DES MONIES, Iowa — Jeremy Scott of Norfolk has qualified to represent Team USA at the World Championship in Moscow, Russia.
Fellow Norfolk High graduate Jared Schuurmans came up 13 feet, 6 inches short of qualifying in the discus, finishing ninth out of 16 competitors.
The former Panthers competed on day one of 2013 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Monies, Iowa on Friday.
Brad Walker of Spokane, Wash., won his fifth outdoor national title in the pole vault as he and Scott both cleared the bar at 18-6½.
Walker won the title by clearing the height on his first attempt, while Scott took two attempts. Oral Robert University’s Jack Whitt of Norman, Okla., cleared 18-4½ to take third. Walker and Whitt have previously cleared the International Association of Athletics Federation’s “A” standard of 18-8¼, while Scott has the “B” standard, so all three will vault in Russia.
Schuurman’s best throw of 189-9 left him just 17 inches from qualifying for the finals.
Olympian Lance Brooks of New Berlin, Ill., won his second straigh national title in the discus at 204-4. Brooks’ throw was one of three over 200 feet. Russ Winger of Colorado Springs, Colo., finished second in 203-6, while Rutgers University’s James Plummer of South Toms River, N.J., was third at 203-3. None of the men have the IAAF “B” standard, but the top four, including Casey Malone of Jefferson County, Colo., (199-11), have the opportunity to chase until July 20.
