2009 Deaflympics. For full coverage of the decathlon event and results, click here. Nash and teammate Mariah Ransom competed in the women’s 100m hurdles. Only Nash came away with a medal as Ransom finished fifth with a time of 15.16. Nash ran a 14.76 while Kairit Olenko of Estonia set a Games record of 14.40. Olenko wasn’t able to break her world record of 14.39. It was Nash’ second bronze in as many tries. “It’s great to get a medal, but I didn’t really run my best. Nash said. “Hopefully, tomorrow I’ll do better in the relays.” Hannah Maenius is thinking the same thing. Maenius, who was a favorite to medal in the 800m, placed sixth with a time of 2:17.46 after leading for the most of the race until she lost the lead in the final 100 meters. “It was disappointing to lose. My mind was strong, but my foot didn’t feel the same even though I tried my best,” Maenius said. “After the Deaflympics, I’ll put on a boot and let my foot heal.” Nelli Erofeeva, of Russia — who edged Maenius in the 800m heats — won the gold with a time of 2:14.94. “I really wanted to get a medal, but I’ll have my second chance tomorrow [in the 4x400m relay] and I know what to do in four years at Greece,” Maenius said. In the men’s 800m semifinals, Michael Saalfeld nearly lost his chance to qualify in the finals. “I was really stupid,” Michael Saalfeld chuckled afterwards. Michael Saalfeld was coasting on his way to another first-place finish in the first heat when he put on the brakes in the last five meters. He crossed the line in a photo finish with three other runners. Only .02 separated the four runners. Fortunately, Michael Saalfeld was third with a time of 1:58, which earned him an automatic berth. Fourth-place finisher Nikolaos Gkanatsios, of Greece, finished .01 seconds slower and didn’t qualify for the finals since five runners from the second heat had better times. Javier Soto Rey, of Spain, and Roman Kulikov, of Russia, ran 1:57.99, tying for first place. Middle- and long-distance coach Karen Sanfacon said watching the replay on the jumbotron was nerve-racking. After the results were announced, she said she was relieved, but not enough to refrain from chewing out Michael Saalfeld. “I told him to never let down, and always lean when you go by the finish line,” Sanfacon said. Tomorrow, she told him, no matter how much the lead is by one meter or 100 meters, “You better lean forward at the line!” Michael Saalfeld said he was fortunate to have a second chance. “I won’t blow it this time tomorrow.” In the men’s 200m finals, Delvin Furlough had another chance to add a companion to his 400m gold medal. He wasn’t able to, as he finished fourth with a time of 22.22. Chinese Yang Han was a surprise winner of the gold, with 21.77 seconds, edging the favorite, Humphery Eguasa, of Nigeria, by .03 seconds Terrell Sumers and Darius Flowers competed in the men’s triple jump. Sumers failed to advance to the top eight, while Flowers was able to advance with a jump of 14.26m. Flowers jumped his way to a fourth-place finish, insufficient to outshine Russian Alexy Savostin, who set the world record with a jump of 15.51 meters. Savostin also tied the Games record and earned silver in the high jump, losing out to fellow countryman Alexy Landar, who leaped 2.08 meters. Before his final jump, the Latvian Grenins had a best jump of 15.21 meters. On the final jump of the day, Grenins leapt for 15.46 meters, breaking the old record but falling short of the gold for the second time. Americans Craig Saalfeld and Roman Drymalski competed, but couldn’t place. Craig Saalfeld finished fifth, with a jump of 1.99 meters, a significant achievement, considering he was in the middle of his decathlon competition. Drymalski placed seventh with 1.96 meters. The day was not without controversy, as the men’s 4x100m relay team was disqualified. The reason for disqualification has not been disclosed. The team will protest the decision, and a decision is pending on whether the team can compete in the 4x100m final Sunday evening. Sunday is the last day of competition for the U.S. Athletics Team. The events that will take place are: men’s 800m (Michael Saalfeld), women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relays, men’s 4x400m relay, and women’s 5,000m (Erin LaFave). The U.S. does not have representatives in the following finals: men’s javelin, women’s high jump and men’s 5,000m.

(Photo by Jason Chiou)

Athletics continues medal-winning streak

Latest News

Donate