ASU's Aguayo Places Second In Steeple
Cal's Johnson wins women's 800-meter
June 24, 2007
By Brett Hess
Special to CSTV.com
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Brett Hess
Brett Hess covers Cross Country for CSTV.com |
Aguayo, who because of a disappointing third-place finish two weeks ago at the NCAA Championships, hasn't been able lock up a professional sponsorship.
That problem was likely solved as he passed four runners the last 200 meters (three in the final 50) to finish a surprising second in 8:27.01. Joshua McAdams won the race in 8:24.46.
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"I was seeing dollars spread out on the track and I was just picking it up," said an exuberant Aguayo after the race. "It was money. Nobody wanted me after [the NCAAs]. I guess [the shoe companies] are looking to pick up the big names, so they weren't talking to me."
So, Aaron, how does it feel to be a big name now?
"I consider myself the step-child of American distance running," Aguayo said, proudly wearing his Arizona State uniform. "I want everyone to know that I love running, I love to train hard. Maybe they think I'm too [one dimensional] and can only run the steeple, but I can run anything."
Aguayo can talk all day and he was willing to do so -- but nothing beats walking the walk. Performance matters, and if Aguayo's race at the NCAA Championships hurt him, Sunday he made amends.
"I ran a very poor race," Aguayo said of the NCAA meet where he charged to the lead, setting a blistering pace only to be humiliated down the homestretch.
So Sunday, in his first race as a professional, Aguayo ran not like a rookie but like a veteran.
"I don't have the speed those guys that run 8:08 do," Aguayo said of the field that included American record-holder Daniel Lincoln among others. "Luckily they went out at a pretty slow pace. Then they killed themselves the last two laps. I just sat back and waited."
Aguayo came in a forgotten fifth place with 150-meters to go as he rambled through the water jump. He was still not in the picture when he sailed over the final barrier 50 meters from the finish. But as the leaders began to falter, it was Aguayo picking up the pieces, the counter-opposite to what happened at the NCAAs.
"They were all right there, just waiting for me. It was awesome," Aguayo remarked.
Johnson Holds Off
California's Alysia Johnson scored a rare feat in winning the women's 800-meter in 1:59.47, becoming just the second collegiate woman to win an event at these championships. Southern Illinois' Brittany Riley won the hammer throw on Saturday.
Johnson, who won the recent NCAA championship in the 800, held off Hazel Clark (1:59.60) down the homestretch, leaning and falling as she crossed the finish line. Johnson took the lead just before the 400-meter mark.
"I don't consider myself a front-runner, but I was comfortable," Johnson said of taking the lead through half-way in 57-seconds.
Then, the strategy started.
"I had nice rhythm and was just concentrating on getting to that final 50 [meters]," Johnson said. "My coach says that it all happens in the last 50."
That was true Sunday when Johnson came off the final curve and sensed
"She's a champion, and I knew she'd be there," Johnson said. "I had to rely on my training."
My Man Manzano
"These guys are great," Manzano said of a professional field that included eventual winner Alan Webb (3:34.82) and third-place finisher Bernard Lagat (3:35.55). "I just tried to stay calm and stay up there; sneak up them."
Manzano said he benefited from somewhat of a slow pace (57-second first quarter) and gave him confidence as the final lap neared.
"I always feel good when I start the final 300," Manzano said. "[The last 200] I just kept thinking relax, relax, now GO!"
Manzano said the final 100 meters were a blur as he passed two runners, maintaining his five-meter deficit to Webb.
"I'm so excited to represent the
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