TEMPE – A handful of current, future and former Sun Devil track and field athletes had impressive outings at the U.S. Junior and U.S. Track and Field Championships, with Maggie Ewen and Jackson Lewis leading the way with USATF titles.
Lewis, a freshman from Waukee, Iowa, hit the 3,000-meter steeplechase standard for the U.S. Junior Championships back in March and found himself on the start line in Bloomington, Indiana as one of the fastest men entered, and Lewis didn't disappoint as he crossed the finish line first as the American junior champion.
"He came out and took it from the gun and put his foot on the gas for 3,000 meters," assistant coach Cory Leslie said. "To leave there out as the U.S. junior champion is a great way to end the season and set yourself up to catch your breath and be rejuvenated and excited for cross country season."
While Lewis' title was the only win for the Devils at the Junior Championships, ASU will have two representatives at the IAAF U20 Championships in current Devil Cole Riddle and incoming freshman Austin Kratz.
Riddle had himself a day in Bloomington as he progressed through the pole vault heights with relative ease and ended his day by clearing the No. 2 mark in school history of 5.50m/18-0.5 feet, eight inches off Nick Hysong's school record from his senior season in 1994.
It's Riddle's second-straight year on the American U20 team as he advanced to the Pan-America Games in 2017.
Kratz competed in two open events, including the 100-and 200-meter dashes, and the Pennsylvania-native clocked a 20.75 in the latter to finish third and claim a place on the men's 4x100-meter relay team. In the 100, Kratz finished fifth with a 10.42.
"It was my first chance to see him go through the process and compete with elite competition," associate head coach Devin West said. "He ran 20.75 twice at the championships. That time as a high school senior after a long season is impressive and gets us excited to work with him next season."
Honda Award winner and Bowerman Award finalist Ewen followed up her NCAA double with another impressive weekend in Des Moines as she won the U.S. shot put crown and took second in the discus throw.
Both results have the former Sun Devil in position to advance to the Athletics World Cup in London next month, but she is guaranteed a place in the shot after her dominant win.
It will be her second trip to the British capital for international competition. Last time she was in the London Stadium, Ewen was throwing for a hammer throw crown, a testament to her abilities in all three of her throwing disciplines.
Shelby Houlihan continued her dominance by claiming two more gold medals to make it four in 2018 alone.
Houlihan took the 5,000-and 1,500-meter crowns in Des Moines to go with her 1,500 and 3,000 titles indoors from back in March.
To keep up with the Devils this summer, follow @sundeviltfxc on Twitter.
Lewis, a freshman from Waukee, Iowa, hit the 3,000-meter steeplechase standard for the U.S. Junior Championships back in March and found himself on the start line in Bloomington, Indiana as one of the fastest men entered, and Lewis didn't disappoint as he crossed the finish line first as the American junior champion.
???? freshman Jackson Lewis is your @usatf steeplechase CHAMPION!
— Sun Devil TFXC (@SunDevilTFXC) June 18, 2018
He'll head to Finland next month to represent #TeamUSA???? at the IAAF World U20 Championships!#ForksUp!! pic.twitter.com/Dhcd659opp
"He came out and took it from the gun and put his foot on the gas for 3,000 meters," assistant coach Cory Leslie said. "To leave there out as the U.S. junior champion is a great way to end the season and set yourself up to catch your breath and be rejuvenated and excited for cross country season."
While Lewis' title was the only win for the Devils at the Junior Championships, ASU will have two representatives at the IAAF U20 Championships in current Devil Cole Riddle and incoming freshman Austin Kratz.
Riddle had himself a day in Bloomington as he progressed through the pole vault heights with relative ease and ended his day by clearing the No. 2 mark in school history of 5.50m/18-0.5 feet, eight inches off Nick Hysong's school record from his senior season in 1994.
Hey world, meet Cole!
— Sun Devil TFXC (@SunDevilTFXC) June 15, 2018
The ???? freshman will represent #TeamUSA in the pole vault at the IAAF ?? U20 Championships in Finland next month!#ForksUp pic.twitter.com/ZJh3L6GcAy
It's Riddle's second-straight year on the American U20 team as he advanced to the Pan-America Games in 2017.
Kratz competed in two open events, including the 100-and 200-meter dashes, and the Pennsylvania-native clocked a 20.75 in the latter to finish third and claim a place on the men's 4x100-meter relay team. In the 100, Kratz finished fifth with a 10.42.
"It was my first chance to see him go through the process and compete with elite competition," associate head coach Devin West said. "He ran 20.75 twice at the championships. That time as a high school senior after a long season is impressive and gets us excited to work with him next season."
Honda Award winner and Bowerman Award finalist Ewen followed up her NCAA double with another impressive weekend in Des Moines as she won the U.S. shot put crown and took second in the discus throw.
Both results have the former Sun Devil in position to advance to the Athletics World Cup in London next month, but she is guaranteed a place in the shot after her dominant win.
It will be her second trip to the British capital for international competition. Last time she was in the London Stadium, Ewen was throwing for a hammer throw crown, a testament to her abilities in all three of her throwing disciplines.
Shelby Houlihan continued her dominance by claiming two more gold medals to make it four in 2018 alone.
Great weekend for these #SunDevils at the @usatf Championships! @shelbo800: 1,500m and 5,000m ??@MagdalynMaeEwen : shot put ?? discus ??#ForksUp?? pic.twitter.com/h9weMOtScO
— Sun Devil TFXC (@SunDevilTFXC) June 25, 2018
Houlihan took the 5,000-and 1,500-meter crowns in Des Moines to go with her 1,500 and 3,000 titles indoors from back in March.
To keep up with the Devils this summer, follow @sundeviltfxc on Twitter.