Allen has his day in 100, but different story in 200

By Pete Mollica

COLUMBUS — On Friday afternoon East High’s James Allen was laying on his back on the grass at Jesse Owens Stadium in pain after pulling a hamstring in the 200 meter qualifying race.

Allen had originally pulled the muscle in the 100 meter trials, but still managed to qualify for both finals on Saturday.

He really didn’t know if he would be able to run at all in the finals.

But run he did and very well as he won the 100-meter dash in the Division I championships.

“It’s really unbelievable,” said Allen. “I just went back to the hotel Friday night and did nothing but rest and when I got up this morning it really felt great.

“I really wasn’t sure Friday if I’d be able to run or not and I was totally surprised this morning when I got up and there wasn’t any pain at all.”

Allen turned in a time of 10.77 seconds to win the event, but it was almost a photo finish as he lunged at the wire and just edged past Carlin Isles of Massillon Jackson. Jackson’s time was 10.78 and the next three times were all within a 10th of a second of Allen’s winning time.

Allen’s hopes of pulling off a double victory were shattered in the 200 meter dash when he was called for a false start and was disqualified.

mollica@vindy.com