FREEPORT, Bahamas — A pair of meet records and four more golds helped Team USATF finish atop the medal standings Sunday on the final day of the 5th NACAC Athletics Championships at Freeport Stadium - Grand Bahama. The American team came away with 36 medals over the three-day championship meet, 16 of them gold, and dominated the team scoring.
Curtis Thompson obliterated his own meet record and defended the men's javelin title he won in 2022 with a monster throw of 87.24/286-2 in the second round. Thompson, the reigning USATF champion and gold medalist at the 2023 Pan American Games, also launched an 86.17/282-8 in round three as four of his throws traveled beyond the 80-meter line. Dash Sirmon, the runner-up to Thompson at the USATF meet, earned silver with a best of 77.04/252-9.
Sweeping the golds in the 3000 steeplechase, Dan Michalski and Krissy Gear were both easy winners over the barriers. Michalski ran the best race of his career, breaking the meet record and bettering the Tokyo World Championships qualifying standard with a lifetime best 8:14.07 that clipped more than eight seconds off the previous meet record that was set by Evan Jager in 2022. Olympic silver medalist Kenneth Rooks took bronze in 8:26.52 after making the early pace that ensured Michalski would have a chance at the world standard. Rooks led through the bell, and Michalski then put the pedal down and sped away over the final circuit. Gear won the women's race by more than eight seconds in 9:35.27.
The other U.S. gold for the day came from high jumper Tyus Wilson, who was the only man in the competition to clear 2.24/7-4.25. Wilson needed two tries at early heights, but went over 2.21/7-3 on his first attempt before his winning jump. Arvesta Troupe was fourth at 2.21/7-3.
Jessica Ramsey and Jessica Woodard earned silver and bronze in the women's shot put, with Ramsey placing second behind two-time World Indoor champion Sarah Mitton of Canada with a best of 18.27/59-11.25. Woodard's top throw was 18.05/59-2.75 on her final attempt. Matching that medal haul in the women's triple jump, Euphenie Andre took silver at 13.26/43-6, and Agur Dwol garnered bronze with a best of 13.20/43-3.75.
Other medals on the track went to Bailey Hertenstein, who took silver in the women's 5000 with a time of 15:36.34, and Lynna Irby-Jackson, who ran to bronze in the women's 400 in 50.47. Jenoah Mckiver was only .003 off the podium in the men's 400, placing fourth in 45.12.
Results are available here.
TEAM USATF MEDALISTS (36)
GOLD (16)
Alyssa Jones, women's long jump (6.74/22-1.5) Josh Awotunde, men's shot put (21.68/71-1.5) Andrew Hunter, men's 5000 (14:38.85) Taylor Roe, women’s 10,000 (32:19.84) Daniel Haugh, men's hammer (77.08/252-10) Janee' Kassanavoid, women's hammer (74.31/243-9) Sanaa Barnes, women's high jump (1.91/6-3.25) CJ Allen, men's 400 hurdles (48.22) Nia Akins, women's 800 (1:59.75) Emily Mackay, women's 1500 (4:09.48) Evie Bliss, women's javelin (58.62/192-4) Austin West, men's decathlon (8,038) Curtis Thompson, men's javelin (87.24/286-2) Tyus Wilson, men's high jump (2.24/7-4.25) Krissy Gear, women's 3000 steeplechase (9:35.27) Dan Michalski, men's 3000 steeplechase (8:14.07)
SILVER (14)
Sam Mattis, men's discus (64.06/210-2) Dylan Beard, men's 110 hurdles (13.39) Cooper Teare, men's 5000 (14:38.89) Rudy Winkler, men's hammer (76.87/252-2) Gabi Jacobs, women's discus (57.07/187-3) Will Williams, men's long jump (7.96/26-1.5) Vashti Cunningham, women's high jump (1.91/6-3.25) Brandon Miller, men's 800 (1:43.15) Dani Jones, women's 1500 (4:10.49) Madison Wiltrout, women's javelin (58.33/191-4) Dash Sirmon, men's javelin (77.04/252-9) Jessica Ramsey, women's shot put (18.27/59-11.25) Euphenie Andre, women's triple jump (13.26/43-6) Bailey Hertenstein, women's 5000 (15:36.34)
BRONZE (6)
Nick Christie, men's 20,000 race walk (1:32:15.3) Will Claye, men's triple jump (16.36/53-8.25) Jessica Woodard, women's shot put (18.05/59-2.75) Lynna Irby-Jackson, women's 400 (50.47) Kenneth Rooks, men's 3000 steeplechase (8:26.52) Agur Dwol, women's triple jump (13.20/43-3.75)