13 Questions with Texas A&M sprinter Jeneba Tarmoh

You might be hearing lot about Jeneba Tarmoh after her blistering individual and relays races at the NCAA Championship that helped Texas A&M defend their NCAA crown.

Is Tarmoh the next great collegiate sprinter?

The Aggies travel to Eugene to defend their title. Enter Tarmoh. In just her first season at Texas A&M after transferring from Tennessee, Tarmoh narrowly placed runner up (22.92 ) in the 200 meters to teammate Porscha Lucas, ran 11.13 to finish third in the 100 meters and ran pivotal legs on the victorious Aggie 4×100, and 4×4 relays teams.

The Texas A&M sophomore talks abou running for Texas A&M, her educational pursuits and the lesson she learned this season.

PRJ: Winning the 100 meter in 11.00 (wind-aided) at NACAC against top international talent from North America, Central America and the Caribbean – does that make your title mean more? Of course winning always has a positive effect on a person. But what makes my title mean the most is the time I ran.
JT: Of course winning always has a positive effect on a person. But what makes my title mean the most is the time I ran.

PRJ: What’s it like to be the NCAA Champs?
JT: It’s a honor, not many teams have the talent and depth Texas A&M has. I never thought that I would be part of a team that has so much talent and it makes me feel blessed to be part of it. The feeling still has not sunk in.

PRJ: How confident were you that Texas A&M could overcome such a talented Oregon team after finishing second to the Ducks at the Pepsi Invitation back in April?
JT: I was very confident, I know that Oregon is a talented team but I also know we are just as talented.

PRJ: What amazing runs you had in the 100 and 200 meters – how do you feel about your races at the NCAAs?
JT: PROUD! Like many athletes my journey over the course of the year made me doubt my ability to attain the goals I set for myself. But a person comes to realize that the journey they go through is what makes the end product mean what it does.

PRJ: How did the team react to losing Gabby Mayo in Eugene?
JT: The team was sad for the most part, but we are aware that Gabby is not what makes the team good. We all practiced hard when it was time to, so therefore we all have trained to compete hard under every circumstance good or bad.

PRJ: What about Coach Henry? How much does it mean for you to give him back-to-back national titles and the first in school history?
JT: It always a good feeling to please some else. It made me happy because when Coach Henry smiles it means that someone has really touched his heart and it felt good to see him smile ear to ear.

PRJ: You lose some runners next year but you have some help on the way?
JT: We have plenty of help on the way and by the grace of god we also have athletes coming back stronger than last year mentally and physically.

PRJ: You were at Tennessee before transferring to College Station? Were you nervous at all about the transfer?
JT: Of course. In my mind I was afraid the team was too good for me and that I would not be able to contribute. But the reason why Coach Anderson recruited me was because I can contribute and I was wanted.

PRJ: What is campus life like at Texas A&M?
JT: For the most part it is fun. I have friends who make life so much more exciting.

PRJ: Have you thought about what you might get your degree in?
JT: I made up my mind about becoming a psychologist in high school and I’m still sticking to it. I’m almost done now so there’s no turning back.

PRJ: So when did you start running?
JT: I started running my freshman year in high school when I was 14 but it took me many years to get serious about the sport.

PRJ: What are you doing outside of track?
JT: I do everything a girl my age does. I watch tv, read, and just relax with friends and family.

PRJ: What has this last year taught you?
JT: Everything happens for a reason. God always has a plan. I learned to stand still in the midst of a trial, I hated that I had to sit the year out, but looking at how this year turned out I’m glad because I learned more about myself as a child of God, and as a person.

14 Questions with South Carolina’s Johnny Dutch

PRJ: How did you get started running?
JD: I started running when I was 10 years old. My sister ran on a summer track team at St. Augustine college in Raleigh called the Carolina Eagles. I used to watch her run every evening while I sat in the sand pit and made ant hills and holes.

Her coach would ask me “when you gonna run boi” and I’d be like “never.” Eventually, a few years later I watched her at hurdle practice. I saw what she was doing, so I grabbed a few hurdles and lined them up on the grass and started hurdling.

PRJ: Where did your love of running coming from?
Being around it majority of my life is what really developed my initial love for the sport. At first I hated it because I saw what it did to people at practices, but when I first set up those hurdles on the grass, I saw it was something I’d enjoy doing.

PRJ: Congratulations on winning your first NCAA title and South Carolina’s first 400-meter hurdle title in 48.75. The time was blazing. Did you feel confident after the first two hurdles that you could take home the gold?
JD: I said in a previous interview with our media relations guy, Miquel [Jacobs],that with the right time, circumstances and conditions anything is possible.

Unfortunately, on the backstretch it was extremely windy which caused me to exert more energy going over the first few hurdles than anticipated, but sometimes you have to stay focused and adjust to that circumstance or that condition. So that’s what I did. I wasn’t confident until the last part of the race when I knew I hadn’t yet won an NCAA title. That’s when I went into overdrive.

PRJ: In years past, you have been so close in the runner up position. How does it sound to say NCAA Champion after your name?
JD: It still feels surreal to me. I’ve always admired people who have been NCAA champions in the past because every year it’s just as competitive as the year before and I knew it took patience and hard work to have an NCAA title. I still can’t believe it.

PRJ: Did the win over Washington State’s Jeshua Anderson the two-time NCAA Champion add fuel add to the already budding rivalry?
JD: That’s exactly what it is, a “budding rivalry.” Again, that’s my homie, so I have always been supportive and excited about his NCAA wins in the past. I think it was more than just Jeshua’s NCAA titles that fired me up. It was probably more so of people doubting me and not believing I was capable of winning a title. I’ve even overheard people talk about me not being able to win. I’ve been truly the underdog for three years since I’ve been in college. But I kind of liked that because I knew what I was capable of achieving. It just took time and patience.

PRJ: What has your training consisted of after NCAA Outdoors and USA Outdoor Nationals?
JD: A lot of rest days. I back off more now so I can give my body time to recuperate. But I still have those hard practices a few days out of the week to keep my fitness level up.

PRJ: Speaking of U.S. Championships, you don’t mind going up against the top hurdles even to make a US team, do you?
JD: That’s exactly what I like. I feed off of the other runners presence and the intensity in the atmosphere.

PRJ: You said winning NCAAs that you didn’t run as fast as you wanted to run. How fast do you feel you are capable of running right now?
JD: Well, I just stepped on the scale a few days ago and I weigh the same, if not less, than I did in high school. Therefore, I feel like I can run anything I put my mind too, being I’m small enough to throw myself around the track.

PRJ: After competing the NCAA seasons how fresh do you feel to tackle Europe this summer?
JD: Being that I just finished a long college season, it’s going to be all about heart running over on the European circuit. My heart is what I run with 95% of the race, so regardless if someone thinks I’m too fatigued or still fresh, I know my heart says something else.

PRJ: You have the keen ability to run the 110s and 400 hurdles extremely well. Which race do you see being your bread and butter at the level?
JD: Growing up, coach Aaron McDougal, the man that engineered the beginning phases of my career, told me that the short hurdles were my bread and butter. I was always good in them growing up. When I got to college it took a minute to, again, adjust to another height. So once I fully adjust to the 110s again, no telling which one will be better. As of right now, the 400 hurdles are definitely it.

PRJ: What would you say is the most memorable moment in your career to date?
JD: Making the world championship team in 2009. I don’t think anything beats the opportunity of being able to represent your country and wear the U-S-A across your chest.

PRJ: In contrast, what has been the lowest moment in your career?
JD: I’ve had many. One that sticks out is sitting in the hotel my freshman year while the finals of the 400 meter hurdles went off at the 2008 NCAA championships in Des Moines, Iowa. I was so bitter about the situation, I couldn’t even go out to watch the race. But thank God for getting me through those times when I felt low.

PRJ: You have run on track and fields all over the world, which would you say is your favorite?
JD: It has to be between North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro and the Eugene, Oregon facilities. The reason why I say A&T is because all of my family and friends come out and support me. I feed off their energy and always put something fast down on that track. And I love the blue surface. It’s where I ran Nike high school nationals and all of my states meets.

Eugene is a place where track and field is appreciated and people respect what you do. The weather isn’t always great, but on your way walking to the track you see huge posters and billboards of Ashton Eaton or Andrew Wheating, athletes who run track and work hard. That’s something you don’t see anywhere else in America.

PRJ: Do you get prerace jitters?
JD: Yessir. Most definitely. I get them even before I arrive at the track facility the day of the meet. I’ll be laying in my bed running the race back and forth through my head until it feels right.

Oliver powers through to new American record

INDIANAPOLIS - 2010 USA Outdoors champion David Oliver set the American record in the men’s 110m hurdles Friday night in Paris at the Samsung IAAF Diamond League Meeting Areva.

With his long and strong strides, Oliver made a quick start to lead the race in its entirety and finish in an American record time of 12.89 seconds. It was just two weeks ago at the Nike Prefontaine Classic when Oliver equaled the American record of 12.90 seconds, first posted by Dominique Arnold in 2006.

Oliver’s sizzling 12.89 was two-hundredths of a second off the two-year-old world record of 12.87, set by Dayron Robles (CUB) in Ostrava. Robles, who was originally set to compete in Paris, was sidelined for hamstring injury prevention measures.

Also bringing sparkle to the track, Jeremy Wariner made it four-for-four in Samsung Diamond League 400m races this season when he clocked a world-leading time of 44.49 seconds. The three-time World Outdoor medalist has returned strong from his knee surgery last September to run two world leading times, first at last week’s Lausanne (44.57) and then again tonight in Paris. Also in the men’s 400m, national champion Greg Nixon finished sixth in 45.81 seconds and David Neville finished 8th in 45.83 seconds.

Rivalries tested on the track and in the field

The world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt found the win in the men’s 100m dash over fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell in a time of 9.84 seconds. Powell was the runner-up in 9.91. Bolt’s meet record win was Powell’s second defeat of the season after losing to American Tyson Gay in Gateshead last Saturday.

Continuing their back-and-forth battle, rivals Croatian Blanka Vlasic and American record holder Chaunte Lowe squared-off for the sixth time this season with Vlasic finding the win and setting a meeting record at 2.02m/6-7.5. Vlasic cleared 2.02m/6-7.5 on her first attempt while Lowe failed at all three attempts to make a clearance.

Also at the track, national champion Brittney Reese sealed her victory in the women’s long jump competition in her last round jump of 6.79m/22-3.5. This performance propels Reese into the top spot of the Samsung Diamond League. Also in the field, Funmi Jimoh finished seventh with a jump of 6.56m/21-6.25 and Brianna Glenn finished tenth at 6.38m/20-11.25.

Filling out a deep field in the women’s 1,500m, seven women brought sub-four minute career bests to the line. Crossing the line first, Russia’s Anna Alminova clocked a world-leading time of 3:57.65. On her heels, USA Outdoors fourth-place finisher Christin Wurth-Thomas ran a new personal best at 3:59.59 to take second. Shannon Rowbury, won bronze at the 2009 World Outdoor Championships, finished in a season’s best 4:01.30.

Americans Allyson Felix (22.14) and Shalonda Solomon (22.55) finished one and two in the women’s 200m race. Also rounding up the field were Bianca Knight finishing sixth in 22.83 and Porscha Lucas finishing seventh in 22.85.

Video: David Oliver Sets New American Record

14 Questions with Brittney Reese

She is arguably one of the most talented in the sport.  Turns out Brittney Reese has managed to remain at the top of an event where less than inches separate the competition.  This talented long jumper fills us in on her journey, dreams, and what it takes to be the best in this weeks 14 questions.

PRJ: Well first things first: How are you doing?

I’m doing well. Right now I’m in Europe doing some Diamond League meets.

PRJ: How did you get started running and jumping?

I first started running in the 7th grade but I didn’t start jumping until the 11th grade. My high school      coach took the basketball team members that were already on the track team out to the track to see who  could long jump the farthest for a Coca Cola.

I was already doing the 400 and thought this was my opportunity to get out of it. So I asked could I try  and he said no but I kept on asking him could I try it until he finally said yes. When I jumped he was shocked and said go to it again. Once I did it again I had convinced him that the 400 wasn’t for me.

PRJ: How hard was it to leave basketball to focus on track?

Everyone knows that basketball is my first love. So leaving basketball was a tough decision for me. I talked to my mom about it and she thought that my career was in track and field. Turns out that she knew exactly what was best for me.

PRJ: What is it like being a professional athlete now?

I like being a professional athlete. Being able to travel the world is a big part of being a professional athlete in track and field. I have finally gotten used to the traveling because when I first turned pro I used to be scared to fly now I am ok and don’t mind it as much.

PRJ: Have you treated yourself to anything special since turning pro?

No I haven’t. I have been saving my money for a special something I might be able to get by my birthday or Christmas.

PRJ: You’ve had a pretty amazing run lately – winning the World Title in Berlin last year, World Indoor title in Doha this year, and winning USA Outdoor Nationals – what’s the been key?

I would say the key to my success is by staying humble. Keeping my head on straight and training hard that’s all I can do. The women’s long jump is a tough field and every championship is up for grabs. It only takes one jump.

PRJ: So are you aiming for 2012 now?

Yes I am. I missed out on getting a medal in 2008 and I plan on not letting that happening again in 2012.

PRJ: Where are you training, with whom, and why?

I train at the University of Mississippi with my coach Joe Walker Jr. The reason I train with him is because he was my college coach. He is the person that has gotten me to where I am now and without him I wouldn’t be here. I believe in him and he believes in me.

PRJ: What are your thoughts on Allen Johnson’s recent retirement?

Allen Johnson is one of the best hurdlers of all time and its sad to hear about his retirement. I think it would be great for him to help future up-and-coming athletes in the sprints and hurdles. I wish him all the best.

PRJ: When was your “break through” – because it seems like you were good in college during your sophomore year you really ratcheted it up.

I think my “break through” was the World Championships in 2009. At that meet I really proved to myself that I could compete with the best. Jumping my PB 7.10 there at a major competition was the best feeling ever.

PRJ: What were the 2008 Olympic Trials like for you and what did it feel like when you made the team?

The 2008 Olympic Trials were the first major win for me at being professional so it was real important to me. My goal was to make the team but winning it put the icing on the cake. I was just so happy that day.

PRJ: We see track athletes one year win medals and then disappear, and then maybe come back — you have been consistent, what is among your keys to consistency?

I would think the key to consistency is that I have a dream that I want to accomplish and with the grace of God I will not stop until it is accomplished. I watch film before every meet sometimes at home. I try to go out to meets with already knowing what needs to happen before it happens.

PRJ: What’s it like to be at the forefront of the conversation when people discuss long jumping on the international level?

It’s a great feeling and hopefully it can stay that way for a long time. I work hard at what I do and for people to acknowledge and appreciate it is even better.

PRJ: What have the last two or three years taught you about yourself?

What I have learned about myself these past two or three years is that I am a competitor and I love competing. I used to be scared because I knew my competitors could pull out a big jump anytime. I have now recognize that after my first World Championships in 2007 that I also can pull out those big jumps at any moment.

Who is the next Usain Bolt?

In 2004 there was concern. Handwringing. Consternation.

The worldwide screaming of BOLT! BOLT! BOLT! drowned out all of that. And thoughts of the greatness? Who cares about all that with the green and gold around?

The calendar flips one year and then ten years fly by and it’s 2012.

So who is the next Usain Bolt? It would make a great round table discussion at a nice restaurant. This is the stuff of internet chat board conversations that last for days.  But in actuality no one really knows.

That’s because there will never be another Usain Bolt.  How long did we wait for the next Jesse Owens? Usain Bolt’s feats do not to alter the accomplishments of the aforementioned except to distinguish the two as well before their time.  People weren’t ready for them.

Remember “the next” great was Carl Lewis whose nine Olympic gold medals and longevity make him royalty. Michael Johnson has left him stamp on track and field. And along the way there have been a number of phenoms who have had brushes with greatness.

The real question is who is the next phenom this time around.

If another athlete of Bolt’s caliber is coming up there is a distinct likely that he/she will not be an American, however there is a high likelihood that they will train the U.S. under some of the best coaches and facilities in the world.

There will be Tyson Gay who will more than likely accomplish enough to finish a legend.  There are shooting wonders like Johnny Dutch, Jeshua Anderson and the likes of Queen Harrison who are having outstanding careers.

There have been a share that have burned out before reaching their zenith and the of course the hazardous hamstring, knee and ankle injuries that make going through the motions of a full career nearly impossible.

Usain Bolt will probably be around in 2012 and and will probably take victory laps up to 2014. He is reportedly earning $250,000 a race and will have more than enough stacks to retire. 

It’s to be seen if Bolt has the business drive of Michael Johnson to become a CEO. Or the entertainment drive of Carl Lewis to take on Hollywood shine. And that is good because Bolt will be around to be the sport’s spokesperson. Which is when we may again be asking where is the next Usain Bolt.

Nearly a decade later - we may still may not have answer to the question.

Allen Johnson Announces Retirement Ending Epic Hurdling Career

The 110m Hurdler Retirement Leaves A Big Hole In Sport.

Allen Johnson announced his retirement on Saturday, said goodbye to a professional track career that seems the stuff of sports fiction.

“It’s just come to the point where my body can’t take it anymore,” said Johnson in a trackside interview.

“Maybe I can coach some hurdlers or some sprinters… give something back. I’m going to miss it, I really am, but it was fun,” added the former World and Olympic 110 meter hurdles champion.

One of the interesting things about his career is the University of Carolina graduate never won an individual NCAA title during his time at Chapel Hill but he quickly became a star as professional.

On Saturday, one of the unique chapters in professional track and field history closed when Allen, 39, announced his retirement after winning Olympic gold in Atlanta, and turned in countless outstanding performances.

He finishes with four World Outdoor Titles, three World Indoor Titles, finished the seasoned ranked number one four times, and one of greatest performances ever with a personal best of 12.92 seconds just .02 shy of the current American Record - is among the best in track history.

Few have been so good, for so long. In 2005, Johnson earned a bronze at the World Outdoor Championships at the age of 34. Johnson has run under 13 seconds more than an hurdler in history - nine times.

Allen showed grace even in defeat. I am him picking himself after falling in the early rounds of the 2004 Athen Games preventing him from competing for a second Olympic gold medal.

Allen never was one for attention. Yet he’s getting it now.

American record holder David Oliver said on his Twitter account, “Just talked to Allen Johnson, sad to see him call it a career and retire, a real genuine dude…”

“Allen Johnson is an inspiration for competition as lifelong pursuit. He embodies all the qualities you could ask for from a champion. Above all, he conducted himself with class, on and off the track”, said Doug Logan CEO of USA Track and Field.

“He won and lost with dignity, although clearly he won more than he lost. Allen set the standard for hurdling at the World and Olympic level and has inspired a generation of hurdlers, from the U.S. to Cuba to China, who continue to chase his achievements. That chase will continue for years to come.”

Lolo Jones once said, “”In track and field I most admire Allen because I have watched him growing up. I remember Allen, specifically, at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. I remember how he carried himself on TV and how he represented himself and his country was amazing.”

While Friday marked a bookend to Johnson’s career, to really appreciate his story you have to have met the man only once. He is widely known in track circles for mentoring young athletes on how to make it in the track game and befriending competitors. I’ve seen few hearts as big and as humble an athlete as Johnson.

The dashing, dazzling runs may be gone but Johnson’s contributions to this sport will never be forgotten.

Gays runs past Powell in London

Gay blasts by Powell & Allen Johnson announces retirement at Gateshead

INDIANAPOLIS - In his first 100m competition of the year, American record holder Tyson Gay used an impressive finishing burst in passing former world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica in winning the men’s 100m Saturday at the Aviva British Grand Prix in Gateshead, England.

The British Grand Prix is a member of the prestigious new IAAF Samsung Diamond League series consisting of 14 of the greatest invitational track meets in the world. For more information visit: www.diamondleague.com

Gay trailed Powell for most of the race before passing him with 20 meters to go. In the first battle this season between two of the ‘big three’ of men’s sprinting (Gay, Powell and Usain Bolt) Gay put an end to Powell’s unbeaten season by crossing the finish line first in 9.94 seconds.

Competitors in the 100m dealt with a +1.7 meters per second headwind. “I felt good,” Gay told the IAAF. “Asafa’s one of my favorite competitors and I managed to get him today. I really had to stretch to the finish line and he didn’t see me coming. The wind maybe affected the time slightly, but not much.”
Powell was the runner-up in 9.96, with Daniel Bailey (ANT) third in 10.15 and Trell Kimmons fourth in 10.18.

In other events, 2008 Olympic bronze medalist and 2010 USA Outdoor Championships runner-up Walter Dix won the men’s 200 meters with his time of 20.26 seconds. Dix, who posted the second-fastest time in the world this year of 19.72 from his win last Saturday at the Nike Prefontaine Classic and won earlier this week in Lausanne, finished just ahead of two-time World Outdoor Championships bronze medalist and reigning national champion Wallace Spearmon, who was the runner-up in 20.29. Jaysuma Saidy Ndure (NOR) was third in 20.31 and Angelo Taylor was fourth in 20.50.

U.S. women’s sprinters also were successful in Gateshead with 2009 national 100m champion and two-time World Outdoor Championships bronze medalist Carmelita Jeter winning her specialty in 10.95 seconds. Kelly-Ann Baptiste of Trinidad was the runner-up in 11.00, with Sherone Simpson of Jamaica third in 11.02.

2007 USA Junior champion and Pan Am Junior gold medalist Bianca Knight was victorious in the women’s 200m in 22.71. Rosemarie Whyte of Jamaica was the runner-up in 22.81, with Anneisha McLaughlin (JAM) finishing third in 22.95.

2007 USA and NCAA Outdoor champion Alysia Johnson posted an impressive win in the women’s 800 meters by crossing the finish line first in 1:59.84. Finishing second was Halima Hachlaf (MAR) in 2:00.49, with Yuliya Krevsun (UKR) third in 2:00.67. 2008 Olympian and 2009 World Outdoor Championships fifth-place finisher Christin Wurth-Thomas finished fourth in 2:00.75.

Also posting a win today was two-time World Indoor champion and two-time Indoor Visa Champion Lolo Jones, who won the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.79 seconds. Jones, who is the 2010 USA Outdoor champion and posted the fastest-time in the world this year of 12.55 on June 12 in New York, finished ahead of runner-up Danielle Carruthers (12.98) and Canadian standout Perdita Felicien, who was third in 13.01.

U.S. women turning in runner-up performances in Gateshead included reigning national 400m champion, 2009 World Outdoor Championships sixth-place finisher and current world 400m leader Debbie Dunn (50.66), and 2004 Olympic Trials fourth-place finisher Morgan Uceny (4:04.26), who posted the fastest 1,500m time by an American this outdoor season earlier this week in Lausanne when she finished fifth in 4:02.40, which is her career best. 2008 Olympian and Olympic Trials record holder Kara Patterson, who set the American record in the women’s javelin in winning at the 2010 USA Outdoor Championships, finished as the runner-up today with her best throw of 63.11m/207-0.

Another impressive performance was turned in by 2010 USA Outdoor Championships runner-up Leonel Manzano, who posted the fastest time by an American this outdoor season with his 1,500m second-place finish in 3:33.51. His performance bettered the previous U.S. leading mark of 3:33.92 that he posted when he finished third in New York on June 12.

Also turning in a strong performance was Ben Bruce, who was the runner-up in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase at the 2010 USA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines. Bruce finished third today in 8:22.88, which is his personal best time and the second-fastest time by an American this year.

All-time hurdles great Allen Johnson retires at Gateshead

According to a report by the BBC, 1996 Olympic gold medalist, four-time World Outdoor champion and all-time 110m hurdles great Allen Johnson announced his retirement today in Gateshead at the age of 39.

“It’s just come to the point where my body can’t take it anymore,” said Johnson.”Maybe I can coach some hurdlers or some sprinters… give something back. I’m going to miss it, I really am, but it was fun.”

Ash heats up track at NACAC U23 Champs

MIRAMAR, Fla. - Ronnie Ash ran his way to a windy sub-thirteen in the men’s high hurdles as Team USA claimed 25 medals on day 1 at the 2010 NACAC Under-23 Track & Field Championships in Miramar, Florida.

Ash blazed down the track, pulling away from the field as he went, to win the mens’ 110m hurdles in 12.98 (+3.1mps). Reigning World champion Ryan Brathwaite (BAR) finished in the runner-up position in 13.10 and Johnny Dutch claimed the bronze in a personal best 13.30.

Just before Ash’s race, the U.S. went 1-2 in the women’s 100m hurdles. Ti’erra Brown picked up the gold, storming down the track to a windy 12.86 (+2.3mps) while Michaylin Golladay claimed silver in 13.07.

Streaking down the runway with his new red, white and blue haircut, Jordan Scott defended his title and broke his Jeremy Scott’s meet record with a best clearance of 5.56m/18-2.75. Jack Whitt no-heighted.

2010 World Indoor 4×400m gold medalist Tavaris Tate took the lead with 200m to go in the men’s 400 and never looked back. Rolling down the final straight, Tate crossed the line in 45.36. Joey Hughes closed strong to claim silver in 45.79.

Jeneba Tarmoh burst from the blocks and kicked into high gear, running away from the field to win the women’s 100m in 11.00 (+2.2mps). Jamaica’s Samantha Henry edged out Kenyanna Wilson for silver with 11.25 while Wilson took bronze with 11.32. On the men’s side, Maurice Mitchell took bronze in 10.45 behind Canada’s Samuel Effah (10.06) and Jamaica’s Oshane Bailey (10.11). Luther Ambrose finished seventh in 10.40.

Karen Shump dominated the women’s shot put, all but winning the competition on her first throw with a put of 16.69m/59-9.25. But it was Shump’s fifth throw of 17.43m/57-2.25 that sealed the gold medal for her. Anna Jelmini took second with 16.58m/54-4.75. Hours before she won the silver medal, Jelmini won the women’s discus with a toss of 56.70m/186-0 while Jeneva McCall took second ith 56.16m/184-3.

Man-mountain Mason Finely, who stands at 6-8 and 375 pounds, won the men’s discus with a toss of 59.59m/195-6. Nick Jones picked up the bronze medal with his best effort 57.03m/187-1 while Mexico’s Mario Cota took silver with 58.01m/190-4.

In another 1-2 finish for Team USA, Shelise Williams won the women’s 400m in 53.08 while Ebony Collins, normally known for her 400m hurdle prowess, was the runner-up in 53.31.

Cooper Thomspon fell short of Juan Mendez’s (MEX) winning throw of 69.94m/ 229-5 in the men’s javelin but his best effort of 69.52m/228-1 was good enough to earn his the silver. Brian Moore took bronze with 68.41m/224-5.

On a hot and steamy morning, with temps in the 90s, Sarah Porter won the women’s 10,000m by almost 45 seconds, finishing in 36:15.51. Amanda Goetschius finished third in 37:18.81. On the men’s side, the U.S. went 1-2, with Ahmed Osman winning in 30:38.22 and Colin Mickow taking second in 30:42.16.

Also at the track, Ashika Charan took silver in the women’s triple jump with 13.35m/43-9.75 and April Sinkler finished fourth with 13.07m/42-10.75. At the conclusion of day 1 of the decathlon, Gray Horn is leading with 3,871 points and Nick Trubachik is sitting in second with 3,809.

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