Results
2021 Men's and Women's 20km USA Olympic Trials - Springfield, OR Page 1 of 14
Taking a break from officiating, I am pleased to be covering the USA 20K Olympic Race Walking Trials as a photographer / reporter. The race was held through downtown Springfield, Oregon on a flat course with few turns. Sadly, the usually cool weather has been replaced by oppressive triple digit heat, so the 9:00 AM start was moved to 7:00 AM and 7:01 AM in an attempt to reduce the strain on our athletes and provide for the fastest possible times. Kudos to those organizing for shifting plans on such short notice.
Unlike in decades past, placing top three at the Olympic Trials does not guarantee a place on the team. Even winning the race does not ensure a berth to Tokyo. Instead, a complex point-driven formula is used to determine who ultimately gets to compete at the Olympics. That said, the winners of the USA Olympic Trials are the most likely athletes from the USA to make the team from our race walking contingent.
15 men and 15 women toed the line with the men starting first and the women’s gun going off shortly after. The thirty athletes had diverse goals. Some like the United States Race Walking Power Couple of Robyn Stevens and Nick Christie were there to win and hopefully improve their chances for a berth on the USA Olympic team headed to Tokyo. Others like Sam Allen (19 years old) were there more for the experience. “Old” men like Allen James, a 1992/1996 Olympian, had no shot of making the Olympic team, but were thrilled to still qualify for the trials as many of today’s competitors were not born when Allen made his first Olympic Team
The race course is littered with Springfield's first family "The Simpsons!"
The patriotic Red, White and Blue littered the course, even in this ethereal glow, which believe it or not was just a carefully shot image of the start finish line Tracy Sundlun meticulously placed down on the ground.
The men started first and Nick Christie wasted no time announcing who was going to control the pace.
It was no suprise that Robyn Stevens would take the women's pack out, and to some it wasn't a suprise that
young upstart Taylor Ewert matched strides with her. While Robyn was sitting with enough points to be a favored
selection for the USA's Olympic Team, Taylor needed a fast time and high place to have any chance.
With not even a 1/2 km in the bank, Nick Christie was opening a commanding lead. We've seen this style of racing from him before, the question was could he hold it?
Christie said that given his position in the world, he needed a fast time to move up in the rankings and
was clearly putting everything on the table early.
The pack followed, content to feel out the course and importantly the heat!
Joel Pfahler lead the next group of men.
Pablo Gomez, Benjamin Hofstra, and Allen James followed closely.
Next past is the Italian Stallion, the Air Force's own Mike Mannozzi.
The women's lead pack shaped up as one would expect, two veteran Olympians in Maria Michta-Coffey and Miranda Melville
as well as the favorite Robyn Stevens and wild card Taylor Ewert all walking together with no one willing to test the
hot weather early.
The pack was followed by veteran Stephanie Casey looking strong and in control.
Janelle Branch lead the next huge group of women walkers.
Nick continued to push the pace alone, dropped a 4:13 1st kilometer. This stretched his lead to 31 seconds with a blistering 1:24:20 pace set.
Daniel Nehnevaj, Emmanuel Corvera, and Sam Allen, lead a pack of 6, content to walk at their pace and see what
would become of Christie's bold move.
Completing our trailing pack is Steve Smith, AJ Gruttadauro and Jordan Crawford.
In striking distance was Anthony Peters and Bricyn Healey.
Joel Pfahler came through the first lap in 4:56
and was followed by Pablo Gomez in 4:59.
Benjamin Hofstra marked the first lap in 5:04
with Mannozzi following 2 seconds behind.
