When the powers that be with USATF decided to hold a national championship meet in Omaha in early July, they certainly anticipated the possibility of hotter than ideal conditions. However, they likely didn't expect it to be this hot.
A record high of 104 degrees in Omaha Friday led to slower-than-normal times and some gutty performances.
The Smoke men were a bit short-handed due to injuries preventing Mike Hernandez, Kevin Miller and TJ Mapp (all of whom had Club qualifiers) from competing. But when all was said and done, the team finished a solid 5th place and brought home two medals.
Randy Wasinger got things started Friday with a 5th place performance in the 800m with a time of 1:58.33. Watch the race.
Apparently the heat got to the local media as well, as KETV thought Wasinger was a cyclist.
Next up was Kory Cool in the 3000m Steeplechase. Cool led early and held on for a solid 4th place finish in 9:40.24. Watch the race.
Aaron Yoder was in the mix during a tactical 1500m, finishing 6th with a time of 4:05.26. Watch Aaron's race.
With temperatures still in the lower to mid 90's at 9:20pm, Aaron Davidson and Keith Long competed in the 10,000m.
For Davidson, this was the 3rd straight race (Portland Track Festival 5,000m and USA Half Marathon Championships) where he competed against one or more Olympians. Winner Ruben Sanca will compete in London for his native Cape Verde. Aaron brought home the bronze in another tactical race with a time of 33:40.99.
Long (54) received some love from the public address announcer as being one of the few grand-masters to ever qualify for and compete in Club Nationals. He finished with a time of 35:57.42.
Watch the 10,000m on Runnerspace.
The team was back at it Saturday morning with Kayli Hrdlicka making her Smoke debut in the 5,000m. Kayli finished 9th overall with a solid 18:14.82. Watch Kayli's 5,000m on Runnerspace.
Kory Cool was the only Smoke athlete to double-up in the Club Championships. He also finished 9th in the 5,000m, with a time of 15:50.30. Watch Kory's 5,000m on Runnerspace.
Finally, high jumper Andy Gilmore competed for the Smoke Saturday afternoon, bringing home the gold with a jump of 2.18m.
Go here for complete results of the Club Championships.
Superior Downhill Mile
In the week leading up to Club Nationals, Aaron Yoder and Kory Cool made their way to Superior, Colorado for the Superior Downhill Mile.
As expected, times were blazing fast with the Smoke duo finishing 5th and 6th overall with times of 4:06.5 and 4:07.3
Melissa Todd as also on hand for the event winning the women's division with a last-second lean, coming in with a gun time of 4:36.5. The event featured a 4k two hours later with prize money going to the fastest combined time between the two races. Todd finished 2nd in the 4k in 14:18, which was good for the combined win.
Go here for complete results and here to watch a video of the finish.
All Star Game 5k
Over 5,400 runners lined up for Sunday's All Star Game 5k. MLB has coupled a 5k with All Star Weekend festivities for several years now, with this year's event setting a record for participation.
Aaron Davidson and Brett Rinehart competed for the Smoke in the event. Davidson finished 3rd overall with a time of 15:29. Rinehart came in 18th in 17:33.
Go here for complete results.
Shawnee Mission Triathlon
Smoke newcomer Sara Prince is a multi-sport specialist, making her debut for the club in Sunday's Shawnee Mission Triathlon. Sara placed 6th overall and won her age-group with a time of 1:50:34.
Complete results are available at http://www.mtecresults.com/
Mass Street Mile
Three Smoke athletes made their way to downtown Lawrence for the annual Mass Street Mile on July 1.
Kevin Miller brought home the victory with a time of 4:43.6, following by Ron Kochanowicz (top master) in 4:50.4 and Phil Hudnall in 5:09.3
Lenexa Freedom Run
Phil Hudnall also competed in the Lenexa Freedom Run 5k and was first overall master with a time of 16:56, good for 15th overall.