With the last of the high school athletes finishing up competition Friday evening at Hayward Field, California's Christine Babcock and Jordan Hasay showed why they're two of the best, both finishing their Trials experience on very high notes. With the end of prep competition at the Olympic Trials finally upon us, the focus now shifts to Poland and the U.S. World Junior squad.
U.S. Olympic Trials Coverage - Friday
Women's 1500m Semi-Final
For the past few months many in the high school track and field community have speculated just who would win between Christine Babcock (Woodbridge, CA) and Jordan Hasay (Mission Prep, CA) if the two champions raced in the 1,500m run. The opportunity finally came Friday night in the women's 1,500m semi-finals where the two met in the distance for the first time this season.
Many thought the race wasn't possible after USATF ruled that Hasay (pictured right by Tim Fulton) had to leave directly after her preliminary race Thursday, traveling in a four stop trip to Poland to compete for Team USA at the World Junior T&F Championships. However, at 10 p.m. Thursday night Hasay got word from USATF that she would be allowed to fly out Monday, meaning she could run the semi-finals, and even the finals if she made it.
"I had my bags packed for Portland," Hasay said, "I am so thankful to the people that helped me get into the next round."
With the race set up and the fields ready to race, both Babcock and Hasay found themselves in heat two. The perfect match-up. As the gun sounded Babcock started in similar fashion to how she did in the prelims, the field slowed just enough to let her lead. With the lead in tact Babcock set the tone of the race, cruising through the first 400m in 68.8.
After the first quarter Babcock started to slide back, while Hasay worked her pace from the back of the pack, moving up slowly and steadily. As Hasay moved forward she crept up on Babcock. Through 800 meters the two runs ran stride for stride, with Hasay catching Babcock and shifting into another gear to run with the pack. The two runners came through half way in 2:19, with Hasay looking very strong.
From there Hasay kept moving forward, while Babcock continued to slide backwards. With so much at stake the Hayward Field announcer got involved, getting the crowd about two prep phenoms in the field. As Hasay moved up the announcer marked her every move, and as the race advanced so did the crowd noise for her.
"I could everyone screaming for me, it was great," Hasay said afterward.
As the finish approached the crowd stood on their feet cheering wildly. With 250 meters to go Hasay started to really look powerful in her arm carage and stride, passing another athlete with two more in her sights. The roar from the crowd was deafening, most of which showered down to the track for Hasay.
Into the final stretch the runners came, Hasay moving up to fifth, while Babcock battled back to finish a very respectable ninth. What was most surprising though was Hasay's time. All season long she had chased the national 1,500m record and this night she got it.
"I knew if I could race back to back days that I could get it," Hasay said excitedly.
Well the junior sensation did get the record, with her finishing mark of 4:14.50, besting the record of 4:16.22 set in May by Babcock. Meanwhile, Babcock finished in 4:20.00, looking disappointed, but happy for her long season to finally be over.
Looking back Hasay said," I didn't find out until 10 p.m. last night that I was going to race. This is a once in a lifetime experience and I am so honored to have made the finals and get the national record."
Now Hasay can focus on Sunday's finals where she'll have a very long shot at making the Olympic team, but at least she is in the event. With the national record in tact, the pressure is off for the talented junior and with her first World Junior Championship races still over a week away she's focused completely on the Trials. What a week for Hasay and even more so what a day!
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