USA Track and Field Championships: What to watch Friday

Day 2 of the USATF Outdoor Championships is Friday at Hayward Field, with finals in seven events, including the men’s and women’s 100 meters. There will also be semifinal races in the men’s and women’s 400 and 800, helping set the stage for what should be a thrilling weekend on the track.

Friday highlights

Men’s shot put — Two-time Olympic champion Ryan Crouser set the world record at Hayward Field last summer during the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials. But he isn’t the reigning world champion, a title earned in 2019 by fellow American Joe Kovacs, who holds the automatic qualifier for Oregon22. Both are entered Friday.

Women’s discus final — Valarie Allman already has secured her spot in the World Athletics Championships via her Diamond League title last summer. She’s been the top thrower again this season and owns a world-leading 234-5. Other names to watch are Rachel Dincoff and Laulauga Tausaga.

Men’s long jump final — Former LSU star JuVaughn Harrison was fifth in the 2020 Olympics, Marquis Dendy has medaled in three straight world indoor championship meets, and Steffin McCarter joined Harrison and Dendy in Tokyo last summer. Former Duck Damarcus Simpson is also entered.

Women’s 3,000 steeplechase semifinal — Courtney Wayment is the U.S. leader at 9:16.00 from her win at the NCAA meet two weeks ago, but 2017 world champion and 2019 world silver medalist Emma Coburn is also entered, as is and Courtney Frerichs, the 2021 Olympic silver medalist and American record holder. Assume they won’t go all out Friday as they position themselves for a competitive final on Sunday.

100 hurdles first round — Former Duck Alaysha Johnson is unsponsored and running faster than any other American this season. The UO record holder’s quest to finish with a World Championships qualifier begins Friday with the opening rounds. The semifinals and finals will be held Saturday. Nia Ali is the reigning world champion and thus has already secured her spot on the U.S. team. World record holder Kendra Harrison is also entered.

Under 20 women’s 100 — The USATF U20 Championships are also taking place Friday afternoon at Hayward Field  and Portland sprinters Mia Brahe-Pedersen (Lake Oswego High School) and incoming Oregon recruit Lily Jones (Roosevelt) are set for their first event of the weekend. They’re also entered in the 200 on Saturday.

How to watch

• Friday: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., USATF.TV+; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., CNBC and Peacock

• Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., USATF.TV+; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., NBC and Peacock

• Sunday: Noon to 1 p.m., USATF.TV+; 1-2 p.m., NBC and Peacock; 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., USA and Peacock

• * All coverage of the USATF U20 meet will air on USATF.TV+

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: USA Track and Field Championships 2022: What to watch Friday