Nike Women’s Air Superfly Skimmer ND

New release provide a wide selection of colorways to choose from. Nike’s goal is to provide its’ female consumers with a stylish option.

They will all come with uppers that feature mesh and woven materials and be complimented by blank midsoles. It is interesting that Nike spent their time developing this simple new design as they have definitely been spending a lot of time in the lab creating new technologies.

That said, less is more and that definitely applies to the concept of this shoe. Colorways included will be purple, black, green, black/red, orange/blue and gray/pink. Lets give these ones a chance and see if they catch on.

Kerron Clement looks to give the Visa Championship Series a boost in Boston

Boston. (February 4, 2010)-Kerron Clement starts his season with a 60m race at the Reebok Boston Indoor, hoping to pick up in 2010 where he left off in 2009, when an old-and-improved form carried the 400m hurdler to victories at the U.S. Outdoor Nationals and World Championships.

In a break from recent history, Clement is set to run the indoor 60 meters. The world no.1 and La,Porte, Texas native is by trade a 400 meter hurdler, who is a threat whenever running an 400 but does not often compete at the shorter distance.

To say that all eyes will be on Clement would be an understatement.  He is Pitt to track’s Clooney and seldom has the sport needed him more.  Part of the problem for track is that more runners (David Oliver, Lolo Jones,) are simply choosing to run in more lucrative European races or all together skipping the indoor season to focus on the outdoor season.

Running in the 60m is reigning U.S. National Champion Michael Rodgers, 2004 Olympic Gold medalist Shawn Crawford, former NCAA great Walter Dix, and Daniel Bailey the 100m Antiguan national recorder holder.

But don’t sleep on the men’s 5000m that pits rookie Galen Rupp against the seasoned veteran in Bernard ‘Kip” Lagat.  Coming off of one of the great careers in NCAA history, the former University of Oregon distance runner will face off against of the sports most consistent and accomplished distance runners.  Lagat won a 1,500m silver medal at 2000 Olympic Games, and the silver medalist at the 2004 Olympic Games.

Sure, Rupp has competed at an elite level for several seasons now, the difference this is the first year of his professional track career.

Meet directors have been struggling to attract the top talent and the solution is unclear at this point.

Absences by the top American stars are tougher to stomach in the sprints.  Clement will at least provide a reprieve, if not the the antecedote to sparsely populated fields and low visibility on the U.S. sports scene.

In an effort to draw a larger television audience, the 2010 Reebok Boston Indoor has been moved to Sunday, February 7, from 2-4pm EST on ESPN2.

The Boston Reebok Indoor contributed to this story.

PreRaceJitters Exclusive Q&A: Ahmad Rashad quickly making a name for himself in track

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - You can’t help but recognize the resemblence.

The name is Rashad, Ahmad Rashad, yes the same as former the NFL great best known for his heroic moves as a member of the Minnesota Vikings from 1976 to 1982.

Many recall the “Miracle Catch” against the Cleveland Browns that helped secure a come-from-behind 28-23 victory in December 1980 and a Central Division title for the Vikings. But in 2010, this Ahmad Rashad is looking to create his own moments to be remembered for.

USC sprinter Rashad finally got to show what he could do on the track at the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships after two years of set backs with injuries after showing promise.  He tried to remain patient and waited for opportunities while injuries cut his freshman and sophomore seasons short of their full potential.

Going into the 2009 NCAA Outdoor, none of the well-respected pre-meet polls had him in the mix.  But Rashad finished the race with a second place finished in 10.10 seconds against a deep field of elite sprinters.

This year, Ahmad Rashad is not satisfied with last years second place finish at the NCAA Outdoors. The Flint, Michigan-native is hungry for track’s biggest title, the 100m NCAA title and helping put USC in the middle of contentions for the team championship crown.

Rashad hopes he continues to improve and have more success against elite fields.  But he also knows it is up to him to continue to make a name for himself.

PreRaceJitters sat down with All-American sprinter Ahmad Rashad to talk about his journey, his inspirations, and predictions on the 2010 season.

PRJ: What is the story behind you being named Ahmad Rashad?

AR: My dad got the name from the former pro football player and sportscaster Ahmad Rashad. My dad was a fan of his and I guess that’s how it came about. I actually got to meet him. He called me at school and everything; that was an experience.

PRJ: Your dad, Kevin Rashad is a fan of former NFL football player Ahmad Rashad.  The former NFL Viking made a name for himself in the NFL as a gritty player that made big plays.  What if any resemblances are there between the two of you?

AR: I’d say that I’ve made a lot of big plays as far as track goes throughout my career.

PRJ:  When you talked to Ahmad Rashad, what advice did he give you?

AR: It was around the time when my mother passed away so he gave me his condolences. I haven’t  seen him in person since, but I’m sure if we cross paths again we will have a lot to talk about.

PRJ: When did you fall in love with track and field?

AR: As a freshman in high school. The first time I dropped the baton on a relay, I laid out on the track disappointed in myself. After that point, I knew I had love for the sport.

PRJ: What runner or athlete did you look up to when you were younger?

AR: I looked up to Maurice Greene and Michael Johnson. They broke a lot of records and won Olympic gold medals medals and that was something I aspired to do also.

PRJ: What is the biggest inspiration in your life?

AR: My parents are my biggest inspiration. My father is a strong individual and always pushed me to be the best at what ever I was doing. My mother passed away some years ago and I know that she would want to see me strive to be successful.

PRJ: Your first two years at USC, you battled injuries and showed flashes of success. How do you think those experienced helped your develop as a sprinter?

AR: Those experiences helped me to understand the sport and grow as an athlete. I realized that with success comes adversity and dealing with that helped my mind develop a toughness to deal with the injuries.

PRJ: Since we are talking about battle injuries. What happened differently last year?

AR: I was preventative in my approach to injury. Instead of waiting for an injury to happen I did a lot of work to prevent them. Also just naturally maturing and strengthening I think helped out a lot.

PRJ: Your close to the 2009 collegiate season was amazing. You ran 10.10, which was a personal best in your second-place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. How much confidence did that race give you?

AR: That 100 meter race in Fayetteville, gave me a lot of confidence. I always thought that I could run with the best in the NCAA but with injuries it prevented me from actually going out and doing it. That race finally allowed me to realize that I can run with the best.

PRJ: USC traditionally does not participate in the indoor season. Is there any chance that you will run indoors?

AR: No. I won’t be running indoor this season. I’m just focusing on the outdoor season this time around.

PRJ: When did you anticipate kicking off your outdoor season?

AR: I anticipate getting things rolling around mid-march.

PRJ: What is your challenge going into the 2010 season?

AR: My challenge is being one of the hunted instead the hunter. Typically I’ve been the hunter so the reversal of roles will be a challenge.

PRJ: This is your last year of the USC –UCLA duel. How serious is the rivalry?

AR: The USC - UCLA rivalry is more than serious. You would think people lived for that meet. I know my teammates have been talking about it already so I know they’re ready. The coaches put a lot of emphasis on that meet so you know its serious. It’s fun and something I look forward to every season.

PRJ: Last year USC’s men and women squads finished in the top ten and a majority of last years scorers are returning this season.

AR: I know that my teammates always strives to finish well as a team and its no different this year both on the men’s and women’s side. Everyone is excited after last season when expectations were low for what position we would finish. I think that has given the entire program motivation to do better this year.

PRJ: The 2010 USC team features a lot of up and coming underclassman who did well last year at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. How good is this team?

AR: I believe this team has tremendous talent and can place in the top 5 at the national meet.  Our men’s and women’s 4×4 teams did well at the NCAA outdoor championships. Everyone from both those relay teams are coming back, plus we have some new guys that came in that we expect to really step up this season and contribute immediately.

PRJ: This is your senior year. What is your ultimate goal for your college career?

AR: My ultimate goal is to become the NCAA champion at 100 meters.

The Runoff:
PRJ: What is your biggest fear?
AR: Small planes

PRJ: What is your most treasured possession?
AR: My autographed picture of sportscaster Ahmad Rashad.

PRJ: Who would you like to play you in a film?
AR: Jamie Foxx

PRJ: How do you relax?
AR: Watch cartoons.

PRJ: Do you get prerace jitters?
AR: Yes.

PRJ: Thank you for your time and good luck this season.

PreRaceJitters’ Q&A: Arizona’s Liz Patterson Flying to the Next Level

The Dallas-area native high jumper is looking to end her collegiate career on top.

In a battle of the best, she battled Destinee Hooker at last year’s NCAA Indoor Championships pushing the eventual winner NCAA to set a new collegiate record (6-6), while at the same time grabbing the best performance of her life at 6-4.75.

This year is about Liz Patterson getting to the next level, leaving her mark on the game, and proving she can dominate from week and week in the 2010 season. Coming into the indoor season, the Arizona senior is arguably the top jumper posting the nation’s best jump of 6-3.25 at the Lumberjack Invitation in the January 16 season opener.

PreRaceJitters.com caught up with Patterson to discuss the 2010 season and more.

PRJ: If I asked your friends to describe you  and to tell me a little about you – what would they say?

LP: I think they would say I’m a fun, laid back person and easy to get along with.

PRJ: Where do you hail from and how did you get involved in track and field?

LP: I was born in Dallas and raised in Beaumont, TX. I chose to run track because I did not make the volleyball or basketball teams. Track was the only sport in my middle school that anyone could participate in.

PRJ: Describe your first track and field competition?

LP: I was in the 7th grade when I had my first track meet. I thought I was so cool because I was finally part of a team. That year I only ran the 300m hurdles, so track meets were really a time when I hung out with my friends and met new ones.

PRJ: How old were you when you first cleared five feet?

LP: I cleared 5 feet for the first time when I was in the 9th grade.

PRJ: How do your personal records (prs) from high school compare to where you are right now and how has your knowledge of training and competing evolved in the process?

LP: In high school I had a pr of 1.75m in the high jump and now my best is 1.95m. In college I have learned so much about the fundamentals of high jump. While I was in high school my objective was very basic, which was to just run and jump as high as I could at the time.

At Arizona, my coaches have taught me how important it is to lift weights, do plyos, and to consistently run a good approach to the bar. I have matured as an athlete and try to use my knowledge and experiences to help out my younger teammates whenever I can.

PRJ: What do you consider your greatest achievement so far as an athlete?

LP: Winning NCAA’s in 2008.

PRJ: What was your training like in the fall semester?

LP: Fall training went well. I feel stronger and faster this year. I also spent a lot of time taking care of my body to help prevent aches and pains.

PRJ: Last season you had another impressive season earning two national runners up in College Station and Fayetteville. Ultimately it came down to a two person jump off between you and Texas’ Destiny Hooker to determine the national champion. What did you learn from those experiences?

LP: From those experiences I learned that I must continue to push myself and to remain positive. I’m glad I jumped against Destinee in those meets. I love her competitiveness and drive. She pushed me to obtaining indoor and outdoor pr’s last season.

PRJ: What is your meet strategy in terms of when you come into the competition?

LP: I go into competitions with a positive mind set, and focus on what I want to accomplish that day. My motto is, “Think good, do good”.

PRJ: How are you feeling going into the 2010 indoor season?

LP: I feel really good going into this indoor season. This is my last year and I want to have my best season ever. I’m excited for the season to start, yet sad that my college career is going to be over.

PRJ: What is your reaction to Destinee Hooker forgoing her final year at Texas to play pro volleyball?

LP: I’m excited for her and I know she will do well in her professional volleyball career.

PRJ: This is your senior year and you earned a national champion in 2008 and twice last year you earned runner up honors last season. It is often overlooked is that you set personal bests at indoor and outdoor nationals in those performances. What are your goals for this season and what are the goals of this Arizona team?

LP: My main goals for this season are to be better than I ever was in my previous seasons, and to go out on top. I still have a lot to learn and many things to practice on.

Our team goals are for both men and women are to place in the top 5 at Pac-10s, and to get as many regional and national qualifiers as we can. The team chemistry of this year’s team is the best it has ever been since I’ve been at Arizona. If we continue to push one another in practice and at meets we will reach and exceed our goals.

PRJ: Outside of what you are doing, how closely do you follow college and elite track and field?

LP: Since I’ve been in school I have really gotten into the sport. During the season I will look at results from different meets just to see how everyone is running, jumping, and throwing.

I wish track and field received more recognition in this country because it really is a fun and exciting sport.

The Run Off
PRJ: What song right now makes you makes your dance when it comes on?
LP: Six Tre G - Fresh Dressed.

PRJ: How did you spend your summer in 2009?
LP: I was enrolled in two class during summer school.

PRJ: What celebrity would you most like to meet?
LP: Beyonce, I would probably pass out if I ever met her.

PRJ: If you were not competing in track and field, what would you be doing?
LP: I would probably be playing volleyball or going to school somewhere back home.

PRJ: What is your pre-game ritual?
LP: Before leaving the hotel Jazzy Day [teammate Jasmin Day] and I put the jams on and sing and dance around. We do it before every meet.

PRJ: Kobe or D-Wade?
LP: Kobe

PRJ: Who would fit in most at your family reunion: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves or Prince, the musician?

LP: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, there are lots of comedians in my family.

PRJ: Name one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you.
LP: I play the viola.

PRJ: Do you get preracejitters?
LP: Yes, every meet!

PRJ: Liz, thank you for your time and best of luck this season.

Lagat Decides to Run Reebok Boston Indoor Games

World Champ Joins Star Studded Line Up

(January 20, 2010)Reebok Boston Indoor Games

Bernard Lagat has decided to run in the 2010 running of the Reebok Boston Indoor Games.

The decorated athletes has confirmed his participation in the 5,000m at the 2010 Reebok Boston Indoor Games being held February 6 at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center at Roxbury Community College. The 15th-annual Reebok Boston Indoor Games is the second stop in USA Track & Field’s Visa Championship Series.

Meet officials have announced that Lagat will compete against Galen Rupp, Bekana Daba and Ali Abdosh, two sub-13:00 5000m runners from Ethiopia.

The boys high school mile will include Patrick Schellberg (Morristown, NJ); New York’s 2009 State Champion at 1600m, Alex Hatz (Manlius, NY); Craig Lutz (Highland Village, TX), the 2009 Nike Cross Country National Champion; and Billy Ledder (Falls Church, VA) the Virginian prep who won the 800 meters at the 2009 Nike Indoor National Championships.

The girls junior mile will include Joanna and Kathleen Stevens (Blacksburg, VA), Virginia State 1600m Champion and Runner-up, respectively in 2009; Emily Lipari (Greenvale, NY), the nation’s leading miler in 2010; the nation’s top returning 800m runner Claudia Francis (Laurelton, NY) who won the Nike Outdoor Nationals in 2009 in a time of 2:05.47; Cory Ann McGee (Pass Christian, MS), 2009 Mississippi State Champion; and 2009 New England Champion Katrina Coogan (Exeter, NH).

Copyright Boston Reebok Indoor Games. All Rights Reserved.

Flanagan blazes to course record, Vega takes men’s title

Press Release by USA Track & Field.

HOUSTON - Olympic Bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan (Pittsboro, N.C.) smashed the course record at the Aramco Houston Half Marathon to win the women’s USA Half Marathon Championship. Running 1:09:41, Flanagan broke the previous record by one minute, 14 seconds. Antonio Vega (Minneapolis, Minn.) won the men’s race in 1:01:54 to win the first U.S. title of his career.

Running her debut for the distance, Flanagan lived up to her status as pre-race favorite, taking control of the race from the first mile with defending champion Magdalena Lewy Boulet (Oakland, Calif.), Serena Burla (Ellisville, Mo.), Renee Metivier Baillie (Boulder, Colo.) and Kelly Jaske (Portland, Ore.) trying to keep pace.

Just before four miles, Boulet began to drop off the pack and Jaske and Baillie began to fade just after four. Running a pair of 5:16 miles for the sixth and seventh miles, Flanagan and Burla continued to pull away from the field. As Flanagan churned out a third 5:16 for mile eight, Burla missed a water bottle and faltered briefly, allowing Flanagan to gain a 15 meter advantage.

Over the final miles, Flanagan extended her lead to win the championship by 28 seconds. Amy Hastings (Flagstaff, Ariz.) overtook Baillie to take third place in 1:11:19. Baillie was fourth in 1:11:51 and Boulet took fifth in 1:12:22.

In the men’s race, a pack of about twenty men passed the first mile in a leisurely 4:53 before Vega and his Team USA Minnesota teammates, Matt Gabrielson (Apple Valley, Minn.), Josh Moen (Saint Louis Park, Minn.) and Patrick Smyth (Minneapolis, Minn.) pushed the pace to 4:38 for the second mile.

As Vega, Smyth and Moen continued to control the pace, Tim Nelson (Portland, Ore.), Stephan Shay (Flagstaff, Ariz.) and Brent Vaughn (Black Hawk, Colo.) began to open a gap on the field.

By eight miles, Vega and Smyth were running side by side with Vaughn trailing by about five meters. Shortly after the eighth mile, Vega made his break and by ten miles, had a 20 meter lead as Vaughn rejoined Smyth and looked to close the gap slightly but Vega held on to win the title by seven seconds.

Smyth won the duel for second, running 1:02:01 to Vaughn’s 1:02:04. Nelson rallied to take fourth in 1:02:11 as Shay rounded out the top-five in 1:02:26.

About the USARC

The Aramco Houston Half Marathon is the first stop on the 2010 USA Running Circuit (USARC), and featured a total championship prize purse of $59,500 plus potential bonuses. Flanagan and Vega each earned $12,000 for their championship victories.

The 2010 USARC is a USA Track & Field road series, featuring USA Championships from one mile to the marathon and attracts the best U.S. distance runners, including Olympians Deena Kastor, Ryan Hall, Shalane Flanagan and Anthony Famiglietti. The 2010 USARC has ten events each for men and women.

The 2010 USARC will once again see a record amount of circuit prize money for a non-Olympic year with total prize purse of $623,850 offered by host events. U.S. athletes will also have the opportunity to qualify for various Team USA events, including the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships and the Chiba International Ekiden.

The first ten U.S. runners earn points at each USARC race (15 for first, 12 for second, 10 for third, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1), with a final $12,500 grand prix purse ($6,000, $4,000, and $2,500) for the top three men and women point scorers overall. The USARC points at the USA Marathon Championships will be doubled.

The mission of the USA Running Circuit is to showcase, support, and promote U.S. runners. Since its inception in 1995, the USARC and its races have provided over $6 million dollars to U.S. distance runners.

Destinee Hooker to forgo final year of track and field eligibility

Press Release Courtesy: University of Texas Athletics

Four-time National Champion will play professional volleyball.

AUSTIN, Texas – University of Texas All-American high jumper Destinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas) has elected to forgo her final season of track and field eligibility to pursue a professional volleyball career.

Hooker, a two-sport All-American on the Forty Acres, leaves Texas as one of the most decorated athletes in Longhorn history. On the track, Hooker claimed four individual national titles, six All-America honors and six individual Big 12 titles. She also set school and NCAA records in the indoor high jump (6-6, 1.98m) and tied the UT outdoor high jump record (6-4.75/1.95m).

“We’re very happy for Destinee and wish her all the best in her career,” University of Texas Women’s Track and Field head coach Beverly Kearney said. “We’re going to miss her, not only for the points she scored, but for the leadership and maturity she brought to the team. We’re so happy for her and all the great performances she has had at Texas, but this is so much more for her.”

Hooker, the 2008-09 Big 12 Female Athlete of the Year, also led the Texas Volleyball team to back-to-back NCAA Championship Semifinals appearances, including a trip to this year’s NCAA Championship match against Penn State. On the court, Hooker was a three-time AVCA All-American, four-time All-Big 12 First Team selection, the 2009 Big 12 Player of the Year and two-time Honda Award finalist.

“We are very excited for Destinee,” University of Texas Volleyball head coach Jerritt Elliott said. “She had a tremendous four years here, learning the game and growing as a player. Now she is able to take the next step in an incredible volleyball community. I know she will continue to improve and I’m excited about the possibility of her competing for a U.S. roster spot for the 2012 Olympics.”

Top Americans to debut at USA Half Marathon Championships; Aramco Houston Half Marathon kicks-off 2010 championship season

Press Release Courtesy USA Track & Field

INDIANAPOLIS - The Aramco Houston Half Marathon has been a key stop on the road to success for a number of U.S. distance running stars over the last six years and 2010 is sure to see its share of breakout performances as the event hosts the USA Half Marathon Championships this Sunday.

Running her first half marathon, Olympic Bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan (Pittsboro, N.C.) headlines the women’s field. Also making his debut for the distance will be 2009 USA 15 km runner-up Tim Nelson (Portland, Ore.), who is among the favorites for the men’s title.

While Houston is the home of the men’s American record for the half marathon, race organizers are hopeful that Flanagan can add the women’s record to the event’s history books.

Set to push Flanagan will be defending champion Magdalena Lewy Boulet (Oakland, Calif.) as they face a field that includes Serena Burla (Ellisville, Mo.), the third fastest U.S. woman at the half marathon in 2009. Other contenders include 2009 runner-up Kelly Jaske (Portland, Ore.), 2009 Team USA World Half Marathon squad members Heidi Westover (Walpole, N.H.), Amy Hastings (Flagstaff, Ariz.) and 2009 USA 20 km champion Colleen De Reuck (Boulder, Colo.).

The men’s race could prove to be the most heated of the day with several men capable of taking the title. Joining Nelson among the favorites will be 2008 champion James Carney (Boulder, Colo.), 2006 NCAA Division I Cross Country Champion Josh Rohatinsky (Portland, Ore.), and Team USA Minnesota teammates Josh Moen (Saint Louis Park, Minn.) and Patrick Smyth (Minneapolis, Minn.) who finished second and third respectively at the 2009 USA Men’s 10 Mile Championship.

About the USARC

The Aramco Houston Half Marathon is the first stop on the 2010 USA Running Circuit (USARC), and features a total championship prize purse of $59,500 plus potential bonuses. The men’s and women’s champions will each earn $12,000.

The 2010 USARC is a USA Track & Field road series, featuring USA Championships from one mile to the marathon and attracts the best U.S. distance runners, including Olympians Deena Kastor, Ryan Hall, Shalane Flanagan and Anthony Famiglietti. The 2010 USARC has ten events each for men and women.

The 2010 USARC will once again see a record amount of circuit prize money for a non-Olympic year with total prize purse of $623,850 offered by host events. U.S. athletes will also have the opportunity to qualify for various Team USA events, including the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships and the Chiba International Ekiden.

The first ten U.S. runners earn points at each USARC race (15 for first, 12 for second, 10 for third, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1), with a final $12,500 grand prix purse ($6,000, $4,000, and $2,500) for the top three men and women point scorers overall. The USARC points at the USA Marathon Championships will be doubled.

The mission of the USA Running Circuit is to showcase, support, and promote U.S. runners. Since its inception in 1995, the USARC and its races have provided over $6 million dollars to U.S. distance runners.

For more information on the 2010 USA Half-Marathon Championships visit www.usatf.org.

Speed moves from turf to track for Super 60

Press Release Courtesy USA Track & Field

NEW YORK - Stars of NFL Championship Games spanning the last three decades will trade in their cleats for spikes in the Super 60 at the 103rd Millrose Games.

A new event highlighting the track speed of some of the NFL’s most recognizable Super Bowl heroes, the Super 60 is expected to feature the New York Giant’s Super Bowl XLI hero David Tyree, ex-Chicago Bear wide receiver and world-class sprinter/hurdler Willie Gault, and Atlanta Falcons’ Super Bowl kickoff return star Tim Dwight.

To be held January 29 in Madison Square Garden, the Millrose Games is the first stop of USA Track & Field’s Visa Championship Series. The longest-running annual event held at The Garden, The Millrose Games features some of America’s and the world’s top track and field talent. The meet will be televised live on January 29 on ESPN2 from 8-10 p.m. Eastern Time.

The Super 60 will take that worn-out commentator’s phrase, “this football game has turned into a track meet” and make it literal. Pride will be on the line as youth takes on experience in a field that includes athletes with both track and football chops.

Early handicapping may cast an eye toward David Tyree, a prep track star at Montclair (N.J.) High School and a 2005 Pro Bowl selection who became a part of Giants’ lore when he made “The Catch,” sealing his team’s victory over the New England Patriots in 2008’s Super Bowl XLI. The seven-year NFL veteran pinned an Eli Manning pass to his helmet with one hand for the game’s pivotal pass completion. A 1998 graduate of Montclair High, Tyree continues to use his speed as a special teams coverage specialist for the Baltimore Ravens, who remain active in the NFL Playoffs after a resounding victory Sunday afternoon over the Patriots. Tyree ran the 200m and 400m at Montclair and was a letter winner in track and football at Syracuse University.

Track aficionados may give the nod to Willie Gault, one of the fastest track athletes ever to play football. At age 49, the man who organized “The Super Bowl Shuffle” is still one of the fastest men in the world. Gault starred for the Chicago Bears in their 46-10 Super Bowl XX victory over the New England Patriots in 1985, just two years after being part of a world record-setting USA 4×100m relay team that won the gold at the 1983 World Track & Field Championships in Helsinki, Finland. Gault also won bronze in the 110m hurdles in Helsinki.

Part of a world-record-setting relay team at the University of Tennessee (where he also starred in football), Gault qualified for the 1980 Olympic Games. After retiring from football, he won a gold medal at the 1998 World Bobsled Championships with the 4-man bobsled team. Gault eventually returned to track and field as a masters athlete, training with the Los Angeles-based H.S.I. group that has included athletes such as Maurice Greene. In 2006, Gault broke the world record in the men’s 45-49 age group 100 meters, running 10.72 seconds in the 100 meters in a special masters race at the USA Outdoor Championships when he was 45. Two years later he ran 21.80 for 200 meters, at the age of 47, at the Mt. SAC Relays to break the world age-group record in that event. As recently as 2008, Gault reportedly was timed in 4.27 for the 40-yard dash - just .03 off the time attributed to the 2009 NFL rushing leader, 24-year-old Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans.

Not intimidated by either competitor, former NCAA track All-American Tim Dwight has been training this winter to hone the speed that famously got Super Bowl XXXIII off to a rousing start for the Atlanta Falcons. His 94-yard kick-off return to score in the 1998 NFL Super Bowl wasn’t enough to give Atlanta the win over the Denver Broncos, but it was emblematic of the fearless running style Dwight was known for. Dwight’s career continued with the San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, New York Jets and Oakland Raiders.

Dwight was a dual threat at The University of Iowa. He set career receiving and return records for the Hawkeye’s football team while also winning the 1999 Big Ten Championships in the 100m and 4×100 and 4×400m relay teams, competing the year after his Super Bowl hijinks. Also in 1999 he earned All-America status as part of Iowa’s 4×400m relay team. As a high schooler in Iowa City, Dwight won four straight state titles at 200 meters.

Additional Super 60 participants will be announced in coming weeks.

For ticket and event information on the 2010 Millrose Games and the Visa Championship Series, visit: www.millrose-games.com or www.visachampionshipseries.com

Lagat faces World Champs rematch in Wanamaker Mile

Press Release Courtesy USA Track & Field
Monday, January 11, 2010

NEW YORK - Seven-time Wanamaker Mile champion Bernard Lagat will have to defeat the man who outsprinted him for silver at the 2009 IAAF World Championships 1,500 meters when he goes for a record eighth Wanamaker title at the 103rd Millrose Games.

The 2007 world champion and two-time Olympic medalist in the 1,500m, Lagat finished third at the 2009 World Championship in Berlin behind Deresse Mekonnen of Ethiopia in a furious final sprint. On January 29 at Madison Square Garden, Lagat will have an opportunity to seek revenge against Mekonnen, as well as Millrose history.
The Millrose Games are the first stop of USA Track & Field’s Visa Championship Series Indoor Circuit, which culminates with the 2010 USA Indoor Track & Field Championships, February 27-28 in Albuquerque, N.M. The 103rd Millrose Games will be televised live on January 29 on ESPN2 from 8-10 p.m. Eastern Time. The Wanamaker Mile is scheduled to begin at 9:50 p.m.

The 2007 World Outdoor 1,500m and 5,000m champion, Lagat won his seventh Wanamaker Mile title at last year’s Millrose Games, which tied all-time Irish legend and “Chariman of the Boards” Eamonn Coghlan for the most wins ever in that prestigious event.

The reigning World Indoor 1,500m champion, Mekonnen had a strong 2009 campaign, ending the season ranked #4 in the world by Track & Field News. In Berlin last summer, Lagat was boxed in on the rail during the men’s 1,500m final. He broke out in the final straightaway, moving from fifth to third to finish in 3:36.20 behind Mekonnen’s sliver in 3:36.01. Lagat went on to win the 5,000m silver medal, ending the decade with a combined total of seven World Championship and Olympic Games medals.

Willard Pierce headlines women’s 1,500 meters

The women’s 1,500m also will feature a strong field, headlined by USA Indoor champion and Olympian Anna Pierce (formerly Willard).

Pierce, who married 3,000m steeplechaser Jonathan Pierce in September, won last year at the London Grand Prix, finished second in Zurich and ended the season ranked #6 in the world and #3 in the U.S. for 1,500m by Track & Field News. She was a leader in a phenomenal year for American women’s middle-distance runners. The former steeplechase American record holder dipped under 4:00 for 1,500m and 2:00 for 800m, posting a U.S.-leading 3:59.38 for the longer distance and the second-fastest time for the 800 (1:58.80). In 2008, Pierce was tenth at the Beijing Olympic Games in 9:25.63.

Challenging Pierce at Millrose will be Sally Kipyego of Kenya, who won nine individual NCAA titles while at Texas Tech University, equaling the all-time record set by former University of Wisconsin great Suzy Favor Hamilton. Kipyego is the first woman ever to win three consecutive Big 12 Conference and NCAA women’s cross country titles. She won NCAA titles at 3,000m (indoors) and outdoors in the 5,000m and 10,000m.

For ticket information for the 103rd Millrose Games visit: http://ny.milesplit.us/articles/31594. USATF welcomes you to pay with your Visa.

For more information on the 2010 Millrose Games and the Visa Championship Series, visit: www.usatf.org or www.millrose-games.com.

About USA Track & Field

USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world’s oldest organized sports, some of the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States.

For more information on USATF, visit www.usatf.org

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