Whiting, Harper-Nelson, Taylor win Diamond Titles in Brussels

9/6/2013

INDIANAPOLIS - Three Team USA athletes claimed Diamond League series titles at the final Diamond League meeting of 2013 in Brussels, Belgium Friday evening.

Ryan Whiting (Port Matilda, Pa.) continued his dominance of the Diamond League as he won his fifth meet of the series this year to secure his place as the overall Diamond League winner. Whiting put the shot 21.45m/70-4.5 on his second legal attempt to win by more than a foot and a half over runner-up Georgi Ivanov of Bulgaria.

Dawn Harper-Nelson (Los Angeles, Calif.) ran a season’s best 12.48 and overcame a strong start by Sally Pearson of Australia to capture her 5th Diamond League win of the season and secure her place as the overall series winner.

Christian Taylor (Loughborough, U.K.) had a best mark of 16.89m/55-5 to finish second to France’s Teddy Tamgho in the triple jump. Taylor’s second-place finish was enough to maintain his spot atop the Diamond League standings to claim the overall series title.

Natasha Hastings (Locust Grove, Ga.) crossed the line in front of the same field from the World Championships as she won the women’s 400m in a time of 50.36.

Overall the U.S. had six athletes win Diamond League titles in their events. Last week in Zurich LaShawn Merritt (400m), David Oliver (110mH) and Justin Gatlin (100m) took top honors in their respective events.

U.S. Results in Brussels
1st, Dawn Harper-Nelson, women’s 100m hurdles, 12.48
1st, Ryan Whiting, men’s shot put, 21.45m/70-4.5
1st, Natasha Hastings, women’s 400m, 50.36
1st, Brandon Johnson, men’s 800m B group, 1:45.45
2nd, Mike Rodgers, men’s 100m, 9.90
2nd, Bernard Lagat, men’s 5,000m, 12:58.99
2nd, Gia Lewis-Smallwood, women’s discus, 64.82m/212-8
2nd, Alexandria Anderson, women's 100m, 10.97
2nd, Nick Symmonds, men’s 800m, 1:43.03
2nd, Christian Taylor, men’s triple jump, 16.89m/55-5
3rd, Walter Dix, men’s 200m, 20.12
3rd, Will Claye, men’s triple jump, 16.88m/55-4.75
4th, Francena McCorory, women’s 400m, 50.77
4th, Morgan Uceny, women’s 1,000m, 2:37.45
4th, Justin Gatlin, men’s 100m, 9.94
4th, Shannon Rowbury, women’s 1500m, 4:07.05
4th, Michael Tinsley, men’s 400m hurdles, 48.60
5th, Barbara Pierre, women’s 100m, 11.20
5th, Galen Rupp, men’s 5,000m, 13:01.37
5th, Josh Mance, men’s 400m, 45.42
5th, Kellie Wells, women’s 100m hurdles, 12.78
5th, Duane Solomon, men’s 800m, 1:44.36
5th, Leo Manzano, men’s 800m B group, 1:46.31
6th, Justin Gaymon, men’s 400m hurdles, 49.43
7th, Charonda Williams, women’s 100m, 11.28
8th, Evan Jager, men’s 5,000m, 13:02.40
8th, Cory Martin, men’s shot put, 20.07m/65-10.25
9th, Tiffany Townsend, women’s 100m, 11.34
10th, Jenny Simpson, women’s 1500m, 4:10.70
11th, Chris Derrick, men’s 5,000m, 13:08.04
12th, Gabriele Anderson, women’s 1500m, 4:16.20
12th, Ajee Wilson, women’s 1,000m, 2:44.05
15th, Ryan Hill, men’s 5,000m, 13:43.14

For complete results and more information on the Brussels Diamond League meet, visit www.diamondleague-brussels.com