Men's 1500

Final

While virtually all eyes were on Bryan Berryhill, Alan Webb and Gabe Jennings, Andy Downin (with a pre-race seasonal best of just 3:44.55, albeit with a 3:56.25 mile under his belt) snuck up and stole the show, winning in 3:37.63.

Bryan Berryhill set the early pace as he promised. Then Jennings, who had bided his time in 6th (some 2 seconds behind in 1:58.8 at 800), sprinted to the front 30 yards before the lap-to-go point. Jennings's trademark bike-in-1st-gear stride quickly carried him clear entering the final backstretch.

Off the final turn, though, Jennings began to tie up, while Downin moved through the field. As the Georgetown alum passed them, the kicks of '97 champion Seneca Lassiter (3:37.66) and '95 winner Paul McMullen (3:37.94) ignited as well, and all three drove past the rigging Jennings (3:38.02) in the final strides.

Webb ran most of the race in last or next to last and then moved up to 5th in the final 600 n 3:38.50, the No. 2 all-time high school performance.

Berryhill's pace-setting effort left him a place back of the high schooler in 6th (3:38.66).

None of the top 3 have met the World Champs A standard of 3:36.20, though Lassiter's PR of 3:33.72 from '98 certainly suggests he can do it. Jennings and teammate Stember are the only finalists who have the standard. Let the chase begin.

Heats

Heat 1
Alan Webb's much-anticipated appearance before Thursday's 4726 spectators did not disappoint. A slow pace put those in the first heat in jeopardy of losing out on the time-qualifiers allotment, where the first 2 in each heat, plus the next six fastest times would qualify for Saturday's final.

Webb split 61.4 for the first lap, in about 3rd position. He got somewhat boxed in on the second lap and after passing 800 in 2:05.8 had to wait until all but one of the field went by him to move out. Coming off the turn with 500 to go, the high school mile record holder moved outside and even with Sharif Karie (who apparently has dual citizenship now) as they hit the lap to go point at 2:52.2. Webb passed 1200 at 3:06.3, as things began to heat up.

Over the final 200, Webb raced with more experience than his age would suggest. The youngster zipped off the final turn, pulling into first ahead of Erik Nedeau and Andy Downin, winning the heat in 3:45.77. Webb's finishing speed was impressive, with 25.5 and 53.6 closers.

Heat 2
In the second heat, the race got underway at a faster pace. Gabe Jennings, who supposedly was done after the June 9 Stanford meet, made a big move with 300 to go to take the 2nd heat in 3:40.80, running 27.7 and 55.8 closers. Paul McMullen looked the best he has in a long time, closing well in second. California prep Ryan Hall faded over the final lap, after splitting 60.6, 2:00.5 and 3:02.3, to finish in 3:53.03.

Heat 3
No surprise, Bryan Berryhill, now running for adidas, went straight to the lead, and was never challenged, splitting 59.8, 2:00.7 and 2:59.o before winning in 3:40.47. Berryhill's closing splits were 27.0 and 55.7. Lassiter looked the best he has since indoors, closing well to finish 2nd in 3:41.20, with Michael Stember 3rd in 3:41.80. Donald Sage faded over the last lap to 3:52.61.