Stanford’s Kori Carter set an NCAA record in the women’s 400-meter hurdles (video) with a time of 53.21, also the fastest in the world this year. By a large margin. The second-best time of the year was set six days earlier on the same track in Eugene, Ore., by the Czech Republic’s Zuzana Hejnova — 53.70.
That alone would put Carter in consideration for the Woly Award, given to the top U.S. Olympic sports athlete of the week.
But Carter had competition from Clemson’s Brianna Rollins, who also set a meet record and world leader in the 100 hurdles at 12.39.
What set Carter apart? Check out who finished second in the 100 hurdles. That’s right — Kori Carter.
That’s 18 points of Stanford’s 33 points in the NCAA meet, and it’s enough to give Carter the Woly Award for the week.
Meet Carter at FloTrack, where she talks a bit about her 400-meter performance and the audacity of running both events.
Other top performances from the NCAA meet:
Women’s 100: English Gardner, Oregon, 10.96, third fastest runner in 2013.
Men’s 400: Bryshon Nellum, USC, 44.73, fourth in 2013.
Women’s 400: Ashley Spencer, Illinois, 50.28, fifth in 2013.
Then at the Golden Gala in Rome, the latest Diamond League stop:
Men’s 100 hurdles: Justin Gatlin (9.94) beat Usain Bolt (9.95). Yes, THAT Usain Bolt.
Men’s 400 hurdles: Johnny Dutch (48.31) held off Puerto Rico’s Javier Culson (48.36) and now owns the top two times of 2013.
Women’s long jump: Another good duel between Brittney Reese (6.99) and Janay Deloach Soukup (6.97).
Also in track and field, last week’s Woly winner, Mary Cain, … stop me if you’re heard this before … broke a U.S. high school track and field record, this time in the 5,000 meters. Time is 15:45.46. That’s three high school outdoor records this spring.
And the other nominees this week:
WATER POLO: Betsey Armstrong made eight important saves as the U.S. women clinched bronze at the World League Super Final.
TENNIS: Serena Williams and the Bryan brothers won French Open titles. Not enough room here to talk about their career accomplishments.
The rest of the Oly week is at TeamUSA.org as always.
Sports to watch this week:
– Archery, World Cup
– Beach volleyball, Grand Slam
– Volleyball, World League, Tulsa
– Water polo, men’s World League Super Final
– Track and field, Diamond League ExxonMobil Bislett Games, Oslo
– Mountain bike, World Cup
– Judo, Grand Prix Miami
Duresport.com 