Golden Flash Open - February 3, 2001 - Kent, Ohio USA
McEwen Spins 73-8 in the weight
John McEwen provided some colorful --and powerful-- excitement at the Golden Flash Open, reaching a near PR 73-8 in the weight throw, moving up to #3 on the yearly world list. Eighth in the hammer at last summer's Olympic trials, McEwen displayed consistency as well: his series -- 70-9.25, 70-4.4.25, 71-3.25, F, 70-5.25, before the big one.
Toledo's LeShawn Alexander takes the 60H (l) in 8.04, John McEwen spun a 73-8, #3 in the world in 2001
Kent's Kia Flowers continued to impress in the triple jump as she bounced to a 41-5.25 provisional qualifier and school record.
Barbados Olympian Fabian Rollins needed all he could muster to beat Bobby Cruse down the stretch in the 400, winning by .06 in 47.49. Akron's LeShaunte Edwards skipped the short sprints as well, and finished fourth in 48.20. Afterwards, a small pile of exhausted bodies cluttered the finish line. A false start by Cruse left the door wide open in the men's 60, with Youngstown State's Egene Harris (6.87) taking the advantage. Toledo's LeShawn Alexander got a narrow .01 win in the 60H over Omari Francis in 8.04.
Aja Farris (l) took the 60/300 hurdles double, Fabian Rollins reeled in Bobby Cruse down the 400 stretch
Casey Batey took control on the final lap to take the mile in 4:06.52. Kent frosh James Sjostrom turned in the fastest mile by a Golden Flash since 1982, finishing fourth in 4:10.69. In the men's 5000, Fred Kieser (14:13.99) led virtually from the gun to top Malone's Dan Kibungei (14:33.80) and Ashland CC All-American Nick Cordes (14:38.28).
Shot putter Kevin Toth, ranked eighth in the world in 2000, had an easy time topping recent 60-foot club member Chris Adams 63-10.5 to 59-2.25.
