Gabe Oladipo defends Junior discus title, secures trip to Finland

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana – Texas A&M's Gabe Oladipo claimed the discus title with a throw of 200 feet, 7 inches (61.15) during the final day of the USATF Junior Championships at Hayes Track on the Indiana University campus. Teammate Julia Madubuike established a career best of 52.42 seconds to place fourth in the 400m final.
 
Throwing a 1.75 kilogram discus, Oladipo moved from third to first place in the fifth round of the discus as he earned a position on the United States team that will compete in the IAAF World U20 Championships held in Tampere, Finland, from July 10-15.
 
"The nerves are always greater at the trials to make a team," said Oladipo. "Once you get there you're relieved. The most important thing is to give yourself a chance to compete on that level. So, now all the nerves are gone.
 
"To be able to come out and win on such a big stage, obviously is great for my confidence. I just need to relax for a little bit, continue to work hard and then see what happens in Finland."
 
The mark of 200-7 is a career best for Oladipo with the junior implement, topping the 196-9 (59.97) he threw in winning the USATF Junior title a year ago.
 
"This win really meant a lot to me, because it's been such a tough year," noted Oladipo. "I had so much support to help me get through it. There was a lot of preparation, both physical and mental, that went into today.
 
 
"Even though I didn't have a great series, I was able to pull something out that was big enough to win."
 
While his last warm-up toss traveled a distance that announced his intentions in winning the event, Oladipo's series had a slow start. He opened with a 167-9 (51.13) and then improved to 191-0 (58.23) in round two. Following a foul in the third stanza, Oladipo hit a mark of 185-5 (56.53) in round four.
 
Trailing a 199-5 (60.78) by Washington's Elijah Mason, from the first round, and a 195-3 (59.53) by Arizona's Turner Washington, from round three, Oladipo connected in the fifth round to overtake the lead with his 200-7 heave.
 
Washington tried to reclaim a top two position with a 195-8 (59.65) on his fifth attempt and finished with a 197-2 (60.10) in the final round.
 
"Everybody thinks since we throw a heavier implement (2 kg) during the collegiate season we should be able to come here and throw five meters farther," said Oladipo. "But it doesn't work like that at all. Your timing is thrown off. Eventually, you get your timing back."
 
Madubuike's first year of racing at 400m produced her fourth career best performance through seven races this season. Her 52.42 for fourth place in the Junior meet betters the 52.58 she posted in the NCAA West preliminary rounds and keeps her No. 9 on the Aggie all-time list.
 
Florida's Taylor Manson won the 400m final in 51.74 with Miami's Symone Mason runner-up in 51.83 while Arria Minor claimed third place in 52.25.
 
"I knew I had to PR to make the team today," said Madubuike. "So, that was my objective coming into the race. This season has been amazing. There were a lot of talented girls who were freshman this year, so I knew it was going to be good competition.
 
"I had to keep an open mind about running the 400m, since I came into school as a 100m and 200m runner. I was surprised with how much progress I made throughout the year, and it feels really good with the times I've been running."