The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
08.28.2015 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Hardee withdraws from decathlon with injury
World Championships Results
Men's 1500m Semifinals – Manzano Interview (video)
Decathlon
Women's Javelin Qualifying
Men's 110m Hurdles Semifinals
AUSTIN, Texas – Leo Manzano continues to advance at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing. The former Texas Longhorn star distance runner finished fifth in his semifinal heat on Friday morning to grab an automatic spot in the final.
Manzano crossed in 3:44.28, edging out Ethiopia's Mekonnen Gebremedhin by just .03 for the final automatic spot in the final. That lean at the line was crucial as no runners from the first heat advanced to the final based on time as the two at-large spots both went to runners in the second heat.
The final is scheduled for 6:45 a.m. Sunday CT. It will not be available to watch live on television in the U.S. NBC will have a broadcast at 1 p.m. Sunday with a re-airing at 4 p.m. of the final day's action from The Birds Nest.
In a press conference after the race, Manzano told members of the media he knew the race would come down to the final stretch due to the usual tactical and slow pace of the first heat in a 1,500 meters semifinal.
"We took off and the next thing I know, the pace was pretty slow," Manzano said. "I see Matt (Centrowitz) go toward the front and start to control it. I slid in right behind him and the pace was still kind of slow. All of a sudden (Asbel) Kiprop took off and we all just started chasing. It just came down the kick. I ended up fifth today, but we get to move on and fight another day."
It was a good day for Team USA in the 1,500 meters as all three American runners advanced to the final. Centrowitz and Robby Andrews will join Manzano in the final Sunday morning.
Two-time world champion and Olympic silver medalist Trey Hardee opened the first day of the decathlon overnight in China. The Longhorn great posted the fifth-fasted time in the opening event, running 10.56 seconds in the 100 meters. He followed that with a leap of 7.30 meters (23-11.50) to finish 11th in the event.
Hardee fouled his first attempt in the shot put then posted a mark of 10.20 meters (33-5.75) before withdrawing and not taking his final attempt.
In a statement to USATF, Hardee's agent said he had to withdraw due to an injury suffered on his final long jump attempt.
"I'm devastated to have to withdraw from the competition. I tried everything to try to make it through but it just wasn't meant to be. I need to focus now on getting prepared for 2016 and what will be my final Olympic campaign," Hardee said.
Two other athletes with connections to Texas were in action at the World Championships.
American record holder in the women's javelin, Kara Patterson-Winger trains with Texas assistant coach Ty Sevin. She advanced out of the qualifying round on Friday with a throw of 62.21 meters (204-1) to grab the final spot in the final.
Sevin also is in China working with Team USA as the men's assistant coach for throws. Team USA claimed gold in the men's shot put earlier in the week when Joe Kovacs bested German David Storl on his fifth attempt.
Jamaican hurdler Andrew Riley also has connections to Texas. He currently trains under Texas associate head coach Tonja Buford-Bailey. He advanced through the first round of the 110 meter hurdles but could not get through the semifinals. Riley clocked 13.43 seconds in the semis to finish in 16th overall.
Earlier in the week, Michelle Carter brought home the first medal of the championships for Team USA when she won bronze in the women's shot put. It was her first outdoor medal at a world championship meet, adding to her bronze from IAAF Indoor World Championships last year.
Former Texas great Sanya Richards-Ross is in Beijing with Team USA and is among the pool of runners eligible for the 4x400 meter relay. Incoming junior college transfer Chrisann Gordon also is in the relay pool for Jamaica's 4x400.
2015 IAAF World Championships Remaining TV Schedule | |||
Date | Session | Time (CT) | Network |
Friday, August 28 | Daytime session #7 | 6:30P - 11:3PA live | Universal Sports |
Saturday, August 29 | Evening session #8 | 1:30P - 3P | NBC |
Evening session #8 (re-air NBC) | 4P - 5:30P | Universal Sports | |
Daytime session #8 | 6:30P - 11:30P live | Universal Sports | |
Sunday, August 30 | Evening session #9 | 1P - 2:30P | NBC |
Evening session #9 (re-air NBC) | 4P - 5:30P | Universal Sports | |
