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SPORTS Saturday 27 July 2019

Christian Coleman celebrates in front of Michael Rodgers,
right, as he wins the men’s 100-meter dash final at the U.S.
Championships athletics meet, Friday, July 26, 2019, in Des
Moines, Iowa.
Associated Press
Coleman takes 100

national title as

Chicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack checks a ball during an NFL football training camp in
Bourbonnais, Ill., Friday, July 26, 2019. Gatlin sits out final
Associated Press
Khalil Mack By PAT GRAHAM
AP Sports Writer
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Christian Coleman didn’t plan
Continued from Page 17 on, what was being said, Bay Packers. “Who knows? the gesture. He didn’t even know it was happening.
who thought this and who I feel like they put me at dif- Right as he crossed the finish line, Coleman outstretched
The dorm reminds Mack thought that. But ultimate- ferent spots last year, even his fingers on both hands in a “V’’ formation — for victory.
of his days playing at the ly I knew whatever hap- with the shortened time I A convincing one at that.
University of Buffalo, or the pened, I was going to hit had to learn the scheme,” Coleman cruised to the 100-meter title at the U.S. cham-
apartment at the same the ground running. Mack said. “Ultimately, who pionships Friday night in a final that Justin Gatlin elected
school where his little broth- “I’m glad the Bears gave knows, but who cares? As to sit out.
er, LeDarius, now lives while me that opportunity. I’m long as I can get out there The 23-year-old blasted out of the starting blocks and fin-
playing linebacker. The still trying to make the most and play with these guys, ished in 9.99 seconds. Michael Rodgers was second by
training camp bed isn’t of it.” I’m going to be having fun. thousandths of a second over Christopher Belcher. Both
quite up to specifications In a sense, Mack must do And we’re going to ulti- times flashed 10.12.
for $141 million players. what he did all over again. mately try to win.” “It felt smooth. No complaints here,” said Coleman,
“I might have to get an- Except this year he has a The goal for Mack, defen- who’s planning to run the 200 as well. “I knew that if I
other layer of cushion on full Bears defensive side sive end Akiem Hicks, and just got on top of this field, and do what I’ve got to do
there, because it looks a doing the same. The entire the defense is finding a it (would) work out. I feel like I pretty much controlled it
little dead,” Mack said. Bears defense is trying to rhythm like they had last from the start.”
“But it should be smooth, learn the system changes year when they led the The 37-year-old Gatlin ran in the semifinal round, but his
though.” brought by new defensive league in scoring defense, spot in lane two was empty for the final. He already had
Bed of nails aside, the coordinator Chuck Paga- rushing defense and forc- a guaranteed 100 spot for the world championships in
whole idea of leaving Chi- no, who took over after Vic ing turnovers. Doha this fall, because he’s the defending champion.
cago and the comforts of Fangio left to coach the “We want to say that we Bummed not to see Gatlin?
home for a few weeks at Broncos. know the defense like the “Not really. I just wanted to make the team,” Coleman
camp isn’t lost on Mack. Pagano has already won back of our hand,” Hicks said.
“Just the camaraderie, plenty over with his person- said. Two years ago in London, Gatlin edged Coleman in the
coming together, getting ality, but the scheme is an “We want to go out there 100 final.
better as a team and that’s adjustment. and it’s second-nature Round 2 is coming up in Doha in late September. Their
what it’s all about, coming Mack had 12 1/2 sacks last where we are not spending rivalry just might be a preview of things to come at the
together and getting bet- year, even with two missed time thinking.” Tokyo Olympics in a year.
ter as a team and making games due to an ankle in- Mack, Hicks and the Bears In the women’s 100, Teahna Daniels used a strong surge
the most of this time,” Mack jury. If the Bears use him in a defense are still smarting midway through the race to win in 11.20 seconds. Eng-
said. similar manner, more could from the playoff loss to Phil- lish Gardner was second in 11.25 seconds and Morolake
Last year Mack missed all be expected in Year 2. adelphia on Cody Parkey’s Akinosun third (11.28).
this as he watched and “Schematically, you can’t double-doink field goal. Out of the University of Texas, Daniels just recently turned
heard everything being tell too much, but it’s all- So they put little stock in pro. She was fourth at the NCAA outdoor meet in June.
said about how much around solid,” Mack said. offseason talk the defense “It’s surreal. I can’t put into words how I felt at that mo-
money he might receive or “He’s going to put you in could regress or possibly ment,” Daniels said. It means so, so, so, so much.”
what team he could end position to make plays and lose its edge. Allyson Felix showed her fitness is rapidly returning in ad-
up with during a contract that’s what it’s all about.” “Ultimately, we’re hungrier vancing to the 400 final. The six-time Olympic gold med-
holdout with the Oakland Mack pointed out it can’t than we were last year,” alist was nearly a second faster in her semifinal run than
Raiders. Then came the be much tougher learn- Mack said. “I’m speaking in a first-round performance that she described as rusty.
shocking trade to the Bears ing the changes required for myself, as well. I’m way It was just Felix’s second race in 13 months and as a mom.
just before the regular sea- in Pagano’s scheme than hungrier than I was last Her goal is not to in tip-top form now but next summer.
son. it was arriving in Chicago year. “I know I’m in some kind of shape, but I’m not race sharp,”
“I mean, on the outside without training camp or “It definitely wasn’t good the 33-year-old Felix said.
looking in, it was cool,” offseason work and play- enough. I’m just looking for- “It’s going to take some time.”
Mack said. “It was cool ing eight days later in the ward to this year and get- Asked what her expectations were for nationals, Felix
to see what was going opener against the Green ting better.”q didn’t shy away: “I’m a competitor — to win.”q