Following 3:59.72 performance in 1,500 a week earlier to hold off Australian Olympian Hull, Norris clocks 14:51.32 to edge German star Klosterhalfen; Akins, Gusman, Lagat, Rawlings, Updike and Wynne all earn exciting victories

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor/Photos by Chuck Utash

Josette Norris might not be representing the United States next month in Tokyo, but the Reebok Boston Track Club athlete enjoyed her second victory in an eight-day span in Southern California against an Olympian, this time in the 5,000 meters Sunday night at the Sound Running Sunset Tour event at Azusa Pacific University.

Germany’s Konstanze Klosterhalfen, who will be racing the 10,000 meters Aug. 7 in Japan, took the lead with three laps remaining, but Norris responded with a late surge and covered the last 400 in 65.66 to prevail by a 14:51.32 to 14:51.97 margin.

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Norris was able to hold off fellow Nike athlete and Klosterhalfen’s teammate, Australian 1,500-meter Olympian Jessica Hull, at the Sound Running Sunset Tour meet by a 3:59.72 to 4:00.73 margin July 18 at Trabuco Hills High in Mission Viejo. She became the ninth American female athlete to eclipse the 4-minute barrier in the process.

Norris, who improved on her previous-best and No. 9 all-time American mark of 14:51.42 from May 15 at the Sound Running Track Meet at Crean Lutheran High in Irvine, led four competitors under 15 minutes.

Nike Bowerman Track Club athlete Emily Infeld ran 14:54.09 and New Balance professional Abbey Cooper clocked 14:56.58.

There were other thrilling finishes in both the men’s and women’s 800 and 1,500, men’s 3,000 steeplechase and men’s 5,000.

Festus Lagat, an All-American at Iowa State representing Kenya, edged Brannon Kidder of the Brooks Beasts in the men’s 800 by a 1:44.47 to 1:44.99 margin.

Isaac Updike closed in 60.37 to rally past fellow Nike professional Daniel Michalski in the men’s 3,000 steeplechase and prevail by an 8:20.17 to 8:20.96 margin.

Henry Wynne of the Brooks Beasts clocked 3:34.22 to emerge victorious in the men’s 1,500 against Canadian Charles Philibert-Thiboutot (3:34.43), representing New Balance, along with ASICS athlete and American competitor Johnny Gregorek (3:34.49).

Jordan Gusman, an adidas athlete representing Malta, won the men’s 5,000 in 13:34.05, with ASICS competitor Andrew Rafla of Idaho Distance Project running 13:34.21.

Taryn Rawlings, representing the Under Armour Dark Sky Distance team, joined Norris in securing her second victory in as many weeks in Southern California, moving from fifth with one lap remaining to win the 1,500 in 4:05.02. Karisa Nelson of the Brooks Beasts was second in 4:05.20 and Sara Vaughn took third in 4:05.23.

Rawlings won the mile July 18 in 4:28.93 at Trabuco Hills High.

Nia Akins of the Brooks Beasts led four competitors under 2:01 in the women’s 800, clocking 2:00.24. Dani Aragon of Empire Elite Track Club was runner-up in 2:00.30, Olivia Baker of Garden State Track Club ran 2:00.43 and Allie Wilson of Atlanta Track Club Elite finished fourth in 2:00.70.

In the only field event competition of the meet, former USC All-American Madisen Richards triumphed in the long jump with a wind-aided 21-11.75 (6.70m) performance in the fourth round. Jasmine Todd, a 2015 World Championships relay silver medalist, produced a wind-legal 21-7.50 (6.59m) on her first attempt.

Former LSU standout Tonea Marshall (12.63) held off Sharika Nelvis (12.66) in the women’s 100-meter hurdles in a wind-aided competition.

Chris Royster won the men’s 100-meter dash with a wind-aided 10.11. Josephus Lyles, an adidas competitor, placed second in 10.12 and returned to win the 200 in a wind-legal 20.22.

Kortnei Johnson, another former LSU All-American, won the women’s 100-meter dash in a wind-legal 11.09.

Amere Lattin, a Houston graduate, triumphed in the 110 hurdles in a wind-aided 13.74.

Anastasia Lee-Roy of Jamaica won the women’s 400 in 52.19.