Kelati delivers dominant 3,000-meter performance, Johnson triumphs for second straight week representing Bowerman Track Club in Arizona; Hill prevails in HOKA ONE ONE Northern Arizona Elite debut

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor/Chuck Utash photos

Sinclaire Johnson earned her second win in as many weekends representing Nike’s Bowerman Track Club, and Weini Kelati earned her first professional victory competing for Under Armour’s Dark Sky Distance team, both overcoming strong winds Saturday at the Valley of the Sun Track Classic at Chandler High in Arizona.

Johnson, who prevailed in the 800 meters Feb. 6 at the Prickly Pear Invitational at Brophy Prep School in Phoenix, came from behind to triumph in the 1,500 in 4 minutes, 11.75 seconds, edging Under Armour’s Rachel Schneider (4:12.62). Nike’s Shannon Osika took third in 4:14.12 and Brooks professional athlete Amanda Eccleston (4:16.12) finished fourth. 

Johnson has won three consecutive professional races in the past six months since joining the Bowerman training group under coach Jerry Schumacher. She also prevailed Aug. 22 in the 1,500 at the Under Armour Sunset Tour event in Southern California, clocking 4:13.26.

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Kelati, who was second to Schneider in her professional debut Dec. 5 in the 10,000 meters at the Sound Running Track Meet in San Juan Capistrano, won the 3,000 in 8:55.68, just off her Eritrean national record of 8:53.89 achieved at the 2019 Prefontaine Classic at Stanford.

Kelati benefited from the pacing of Schneider through 2,000 meters and pulled away from the rest of the pack. Maddie Alm, who trains with Team Boss under coach Joe Bosshard in Colorado, placed second in 9:11.38.

Alm moved from fifth with two laps remaining, passing Dark Sky Distance Team’s Sharon Lokedi (9:14.18) and New Balance’s Abbey Cooper (9:14.85).

Ryan Hill, making his debut with HOKA ONE ONE Northern Arizona Elite after previously competing for Bowerman Track Club, won the men’s 3,000 in 8:02.66.

Hill trailed Reed Fischer of Tinman Elite with one lap remaining, but moved to the front and held off a late surge from another Tinman Elite athlete, former Adams State star and NCAA Division 2 record holder Sydney Gidabuday (8:03.10).

Travis Mahoney of HOKA New Jersey New York Track Club took third in 8:03.40 and Under Armour’s Patrick Casey edged Fischer by an 8:04.284 and 8:04.287.

Biya Simbassa relied on a 57.49-second final lap to rally past fellow American Colin Schultz in the men’s 1,500 by a 3:45.52 to 3:45.95 margin.