Lolo's record highlights afternoon at USA Outdoors

DES MOINES – Lolo Jones has been in the news recently, but not for what she does on the track. On Friday afternoon at Drake Stadium, she made some noise that didn't involve social media outlets Twitter or Vine by setting a Drake Stadium record in the 100-meter hurdles with a 12.50.

Jones said she'd been searching for a breakthrough in the event all year, and finally found one in Des Moines.

“It's funny, because I've been trying to get into the (12.)60s all year, and then I went right past the 60s and into the 50s – the low 50s at that,” Jones said. “Coach (Dennis) Shaver's really good at timing me and getting me ready to peak at (the) USA (Track and Field Championships), so I've got to credit him that we're peaking at the right time.”

Jones' time was third best of the prelims in the women's 100m hurdles, with Brianna Rollins (12.33) and Queen Harrison (12.44) qualifying with wind-aided times.

Despite running her quickest time of the year, Jones, a two-time Olympian, isn't focused on only the times. A top-four finish in Saturday's final will secure her a place on Team USA for the IAAF World Championships in Moscow in August.

“I'm not worried so much about the time, but about the place,” Jones said. “I'm pleased with it, but I'm sure that record will be short-lived. I think it's going to be an amazing, competitive final.”

Jones will compete in the semifinal for the 100-meter hurdles at 2:25 p.m. on Saturday.

EATON TAKES DECATHLON 400-METER, TRAILS NIXON OVERALL

The world-record holder and 2012 London Olympic gold medalist in the men's decathlon was at it again on Saturday. Ashton Eaton, who set the decathlon world record at 9,039 in Eugene a year ago, clocked the fastest time in the 400-meter leg of the decathlon with a 46.89.

Eaton said after the race he'd been dealing with a “hamstring issue” that cost him in the high jump.

“I have a little tendonitis in left leg, which is my jumping leg,” Eaton said. “I was trying to take it easy in the high jump. High jump is the only thing it affects because it's an awkward motion. I was trying to play it safe rather than increase the irritation. Everything else went well besides the high jump.”

Eaton was upbeat after the 400-meter race, despite trailing Gunnar Nixon – fifth in the 400 leg with a 48.63 – in the overall standings. With five events to go, Nixon has 4449 points, while Eaton has 4405.

“I figured that he would probably have the lead today,” Eaton said. “Gunnar has had a great year. He is an exuberant 20-year-old. He has a lot he wants to prove and show.”

London silver-medalist Trey Hardee, who has a wild card exemption onto Team USA for Moscow, skipped the high jump, and finished the 400-meter in 48.10.

Northern Iowa senior Daniel Gooris is also competing in the decathlon at the USA Track and Field Championships, and ran a 50.57 in the 400. He currently sits 15th in the overall standings with 3,684 points.

IOWA RECRUIT ADVANCES TO JUNIOR MEN'S 400-METER HURDLE SEMIS

Incoming Iowa freshman Aaron Mallett was also in action on Friday in Des Moines. The St. Louis native, who will compete for the Hawkeyes this fall, took care of business in his heat of the junior men's 400m hurdles.

Mallett won Heat 3 in 53.62, and advances to the semifinals on Saturday. He said after the race he was happy with the run, especially considering how many times he'd run the event this year.

“It was a big win. This was only my second time running the hurdles this year,” Mallett said. “So, a 53.6, I can't complain about that. I plan to have the wind at my back and use it to my advantage. I just have to speed it up between the hurdles.”

A Missouri state champion in the 110-meter high hurdles, Mallett said he's looking forward to getting to Iowa City, and running at Drake Stadium again in the future.

He said it's especially nice to be in Des Moines for this event, considering the lack of talent that's come out of St. Louis recently.

“Not many runners come out of St. Louis,” Mallett said. “So it's great to be up here with these collegiate (runners), the pros and some of the best high school kids.”