Patterson sets American record at USA Outdoor Championships

DES MOINES - 2008 Olympian and Olympic Trials record holder Kara Patterson set an American record in the women’s javelin Friday evening at the 2010 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. The championships will run through Sunday.

The USA Outdoor Championships are the third stop of the 2010 USATF Outdoor Visa Championship Series, which concludes July 3 with the Nike Prefontaine Classic from historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene.

Patterson dominates women’s javelin field with American record

Former Purdue standout and 2009 Big Ten champion Kara Patterson won her second consecutive U.S. women’s javelin throw title with her final attempt that soared to 66.67m/218-8, which bettered the previous AR of 64.19m/210-7 set by Kim Kreiner in 2007.

Earlier in the competition, Patterson twice hurled the spear to the third-farthest distance in U.S. history, beginning with her third-round throw of 62.61m/205-5, followed by her toss in the fifth-round of 62.80m/206-0. Patterson’s impressive performance makes her the 13th best performer all-time.

Two-time NCAA Outdoor champion and 2009 World Outdoor Championships finalist Rachel Yurkovich was the runner-up to Patterson with a best of 56.31m/184-9, with 2009 USA Champs fourth-place finisher Alicia deShasier taking third with a toss of 55.53m/182-2.

Felix captures Nike Women’s 100m title

Two-time Olympic silver medalist and three-time World Outdoor champion in the 200 meters, Allyson Felix won her first U.S. Nike Women’s 100m championship this evening after taking the lead for good with 40 meters to go.

Felix and the rest of the field were hindered by a 2.5 meters-per-second headwind, with Felix emerging as the convincing winner in 11.27 seconds. Her previous best 100m finish at Nationals was fourth in 2007. 2008 Olympic Trials eighth-place finisher LaShaunte’a Moore was the runner-up in 11.34, with 2005 World Outdoor long jump champion Tianna Madison finishing third in 11.43.

Dix wins Visa Men’s 100 Meters

2008 Olympic Games 100m and 200m bronze medalist Walter Dix convincingly won the first U.S. men’s 100m title of his career with his time of 10.04 seconds, run into a 1.5 mps wind.

Following the gun the field was even until the 70m mark when Dix, who endured an injury-plagued season in 2009, found his stride.  Dix continued to gradually lengthen his lead until crossing the finish line well ahead of runner-up Trell Kimmons, who finished in 10.27. Ivory Williams was third in 10.29, with Wallace Spearmon fourth in 10.30. One of the favorites leading up to the final, Travis Padgett, who finished fourth in this event the last two years, was disqualified due to a false start.

Fleshman wins highly competitive women’s 5,000m

Two-time NCAA champion Lauren Fleshman won the second U.S. 5,000m title of her career when she crossed the finish line first in 15:27.70.

Fleshman, who first won this event in 2006 and has been ranked in the Top Ten in the U.S. every year from 2002 to 2008, held off runner-up and four-time Big East Outdoor champion Molly Huddle (15:30.89) for the win. 2008 Olympic Games and 2009 World Outdoor Championships finalist Jenny Barringer, who won this event last year, finished third in 15:33.33

Lagat wins Nike Men’s 5,000m

A slow pace set the table perfectly for kicker supreme Bernard Lagat, who captured the fourth U.S. Outdoor 5,000m title of his glorious career.

Lagat was in second place when he turned on the afterburners and grabbed the lead with 70 meters remaining in the race. 10,000m specialist Tim Nelson gave chase down the main straightaway but was unable to catch Lagat, who crossed the finish line first in 13:54.08. Nelson finished second after a gallant effort in 13:54.80, with seven-time NCAA All-American Andrew Bumbalough of Georgetown, who placed third at the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Championships, finishing third in 13:55.16.

Patience pays off for Bell

Two-time Olympian Kenta Bell has been trying for seven years to win his second career U.S. men’s outdoor triple jump crown and his wait is finally over.

Bell captured his first national championship since 2003 when he soared to 17.02m/55-10.25 (+2.0 mps) on his third attempt. Since winning his first U.S. crown, Bell has finished second three times and third on two occasions.  2010 NCAA Outdoor champ Christian Taylor of the University of Florida was the runner-up with a best of 16.76m/55-0, with Lawrence Willis finishing third at 16.69m/54-9.25.

Malone wins again in men’s discus

It took 12 years for two-time Olympian Casey Malone to win his first U.S. title in the men’s discus, and now winning this event has become routine.

Malone won his second consecutive national championship with his third-round throw of 62.57m/205-3. The fifth-place finisher at the 2009 World Outdoor Championships in Berlin, Malone finished just ahead of Texas Tech strength coach and current U.S. leader (#2 in the world) Jason Young, who had a best throw of 61.15m/200-7. Young’s second-place performance at Nationals is the best of his career.

Freeman wins first hammer title

Jake Freeman won his first career national hammer throw championship after 11 years of trying with his second attempt toss in the final of 76.51m/251-0. Freeman, who finished as the runner-up in this event in 2005 and 2009, finished ahead of runner-up and 2007 World Outdoor Championships team member Kibwe Johnson, who posted a best of 76.31m/250-4.

Former Mountain West Conference champion Andrew Lofton finished third (75.42m/247-5), with two-time Olympian and four-time USA Outdoor champion A.G. Kruger fourth (73.90m/242-5).

Hollis wins Gill Men’s Pole Vault

Two-time NAIA champion Mark Hollis captured his first national Gill Men’s Pole Vault title this evening with his winning clearance of 5.60m/18-4.50, which is the identical height he conquered in winning the 2010 Millrose Games in New York City.

Finishing as the runner-up was 2008 Olympic Games fourth-place finisher Derek Miles, who had a best clearance of 5.60m/18-4.50. Jason Colwick finished third at 5.50m/18-0.50.

Pappas, Fountain lead combined events competitions

Five-time national champion and 2003 world champion Tom Pappas leads the men’s decathlon after the first day of competition. Pappas’ second-best shot put throw of his career of 16.87m/55-4.25 helped propel him to the lead with 4,234 points, with Trinity Otto of Texas A&M in second place with 4,152 points.

2008 Olympic Games silver medalist Hyleas Fountain holds a commanding lead after Day 1 of the 24 Hour Fitness Women’s Heptathlon. Fountain posted a personal best in the high jump of 1.90m/6-2.75 en route to a total of 4,068 points. 2009 USA Champs third-place finisher Bettie Wade is in second place with 3,603 points.

Stadium records set in 800m qualifying

2007 World Outdoor Championships team member Duane Solomon led all men’s 800m semi-final qualifiers with his Drake Stadium record time of 1:45.23, which bettered the previous standard of 1:45.31 set by Jacob Hernandez in 2008.

In Nike Women’s 800m semi-final action, 2007 USA Outdoor champion Alysia Johnson set the Drake Stadium record of 1:59.43, which improved greatly upon the previous standard of 2:01.68 by Suzy Favor Hamilton in 1998.

Top Qualifiers:

The following athletes posted the top performances in their respective events in qualifying competition.

Men’s 400m - 2009 USA Junior champion Tavaris Tate - 45.00

Visa Men’s 1,500m - 2008 Olympic Games & 2009 World Outdoor Champs 5,000m finalist Matt Tegenkamp - 3:39.57

Hershey Men’s 400m Hurdles - 2008 Olympic Games and 2009 World Outdoor Champs bronze medalist Bershawn Jackson - 48.36

Men’s 3,000m steeplechase - 2009 USA Outdoor Champs runner-up Dan Huling - 8:40.85

Women’s 100 meters - 2004 Olympian LaShaunte’a Moore - 11.37

Nike Women’s 400m - 2010 World Indoor Champion Debbie Dunn - 50.97

Women’s 100m Hurdles - 2008 Olympic finalis Lolo Jones - 12.82

Women’s 400m Hurdles - 2008 Olympic Games silver medalist Sheena Tosta - 56.47

USA Outdoor Championships network television weekend coverage

The 2010 USA Outdoor Championships will be televised on the following dates (All times Eastern):

June 25  - 8:00 - 10 p.m. on ESPN
June 26 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
June 26 -  3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on NBC
June 27 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
June 27 - 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on NBC

Begley & McLain post record-setting performances at USA Outdoor Championships

DES MOINES - Amy Begley and Erica McLain each set stadium records Thursday at the 2010 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. The championships will run through Sunday.

The USA Outdoor Championships are the third stop of the 2010 USATF Outdoor Visa Championship Series, which concludes July 3 with the Nike Prefontaine Classic from historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene.

Begley wins second national 10,000m title

2008 Olympian Amy Begley won her second consecutive U.S. 10,000m women’s title this evening over former Iowa State University standout and 2008 NCAA champion Lisa Koll in a highly competitive race.

The sixth-place finisher at the 2009 World Outdoor Championships in Berlin, Germany, Begley broke away from Koll in with one lap remaining before crossing the finish line first in 32:06.45, which shattered the previous Drake Stadium record of 32:44.95 set by Koll in 2008. Koll finished as the runner-up in 32:11.72, with Desiree Davila third in 32:22.32 and Blake Russell fourth in 32:46.73.

McLain sets stadium record on second best jump

2008 Olympian Erica McLain won her second USA Outdoor title and set a Drake Stadium record in dominating the women’s triple jump competition.

McLain ended the suspense in the first round with what would be the winning leap of 14.18 meters/46 feet 6.25 inches, which would have given her the stadium record. However, McLain soared to the pit with a 2.1 meters per second wind at her back, which is slightly over the allowable for record purposes. On her final attempt she sailed to 14.15m/46-5.25 (+0.4 mps), which bettered the previous stadium record of 13.79m/45-3 set by Shani Marks in 2003.

McLain has been knocking on the door of her second U.S. Outdoor title since her first triumph in 2005. She finished second at the 2009 USA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, and placed third in 2007 and 2008.

Two-time Olympic Trials runner-up and 2009 national outdoor champion Shakeema Welsch was the runner-up and first competitor to break the stadium record this evening with a best of 14.07m/46-2. Former University of Oklahoma standout Toni Smith finished third for the second year in a row with her third round leap of 13.69m/44-11.

Rupp wins again in men’s 10,000m

Former University of Oregon great Galen Rupp won his second consecutive U.S. national men’s 10,000m title in a spirited battle with 2007 Pan Am Games 1,500m gold medalist Ed Moran.

Moran, who finished fourth in the 10,000m at the 2008 Olympic Trials and fifth last year at Nationals, held a slight lead over Rupp over the final three miles until Rupp turned on the afterburners with 600 meters to go before crossing the finish line first in 28:59.29 in adding to an expanding resume that includes an eighth-place finish at the 2009 World Outdoor Championships in Berlin. Rupp posted the fourth-fastest time in the world this year with his 27:10.74 clocking in Palo Alto, Calif., on May 1.

Moran finished as the runner-up in 29:03.07, with Patrick Smyth third in 29:18.13 and Ryan Sheehan fourth in 29:18.55.

Speed to burn in 100m qualifying

2007 World Outdoor Championships 200m finalist LaShaunte’a Moore won the third heat of women’s 100m qualifying in 11.26 seconds, which was the fastest time of the day. Three-time World Outdoor 200m champion Allyson Felix won Heat 2 in 11.32, and 2009 NCAA 100m champion and USA Outdoor Champs fourth-place finisher Alexandria Anderson won Heat 1 in 11.29.

In men’s 100m qualifying, three-time Atlantic Coast Conference champion and 2008 Olympic Trials fourth-place finisher Travis Padgett had the fastest time of the three qualifying heats when he captured Heat 1 in 10.23 seconds. 2008 Olympic Games 100m and 200m bronze medalist Walter Dix won Heat 3 in 10.27, and Leroy Dixon, who has finished sixth in this event the last three years, won Heat 2, also in 10.27.

Dunn does it in 400m qualifying

2009 USA Outdoor Champs runner-up and World Outdoor Championships sixth-place finisher Debbie Dunn led the women’s 400m qualifiers in winning Heat 1 in 51.74. Last year’s fourth place finisher Natasha Hastings came up with the second-fastest time of the day from her win in Heat 3 in 51.91, and reigning World Outdoor champion Sanya Richards-Ross, who has been ranked #1 in the world at 400m over the last five years, won Heat 2 in the identical time posted by Hastings.

Jamaal Torrance, who ended last season ranked #9 in the U.S. by Track & Field News, posted the fastest time in men’s 400m qualifying of 45.49 in winning Heat 4. Other first round winners included 2004 Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Outdoor champion Jeremy Wariner (Heat 3 - 45.80), LeJerald Betters (Heat 2 - 45.68) and Steven Willey (Heat 1 - 46.35)

Johnson, Williams lead 800m qualifiers

The fastest qualifier in the first round of the women’s 800m was 2007 USA Outdoor and NCAA champion Alysia Johnson, who won Heat 2 in 2:02.19, with the University of Tennessee’s Phoebe Wright winning the first heat in the second-fastest time of the day of 2:02.33. Wright won the NCAA Outdoor crown earlier this month in Eugene, and finished third at last year’s USA Outdoor Championships.

Two-time USA Junior champion Karjuan Williams led the men’s 800m qualifiers with his win in Heat 2 in 1:47.02. 2009 USA Outdoor Championships eighth-place finisher Tyler Mulder won the first heat in the second-fastest time of the day of 1:47.18, with two-time defending champion Nick Symmonds winning Heat 3 in the third-fastest time of 1:47.91.

Donohue, Pierce post fastest times in women’s 1,500m

2008 Olympian and 2009 USA Outdoor Champs fourth-place finisher Erin Donohue was the fastest of 18 competitors in women’s 1,500m qualifying. Donohue won the second of two heats in 4:11.72, with 2009 World Outdoor Championships 1,500m sixth-place finisher Anna Pierce finishing as the runner-up in that heat in 4:11.82, which was the second-fastest time of the day.

2009 World Outdoor Championships bronze medalist and reigning national champion Shannon Rowbury won Heat 1 in 4:11.87, with 2008 Olympic Games 10,000m bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan finishing as runner-up in 4:11.94.

Jackson leads the way in men’s 400m hurdles

2005 World Outdoor champion Bershawn “Batman” Jackson is the unquestioned favorite in the men’s 400m hurdles and his performance in the opening round confirmed his status as the man to beat.

The bronze medalist at the 2008 Olympic Games and 2009 World Outdoor Championships, Jackson won the third of three heats in 49.58 as he begins the quest to win his third consecutive USA Outdoor title. 2009 NCAA champion Jeshua Anderson won Heat 2 in 49.61, and last year’s USA runner-up and 2010 NCAA champion Johnny Dutch was the victor in Heat 1 in 49.64.

Franek in first in women’s steeple

A competitive first heat of women’s steeplechase qualifying was won by Penn State University’s 2010 NCAA champion Bridget Franek, who finished third at last year’s USA Championships and crossed the finish line first today in 9:58.91. 2008 Olympic Trials fourth-place finisher Nicole Bush was the runner-up in 10:00.69

2006 national steeple champion Lisa Aguilera won Heat 2 in 10:02.75, with former Stanford standout Lindsay Allen, who finished seventh at last year’s championships, placing second in 10:03.81.

USA Outdoor Championships network television coverage begins Friday night!

The 2010 USA Outdoor Championships will be televised on the following dates (All times Eastern):

June 25 - 8:00 - 10 p.m. on ESPN
June 26 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
June 26 - 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on NBC
June 27 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
June 27 - 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on NBC

Sisson, Gochenour score big wins at USA Junior Champs

DES MOINES - Emily Sisson upset four-time national champion Jordan Hasay to win the women’s 3,000m while Iowa’s own Alex Gochenour won the heptathlon on Day 2 of the 2010 USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.

The USA Junior Championships will serve as the selection meet for the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships, July 19-25, in Moncton, Canada. The top two finishers in each event will compete in Moncton, provided that they have met the qualifying standard.

Sisson over Hasay in women’s 3,000m

The women’s 3,000m was a battle between Olympic Trials 1,500m finalist Jordan Hasay and 2010 World XC team member Emily Sisson. With three laps to go, Hasay moved into the lead with Sisson hot on her heels. With 200m to go, Sisson took the lead from Hasay before Hasay came back even with her with 70m to go. Sisson finally took the lead for good 25m from the finish, going on to win in 9:18.73 to Hasay’s 9:18.92.

Surprise! Local favorite Gochenour wins heptathlon

Local favorite Alex Gochenour, competing for the Cornhusker Flyers, went into the last event of the heptathlon needing to beat leader Ashley Smith by roughly 14 seconds over 800m. Smith completed her 800 in 2:35.62. And Gochenour? She finished in 2:19.14, securing the national title with 5,300 points. Smith finished as the runner-up with 5,270 and Whitney Fountain, who won the 800m in 2:17.39, was third with 5,179.

Wise holds on to win Dec

Leading the competition from start to finish, Neamen Wise edged out Kevin Lazas, 7,300 points to 7,291, to win the men’s decathlon. Heading into the final event, the 1,500m, Wise needed to stay within four seconds of Lazas to maintain his lead and win the national title. Lazas ran the 1,500m in 4:44.69 and Wise finished in 4:48.67. Earlier in the day, Wise had won the 110m hurdles in 14.50 while Lazas won the pole vault in 4.50m/14-9 and the javelin with 55.78m/183-0. 2010 Youth Olympic Games team member Gunnar Nixon finished third with 7,137.

Around the field

Nick Vena’s first heave of the evening (19.95m/65-5.5) was enough to win the men’s shot put, but it was his second throw of 20.14m/66-1 that guaranteed the win for the rising high school senior from Morristown, N.J. Texas freshman Hayden Baillio was the runner-up with a best effort of 19.89m/65-3.25.
Andrew Evans won the men’s discus with a toss of 59.10m/193-11, while Andrew Rose was the runner-up with 57.51m/188-8.

Soon-to-be Tennessee freshman Justin Hunter won the men’s long jump with a leap of 7.89m/25-10.75 while 2009 World Youth team member Carlton Lavong was the runner-up with 7.50m/24-7.25. Southern University’s Micah Mcculloch took third with 7.17m/23-6.25. David Smith won the men’s high jump with a best clearance of 2.23m/7-3.75 while Maalik Reynolds was the runner-up at 2.20m/7-2.5.

Kansas’ Andrea Geubelle soared into the lead in the women’s long jump with 6.20m/20-4.25 on her first attempt and held that lead through four rounds. On her fifth attempt, Stanford’s Karynn Dunn leapt 6.21m/20-4.5 to edge out Guebelle and walk away with the win. Guebelle finished second and Jen Clayton was third with 6.04m/19-9.75.

With two fouls under her belt, Illinois State freshman Brittany Smith was in a must-mark situation if she wanted to move on to the final in the women’s shot put. On her third attempt, Smith heaved the ball 15.41m/50-6.75. It was a mark that would stand as the farthest throw of the day and win Smith the national title. Rachel Roberts first throw of the day of 15.08m/49-5.75 landed her in second place while TCU’s Kelsey Samuels was third with 14.96m/49-1.

Kyle Ballew won the men’s pole vault, while Mark Thomas finished as the runner-up. Each cleared identical heights of 5.10m/16-8.75, but Ballew achieved the mark on his first attempt while Thomas needed two.

After first throwing a foul, Shelby Ashe took the lead in the women’s hammer throw on her second attempt with a mark of 56.24m/184-6 and never looked back. Increasing her lead on her third throw with 60.55m/198-8, Ashe’s fourth throw of the day of 60.76m/199-4 was her best effort of the day and secured her the win. USC’s Lauren Chambers was the runner-up with 57.54m/188-9.

Men’s 3,000m steeplechase

High Point University’s Dakota Peachee sat between second and fourth place for the first 2,600m of the men’s 3,000m steeplechase before moving into the lead on the final lap. Peachee was passed by Virginia Tech’s Jared Berman on the backstretch before his closing kick with 100m to go propelled him back into the lead, where he would stay for the remainder of the race. Peachee won in 9:03.43 to runner-up Berman’s 9:04.76.

Women’s 100m hurdles

Texas A&M frosh Donique’ Flemings , the 2010 NCAA Outdoor champion, won the women’s 100m hurdles in 13.33 seconds, which matches her career best from earlier this season. Flemings posted the top time in the prelims with a wind-aided 13.44 (+2.1mps). Penn State’s Evonne Britton was second in 13.37, while TCU’s Larissa Matthew placed third in 13.44.

Men’s 110m hurdles

Arkansas freshman Caleb Cross punched his ticket to the World Junior Championships , winning the men’s 110m hurdles in a personal-best 13.64. He finished sixth in the prelims earlier in the day with a then-personal best of 13.91. Johnathan Cabral was the runner-up in 13.70.

Men’s and women’s 100s

LSU’s Takeia Pinckney dashed to the win in the women’s 100m, stopping the clock at 11.30. Pinckney had qualifed for the final with the fastest time of the morning round at 11.38. 2009 World Youth 100 and 200m bronze medalist Ashton Purvis was the runner-up in 11.39 while Clemson’s Stormy Kendrick was third in 11.40. Ole Miss freshman Michael Granger won the men’s 100m in 10.30, just ahead of TCU’s Charles Silmon who finished as the runner-up in 10.33. Georgia’s Eric Harris was third in 10.48.

Men’s 5,000m

Trevor Dunbar, a University of Portland freshman, took the lead with nine laps to go in the junior men’s 5,000m and opened the gap all the way to the finish, winning in 14:34.63. N.C. State’s Andrew Colley was the runner-up in 14:37.28.

800m 1st rounds

Penn State’s Casimir Loxsom had the fastest men’s 800m qualifier on the day, winning heat 3 in 1:48.79. Nicholas Kaiser won heat 2 in 1:50.13 while 2010 NCAA Outdoor runner-up Robby Andrews of Virginia won heat 1 in 1:51.41. On the women’s side, Shore AC’s Ajee Wilson, who won heat 2 in women’s 800m qualifying, had the fastest time of the day, crossing the line in 2:07.16. Arkansas’ Stephanie Brown won heat 2 in 2:08.46 and Laura Roesler won heat 1 in 2:08.85.

USA Outdoor Championships network television coverage begins Friday night!

The 2010 USA Outdoor Championships will be televised on the following dates (All times Eastern):

June 25 - 8:00 - 10 p.m. on ESPN

June 26 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPNJune 26 - 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on NBC

June 27 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPN

June 27 - 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on NBC

Cantwell, Phillips headline men’s field events at USA Outdoor Championships

INDIANAPOLIS - The spotlight will shine brightly on reigning World Outdoor champions Christian Cantwell and Dwight Phillips during the men’s field events at the 2010 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, June 23-27 at Drake Stadium on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

The final stop of the 2010 USATF Outdoor Visa Championship Series, the 2010 USA Outdoor Championships will be televised on the following dates (All times Eastern):

June 25 - 8:00 - 10 p.m. on ESPN
June 26 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
June 26 - 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on NBC
June 27 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
June 27 - 3:00 - 4 p.m. on NBC

USATF will partner with RunnerSpace to provide real-time coverage of all events not broadcast on television. Highlighted competitions in the webcast include Thursday’s men’s and women’s 10,000m as well as extensive field event coverage. Webcasts will also include the voices of elite athletes as guest commentators. The webcasts will be found on the USATF 2010 Championships page in addition to an already posted video clip from USATF CEO Doug Logan on the partnership at: www.usatf.org

Cantwell on top?

Reigning World Outdoor champion Christian Cantwell entered this season ranked #1 in the world by Track & Field News, and thus far in 2010 he’s continued his dominance. Cantwell, who won his third career World Indoor title in March, posted the longest throw in the world this year with his toss of 22.35 meters/73 feet 4 inches last Saturday in St. Charles, Mo.

Cantwell will face his longtime foes Reese Hoffa, Adam Nelson and Dan Taylor in what should be a fascinating competition, but newcomers for the first time might provide a twist. Hoffa is the 2007 World Outdoor champion and 2006 World Indoor champ, Nelson owns two Olympic Games silver medals, and was the 2005 world champion, while Taylor won the USA Indoor title in 2009 and twice has placed second outdoors.

Potential spoilers include 2008 NCAA Outdoor champion Cory Martin, whose life changed in a big way on his 25th birthday when he posted a monster personal best and then world-leading heave of 22.10m/72-6.25 on May 22 in Tucson, Ariz. One week later in Sacramento, he backed it up with a throw of 21.55m/70-8.50.

Also keep an eye out for two-time NCAA c hampion Ryan Whiting of Arizona State. Whiting owns the third and fourth best throws in the world this year, with his best of 21.97m/72-1 coming in securing his win at NCAAs.

Long Jump

2004 Olympic gold medalist Dwight Phillips captured his third career World Outdoor title last year and ended the season ranked #1 in the world by T&FN for the fourth time in his career. Phillips’ 2009 season was highlighted by his win at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Ore., where he posted a leap of 8.74m/28 feet 8.25 inches, which is the longest in the world since Mike Powell set the world record at the 1991 World Outdoor Championships in Tokyo, Japan. Phillips has the longest jump in the world this year of 8.42m/27-7.50 with his June 10 win in Rome.

Challengers to Phillips will include Brian Johnson, who finished second to Phillips at last year’s USA Outdoor Champs and the University of Florida’s Christian Taylor, who owns the second best jump by an American this year of 8.19m/26-10.50.

Triple Jump

Brandon Roulhac enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2009 highlighted by winning the USA Indoor and Outdoor Championships. Roulhac, who was ranked #5 in the U.S. following the 2008 season, is now ranked as the nation’s #1 triple jumper.

2005 World Outdoor champion and 2006 World Indoor champion Walter Davis will look to knock off Roulhac for the top spot in Des Moines. Others to watch include 2007 World Youth champion and 2009 NCAA Indoor champion Christian Taylor, who earlier this month won the NCAA Outdoor title with a jump of 17.09m/56-1.

High Jump

The men’s high jump should be a competitive affair with a pair of entrants currently owning two of the top three clearances in the world this season.

2010 World Indoor Championships bronze medalist Dusty Jonas posted the best performance in the world this outdoor season when he cleared 2.33m/7-7.25 in winning at Lincoln, Neb., on May 8. Two-time NCAA Outdoor champ and 2010 USA indoor champion Jesse Williams will be looking to win his second career national outdoor title.

Others to watch include 2009 USA Indoor champ Andra Manson, reigning USA Outdoor champ and 2004 Olympian Tora Harris, 2004 Olympic Games fourth-place finisher Jamie Nieto and 2009 World Outdoor Championships finalist Keith Moffatt.

Pole Vault

2004 Olympic Games fourth-place finisher Derek Miles was #1 U.S.-ranked last year and posted the top performance by an American this outdoor season when he cleared 5.80m/19-0.25 on May 29 in Sacramento.

Another favorite in Des Moines is 2007 World Outdoor champion and 2005 World Outdoor Champs silver medalist Brad Walker, who won his third USA Outdoor crown last year prior to injuries causing him to miss the World Outdoor Championships. 2009 USA Outdoor Champs runner-up Jeremy Scott will be in the mix, along with 2004 Olympic gold medalist Tim Mack and 2010 NCAA Outdoor champion Jordan Scott from the University of Kansas.

Discus

Two-time Olympian Casey Malone will be the favorite after winning his first national discus title in 2009, and placing fifth at the World Championships. Challenging him will be three-time national champion Ian Waltz and 2009’s second-ranked American discus thrower Jarred Rome.

Looking to win his first U.S. discus title will be Jason Young, who made a big splash with his toss of 69.90m/229-4 in Lubbock, Texas on March 26, the second best throw in the world this season.

Hammer

Two-time Olympian A.G. Kruger, who has a four year winning streak in this event, owns the best throw by an American this season (77.35m/253-9) and has been ranked #1 in the U.S. in three of the last four years. However, two-time NACAC champion Jake Freeman wrested the #1 ranking from Kruger last year and will be looking to capture his first U.S. Outdoor title. Other contenders include Mike Mai, who finished third at last year’s USA Outdoor Championships and placed fifth at the 2008 Olympic Trials.

Javelin

During his final year at the University of Georgia in 2009, Chris Hill won his second NCAA javelin title, finished first at the USA Outdoor Championships and ended the season ranked #1 in the nation by T&FN. Hill posted the best throw by an American this season with his winning toss of 79.73m/261-7in Missoula, Mont., on June 5. Others to watch include 2009 World Outdoor Championships 12th-place finisher Sean Furey and 2008 Olympian Mike Hazle.

Decathlon

2003 World Outdoor champion Tom Pappas, who is a five-time USA Outdoor champion (’00, ‘02, ‘03, ‘06, ‘07), will enter the classic ten event challenge as a favorite. He posted his best score in five years of 8,569 points in leading Team USA to a victory over Germany at the 2009 Thorpe Cup Combined Events Challenge in Marburg, Germany.

Also keep a watchful eye on Robert “Jake” Arnold, who set a personal best last month in Gotzis when he totaled 8,253 points. A two-time World Outdoor Championships competitor, Arnold finished third at the last year’s USA Championships. NCAA runner-up Michael Morrison of Cal also is entered in the event.

Brianna Glenn: “I definitely feel that momentum is in my favor. New York is a big part of that, of course”

The long jumper prepares to compete at 2010 USA Outdoor Championships.

June 23, 2010-San Diego. PRJ: So far 2010 has been the Year of Brianna Glenn with your recent victory (6.78/22-3) at the 2010 adidas Grand Prix.

BG: I wouldn’t totally say that. This year, there are people who have jumped further and more consistently than me. It is shaping up to be a good year and right now, I definitely feel that momentum is in my favor. New York is a big part of that, of course.

PRJ: How proud are you of the major victory in New York? For what seemed like all a few  years you kept being asked about it, you kept getting close, and finally broke through. I just wondered, what is like to have this break through with this Diamond League Series win.

BG: I always want to have my best competitions at the times that matter most. I want to know that I can rise to the occasion and perform big on big stages. This is the first year of the Diamond League circuit so those meets are very important to us, especially in the long jump. It’s a guarantee to be jumping against the best jumpers in the world and so doing well at those meets is a great indicator of how you stack up.

PRJ: What would it mean to win at the 2010 USA Outdoor Championships and can you talk about stadium set up?

BG: I competed at Drake in college and I know it’s a great track and an amazing atmosphere. It’s been 8 years since I was National Champion, so I definitely think I’m due for a repeat.

PRJ: Are you motivated at all to be the best long jumper in the world?

BG: I have all the tools necessary to be the best long jumper in the world, it’s just a matter of putting it all together.  I believe that if I focus on jumping what I’m capable of and have the skill to do, that will take care of that question.

PRJ: This marks the eighth year in your professional career. Can you compare maybe what your long jumping is now compared to what it was when you started. In general what track and field athletes need to do as they get into their late 20s and early 30s to keep at that level?

BG: Oh, how I wish I had the body I did when I was in my early 20s.

Now I am left foot jumper instead of a right foot jumper when I first turned pro. I definitely wouldn’t recommend other people trying the switch.  I’ve learned a lot more about the mental aspect of this sport over the last 8 years. More than anything, the switch has allowed me to be where I’m at now.

Some people might consider me over the hill but I haven’t peaked yet. The exciting part is that my best years are still ahead of me. The hard part of the journey was getting through the rough patches when things weren’t going well and finding the desire and will to continue. I’m happy I fought through the rough times because right now I’m enjoying the sport more than I ever have. The most important thing now is staying healthy.

PRJ: Early in the season you struggled a bit and then it sort of clicked when you got to New York. Do you feel like you’re in better shape with your jumping coming into USA Outdoor Nationals than you were in say April?

BG: The goal is definitely to be in better shape now than in April. So far, I’ve jumped the same outdoor mark that I did indoors and I am in better shape now, so I expect to jump even further in the weeks and months to come. Nationals is important, but because we aren’t trying to make a team, I am more so interested in having the ability to jump well over the next two months, instead of peaking for any one meet.

PRJ: This is the time of year when elite collegiate track athletes are making the transition to the professional ranks. What advice do you have?

BG: If you are dedicated and have the desire though, traveling the world to do what you love is not a bad way to earn a paycheck.  The most important thing to realize when turning professional is that it’s a whole different ballgame at this level. For starters, everyone is good. Great collegiate athletes are used to winning all the time and chances are it’s not going to be like that once you’re a pro. It’s also quite different competing in Europe than it is competing in the States.

Rookies have to be patient and give themselves time to adjust to the learning curve because the adjustment to the pro level takes time. The worse thing an athlete can do is to start doubting themselves or their abilities. You can’t ever lose your confidence.

PRJ: Convention thinking is that at U.S. Outdoor Nationals without a World Championship that you compete conservatively. Conventional or conservative is not really what we associate with your jumping? In a major meet, do you have to rein yourself in more or fight to your instincts in the way you attack the board?

BG: I would not even know how to compete conservatively. What does that even mean? I go out there to jump my best and try and win from jump 1 to jump 6.

PRJ: Spoken like a champion. Brianna, thank so much for joining us today. We wish you well this week?

Dix, Wariner, Oliver, Payne, & Crawford headline men’s sprints & hurdles at USA Outdoor Championships

INDIANAPOLIS - 2008 Beijing Olympic medalists Jeremy Wariner, Shawn Crawford, Walter Dix, David Oliver and David Payne will headline a talented group of men’s sprinters and hurdlers at the 2010 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, June 23-27 at Drake Stadium on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

The third event of the 2010 USATF Outdoor Visa Championship Series, the 2010 USA Outdoor Championships will be televised on the following dates (All times Eastern):

June 25 - 8:00 - 10 p.m. on ESPN
June 26 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
June 26 - 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on NBC
June 27 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
June 27 - 3:00 - 4 p.m. on NBC

USATF will partner with RunnerSpace to provide real-time coverage of all events not broadcast on television beginning on Wednesday, June 23. Highlighted competitions include Friday’s men’s and women’s 10,000m as well as extensive field event coverage. In addition to the events’ video coverage, the webcasts will also include the voices of elite athletes as guest commentators.

The webcasts will be found on the USATF 2010 Championships page in addition to an already posted video clip from USATF CEO Doug Logan on the partnership at: www.usatf.org

Visa Men’s 100m

Two-time NCAA Outdoor 100m champion Walter Dix is on the way back from a disappointing 2009 season following his incredible breakthrough 2008 campaign. That year Dix finished fourth in the 100m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships and second at the U.S. Olympic Trials before capturing the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympic Games and a #4 world ranking from T&FN. Dix owns the third-fastest time this season by an American of 9.98 seconds from his May 8 win in Tallahassee, Fla.

2004 Olympic Games fourth-place finisher Shawn Crawford will also be in the mix along with 2004 World Junior champion Ivory Williams, who posted the second-fastest time this year by an American from his 9.95 clocking on April 17 in Lawrence, Kans. Other challengers include three-time ACC champion Travis Padgett, who finished fourth the last two years in this event, and Monzavous “Rae” Edwards, who finished third at last year’s championships in Eugene, Ore. Longtime 200m specialist Wallace Spearmon, also will line-up for the 100m in Des Moines.

Nike Men’s 200m

This always highly competitive event will feature two of the world’s top five athletes from the 2009 season.

2008 Olympian and two-time World Outdoor Championships (2007, 2009) bronze medalist Wallace Spearmon will be one of the favorites as he attempts to win his second career USA Outdoor title. Spearmon, who finished third at this event last year, ended the 2009 campaign ranked #4 in the world and #2 in the U.S. by T&FN. Spearmon will face a strong challenge from 2004 Olympic 200m gold medalist and reigning national champion Shawn Crawford, who finished fourth at the 2009 World Outdoor Championships in Berlin, won the silver medal at the 2008 Olympics and ended the 2009 season ranked #5 in the world by T&FN.

Others to watch include 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Walter Dix, who currently owns the third and fourth-fastest times in the world this year (19.86, 19.89), and 2009 USA Outdoor Champs fifth-place finisher Xavier Carter. Rodney Martin, who has finished third at this event twice and placed fourth at the 2008 Olympic Trials, should be a factor, and up-and-comer Curtis Mitchell, a junior at Texas A&M who finished second this month at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, could also be a factor.

Visa Men’s 400m

2004 Olympic gold medalist Jeremy Wariner, who was ranked #1 in the world from 2004-2007, enters the USA Outdoor Championships looking for his third career win at nationals. A two-time World Outdoor champion and the 2008 Olympic silver medalist, Wariner is looking to reign again as the world’s top quarter-miler. Wariner posted the fastest time in the world this year with his win at Rome on June 10 in 44.73 seconds.

Wariner’s challengers will include his 2008 Olympic Games gold medal winning 4×400m relay teammate David Neville, who will always be remembered for his dive across the finish line in the 400m final in Beijing, which secured him the bronze medal. Neville, who finished the 2009 season ranked #9 in the world and #3 in the U.S. at 400m by Track & Field News, will be vying for his first ever USA Outdoor title.

2008 Olympic silver medalist and two-time World 400m hurdles champion Kerron Clement will also take on Wariner in the open 400m. No stranger to the event, Clement owns two World Championships 4×400m relay gold medals, and a relay gold from the 2008 Olympic Games, and he finished third in the one-lapper at last year’s USA Outdoor Championships in Eugene. Clement, who entered this season ranked #5 in the nation at 400m by T&FN, has been ranked #1 in the world in the 400m hurdles over the last three years.

Others to watch include the University of Florida’s Calvin Smith, who finished fourth earlier this month at the NCAA Outdoor Championships and owns the fourth-fastest time in the world this year in running his personal best time of 44.81 seconds in Gainesville, Fla., on April 17. Others to watch include Jamaal Torrance, who finished the 2009 season ranked #9 in the U.S., reigning USA Junior champion Tavaris Tate, who owns the sixth-fastest time in the world this year (44.86), and two-time Big 12 Conference outdoor champion and 2008 NACAC champ LeJerald Betters.

Nike Men’s 110m Hurdles

With four of the world’s top ten ranked competitors on their way to compete in Des Moines, the men’s 110m hurdles figures to be one of the most competitive and exciting events at this year’s championships.

2008 Olympic Games silver medalist David Payne enters as the favorite after winning his first USA Outdoor title last year in Eugene. Payne captured his second World Outdoor Championships bronze medal in Berlin last year before ending the season ranked #4 in the world and #2 in the U.S. by T&FN.

His toughest challenge should come from 2008 Olympic Games bronze medalist David Oliver, who owns three of the top four times in the world this year, including the fastest clocking globally this season of 12.99 seconds from his win in Shanghai on May 23. Others to watch include 2009 USA Outdoor Championships third-place finisher Aries Merritt, who ended last season ranked #7 in the world, and Dexter Faulk, who posted wins last year at Grand Prix events in Paris and Berlin before ending the season ranked #5 in the world. 2008 Olympic Trials fifth-place finisher Antwon Hicks could also be a factor in this race.

Hershey Men’s 400m Hurdles

2005 World Champion Bershawn “Batman” Jackson is the prohibitive favorite in this race as he looks to win his third consecutive USA Outdoor 400m hurdles crown. Jackson, who won the bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games, also won bronze at the 2009 World Outdoor Championships before ending his season ranked #2 in the world by T&FN. Jackson, who posted wins last year at Grand Prix events in New York, Eugene and Ostrava, won the 400m at the 2010 USA Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, N.M., to go along with his previous title from 2005. Jackson posted the third-fastest time in the world this year of 47.94 seconds with his runner-up finish at the adidas Grand Prix in New York on June 12.

2009 World Outdoor Championships competitor and 2010 NCAA champion Johnny Dutch should provide the strongest challenge to Jackson after finishing second last year at the USA Outdoor Championships. Dutch, who began this season ranked #3 in the U.S., posted the fourth-fastest time in the world this year with his May 28 win in Greensboro, N.C., in a personal best time of 48.12 seconds.

Others to watch include 2009 USA Outdoor Champs fourth-place finisher Michael Tinsley, who placed fourth at last year’s World Athletics Final, and 2009 NCAA and Pac-10 Conference champion Jeshua Anderson.

Chaunte Lowe headlines women’s field events at 2010 Outdoor Champs

INDIANAPOLIS- American record holder Chaunte Lowe will headline a talented group of athletes in the women’s field events at the 2010 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, June 23-27 at Drake Stadium on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

This meet marks the third event of the 2010 USATF Outdoor Visa Championship Series and will feature the nations’ finest professional track and field athletes competing for national honors. It will be televised on the following dates (All time Eastern):

June 25- 8:00-10:00 p.m. on ESPN
June 26- 1:00-2:30 p.m. on ESPN
June 26- 3:00-4:00 p.m. on NBC
June 27- 1:00-2:30 p.m. on ESPN
June 27- 3:00-4:00 p.m. on NBC

The hop, skip & jumps

In what should be a clear victory, American record holder Chaunte Lowe will return to defend her National title in the women’s high jump. Lowe cleared 2.04m/6-8.25 in setting an American record at Cottbus in May and has since seen similar heights at Oslo and Rome. Should she continue to clear these heights, she should take home the title.

After performing at less than their best at the recent adidas Grand Prix, 2008 Olympic silver medalist Jenn Suhr and 2009 World Outdoor silver medalist Chelsea Johnson will look to bounce back in the women’s pole vault. This will only be Suhr’s second meet this season and she will have to work out the kinks if she wants the victory in Des Moines. Also looking to challenge Suhr and Johnson is Indoor Nationals champion Lacy Janson as she comes in with the highest American clearance of 4.66i/15-3.50 this year.

Two-time world champion Brittney Reese will return after a long break from injury to challenge 2008 Olympian Funmi Jimoh in the women’s long jump. Both Reese and Jimoh have posted competitive distances this year, but all of which were early in the season. The outcome of this event will all depend on Reese’s injury status. Also in the mix is addidas Grand Prix champion Brianna Glenn and 2008 National Champion Hyleas Fountain. Glenn’s winning mark in New York was a seasonal best and she will have to repeat her performance if she wants a chance at this year’s title. Hyleas Fountain on the other hand, hasn’t produced any long distances in this season yet, but she is capable of doing so and in turn could be in the running for the title.

In the women’s triple jump, national leader Erica McLain is entered with a wind assisted 14.42m/47-3.75. Her only other mark distant length this year was a jump in early May. For this reason, the event will be highly competitive between McLain and challengers Toni Smith and Crystal Manning; all three of which are consistently jumping within inches of each other.

The Throws

Six-time USA Indoor champion Jillian Camarena-Williams and two-time USA Outdoor champion Michelle Carter are the top entrants in the women’s shot put. The two have battled it out this season with Williams usually finding the victory. However, Carter tossed farther at Shanghai and in the heat of the competition may out-toss Williams. Another competitor to watch is three-time USA Outdoor champion Kirstin Heaston. For a victory, she would have to throw a good distance farther then she has been this season, but as a veteran thrower and competitor, she knows how to turn on the heat.

2008 Olympic gold medalist Stephanie Brown Trafton, four-time USA Outdoor champion Aretha Hill Thurmond, and 2005 USA Outdoor champion Becky Breisch will battle for top honors in the women’s discus. Breisch has thrown the farthest distance this season, but right on her heels, Thurmond and Trafton will give her a run for her money. All three will make for a competitive match. Also to watch is Gia Lewis-Smallwood who popped the second farthest American distance this season.

A good head-and-shoulders above the rest of the field, 2008 Olympian Amber Campbell and Britney Henry will throw the weight around in the women’s hammer throw. As a veteran of strong competition and high pressure, Campbell will look to claim the victory; but not a stranger to far distances, Henry may sneak up to take the title.

In the women’s javelin throw, it will be a close competition between top throwers 2008 Olympic Trials champion Kara Patterson, 2009 World Championships finalist Rachel Yurkovich. Also in the mix is two-time national champion and American record holder Kim Kreiner. All three are within reaching distance of each other but Patterson holds the nation’s leading mark. Kreiner hasn’t thrown since last season, so anything is possible in her season opener.

Olympic medalists headline men’s sprints & hurdles at USA Outdoor Championships

INDIANAPOLIS - 2008 Beijing Olympic medalists Jeremy Wariner, Shawn Crawford, Walter Dix, David Oliver and David Payne will headline a talented group of men’s sprinters and hurdlers at the 2010 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, June 23-27 at Drake Stadium on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

The third event of the 2010 USATF Outdoor Visa Championship Series, the 2010 USA Outdoor Championships will be televised on the following dates (All times Eastern):

June 25 - 8:00 - 10 p.m. on ESPN
June 26 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
June 26 - 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on NBC
June 27 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
June 27 - 3:00 - 4 p.m. on NBC

USATF will partner with RunnerSpace to provide real-time coverage of all events not broadcast on television beginning on Wednesday, June 23. Highlighted competitions include Friday’s men’s and women’s 10,000m as well as extensive field event coverage. In addition to the events’ video coverage, the webcasts will also include the voices of elite athletes as guest commentators.

The webcasts will be found on the USATF 2010 Championships page in addition to an already posted video clip from USATF CEO Doug Logan on the partnership at: www.usatf.org

Visa Men’s 100m

Two-time NCAA Outdoor 100m champion Walter Dix is on the way back from a disappointing 2009 season following his incredible breakthrough 2008 campaign. That year Dix finished fourth in the 100m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships and second at the U.S. Olympic Trials before capturing the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympic Games and a #4 world ranking from T&FN. Dix owns the third-fastest time this season by an American of 9.98 seconds from his May 8 win in Tallahassee, Fla.

2004 Olympic Games fourth-place finisher Shawn Crawford will also be in the mix along with 2004 World Junior champion Ivory Williams, who posted the second-fastest time this year by an American from his 9.95 clocking on April 17 in Lawrence, Kans. Other challengers include three-time ACC champion Travis Padgett, who finished fourth the last two years in this event, and Monzavous “Rae” Edwards, who finished third at last year’s championships in Eugene, Ore. Longtime 200m specialist Wallace Spearmon, also will line-up for the 100m in Des Moines.

Nike Men’s 200m

This always highly competitive event will feature two of the world’s top five athletes from the 2009 season.

2008 Olympian and two-time World Outdoor Championships (2007, 2009) bronze medalist Wallace Spearmon will be one of the favorites as he attempts to win his second career USA Outdoor title. Spearmon, who finished third at this event last year, ended the 2009 campaign ranked #4 in the world and #2 in the U.S. by T&FN. Spearmon will face a strong challenge from 2004 Olympic 200m gold medalist and reigning national champion Shawn Crawford, who finished fourth at the 2009 World Outdoor Championships in Berlin, won the silver medal at the 2008 Olympics and ended the 2009 season ranked #5 in the world by T&FN.

Others to watch include 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Walter Dix, who currently owns the third and fourth-fastest times in the world this year (19.86, 19.89), and 2009 USA Outdoor Champs fifth-place finisher Xavier Carter. Rodney Martin, who has finished third at this event twice and placed fourth at the 2008 Olympic Trials, should be a factor, and up-and-comer Curtis Mitchell, a junior at Texas A&M who finished second this month at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, could also be a factor.

Visa Men’s 400m

2004 Olympic gold medalist Jeremy Wariner, who was ranked #1 in the world from 2004-2007, enters the USA Outdoor Championships looking for his third career win at nationals. A two-time World Outdoor champion and the 2008 Olympic silver medalist, Wariner is looking to reign again as the world’s top quarter-miler. Wariner posted the fastest time in the world this year with his win at Rome on June 10 in 44.73 seconds.

Wariner’s challengers will include his 2008 Olympic Games gold medal winning 4×400m relay teammate David Neville, who will always be remembered for his dive across the finish line in the 400m final in Beijing, which secured him the bronze medal. Neville, who finished the 2009 season ranked #9 in the world and #3 in the U.S. at 400m by Track & Field News, will be vying for his first ever USA Outdoor title.

2008 Olympic silver medalist and two-time World 400m hurdles champion Kerron Clement will also take on Wariner in the open 400m. No stranger to the event, Clement owns two World Championships 4×400m relay gold medals, and a relay gold from the 2008 Olympic Games, and he finished third in the one-lapper at last year’s USA Outdoor Championships in Eugene. Clement, who entered this season ranked #5 in the nation at 400m by T&FN, has been ranked #1 in the world in the 400m hurdles over the last three years.

Others to watch include the University of Florida’s Calvin Smith, who finished fourth earlier this month at the NCAA Outdoor Championships and owns the fourth-fastest time in the world this year in running his personal best time of 44.81 seconds in Gainesville, Fla., on April 17. Others to watch include Jamaal Torrance, who finished the 2009 season ranked #9 in the U.S., reigning USA Junior champion Tavaris Tate, who owns the sixth-fastest time in the world this year (44.86), and two-time Big 12 Conference outdoor champion and 2008 NACAC champ LeJerald Betters.

Nike Men’s 110m Hurdles

With four of the world’s top ten ranked competitors on their way to compete in Des Moines, the men’s 110m hurdles figures to be one of the most competitive and exciting events at this year’s championships.

2008 Olympic Games silver medalist David Payne enters as the favorite after winning his first USA Outdoor title last year in Eugene. Payne captured his second World Outdoor Championships bronze medal in Berlin last year before ending the season ranked #4 in the world and #2 in the U.S. by T&FN.

His toughest challenge should come from 2008 Olympic Games bronze medalist David Oliver, who owns three of the top four times in the world this year, including the fastest clocking globally this season of 12.99 seconds from his win in Shanghai on May 23. Others to watch include 2009 USA Outdoor Championships third-place finisher Aries Merritt, who ended last season ranked #7 in the world, and Dexter Faulk, who posted wins last year at Grand Prix events in Paris and Berlin before ending the season ranked #5 in the world. 2008 Olympic Trials fifth-place finisher Antwon Hicks could also be a factor in this race.

Hershey Men’s 400m Hurdles

2005 World Champion Bershawn “Batman” Jackson is the prohibitive favorite in this race as he looks to win his third consecutive USA Outdoor 400m hurdles crown. Jackson, who won the bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games, also won bronze at the 2009 World Outdoor Championships before ending his season ranked #2 in the world by T&FN. Jackson, who posted wins last year at Grand Prix events in New York, Eugene and Ostrava, won the 400m at the 2010 USA Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, N.M., to go along with his previous title from 2005. Jackson posted the third-fastest time in the world this year of 47.94 seconds with his runner-up finish at the adidas Grand Prix in New York on June 12.

2009 World Outdoor Championships competitor and 2010 NCAA champion Johnny Dutch should provide the strongest challenge to Jackson after finishing second last year at the USA Outdoor Championships. Dutch, who began this season ranked #3 in the U.S., posted the fourth-fastest time in the world this year with his May 28 win in Greensboro, N.C., in a personal best time of 48.12 seconds.

Others to watch include 2009 USA Outdoor Champs fourth-place finisher Michael Tinsley, who placed fourth at last year’s World Athletics Final, and 2009 NCAA and Pac-10 Conference champion Jeshua Anderson.

Schedule of 2010 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships

Wednesday, June 23
12:30 p.m. 100m Hurdles Jr. Women Heptathlon
1:00 100m Jr. Men Decathlon
1:30 High Jump Jr. Women Heptathlon
1:45 Long Jump Jr. Men Decathlon
3:00 Shot Put Jr. Men Decathlon
4:15 High Jump Jr. Men Decathlon
4:30 Shot Put Jr. Women Heptathlon
5:45 200m Jr. Women Heptathlon
6:45 400m Jr. Men Decathlon

Thursday, June 24
10:00 a.m. 110m Hurdles Jr. Men Decathlon
10:30 High Jump Jr. Men Final
11:00 Long Jump Jr. Women Heptathlon
11:00 Discus Throw Jr. Men Decathlon
11:20 110m Hurdles Jr. Men 1st Round
11:45 100m Hurdles Jr. Women 1st Round
12:10 p.m. 100m Jr. Women 1st Round
12:30 100m Jr. Men 1st Round
12:30 Javelin Throw Jr. Women Heptathlon
12:30 Shot Put Jr. Men Final
12:45 Long Jump Jr. Men Final
12:50 800m Jr. Women 1st Round
1:00 Long Jump Jr. Women Final
1:10 800m Jr. Men 1st Round
1:30 3000m Jr. Women Final
1:45 3000m Steeplechase Jr. Men Final
1:45 Pole Vault Jr. Men Decathlon
2:00 100m Hurdles Jr. Women Final
2:10 110m Hurdles Jr. Men Final
2:15 Discus Throw Jr. Men Final
2:20 100m Jr. Women Final
2:30 100m Jr. Men Final
2:30 Shot Put Jr. Women Final
2:40 800m Jr. Women Heptathlon
4:15 3000m Steeplechase Women 1st Round
4:30 Javelin Throw “a” Jr. Men Decathlon
4:45 800m Women 1st Round
5:05 800m Men 1st Round
5:15 Pole Vault Jr. Men Final
5:25 400m Hurdles Men 1st Round
5:30 Javelin Throw “b” Jr. Men Decathlon
5:30 Hammer Throw Jr. Women Final
5:50 1500m Women 1st Round
6:10 400m Women 1st Round
6:20 triple Jump Women Final
6:35 400m Men 1st Round
7:00 1500m Jr. Men Decathlon
7:10 100m Women 1st Round
7:35 100m Men 1st Round
8:00 5000m Jr. Men Final
8:20 10,000m Men Final
8:55 10,000m Women Final

Friday, June 25
10:00 a.m. Javelin Throw Jr. Women Final
10:00 100m Hurdles Women Heptathlon
10:15 Hammer Throw Jr. Men Final
10:30 100m Men Decathlon
10:45 High Jump Women Heptathlon
11:05 200m Jr. Women 1st Round
11:30 200m Jr. Men 1st Round
11:30 Long Jump Men Decathlon
11:55 1500m Jr. Women 1st Round
12:00n Pole Vault Jr. Women Final
12:15 p.m. 1500m Jr. Men 1st Round
12:35 400m Jr. Women 1st Round
12:55 400m Jr. Men 1st Round
1:00 Javelin Throw Jr. Men Final
1:00 Shot Put Women Heptathlon
1:15 3000m Steeplechase Jr. Women Final
1:10 triple Jump Jr. Women Final
1:20 triple Jump Jr. Men Final
1:30 800m Jr. Women Final
1:30 Discus Throw Jr. Women Final
1:40 800m Jr. Men Final
1:50 400m Hurdles Jr. Women 1st Round
2:00 Shot Put Men Decathlon
2:10 400m Hurdles Jr. Men 1st Round
2:30 200m Jr. Women Final
2:40 200m Jr. Men Final
2:50 200m Women Heptathlon
3:15 High Jump Men Decathlon
4:00 Discus Throw Men Final
4:15 3000m steeple Men 1st Round
4:45 100m Hurdles Women 1st Round
5:00 Hammer Throw Men Final
5:10 400m Men Decathlon
5:30 400m Hurdles Women 1st Round
5:45 Pole Vault Men Final
5:55 100m Women Semi-Final
6:00 High Jump Jr. Women Final
6:00 Triple Jump Men Final
6:00 Javelin Throw Women Final
6:10 100m Men Semi-Final
6:25 1500m Men 1st Round
6:45 400m Women Semi-Final
7:00 400m Men Semi-Final
7:15 800m Women Semi-Final
7:30 800m Men Semi-Final
7:45 400m Hurdles Men Semi-Final
8:04 100m Women Final
8:14 5000m Women Final
8:35 5000m Men Final
8:52 100m Men Final
9:00 10,000m Jr. Men Final
Saturday, June 26
8:00 a.m. 10km race walk Jr. Men Final
9:00 10km race walk Jr. Women Final
10:30 110m Hurdles Men Decathlon
11:30 Discus Throw Men Decathlon
11:30 Long Jump Women Heptathlon
12:15 p.m. Shot Put Women Final
12:30 High Jump Women Final
1:15 100m Hurdles Women Semi-Final
1:40 masters 100m Women Section
1:50 masters 100m Men Section
2:00 Javelin Throw Women Heptathlon
2:00 Long Jump Women Final
2:00 Pole Vault Men Decathlon
2:02 400m Hurdles Women Semi-Final
2:18 400m Hurdles Men Final
2:26 1500m Women Final
2:36 400m Women Final
2:44 400 m Men Final
2:52 100m Hurdles Women Final
3:05 400m Jr. Women Final
3:15 400m Jr. Men Final
3:20 Hammer Throw Women Final
3:25 400m Hurdles Jr. Men Final
3:35 400m Hurdles Jr. Women Final
3:45 800m Women Heptathlon
4:05 200m Men 1st Round
4:15 Javelin Throw “a” Men Decathlon
4:30 200m Women 1st Round
4:50 110m Hurdles Men 1st Round
5:15 Javelin Throw “b” Men Decathlon
5:25 1500m Jr. Women Final
5:40 1500m Jr. Men Final
5:55 5,000m Jr. Women Final
6:30 1500m Men Decathlon

Sunday, June 27
6:30 a.m. 20km race walk Men Final
6:33 20km race walk Women Final
12:00 p.m. Shot Put Men Final
12:00 Pole Vault Women Final
12:00 Javelin Men Final
12:05 200m Men Semi-Final
12:15 High Jump Men Final
12:15 200m Women Semi-Final
12:20 Discus Throw Women Final
12:30 Long Jump Men Final
12:30 110m Hurdles Men Semi-Final
12:50 3000m Steeplechase Men Final
1:15 3000m Steeplechase Women Final
1:50 800m Women Final
2:00 800m Men Final
2:10 400m Hurdles Women Final
2:20 200m Men Final
2:30 200m Women Final
2:40 1500m Men Final
2:50 110m Hurdles Men Final