Burks holds off Hall in rematch of last year’s U.S. indoor long jump final; American trio achieves top marks in invitational women’s 400, 800 and mile

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

For all of her success in the indoor long jump during the past two years, Quanesha Burks has found herself one spot out of the spotlight at the biggest national and global competitions.

If Saturday’s performance at the Dr. Sander Invitational Columbia Challenge at The Armory in New York is any indication, Burks is ready to reach another level Feb. 15 at the USATF Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, N.M.

RESULTS | INTERVIEWS | PHOTOS

Burks, the 2015 NCAA Division 1 outdoor champion at Alabama, opened her series in the invitational women’s long jump with a meet-record 22 feet, 1 inch (6.73m) and soared past 21-4 (6.50m) on all six attempts to prevail over reigning U.S. indoor champion Kate Hall, who placed second at 21-10 (6.65m).

“It was actually amazing. I got a little emotional because I did like a big transition last year, switching locations and coaches, so to open up with 6.73m, I know that ‘Q’ is back. I’m back and I feel so good and very confident for the season,” said Burks, who took second to Hall at last year’s indoor championship meet in New York.

“This year is very personal because in 2018 at World Champs, I got fourth. So this year is very personal to get this medal because I’ve been working hard this fall training. I’m very excited about World Indoors.”

Burks has placed second the past two years at U.S. Indoors, in addition to her fourth-place effort in 2018 in Birmingham, England, where she jumped 22-4.25 (6.81m), but missed the podium by 4 centimeters, or 1.5 inches.

The first-round jump Saturday – No. 2 in the world this indoor season – was her best since that 2018 mark, which elevated Burks into a tie for the No. 10 all-time American indoor performer.

Nikki Hiltz of The Mission Athletics Club and Brigham Young senior Whittni Orton produced the top two times in the world this indoor season in the women’s invitational mile.

Hiltz prevailed by a 4:29.39 to 4:29.76 margin, with Orton elevating to the No. 13 all-time indoor collegiate performer.

Another exceptional collegiate effort came in the women’s invitational 800 meters, with Washington freshman Carley Thomas placing third in 2:03.06 behind American professionals Ajee’ Wilson, who ran a world-leading 2:02.33, and Olivia Baker (2:02.98). Thomas, who ascended to No. 23 in collegiate indoor history, captured a silver medal for Australia by clocking 2:01.13 at the 2018 World U-20 Championships in Finland.

Wadeline Jonathas, a member of the U.S. gold medal women’s 4x400 relay at the World Outdoor Championships in Doha and the reigning NCAA Division 1 outdoor 400 champion, ran a world-leading 51.71 in the invitational 400.

Former Villanova standout and Canadian professional Nicole Hutchinson, representing The Mission Athletics Club, eclipsed the meet record and ran the second-fastest time in the world this indoor season by clocking 8:48.92 to prevail in the women’s invitational 3,000.

Jessica Ramsey prevailed against three former U.S. champions in the invitational women’s shot put, producing a fourth-round mark of 62-0.50 (18.91m) to hold off Maggie Ewen, Chase Ealey and Raven Saunders.

Former Syracuse star and Canadian professional Justyn Knight, representing Reebok Boston Track Club, won the men’s invitational mile in 3:59.32 to edge HOKA ONE ONE New York/New Jersey Track Club’s Rob Napolitano (3:59.68).

Isaiah Harris, a former Penn State standout, secured victory in the men’s invitational 800 in 1:48.05 and Jordan Gusman of Tinman Elite triumphed in the invitational 3,000 in 7:49.11, with Furman’s Ryan Adams placing second in a collegiate-leading 7:49.45.

Wil London III was victorious in the invitational men’s 400 meters in 46.60, Keenon Laine cleared 7-2.50 (2.20m) in the invitational high jump and Chris Benard achieved a fourth-round effort of 55-5.74 (16.91m) to secure the win in the invitational triple jump.

Among the most notable collegiate performances from earlier in the meet were Madeline Holmberg of Penn State winning the pentathlon with 4,171 points.