EUGENE, Ore. — LSU All-American Walter Davis came up short in his bid to make his second straight United States long jump team, while former Tigers Derrick Brew and Regan Nicolls both advanced in their events on day two of competition at the GMC/Envoy USA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field.
Davis, a third place finisher a year ago came up with a solid 26 feet 4 ? inch effort that earned him eighth place on Friday. In a tightly contested battle after the top two positions, only six inches separated fourth place from 12th place.
Davis’ rival Savante Stringfellow, formerly of Ole Miss, won the competition with a wind-aided mark of 27-9 ?.
On the track, Brew delivered a message in the 400-meter dash on Friday, winning his semifinal heat in a time of 45.31 seconds, putting himself in prime position for Saturday’s final. Brew’s time was the second fastest time of the day, just behind the 45.28 run by Antonio Pettigrew.
“This is the best I’ve felt in a long time,” said the former LSU All-American. “It felt like a nice, smooth race. I’ll be ready to run fast on Saturday.”
On Saturday, Brew will look to make the second U.S. team of his young career. Brew made the World Championship team two years ago, earning a spot on the 4×400-meter relay after finishing fourth in the 400-meter dash in the trials which were, ironically, also held at Hayward Field.
Nicholls grabbed the final qualifying spot in the men’s 400-meter hurdles on Friday, finishing fourth in his heat in a time of 50.33. Nicholls will attempt to make his first U.S. squad.
The top three finishers in each event this weekend will represent the United States at the IAAF World Championships in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada from Aug. 3-12.