FIELD Hurdler Merritt is ready for the world
he finished in 13.24 seconds. Merritt was 0.07 seconds behind, and former University of Oregon football player Devon Allen took third.
The 31-year-old Merritt knew he would be able to make a strong return to the hurdles – even if others didn’t buy in.
“I was told, ‘You’ll never come back to the sport with the medications you have to take that are life long,”’ said Merritt, whose mom and sister were in the stands. “It was something that went in one ear and out there other.
“No matter what someone may tell you, whether it’s a doctor or not, you can’t give up hope. You always have to stay positive and look at the brighter picture.”
Also on the last day of the nationals, Olympic 400 hurdles gold medalist Dalilah Muhammad won that event in a fast race that saw the top three all go under 53 seconds.
One of the biggest crowd eruptions was on Ryan Crouser’s final heave in the shot put, when he surpassed Joe Kovacs. Crouser had a mark of 74 feet, 3 ⁄ inches (22.65 meters) to hold off Kovacs, who already had an automatic bye into worlds as the defending world champion.
Just like in the 100 meters, Christian Coleman took the early lead in the 200. And just like in the 100, he was caught at the last moment. Coleman was out-leaned at the finish by Ameer Webb, who finished in 20.09 seconds to win by 0.01.