Prandini, Little both capture first titles since 2015; Houlihan pulls off historic double, Wilson wins third 800 crown in five years

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

DES MOINES – Jenna Prandini and Shamier Little already had national titles on their resumes from 2015.

But in a year when a berth on a IAAF World Championship or Olympic roster wasn’t at stake, Little and Prandini reminded the rest of the world Sunday that they’ll be in contention when those spots are on the line the next three years at the USATF Outdoor Championships.

Prandini continued her comeback following a stress fracture in her foot to capture the title in the women’s 200-meter final in 22.62 seconds at Drake Stadium, prevailing over reigning 400 World champion Phyllis Francis (22.83) and the 2017 NCAA Division 1 200 winner Kyra Jefferson (22.89).

Following a second-place finish in the fastest 400 hurdles race in history at last year’s final in Sacramento, Little secured her second championship in 53.61, taking advantage of Georganne Moline (54.12) stumbling over the final hurdle to pull away down the stretch.

“I’m so happy to walk away with a win and a season’s best and I feel like I’m coming into form and I really like where I’m at right now,” Little said. “I was just working on my arms, staying alert and staying calm, those were the keys. If I do that, anything good is going to happen.”

Little ran 53.83 to win the title three years ago, before Dalilah Muhammad captured back-to-back championships, including last year in 52.64 to edge Little (52.75).

Prandini prevailed in 2015 in 22.20 and nearly matched that level by running 22.22 in the semifinals Sunday, before a three-hour weather delay slowed her momentum. But when it came time to run the final, she quickly made up the stagger on Francis on the curve and never looked back.

“We always work on running hard on the curve and it’s something I really like to do, so I just wanted to really get out strong on the curve and stay relaxed through the straightaway, so it felt good,” Prandini said. “That’s all we wanted out of this meet was to get some rounds in and get some good runs in and hopefully this can kind of lead my way into the rest of the summer and set up for the next few years.”

Shelby Houlihan became the first female athlete since Regina Jacobs in 1999 and 2000 to double in the 1,500 and 5,000, defending her title in the latter in 15:31.03. Rachel Schneider (15:32.71) finished second and reigning NCAA Division 1 champion Karissa Schweizer of Missouri placed third in 15:34.31.

“I don’t think it’s really hit me yet. It was my goal coming in to win both and it’s awesome I was able to do that, but I don’t know if it’s really sunk in,” said Houlihan, who secured the 1,500 title Saturday in 4:05.48.

“I knew I had a lot left in me and I was feeling really good with about 800 to go. My coach told me to wait until at least 400 left to take the lead and even then, I don’t think I took the lead until about 200 meters. I know Rachel has a lot of speed and I was just hoping she wasn’t right on my shoulder coming up on me, so I just kind of switched gears again the last 50 just to make sure, hoping that she wasn’t going to be able to catch me.”

Ajee’ Wilson won her third 800 title in five years in 1:58.18, leading five athletes under 2:00, with another two less than a tenth of a second from also breaking the barrier. Training partner Raevyn Rogers moved up from fourth last year to take second in a personal-best 1:58.57, with Ce’Aira Brown elevating from 11th in Sacramento to place third, also running a personal-best 1:58.65.

“I wasn’t sure how close they were, but I heard the announcer say Raevyn was making her move, so I had to make sure it’s not on me. I didn’t feel anyone next to me, so it was more about me maintaining and making sure I didn’t get caught,” Wilson said. “I was definitely treating her like a competitor. (Coach Derek Thompson) gave each one of us our instructions before the race and I have no idea what he told her, whether it was to push it and take the lead or just to relax so I just had to make sure I ran my race and stayed focused and be prepared for anything.”

Kaela Edwards, who didn’t advance to the 1,500 final last year, placed fourth in the 800 in a personal-best 1:59.68.