Hogan, Minor Claim Gold On Day 3 Of New Balance Nationals


Jequan Hogan claimed the national title in the triple jump.

Arria Minor went to New York as the favorite in the 400, and she did not disappoint. The Denver East junior dominated the field with an eye-opening 52.74 - nearly a full second ahead of her nearest competitor. While the win was clearly impressive, what was additionally impressive is the fact that her time was the fifth-fastest all-time - and she still has another year of high school ahead of her. 
While Minor stepped on to the track as the presumed winner before the race ever started, Jequan Hogan was a dark horse to claim the title in the triple jump. Hogan's nerves flared on his first jump, but his second jump, which was just over 48 feet, put him in contention for the win. By his fourth jump he had found his rhythm, and delivered what would be the title-clenching jump of 49-6.50. 
Emily Sloan's quest for a national title in the 60 hurdles was snuffed by Tia Jones and Grace Stark, who both went 8.05 in the final. Sloan crossed the line fourth in 8.19. She had cruised through preliminary heats and this morning's semi with an 8.38, but Jones and Stark were just a tad quicker to the finish line in the final. 
Another fourth-place finish came from Sydnee Larkin in the triple jump. Larkin capped off her busy weekend by saving her best performance for last. Larkin's 41-2.25 was good for a fourth-place finish. 
In the pole vault Colorado's Mia Manson and Hayley Rayburn impressed. Manson finished ninth in 12-10.25, while Rayburn was four inches back with a mark of 12-6.25, good for a 12th place finish. 
The only two Coloradans to miss the finals on the final day of competition were Devin Cadena and Korey Hairston. Cadena's weekend ended at the semifinals of the boys 60, where he went 7.07, while Hairston's ended by missing a qualifying mark in the Freshmen 60. Hariston's 7.30 was just .03 out of a qualifying time.