2. Donavan Brazier blazes U.S. Junior Record in 1:45!
Remember Donavan Brazier, the unbeatable Michigan half miler who won Brooks PR last year?
Now a freshman at Texas A&M, Brazier broke the American Junior Record in the 800m this weekend in College Station with a 1:45.93 performance.
The prior Junior indoor record was 1:47.84, set by John Marshall of Villanova in 1982.
Brazier nearly eclipsed the 16-year-old NCAA record of 1:45.88 set by Derrick Peterson of Missouri. His previous personal best was 1:47.55.
"My coach is crazy, he wants us to go out in 51," Brazier said in an Aggies press release. "I wasn't too nervous coming through in 51 at the 400 split since that is what we train for. I didn't think I was going to hang on that well. My last 800 was in Oregon, six months ago, so I was very eager to step on the track again for an 800."
His splits were: 25.2, 26.4 [51.6], 26.58 [1:18.18], 27.75.
The Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, Mich. alumnus says he has already adjusted his goals for the year and now has his sights set on the IAAF World Junior Championships this summer. Athletes aged 19 and under are eligible to compete at the biannual event.
The race likely proved to be sweet redemption for the star, who ended his prep career on a somewhat sour note. He traveled to Eugene, Ore. for USATF Junior Nationals in June in hopes of qualifying for the Pan-American Junior Championships but was disqualified in the opening round.