Wariner earns close win over Taylor In Rome

 

Rome-Two races, two wins and the USA Nationals are only two weeks away.

Jeremy Wariner stands firm and holds off Angelo Taylor to win the Rome Gala - a Diamond League meet. 

Wariners winning time 44.73 to Taylor’s 44.74 - marks the first time the former Baylor runner breaks 45 seconds on the season.

Asafa Powell is coming into his own in 2010.

Powell got out slowly before hitting his stride to handily win the Rome Gala.

Powell time 9.82 seconds is the new world leading time and a big statement in Usain Bolt’s absence.

Guess whose back?

After a disappointing 2009 season, Walter Dix is back to a form similar to 2008.  Dix ran 19.86 seconds in Rome setting a new 200m stadium record and showing signs that big things may be in store for him this season.

Women forge ahead in Berlin

For Immediate Release
Sunday, August 16, 2009

BERLIN - Team USA’s women led the charge in the morning session as all 100m and 800m women advanced to the next round, and Michelle Carter and Rachel Yurkovich qualified for their respective finals Sunday morning at the 2009 IAAF World Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.

All women advance in 100m and 800m

All three American women easily advanced to the next round of the women’s 100m. 2007 World Outdoor bronze medalist Carmelita Jeter (Los Angeles) won heat 3 in 11.22 after looking around and visibly easing up at the 80m mark. It was the fastest time of the first round.

2005 world champion and ‘07 silver medalist Lauryn Williams (Miami, Fla.) won heat 7 in 11.36 and two-time Olympian Muna Lee (College Station, Texas) was second in heat 9 in 11.42.

They take the top three plus the next six fastest to the semifinal of the women’s 800m. In heat 1 of the first round, Geena Gall (Ann Arbor, Mich.) was sitting in fourth/fifth and it appeared she would not move on. With 120m to go, reigning world champion Janeth Jepkosgei (KEN) stumbled and fell to the ground vaulting Gall into second place in 2:02.63 and moving her into the semifinal.

Heat 3 saw four-time Olympian Hazel Clark (Knoxville, Tenn.) leading for the first 300m, but in fourth place at the halfway point. Clark fought her way back to finish third in 2:02.67 and grab a spot in the next round. Maggie Vessey (Soquel, Calif.) easily moved on to the next round, finishing as the runner-up in heat 5 in 2:04.07.

Carter to compete in tonight’s shot final

2008 Olympic finalist Michelle Carter (Ovilla, Texas) qualified for the final in the women’s shot put on her last throw with an effort of 18.44 meters/60 feet 6 inches. 2008 Olympian Jillian Camarena (Tuscon, Ariz.) finished 23rd in qualifying with a best effort of 16.92m/55-6.25 and, after two fouls, three-time USA Outdoor champion Kristin Heaston (Opelika, Ala.) finished 28th with a mark of 14.98m/49-1.75.

Yurkovich first American woman in javelin final since 1983

Two-time NCAA champion Rachel Yurkovich finished 11th in qualifying in the women’s javelin with a best mark of 59.57m/195-5 and has qualified for Tuesday’s final. Yurkovic is the first American woman to qualify for the women’s javelin final at a World Championships since Karin Smith finsihed 10th in 1983 at the innaugural World Championships in Helsinki. Two-time USA Outdoor champion Kara Patterson (West Lafayette, Ind.) finished 29th in qualifying with 52.71m/172-11.2 and will not move on.

With just two events remaining in the women’s heptathlon, 2009 USA Outdoor champion Diana Pickler (Sasche, Texas) is currently in 10th place with 4,513 points. Sharon Day (Costa Mesa, Calif.) is just behind Pickler in 11th with 4,470 points and Bettie Wade (Northville, Mich.) is in 24th with 3,780 points.

In the first round of the men’s steeplechase, 2007 Pan Am Games champion Josh McAdams (Cordova, Tenn.) was 13th in heat 2 in 9:02.19. Running with the leader for the most of the first half of heat 3, Dan Huling (Geneva, Ill.) was unable to hold the pace and finished 12th in 8:46.79. Kyle Alcorn (Fresno, Calif.) was forced to step off the track after experiencing chest pains in heat 1 and did not finish his race. No Americans advanced to Tuesday’s final.

In the women’s 20 km racewalk, four-time USA Outdoor champion Teresa Vaill (Gainesville, Fla.) wasn’t feeling well at the 5km checkpoint and dropped out of the race between the 5 and 6km mark.

Taylor out, in, out again

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Angelo Taylor (Atlanta, Ga.) finished fourth in heat 4 of the opening round of the men’s 400m hurdles competition Saturday evening in 49.64 seconds. His performance did not warrant advancement to the semifinals.

Following the race the meet referee ruled that Brendan Cole of Australia, who ran in Taylor’s heat, was disqualified for trail leg violations (IAAF Rule 168.7) over hurdles 1, 2 & 7, which moved Taylor up one spot and in to the semifinals.

Members of the Australian delegation filed a protest, which Team USA officials learned about late last evening. The referee reversed his original decision on video evidence and Team USA officials appealed that decision. The Jury of Appeals met this morning and denied the U.S. appeal to have Cole disqualified. Taylor will not compete in this evening’s semifinals.

For complete results, quotes and Team USA reports, visit www.usatf.org.

Olympic champion Harper wins at USA Championships

Press Release Courtesy of USA Track & Field.

EUGENE, Ore - 2008 Olympic gold medalist Dawn Harper won her first national outdoor title and the women’s Visa Championship Series crown on the final day of the 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field in Eugene.

The final event of the 2009 USATF Outdoor Visa Championship Series, the USA Outdoor Championships serves as the selection event for the 2009 World Outdoor Championships in Berlin, Germany, August 15-23.

Dawn Harper captured her first-ever USA Outdoor national title with her win in the Nike Women’s 100m hurdles in 12.36 seconds. A tailwind of 2.2 meters per second at her back helped Harper post the fourth-fastest time ever by an American under any conditions.

Harper’s performance gave her 1,220 points and the women’s USA Track & Field Outdoor Visa Championship Series title, as she barely edged out 2009 USA Outdoor 100m champion Carmelita Jeter, who finished second with 1,216 points.

Others joining reigning world champion Michelle Perry at the World Championships in Berlin will be 2007 USA Outdoor champion and fifth-place finisher at the World Championships that year, Ginnie Powell, who was the runner-up in 12.47 seconds, and 2008 Olympic Trials runner-up and Olympic Games fourth-place finisher Damu Cherry, who finished third in 12.58. Two-time NCAA Outdoor champion and 2008 NACAC gold medalist Tiffany Ofili placed fourth in 12.66.

Jackson keeps world lead in men’s 400m hurdles.

2005 World champion and 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Bershawn Jackson captured his second-consecutive national 400m hurdles title with his time of 48.03 seconds, which is the fastest time in the world this year. Jackson posted the previous world best this season with his win in Ostrava on June 17 when he was clocked at 48.32.

Others joining reigning World Champion Kerron Clement at the 2009 World Outdoor Championships in Berlin will be University of South Carolina standout and 2009 NCAA runner-up Johnny Dutch (2nd-48.18), and two-time Olympic 400m hurdles gold medalist Angelo Taylor (3rd-48.30).

Symmonds wins Nike Men’s 800m, named Visa Athlete of the Meet.

Eugene area resident Nick Symmonds won the most dramatic race of last year’s Olympic Trials at Hayward Field, and he continued his success here this afternoon in being named the Visa Athlete of the Meet following his dramatic win in the Nike Men’s 800 meters.

Symmonds began the race in his customary place near the back of the pack before building a sizeable lead coming off the final turn. 2004 Olympian Khadevis Robinson, who finished fourth at last year’s Olympic Trials, began closing on Symmonds down the stretch but didn’t quite have enough to catch him. Symmonds edged Robinson at the finish, crossing the line first in 1:45.86. Robinson finished as the runner-up in 1:45.97, with former University of Washington standout and 2006 NCAA Outdoor champion Ryan Brown third in 1:46.67. Christian Smith, who finished third at last year’s Trials, finished fourth at 1:46.92.

Clark wins women’s two-lapper.

Three-time Olympian Hazel Clark won her fifth career USA Outdoor 800m title and the fourth in the last five years by crossing the finish line first in this afternoon’s final in 2:00.79.

Clark, who qualified for her fourth U.S. World Outdoor Championships team, finished ahead of two-time NCAA Outdoor champion from the University of Michigan Geena Gall (2nd-2:01.01), University of Tennessee standout Phoebe Wright (3rd-2:01.12) and 2005 NCAA Outdoor Championships runner-up Maggie Vessey (4th-2:01.19).

Lomong wins Nike Men’s 1,500 Meters.

2008 Olympic Trials third-place finisher and 2007 NCAA champion Lopez Lomong won his first U.S. Outdoor title in holding off former University of Texas star Leonel Manzano in an exciting Nike Men’s 1,500m final.

Lomong held the lead coming off the final turn and Manzano gave chase through to the finish. Although Manzano gained ground on his 2008 Olympic teammate, Lomong held on to win in 3:41.68, with Manzano finishing second in 3:41.82. 2009 NCAA Outdoor Championships fourth-place finisher Dorain Ulrey was third in 3:42.84, with 2008 NCAA Outdoor Champs runner-up Steven Pifer fourth in 3:44.21.

Crawford continues excellence in men’s 200 meters.

2004 Olympic Games gold medalist and 2008 Olympic silver medalist Shawn Crawford got out well from the start and was unchallenged as he dominated a talented field in the men’s 200m final.

Crawford crossed the line in 19.73 seconds (+3.3 mps), which is the fastest time under any conditions ever run at Hayward Field. Crawford easily won ahead of Florida State University standout and 2009 NCAA Outdoor champion Charles Clark, who finished as the runner-up in 20.00. 2005 World Outdoor Championships silver medalist Wallace Spearmon came from behind to take third in 20.03 seconds. Crawford, Clark and Spearmon will join reigning World Outdoor champion Tyson Gay at the World Outdoor Championships this summer in Berlin.

Felix wins fifth U.S. women’s 200m title.

Two-time Olympic Games silver medalist and reigning World Outdoor champion Allyson Felix won her fifth U.S. women’s 200m title in the last six years with her time of 22.02w.

Joining Felix at the World Championships later this summer in Berlin will be 2004 Olympic Games fourth-place finisher Muna Lee (2nd-22.13), 2008 Olympic Games fifth-placer Marshevet Hooker and Arizona State’s Charonda Williams (4th-22.39), who was the runner-up at the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Championships,

Barringer wins women’s steeple crown.

American record holder Jenny Barringer, who won the 1,500m and 3,000m steeplechase at the 2009 NCAA Championships, took control of the women’s 3,000m steeplechase final early on and cruised to her second U.S. title in this event with her time of 9 minutes 29.38 seconds.

2008 Olympic Trials champion and former U.S. record holder Anna Willard was the runner-up in 9:35.01, with Bridget Franek posting a personal best time of 9:36.74 in finishing third in the race. 2008 Olympic Trials finalist and 2007 U.S. Championships runner-up Lindsey Anderson finished fourth in 9:36.74.

Pickler wins first U.S. heptathlon title.

2008 Olympian Diana Pickler qualified for her second World Outdoor Championships team by winning the women’s heptathlon with 6,290 points, which is a new personal best score.

2008 Olympic high jumper Sharon Day posted five personal bests in finishing second with 6,177 points, which is also a personal best total score. Day earlier qualified for the trip to Berlin by finishing third in the high jump competition here in Eugene.

The University of Michigan’s Bettie Wade finished third with a total of 5,908 points, bettering the “B” qualifying standard for the World Championships.

2008 Olympic Games silver medalist Hyleas Fountain hurt her neck during the first day of competition on Saturday, and re-aggravated it today during the long jump. Fountain, who held the lead through the first five events with 5,193 points, withdrew from the competition with two events remaining and a 472-point margin over her nearest competitor.

Stuczynski victorious in Gill Women’s Pole Vault.

2008 Olympic silver medalist Jenn Stuczynski won her fourth consecutive U.S. women’s outdoor pole vault title with her clearance of 4.65 meters/15 feet 3 inches.

Joining Stuczynski at the World Championships this summer will be 2008 Olympic Trials finalist Chelsea Johnson (2nd-4.60m/15-1) and 2000 Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Outdoor champion Stacy Dragila (4.55m/14-11).

2004 Olympian and 2006 USA Outdoor champion Tora Harris won his second U.S. Outdoor men’s high jump title with a clearance of 2.31 meters/7 feet 7 inches. Other top finishers included 2008 Olympic Trials fifth-place finisher Keith Moffatt, who cleared 2.28m/7-5.75 and tied with 2008 Olympian Andra Manson. Moffatt and Manson posted identical series.

Reese wins women’s long jump

2008 NCAA Outdoor champion and fifth-place finisher at the Olympic Games Brittney Reese won her first U.S. Outdoor title with a jump of 7.09 meters/23 feet 3.25 inches.

Other top finishers included 2002 USA Outdoor champion Brianna Glenn (2nd-6.82m/22-4.50), 2008 Olympian Funmi Jimoh (3rd-6.77m/22-2.50) and two-time U.S. champion and two-time Olympian Grace Upshaw (4th-6.77m/22-2.50.

Cantwell wins Visa Men’s Shot Put.

2008 Olympic Games silver medalist Christian Cantwell posted the second best throw in the world this year in winning the Visa Men’s Shot Put with a toss of 21.82 meters/71 feet, 7.25 inches.

He’ll be joined on the U.S. roster for Berlin by runner-up and reigning U.S. Indoor champion Dan Taylor (2nd-21.21m/69-7), reigning World Outdoor champion Reese Hoffa (3rd-21.10m/69-2.75 and two-time Olympic silver medalist Adam Nelson (4th-21.01m/68-11.25).

In the women’s hammer throw final, Jessica Cosby captured her third U.S. title with a best toss of 72.04m/236-4. Other top finishers on their way to the World Outdoor Championships in Berlin were 2008 Olympian Amber Campbell (2nd-68.92m/226-1) and U.S. record holder Erin Gilreath (3rd-68.08m/223-4).

Phillips wins men’s Visa Championship Series title.

The USA Outdoor Championships are the final event of USATF’s Visa Championship Series, and earlier this afternoon 2004 Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Outdoor champion Dwight Phillips was declared the winner of the men’s VCS and received a bonus from Visa worth $25,000. Reigning world outdoor 100m and 200m champion Tyson Gay finished second in the standings with 1,285 points

Phillips’ VCS winning performance came via his monster effort at the 2009 Nike Prefontaine Classic here in Eugene, when he easily won the event at 8.74 meters/28 feet 8.25 inches. That effort tied him with Larry Myricks and Erick Walder for the eighth-best outdoor mark in history. The trio are also tied as the #5 performers all time. It was also the longest jump in the world since National Track & Field Hall of Famer Mike Powell set the world record in 1991.

Phillips won his fifth U.S. men’s long jump title Saturday with a leap of 8.57m/28-1.50 (+2.2 mps).

Men’s Outdoor Final VCS Standings

1. Dwight Phillips 1290

2. Tyson Gay 1285

3. Shawn Crawford 1250

4. Reese Hoffa 1234

5. Christian Cantwell 1230

6. Michael Rodgers 1229

7. Terrence Trammell 1228

8. Mike Rodgers 1226

9. Bershawn Jackson 1221

10. LaShawn Merritt 1220

Women’s Outdoor VCS Final Standings

1. Dawn Harper 1220

2. Carmelita Jeter 1216

3. Lashinda Demus 1211

4. Sanya Richards 1206

5. Jenny Barringer 1203

6. Jenn Stuczynski 1193

6. Lauryn Williams 1193

8. Allyson Felix 1190

9. Dawn Harper 1186

10. Michelle Perry 1179

PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show #24, Adidas Track Classic Preview Show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

You don’t want to miss this one.

Jay Hicks is live and direct from Carson, California home of the Adidas Track Classic.  John W. Davis is back in the studio as the duo reveal their picks in the hottest races that include: Jeremy Wariner, Allyson Felix, LaShawn Merritt, Angelo Taylor and many more names.

-Official Adidas Track Classic Website
-PreRaceJitters Adidas Track Classic Live Coverage Site
-Adidas Track Classic Press Conference

PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show where the real playas come to hang!

Instant Analysis - MEETING INTERNATIONAL GUADELOUPE

She is hot that, you can’t touch. Carmelita Jeter remains unbeaten at 100 meters throwing down 11.16, ahead of Lauren Williams in 11.38. Jeter came back with a third place finish in the 200-meters in 23.18.

Having already run 10.96 seconds at the Mt. SAC Relays, indicates that Jeter right now is prepared to take on all contender.

The 400 meter Olympic Champion who has started the last couple season with fast starts, did just that again this season. LaShawn Merritt overpowered the 400 meter field in Guadeloupe, winning by over .50 seconds in 44.50. The field included Darold Williamson (45.72), Greg Nixon (45.76), and David Neville (46.26).

Angelo Taylor is picking up where he left off last year that included winning the 400 meter Olympic title in a personal best time of 47.25. Taylor dipped well under 50-seconds, firing of 48.97 seconds.

After running 12.69 earlier in the season at the Florida Relays, Damu Cherry managed a victory in 12.81. Cherry finished fourth at the Beijing Olympics by just .01 seconds.

Lashinda Demus 54.17 took the 400 meter hurdles ahead of Tiffany Williams.  Shawn Crawford gave his bronze medal to from Beijing. This time around, the two-time Olympian locked up the field wining the 200 meters in 20.59 seconds.

After pulling out his heat with a right hamstring injury in Beijing, Terence Tramell is getting his outdoor season off to a good start running 13.45 over the high hurdles. This last victory is in addition to the successful indoor season

Full Guadeloupe  results.

U.S. Sets Olympic Record in 1,600-Meter Relay

-Beijing-The Team members were all smiles at the “Bird’s Nest” and why wouldn’t they be?

The winner of the 1,600-meter relay was never in doubt.

LaShawn Merritt (44.35) got the U.S. out to a comfortable lead before handing off to Angelo Taylor who blazed a 43.70 leg. On the third leg, David Neville added to the lead before Jeremy Wariner (43.16), nearly ran a 42 second anchor leg that added an exclamation point to the victory.

The team of LaShawn Merritt, the 400-meter champion, 400-meter hurdles gold medalist Angelo Taylor, David Neville bronze winner and Wariner the 2004 gold medalist and 400 silver medalist recorded a time of 2:55.39 in Saturday’s final.

The time was good enough to establish a new Olympic record, in an event that the U.S have dominated. The previous record of 2:55.74 was set by Americans Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Michael Johnson and Steve Lewis in 1992 at the Seoul Games. The U.S. continues a tradition of owning this event, having now won the 1,600-meter relay at the last seven straight Olympic Games.

Olympian Kerron Clement and former Baylor standout Reggie Witherspoon ran in the qualifying heats and also share in the Olympic gold.

That is not a bad way at all to close out the track and field events at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

By Jay Hicks.

Yeah, Yeah: Angelo Taylor Leads U.S. Sweep of 400-Hurdles!

A big-time U.S. performance highlights the day.

-Beijing-Don’t call it come back—he’s been here for years. Going into Beijing a bulk of the attention was focused primarily on Kerron Clement and Bershawn Jackson. Today, Angelo Taylor won Olympic gold over the two aforementioned U.S. runners.

Angelo the champion from the 2000 Sydney Games is no stranger to thrilling races, having won his first gold medal out of lane 1. In 2004, an illness hindered the Albany, Georgia native from getting out the semi-final heats in Athens.

This time around the supremely talented Taylor ran the fastest time (47.25) of his life.

Just when people were beginning to get down on the Team USA, the U.S hurdles ran extremely well as Kerron Clement (47.98) and Bershawn Jackson (48.06) dominated a very talented field.

Stephanie Brown Trafton might have also saved the day for the U.S. in winning a gold in the women’s discus.

By Jay Hicks.