LIVE at the 2008 adidas Track Classic: Bershawn Jackson Runs Strong!

The men’s 110 hurdles was beset with false starts. A second false start was charged to Eric Mitchum, who was disqualified from the race. Anwar Moore ran well over the hurdles to win in 13.39 and Terrence Trammell hit the sixth hurdle to narrowly place second in 13.40.

Bershawn “Batman” Jackson led from the first hurdle, and the 400-meter hurdle field never caught up to his victorious time of 48.94. Brandon Johnson was the nearest runner in 49.62, and Michael Tinsley was third in 49.68.

The adidas Track Classic also featured the top junior runners from the L.A. area which in the past has produced the likes of Allyson Felix. Lauren Williams won the 8-9 year old fastest kid in LA competition in 11.27 at 80 meters, over Cheyanne Brady who placed second in 11.59, and Amanda VanBuren was third in 11.60.

Allyson Felix did not run the 200 as planned coming into the meet. Coach Bob Kersee thought it best to forgo running a second race for the day. Felix had been dealing with the lost of her boyfriend’s father who passed this week. Muna Lee took the race in 22.30 over Carmelita Jeter in 22.47 over Marshevet Hooker who ran 22.49 for a close second place. Rookie Bianca Knight took sixth in 22.79.

The women’s 400-meter was up for grabs. Natasha Hastings took the early lead before Novlene Williams of Jamaica eventually won the race in 50.38. Mary Winberg ran strong in 50.41 to place second. Hastings took third in 51.09.

Jay Hicks

LIVE at the 2008 adidas Track Classic: Wariner is Fantastic!

Jeremy Wariner has a history of running exceptional times at the adidas Track Classic. This year was no different. Wariner ran an impressive 44.42, the second fastest time in the world, with a sore hamstring. Due to his hamstring issues, Wariner got easily out of the blocks and cruised easily down the backstretch.

Coming off the final turn Wariner was easily in the lead, followed by Tyler Christopher in 44.71. Chris Brown of the Bahamas placed third, followed by Kerron Clement in 45.10.

Jenn Stuczynski soared to 16 feet, ¾ inches in the pole vault to break the American record for the second year in a row at this meet.

A successful day was had by Tyson Gay. In a come-from-behind 100-meters victory, the reigning world champion beat the field in 10.05. Davis Patton was a close second in 10.06, and Derrick Atkins of the Bahamas placed third in 10.16.

Gay followed up his 100 victory with a successful double in winning the 200-meters in 20.08. Xavier “X Man” Carter was just behind the lead in 20.30. Rodney Martin ran 20.55 to place third.

Jay Hicks

LIVE at the 2008 adidas Track Classic: Rupp Wins!

The men’s 100-meter dash B-Race was taken by Rodney Martin in 10.13, followed by Steve Mullings in 10.20. Decathlete Bryan Clay placed sixth in a solid time of 10.46.

It was a near photo finish win in 7:51.17 by Galen Rupp in the 3000 meters over Jonathan Riley in 7:51.40.

Last night the men’s 800-meter was won in 1:47.51 by Brandon Shaw. Shaw was closely followed by Sam Burley in 1:47.91 and Ralphael Asafo-Agyei in 1:48.05

Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.

LIVE: at the 2008 adidas Track Classic: Women’s 100 Is Hot!

Fans in Carson, CA were treated to a prime time race. Although the women’s 100-meters did not dip below 11 seconds, there was intense drama on the track.

The race has major implications on the Olympic Trials and Beijing. The race survived two false starts, the first by Allyson Felix and the second by Marshevet Hooker, which resulted in her disqualification from the race. On top of those issues, the field faced a head wind of -.9.

Veronica Campbell of Jamaica won the star-studded race in 11.14, just narrowly edging out Lauryn Williams in 11.15. Jamaica’s Kerron Stewart was barely third in 11.16. Just behind Stewart was Allyson Felix in 11.21. Felix seemed to be unable to find the top gear that fans are accustomed to seeing in her races.

Marshshevet Hooker was disqualified due to a false start.

By Jay Hicks.

2008 adidas Track Classic Preview

The top American runners are heading to Carson, California to compete in the adidas Track Classic scheduled for May 18.

The women’s 100-meters, headlined by world champion Veronica Campbell of Jamaica is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested races on the road to Beijing. The event brings together the world’s top ten ranked competitors with a field that also features Carmelita Jeter, Sanya Richards, and Allyson Felix.

The men’s 100-meters features world champion Tyson Gay along with Derrick Atkins, Wallace Spearmon, and Mike Rodgers.

Rookie Bianca Knight will try out her stuff against the world champion Allyson Felix in the 200-meters.

The 400-meters is a compelling race. Jeremy Wariner is putting his winning streak on the line. The world and Olympic champion has not lost a race since September 2005. Wariner pulled out of the 200-meter in Doha, Qatar after he felt a cramp in his hamstring during warm-ups. Wariner will face stiff competition from Kerron Clement.

Terrence Trammell is making his outdoor debut in the 110-meter hurdles in a race including former Olympian Allen Johnson and Eric Mitchum.

Tyson Gay and Allyson Felix will compete in the 100 and 200-meters and are the only athletes to double in Carson. Allyson Felix plans to compete in both events at the U.S Olympic Trials and would like to run the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 meter relay teams in Beijing.

The adidas track classic is the second outdoor meet of the USA Track and Field Visa Championships Series and is being televised on ESPN from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. EST.

Jay Hicks

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