Jeter leads the way to Daegu

USA Track & Field Press Release.

Reigning USA Outdoor champions Carmelita Jeter, Mike Rodgers, David Payne, Dawn Harper and Brandon Roulhac are set to compete Wednesday at the 2010 Colorful Daegu Pre-Championships Meeting in Daegu, Korea, host of the 2011 IAAF World Outdoor Championships.

The fastest woman in the world in 2009 and a two-time World Outdoor bronze medalist, Carmelita Jeter is entered in the women’s 100 meters. The last time Jeter ran in Daegu, she won the 100 in an astonishing 10.83. She will face a stiff challenge from reigning World Indoor 60m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown (JAM). Also entered is 2008 Olympian Marshevet Myers.

2010 World Indoor silver medalist Mike Rodgers enters the men’s 100m in the shadow of triple Olympic and World Outdoor champion Usain Bolt. All eyes will be on Bolt who is running his first open 100m of the season and has promised “a fast time.” But the forecast of heavy rain may get in the way. Also in the race is Trell Kimmons, who finished fourth in the 60m at the 2010 World Indoor Championships and 2008 Olympian Travis Padgett.

Beijing Olympic silver medalist and two-time World Outdoor bronze medalist David Payne enters the 110m hurdles amidst a tough field. With 2008 Olympic and 2010 World Indoor bronze medalist David Oliver, world record holder Dayron Robles (CUB), and reigning World Outdoor champion Ryan Brathwaite (BAR) all entered, it should be an exciting race.

Also in Daegu, reigning Olympic gold medalist Dawn Harper, reigning World Indoor champion Lolo Jones and reigning USA Indoor champion Ginnie Crawford will compete in the women’s 100m hurdles. 2003 World Outdoor silver medalist Darvis Patton and former Oregon standout Ryan Bailey are entered in the men’s 200m. The men’s 400m will be a race between 2010 World Indoor bronze medalist Jamaal Torrance, 2008 Olympic bronze medalist David Neville and two-time Olympic 400m hurdles gold medalist Angelo Taylor, who also brought home a bronze from the open 400 at the 2007 World Outdoor Championships.

In field event action, two-time USA Indoor champion Brandon Roulhac and two-time World Outdoor medalist Walter Davis will compete in the men’s triple jump, while 2010 USA Indoor champion Lacy Janson is entered in the women’s pole vault. 2008 Olympian Amber Campbell with throw the weight around in the women’s hammer throw and 2008 Olympic finalist Funmi Jimoh, 2009 USA Outdoor triple jump champ Shakeema Welsch, 2005 World Outdoor champion Tianna Madison and two-time USA Indoor champion Akiba McKinney headline the women’s long jump competition.

Day 5 evening quotes, 2009 IAAF World Championships

Bernard Lagat (Tuscon, Ariz.), Men’s 1,500 meters bronze medalist

That was the hardest box ever. This is a box that was happening a little too close to the finish. Normally, when it happens, with 300 meters to go, you can make your way out of it. This one happened at the wrong place, with 150 meters to go. I couldn’t do anything.

Lopez Lomong (Colorado Springs, Colo.), 8th in Men’s 1,500 meters

It’s good, it’s hard and it’s nice. This was a good experience for me. It was fun here, running with the best of the best in the world. It was fantastic. I was right up there. I was caught up in a little situation. I got boxed in a little bit. I’m not going to beat myself up just because I lost today. I’m going to use this for my confidence and get ready to go. I hope for next time it will be a little bit different. I had a great time here in Berlin. I talked to Bernard. I congratulated him. He ran a fantastic race. He was able to bring home a bronze medal.

Leonel Manzano (Austin, Texas), 12th in Men’s 1,500 meters

These guys are the best in the world. I was glad to be in the mix. It was a great race for everybody. You work very hard. You can’t make any mistakes when you are competing at this level. The big goal was to make the world championship team. The next goal was to advance to the finals. Once in the finals, I was going to give it a good go. I tried to give a good go. I gave it my best. The first couple of laps, I tried to get in there. I gave it a good shot. It didn’t happen. I don’t think I’m disappointed. Finishing 12th in the world isn’t that bad. It was a great season and the season is still going on.

Ginnie Powell (Los Angeles, California), 6th in Women’s 100 meter hurdles

The race was very messy. I felt good, especially over the first four hurdles, and then I was trying to press so hard that I was clipping hurdles. I clipped one real bad and that threw me off.

It’s sad that two of America’s top hurdlers couldn’t medal, and especially under Bob Kersee. It’s the first time in a long time that he didn’t get a medal in a major meet.

Anyone on that starting line could have won that race. (One of the girls) was saying that if you make one little mechanical mistake, no matter how fit or strong you are, it’s over.

Dawn Harper (Los Angeles, California), 7th in Women’s 100 meter hurdles

I had a real good start. I hit hurdle 2, and there’s not really much you can do when you hit it. I hit it real hard and I almost fell. It’s hard to regroup when you’re chasing 12.51.

I feel like I let my coach down (Bob Kersee). Ginnie and I were both ready to go. We just didn’t execute our race.

You cannot count out anyone in that race. Everyone there was ready to go.

Casey Malone (Ft. Collins, Colorado), 5th in Men’s discus

This German crowd was really incredible. They were cheering for everybody, and especially for Robert (Harting) the loudest. These folks really know their discus out here.

I felt like my throws got better and better as the competition went on. It’s funny that I kept throwing better and better but I could never throw out of that fifth spot. Technically speaking, my throws got more relaxed towards the end. I wished I had more throws. Maybe I could have gotten fourth, but I wished I could’ve gotten that one big throw.

Ashton Eaton (Eugene, Oregon), Men’s decathlon

Coming into this meet, I knew that Trey (Hardee) and I were the fastest, so I wanted to set the tone early.

I felt good going into the long jump, and was excited about that PR. The shot was tough to manage. It’s going to be a while before I am competitive in that, so I have to manage it. The high jump is something I’m a bit inconsistent with.

The key to the decathlon is consistency. I just have to do my normal stuff.

Trey Hardee (Austin, Texas), Men’s decathlon

I came out like a cannon in the first three events, Point wise, I have to be happy with where I’m at, and I’m looking forward to getting some rest.

I’m looking forward to an exciting second day. These guys are excellent competitors.

Shawn Crawford (Los Angeles), Men s 200 meters, semifinals

I was hoping that would be a sub-20 race. I have to change my race strategy. That strategy right there is for the birds. Trying to run hard from the blocks to the turn is not for me. I think the final is going to be fast. My goal is to run 19.51. I would be very happy with that.

Wallace Spearmon (College Station, Texas), Men s 200 meters, semifinals

It was pretty good. I’ve been trying to go out there and run a little bit harder in each round. But at the same time, I know Usain Bolt is an animal, and I am going to have the best race of my life to beat in the finals. I look forward to my chances and I look forward to tomorrow. I’m going to look for a PR tomorrow and try to get on that medal stand.

Charles Clark (Virginia Beach, Va.), Men s 200 meters, semifinals

My goal was to go out there, run hard and make it to the finals. It’s an honor to be here to represent the USA. I take pride in that.

Allyson, Felix (Santa Clarita, Calif.), Women’s 200 meter, first round

I felt good. I wanted to come out and focus on the start and control the race from there. I want a personal best. I’d love to defend my title here in this stadium. That would definitely be special.

Muna Lee (College Station, Texas), Women’s 200 meter, first round

I ran more in control. I got some sleep. I’m just taking a day at a time. I want to be in control of my race. I don’t want to mess up.

Marshevet Hooker (Pflugerville, Texas), Women’s 200 meter, first round

I felt really good. I worked really hard. I didn’t know if I was going to see anybody. (Running in Lane It was the first time I have ever run in Lane 8. My main goal was not to see anybody. Now I know I can do it. It’s one more thing to add to the resume.

Charonda Williams (Richmond, Calif.), Women’s 200 meter, first round

I have been waiting for this. Now it’s finally here. I just have to run the rounds. My race went pretty well. I was racing just to make it to the next round, which I have accomplished. I ran relaxed and good. I like my start. I was very aggressive there.

Jarred Rome (Chula Vista, Calif.), Men’s Discus

I felt great yesterday. My legs felt great. My technique felt good. Everything felt good. Then today, nothing felt good. I couldn’t even hit one throw. I had high expectations and I don’t even know what happened.

Damu Cherry (Winter Garden, Fla.), Women’s 100 hurdles, semifinals

If I’m supposed to be in the final, I will be there. If not, I gave it my best effort.

Lionel Larry (Compton, California), Men’s 400 meters

It was a lot better than the last time I came to the world championships, when I didn’t finish. I can walk away with some dignity in my head so I can’t be too mad.

LaShawn Merritt (Suffolk, Virginia), Men’s 400 meters

I set it up real good. I had a great race. I wanted to come out today and set the bar. I wanted to set the tone today.

I moved a little bit harder than I did yesterday, and that’s what makes my times drop. I’m the type of person that thrives off adrenaline, considering the crowd is great and the track is great.

I didn’t run as hard as I could have, as I wanted to save a little bit for the final on Friday. People are ready to come and run hard–this is the biggest competition of this year.

I’m expecting a win–it’s not really a time. What it takes to win is what I’m gonna run.

Jeremy Wariner (Waco, Texas), Men’s 400 meters

It was real good.

**Beginning tomorrow, quotes will be posted LIVE to www.usatf.org in the evening sessions, updating periodically throughout the competition.

Day 4 evening quotes, 2009 IAAF World Athletics Championships

Sanya Richards (Austin, Texas), Women’s 400 meters gold medalist

First, it feels so great to finally hear that I am a world champion. It’s an overwhelming experience. I really enjoy to competing here in Berlin. I have only good memories. And now I can say my first title was on the blue track in a world leading time. So, I’m really, really happy.

(Expectations or extra pressure?) I did in the past, that’s what I wanted to shed this year. This year, I was having a really good time. The rounds went exactly as I hoped. Today, I came out and had fun. I was really confident in my race and my race strategy. I enjoyed every step around the track today. I’m just really thrilled to be a world champion. I can’t say I’m glad to have waited this long. I would have loved to win in the Olympics and prior World Championships. I definitely think you to learn things to grow. I’ve been through a lot and I learned a lot. I feel like I’m a much better athlete because of it.

I’m happy it came in 2009 and hopefully this will be the start of a lot more titles to come. I did go out well in the Olympics. I don’t think the first 200 was the reason I lost the Olympic final. Today, my today split was 23.0, almost the same pace as the Olympics. It’s just control.

I’m in much better shape this season. Shericka (Williams) and Antonina (Krivoshapka) went out really fast. I think all of us went 23.0 flat. It was a really fast race. That’s what you expect at a major championship. Everyone is running their best race. I was really comfortable with my strategy. I felt really strong. I worked the curve as best as I could. Once I pulled up on Shericka and made my move, I just hoped I could hold her off.

Debbie Dunn (Norfolk, Va.), 6th in Women’s 400 meters

(On starting in Lane 1): It’s not fun for the 400. But a lot of people would kill to have Lane 1 today. I did and I was very happy to have the chance to run the final. I thought it was a good race. I feel like I should have made a lot more impact. Unfortunately, I didn’t. I wish I had a better lane. I think I would have made an impact. I have to settle for what I did today. I’m very honored and proud to represent the U.S. Next year is going to get even better. I’m looking forward to the years to come. I’m happy for Sanya. We are going to go for the gold in the 4 x 400.

Bershawn Jackson (Champaign, Illinois), Men’s 400 hurdles bronze medalist

I executed a real good race. Those guys went out so hard. I give them the praises–they were the better men.

I wasn’t surprised that it went out as fast as it did.

I’m a warrior and I’m a fighter, and I’ll be back.

Kerron Clement (Gainesville, Florida), Men’s 400 hurdles gold medalist

My plan all along was to defend my title, and there was no way anyone was going to take that away from me. My race plan was to go out fast. I knew that once I went out hard, that no one was going to keep up with me for the last 150, and once I got over the last hurdle, it was mine.

Rachel Yurkovich (Eugene, Oregon), Women’s javelin

I felt pretty good in warmups. I just wasn’t throwing well

It’s kind of hard to get into a groove when the competition’s stopped for a ceremony or races, but that’s no excuse. I tried to go into it with a positive attitude, and on my last throw I had nothing to lose. I tried to be happy and go out there and (do it).

I was just thrilled to have made it this far. I’m happy to be here.

Dawn Harper (Los Angeles), Women’s 100-meter hurdles

It was a good race. It went nice and smooth, exactly how my coach wanted me to do it. It was nice and smooth over the top of the hurdles. I’m exacted about that. It gives me confidence going into tomorrow. (On being assigned lane 1) I appreciated that because Lane 1, Heat 1, No. 1. Can anybody see that?

Damu Cherry (Winter Garden, Fla.), Women’s 100-meter hurdles

It was a good opener. I wanted to work on a little part of my race. I did. It wasn’t great, but it can get better for tomorrow. The false starts were a bit nerve-wracking. But I told myself to stay focused and concentrate on my lane.

Ginnie Powell (Los Angeles), Women’s 100-meter hurdles

It was clean. I hit one hurdle. But it was a good race. I was looking to actually work on my trail leg. I hit a hurdle with it, probably because I slowed up a bit. You can’t do that in the hurdles. But it’s the first round and that’s why I slowed up.

Michelle Perry (Santa Clarita, Calif.), Women’s 100-meter hurdles

I’m injured. I have a torn LCL. I have to have surgery on it. It happened in Monaco.

Charles Clark (Virginia Beach, Virginia), Men’s 200 meters

I thought I was pushing for a third place finish, so I’ll have to wait and see if I make the semi-finals. It’s been a great season so far, so I can’t complain.

Wallace Spearmon, Jr. (College Station, Texas), Men’s 200 meters

The race seemed pretty easy tonight. I didn’t want to expend any more energy than I had to, because I know that in the finals, I’m going to need all of it.

As long as I was in the top two, that’s all that matters, so that I can get one of the preferred lanes.

I did take a peek at the big screen to see where I was at and to make sure no one would sneak up on me. I didn’t want to see anyone come up and pass me.

(on what it’s going to take to beat Usain Bolt)–Run faster! He’s running like he’s from Mars or wherever Flash is from.

Sheena Tosta (San Diego, California), Women’s 400 hurdles

I don’t know what happened. I did what I wanted to do over the first 8 hurdles I tried to go, but I couldn’t go.

Tiffany Williams (Orlando, Florida), Women’s 400 hurdles

Technically, it was a great race. It was much better than my first round. I was thinking about staying relaxed, but I probably got a little too relaxed. But, I did make the final, and that’s all that counts. I’m excited, and very grateful to be in this final. I have a day to rest, and I just have to get that second half of the race down.

I have to attack the critical zone a lot harder. It’s going to take 53-low or 52-high to get a medal.

Lashinda Demus (Palmdale, California), Women’s 400 hurdles

I wanted to run good through the 300m mark, and I did that tonight. I just practiced on my race for the finals. I’m gonna put it together and have a good race.

I’m the underdog–I’m not the Olympic champion

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

Fans can watch Team USA on national television broadcasts on NBC and Versus, or online via live, daily Webcast at www.universalsports.com. For complete TV listings, visit http://www.usatf.org/events/2009/IAAFWorldOutdoorChampionships/mediaCoverage.asp.

For more information on Team USA at the World Outdoor Championships, visit http://www.usatf.org/events/2009/IAAFWorldOutdoorChampionships/.

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

Gay, Phillips, Richards, Harper, Clement & Vessey conquer in Rome

Press Release Courtesy of USA Track & Field.

Tyson Gay, Dwight Phillips, Sanya Richards, Dawn Harper, Kerron Clement and Maggie Vessey all were winners in their respective events Friday at the 2009 Golden Gala, AF Golden League meet in Rome, Italy.

Reigning world 100m and 200m champion Tyson Gay surged to the front of the pack midway through the race before crossing the finish line first in the men’s 100 meters in 9.77 seconds. Gay’s performance is the fastest time in the world this year and equals his American record originally set in the quarterfinals at last year’s Olympic Trials.

Former world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica was the runner-up in 9.88 seconds, with reigning USA Outdoor champion Michael Rodgers finishing sixth in 10.03.

2004 Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Outdoor champion Dwight Phillips, who posted the longest jump in the world since Mike Powell set the world record in 1991 with his leap of 8.74 meters/28 feet 8.25 inches in winning the Nike Prefontaine Classic on June 7, won easily today on his first attempt when he sailed to 8.61m/28-3. 2008 Olympic gold medalist Irving Saladino of Panama was the runner-up with a best of 8.27m/27-1.75.

2008 Olympic bronze medalist Sanya Richards stayed alive in the Golden League competition with her victory in the women’s 400 meters, finishing in 49.46 seconds. 2008 Olympic silver medalist Shericka Williams from Jamaica was the runner-up in 50.31, with two-time Olympic silver medalist and two-time defending World Outdoor 200m champion Allyson Felix finishing fifth in 50.94.

2008 Olympic 100m hurdles gold medalist Dawn Harper was victorious in her specialty, stopping the clocks in 12.55 seconds. Harper’s nearest pursuer was runner-up and 2008 Olympic Games fifth-place finisher Delloreen Ennis-London of Jamaica, who finished in 12.67, with fellow Jamaican and Olympic finalist Brigitte Foster-Hylton third in 12.68.

Reigning World Outdoor champion and 2008 Olympic Games silver medalist Kerron Clement won the men’s 400m hurdles in 48.09 seconds. Jamaica’s Isa Phillips was second in 48.11, with L.J. van Zyl of South Africa, who finished fifth at the Beijing Olympics, third in 48.37.

USA Outdoor Championships fourth-place finisher Maggie Vessey won the women’s 800 meters in a dramatic finish in 2:00.13, which bettered her previous career best time of 2:00.18 from her win at the 2009 Nike Prefontaine Classic.  The 2005 NCAA Outdoor runner-up while at Cal Poly SLO, Vessey finished just ahead of Italy’s Elisa Cusma Piccione, who finished in 2:00.14. Spain’s Mayte Martinez was third in 2:00.21, with reigning U.S. champion Hazel Clark finishing seventh in 2:01.41.

Elsewhere, 2008 USA Outdoor Championships women’s 1,500m runner-up Christin Wurth-Thomas finished second in her specialty and cracked the four-minute barrier for the first time in her career with her finish in 3:59.98. Wurth-Thomas bettered her previous personal best of 4:01.72 from her fifth-place finish June 7 at the Nike Prefontaine Classic.

Also setting a personal best was 2008 NCAA 1,500m runner-up and 2009 USA Outdoor Championships third-place finisher Dorian Ulrey, who finished 12th today in 3:35.23. With his performance Ulrey bettered the 2009 World Outdoor Championships “A” qualifying standard of 3:36.20 and he’ll now join Bernard Lagat, Leonel Manzano and Lopez Lomong as the Team USA men’s 1,500m contingent that will compete in Berlin.

For more information on the 2009 Golden Gala, including complete results, visit: www.iaaf.org.

Day 3 Wrap - U.S. Ready For the World

The Nick Symmonds vs. Khadevis Robinson show unfolded beautifully in the 800m final. Tevon Everett led the pack through the first 400m in 51 seconds. As usual, Symmonds began his signature kick from fourth to first at 600m. Symmonds and Robinson were neck and neck over the last 100m, but Symmonds had the home turf advantage and the roar of the crowd to pull him past the line first in 1:45.86.

Two young stars, Geena Gall and Phoebe Wright, trailed three-time Olympian Hazel Clark in the women’s 800m. Clark led from the gun through a 59.43 first lap. She struggled some on lap 2, but pulled ahead to win it in 2:00.79.

Jenny Barringer and Anna Willard expectantly went 1-2 in the 3000m steeplechase. Willard has raced a lot over the past few days as she also competed in the 1500m, so she did not quite have enough left to challenge Barringer. She did, however, have a good race with Bridget Franek and Lindsey Anderson.

Barringer went to the lead and stayed there. She cruised along with Anderson and Willard close behind.

“It was really windy out there so I wanted to take command of the race from the beginning,” Barringer said.

The breeze was no problem for Willard because she had Franek and Anderson with her. With about 1200m left in the race, Barringer surged ahead to open a 30-meter gap. Franek made her move to second on the next lap and dropped Anderson. Then it was a battle for 2nd place as Willard went with Franek. Willard beat her to the line about 6 seconds behind Barringer.

Shawn Crawford ran a fast 19.73 in the 200m. He had a good start among the talented field. He dominated the race with Charles Clark behind him in 20.00 and Wallace Spearmon in 20.03.

“It was pretty controlled,” Crawford said. “I’ve been practicing driving through the first 120 and letting my body carry me the rest of the way.”

After winning the semifinals, Allyson Felix also started well in the women’s race to win her fifth national title in 22.02, followed by Muna Lee and Marshavet Hooker.

“What I wanted to do was just really focus on the start, and just work on driving out,” Felix said.

The 1500m was an exciting race. Leonel Manzano, Lopez Lomong and Will Leer led the first 800m, but then Stephen Pifer sprinted to the front. He could not hold the pace as he was passed by Lomong, Manzano and Leer. Lomong moved in front of Manzano with 200m to go, and Dorian Ulrey kicked for a surprising 3rd place. Ulrey came into the race as one of the underdogs and was elated with his race. Cloud nine is not the limit for Ulrey. He said he was on cloud 10.5 after this accomplishment.

In the 100m hurdles, Dawn Harper won her first national title and ran 12.36. Virginia Powell and Damu Cherry were close behind.

Bershawn Jackson ran the fastest time in the world this year in the men’s 400m hurdles, 48.03 seconds. Johnny Dutch was surprised by his 2nd place finish, ahead of Olympic gold medalist Angelo Taylor.

“I looked over to my left and noticed I was 2nd or 3rd and thought ‘oh I made the team!’” Dutch said.

Taylor seemed disappointed not to win, but said he was glad to be on the team. Jackson agrees that the main goal is Berlin.

“Once you make the team, everything will take care of itself,” Jackson said. “We have the greatest hurdlers in the world.”

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

Richards, Merritt, Harper & Willard ready for Nike Prefontaine Classic

Press release by USA Track & Field.

EUGENE, Ore. - 2008 Olympic women’s 400m bronze medalist and 4×400m relay gold medalist Sanya Richards, two-time Olympic gold medalist LaShawn Merritt, Olympic 100m hurdles gold medalist Dawn Harper and 2008 Olympian Anna Willard on Saturday appeared at a press conference held in conjunction with Sunday’s 2009 Nike Prefontaine Classic at historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene.

The fifth event of the 2009 USA Track & Field Outdoor Visa Championship Series, the Nike Prefontaine Classic will be televised live Sunday on NBC from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Excerpts from this afternoon’s press conference follow:

On her success this year in the 800m and 1,500m:  I’ve always been more of an 800 and 1,500-meter runner. It’s different than the steeplechase, which is not usually very tactical. It’s more of a flat run with not much thinking going on, where in the 1500 and the 800, a lot can happen in a short amount of time. So they’re different events but I think I’m probably more genetically made for those types of events, and I’m really enjoying it. It’s fun.

What are your goals this summer at the World Championships? Really we’re looking for medals. Why go to this level, why do this if you’re not willing to go all the way? That’s why I joined our group at Mammoth Track Club. I’m doing this to be the best. I get really fired up about competition and right now that’s the major goal. Whether it happens this year or not we’re trying to get there, and that’s what it’s going to be every year.

Could you talk about what your coach Terrence Mahon means to you? Well he’s had such great success, particularly in the longer distances and it’s really exciting for us to see what he’s doing now with the middle distances. I feel like we help each other and he’s done tremendous things for me as a person as well. He really gets me and we click really well. I like him a lot.

Dawn Harper

What does working with Bobby Kersee mean to you? He means the world to me, especially in track and field terms because he started to notice me when I was in high school. Then he kind of pointed me out to Jeanette Bolden (UCLA head coach) and got me to UCLA, and then he helped me get ready for the professional world. When I got to the professional world we knew that staying healthy for me was going to be the key because at UCLA I was dealing with hamstring issues, knee issues and once again, last year, another knee issue, but that’s okay because we now know, pretty much, the key to keeping me healthy. He sees something special in me and I appreciate that, and we both have a good relationship.

You’re in the blocks in Beijing, the gun goes off, and then what? You run for your life! (laughter).  You execute your race and you put it all out there. You don’t want to walk away from the Olympic final saying ‘I didn’t do this, or I didn’t execute that.’  That’s why I leaned across the line the way I did because I didn’t know where I was and I just wanted to get there. I didn’t know when I first crossed the finish line, and I thought maybe I got second, or maybe I got third, and then Damu came over and said, ‘no Dawn, you won,’ and that’s when I saw it.

LaShawn Merritt

What was it like for you last year to take over as the best 400m runner in the world? It let me know that in this sport that you have to be patient and hard work will pay off. I’ve been working hard to get where I am, and I’m working even harder now to stay where I am. My coach and I set plans, set goals and everything’s falling in place. I just have to stay hungry, stay motivated and healthy, and keep doing the things that I want to do.

We’ve all been hearing rumblings of Usain Bolt moving up to the 400 meters. Is that a challenge you welcome? Yes. There’s a thought that he’s going to come on up and run the 400, and we’re inviting him. If he wants to come up, come on and get a lane and let’s go at it.

What goals do you have for this season? I look forward to coming back here in a couple weeks and defending my national title, and then going on to Berlin and winning gold in the 400 and also the 4×400.

Sanya Richards

You’ve been ranked #1 in the world four years in a row. What does that mean to you? I can’t believe that it’s been four years since I took over as the best in the world in 2005, and I’m not going to rest on those laurels at all. I’m going to keep working hard and try to get better and better and run faster, and hopefully lower my American record because I haven’t PR’ed in a while, so to me that’s what I enjoy about running is getting better.

For more information on the 2009 Nike Prefontaine Classic and the USATF Visa Championship Series, visit: www.visachampionshipseries.com.

Instantly Analysis: Campbell-Brown Leads Jamaican Entourage In Shanghai

-Shanghai, China-Anytime Olympic champion Yelena Isinbeyva of Russia enters a meet, there is bound to be fans in the seats. But on Saturday all eyes were focused on Vernonica Campbell-Brown, who lead a group of Jamaicans athletes wrapping up their season at the 2008 IAAF Shanghai Golden Grand Prix.

The show stopper was a Jamaican-surprise. The 200-meter Olympic champion from Beijing, Veronica Campbell-Brown won a blistering late season race in 11.01 at 100-meters. Lauryn Williams of the U.S., ran a solid 11.26 to earn second place honors.

She may have been tired from the long season but she was definately entertaining. Yelena Isinbeyeva, did not break her own world record, but she cleared a modest 4.60 meters. The greatest women’s pole vaulter ever cleared 5.05 meters in winning the gold medal in Beijing and in the process rewrote her own world record.

Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell did not compete in Shanghai, but Jamaican Michael Frater took the men 100 race in 10.05 and Nesta Carter was a close second.

It doesn’t matter if the one lap race has hurdles or not for the Atlanta resident. You have to respect the talent of Angelo Taylor. The 400 was won by Taylor in a very respectable 44.94 over Gary Kikaya of the Democratic Republic of Congo (45.09).

Not to be out done–Dawn Harper did a repeat of her Olympic gold medal performance. Harper flew over the 110n hurdles in first (13.56), which is a new stadium record. How good is Hyleas Fountain? The Olympic silver medalist Fountain took an impressive third place finish in 12.96.

Fresh off a winning the IAAF World Athletics Final in Stuttgart last week, he did it again. David Oliver finished strongly to win the 110s in 13.25.

Olympics gold medalist Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain continued her post-Olympic performance decline. She finished a distant fourth place (52.30). Jamaican’s Shericka Williams and Shereefa Lloyd took first and second place, respectively in 50.88 and 51.24.

Click here for full results.

Jay Hicks For Prerace Jitters.