Southern Passion Propels Texas Relays to the Top

So, uh, any good track meets this week?

For maybe someone new to the sport that’s a new question. For experienced track fans and maybe 40,000 Texas residents, the answer is becoming increasingly obvious as Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays hype builds to a fever pitch.

Texas Relays commands so much attention for many reasons, and several of the most important ones have little to do with track per se.

The 84th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays will kick off Wednesday, but the first high school event is not until Friday.

With all due respect, we don’t need lipping off to know the truth: The southern-based relay event which features high school, college and professional athletes is better than any other meet in the Midwest, West Coast or East Coast parts of the United States.

As a cultural event, Texas Relays has become an informal holiday. A community where friends meet up discussing when they ran at the meet or this years hottest teams. It’s become a right of passage for athletes and a cultural/social event for spectators.

Canny marketers help keep the meet viable even during the worst economic downturn of the last 100 years. The city of Austin is a big winner selling out rooms within a 20 mile radius and restaurant/night clubs are flush with paying clients.

Five reasons Texas Relays Is Tops:

Reason #5: Picking Early Favorites For the 2011 Season
Who are the top 10 early favorites to win at NCAA Outdoor Championships in June? Look no further than performances in Austin from a new legion of young guns to some ripe veterans to find out who will make this a year to remember. Winning at Texas Relays is a good start!

Reason #4: Looking For The Next Superstar

High schools converge on Austin to compete on the same track as Tyson Gay, Marshevet Myers, and Jeremy Wariner. Spectators, coaches, fans, and media -types get a chance to see some of the best talent in the county perform in a highly competitive environment.

Reason #3: Winter Is Over

Texas Relays signifies that the outdoor season is in full force. Temperatures typically hover in the high 80s this time of year in Austin, creating an ideal environment for fast times.

Many top tier West Coast schools such as Washington State led by Jeshua Anderson escape overcast skies to run in the warm weather.

Reason #2: Go Big Or Go Home

It’s where contenders and pretenders are separated.

The presence of the top five U.S. Track & Field and Cross County Coaches Association ranked men’s teams including Florida, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Florida State, and LSU makes the competition unparalleled.

Four of the top five U.S. Track & Field and Cross County Coaches Association women’s ranked teams including Texas A&M, LSU, Oklahoma, and USC will also compete in Austin.

Reason #1: Cultural Event

Texas Relays crosses boundaries into a cultural event with accompanying night life parties attracting celebrities such as former Longhorn Vince Young, concerts, and other related activities.

Where else can track boast this sort of existence? Not Eugene. Not Philadelphia. Not New York. Or Los Angeles.

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.

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.

PreRaceJittersTV 5-25-10

PreRaceJittersTV 5-25-10 from PreRaceJitters on Vimeo.

Shanghai Diamond League
NCAA West Preliminary Meet
NCAA East Prelmininary Meet

Shanghai Diamond League 2010 Men 400m

Brussels Golden League Start List

Event|Sex NAME Firstname Nationality

JAVELIN MEN FRYDRYCH Petr CZE
JAVELIN MEN GOYVAERTS Tom BEL
JAVELIN MEN KOVALS Ainars LAT
JAVELIN MEN MARTINEZ Guillermo CUB
JAVELIN MEN PITKAMAKI Tero FIN
JAVELIN MEN RUUSKANEN Anti FIN
JAVELIN MEN SMET Thomas BEL
JAVELIN MEN THORKILDSEN Andreas NOR
JAVELIN MEN VASILEVSKIS Vadims LAT
JAVELIN MEN WIRKKALA Teemu FIN

100 M MEN BURNS Mark TRI
100 M MEN CLARKE Lerone JAM
100 M MEN FRATER Michael JAM
100 M MEN GAY Tyson USA
100 M MEN MULLINGS Steve JAM
100 M MEN PATTON Darvis USA
100 M MEN POWELL Asafa JAM
100 M MEN RODGERS Mike USA
100 M MEN WILLIAMSON Simeon GBR

110 M H MEN BRATHWAITE Ryan BAR
110 M H MEN BROOTHAERTS Damien BEL
110 M H MEN BROWN Joel USA
110 M H MEN FAULK Dexter USA
110 M H MEN NOGA Artur POL
110 M H MEN OLIVER David USA
110 M H MEN SHARMAN William GBR
110 M H MEN SVOBODA Petr CZE
110 M H MEN THOMAS Dwight JAM

200 M MEN BOLT Usain JAM
200 M MEN CHRISTIAN Brendan ANT
200 M MEN CRIBARI Marco SUI
200 M MEN GULIYEV Ramil AZE
200 M MEN HAECK Joris BEL
200 M MEN HESSION Paul IRL
200 M MEN KIMMONS Trell USA
200 M MEN MBANDJOCK Martial FRA
200 M MEN SPEARMON Wallace USA

3000 ST MEN BUC Bustjan SLO
3000 ST MEN DESMET Pieter BEL
3000 ST MEN GARY Roba ETH
3000 ST MEN KEMBOI Ezekiel KEN
3000 ST MEN KESKISALO Jukka FIN
3000 ST MEN KIPTEREGE Elijah KEN
3000 ST MEN KIPYEGO Mike KEN
3000 ST MEN KOECH Paul KEN
3000 ST MEN KRISTENSEN Ustad NOR
3000 ST MEN LANGAT David KEN
3000 ST MEN LANGAT Patrick KEN
3000 ST MEN MATEELONG Richard KEN
3000 ST MEN MOHAMED Mustafa SWE
3000 ST MEN MUTAI Abel KEN
3000 ST MEN RAMOLEFI Ruben RSA
3000 ST MEN SZYMKOWIAK Tomasz POL
3000 ST MEN TAHER Tareq Mubarak BRN
3000 ST MEN VAN KOOLWIJK Krijn BEL

4 X 1500 MEN ALGERIE
4 X 1500 MEN AUSTRALIA
4 X 1500 MEN BELGIUM
4 X 1500 MEN ENGLAND
4 X 1500 MEN KENYA
4 X 1500 MEN MAROC
4 X 1500 MEN MIXED TEAM
4 X 1500 MEN SPAIN
4 X 1500 MEN USA

400 M MEN BINGHAM Michael GBR
400 M MEN BROWN Chris BAH
400 M MEN DJHONE Leslie FRA
400 M MEN GILLET Antoine BEL
400 M MEN GILLICK David IRL
400 M MEN KIKAYA Gary COD
400 M MEN QUOW Renny TRI
400 M MEN WARINER Jeremy USA
400 M MEN WROE Sean AUS

5000 M MEN ABDOSH Ali ETH
5000 M MEN BEKELE Kenenisa ETH
5000 M MEN BETT Josphat KEN
5000 M MEN CHEBII Abraham KEN
5000 M MEN CHEPKOK Vincent KEN
5000 M MEN CHERUIYOT Jonas KEN
5000 M MEN CHESARI Jacob KEN
5000 M MEN EBUYA Joseph ETH
5000 M MEN ESHO Benson KEN
5000 M MEN FARAH Mo GBR
5000 M MEN KIPCHOGE Eliud KEN
5000 M MEN KIPLIMO Joseph KEN
5000 M MEN KIPTOO Mark KEN
5000 M MEN KOMON Leonard KEN
5000 M MEN LONGOSIWA Thomas KEN
5000 M MEN MERGA Imane ETH
5000 M MEN NDIWA Mangata KEN
5000 M MEN ROTICH Lucas KEN
5000 M MEN SOLINSKY Chris USA
5000 M MEN TEGENKAMP Matt USA

800 M MEN AL-SALHI Mohammed KSA
800 M MEN BORZAKOWSKI Yuri RUS
800 M MEN KIRWA YEGO Alfred KEN
800 M MEN LEWANDOWSKI Marcin POL
800 M MEN MULAUDZI Mbulaeni RSA
800 M MEN MUMO KIILU Vincent KEN
800 M MEN REED Gary CAN
800 M MEN RUDISHA David KEN
800 M MEN SOM Bram NED
800 M MEN SYMMONDS Nick USA

TJ WOMEN ALDAMA Yamilé SUD
TJ WOMEN ALEKHINA Nadezhda RUS
TJ WOMEN BOLSHAKOVA Svetlana BEL
TJ WOMEN GAY Mabel CUB
TJ WOMEN NZOLA MESO Teresa FRA
TJ WOMEN PYATYKH Anna RUS
TJ WOMEN SMITH Trecia JAM
TJ WOMEN TOPIC Biljana SRB
TJ WOMEN VELDAKOVA Dana SVK

PV WOMEN BATTKE Anna GER
PV WOMEN DENNISON Kate GBR
PV WOMEN GADSCHIEW Kristina GER
PV WOMEN ISINBAYEVA Yelena RUS
PV WOMEN JOHNSON Chelsea USA
PV WOMEN KIRYASHOVA Aleksandra RUS
PV WOMEN MURER Fabiana BRA
PV WOMEN PYREK Monika POL
PV WOMEN ROGOWSKA Anna POL
PV WOMEN SPIEGELBURG Silke GER

HJ WOMEN AITOVA Marina KAZ
HJ WOMEN BEITIA Ruth ESP
HJ WOMEN CHICHEROVA Anna RUS
HJ WOMEN DI MARTINO Antonietta ITA
HJ WOMEN GORDEEVA Irina RUS
HJ WOMEN GREEN Emma SWE
HJ WOMEN HOWARD Chaunte USA
HJ WOMEN MELFORT Melanie FRA
HJ WOMEN RYAN Deirdre IRL
HJ WOMEN SHKOLINA Svetlana RUS
HJ WOMEN SLESARENKO Yelena RUS
HJ WOMEN VLASIC Blanka CRO

100 M WOMEN BAPTISTE Kelly-Ann TRIN
100 M WOMEN BORLEE Olivia BEL
100 M WOMEN CAMPBELL-BROWN Veronica JAM
100 M WOMEN FERGUSON Debbie BAH
100 M WOMEN FRASER Shelly-Ann JAM
100 M WOMEN JETER Carmelita USA
100 M WOMEN SIMPSON Sherone JAM
100 M WOMEN STEWART Kerron JAM
100 M WOMEN STURRUP Chandra BAH

100 M H WOMEN BERINGS Eline BEL
100 M H WOMEN CARRUTHERS Danielle USA
100 M H WOMEN DAVIN Elisabeth BEL
100 M H WOMEN ENNIS-LONDON Delloreen JAM
100 M H WOMEN FOSTER-HYLTON Brigitte JAM
100 M H WOMEN GOLDING-CLARKE Lacena JAM
100 M H WOMEN LOPES-SCHLIEP Priscilla CAN
100 M H WOMEN O’ROURKE Derval IRL
100 M H WOMEN OFILI Tiffany USA

2000 M WOMEN ALMINOVA Anna RUS
2000 M WOMEN BELETE Almenesh ETH
2000 M WOMEN BURKA Gelete ETH
2000 M WOMEN CHEMOS Milcah KEN
2000 M WOMEN CHENONGE Ines KEN
2000 M WOMEN CHERONO Mercy KEN
2000 M WOMEN CHERUIYOT Vivian KEN
2000 M WOMEN CHOJECKA Lidia POL
2000 M WOMEN HILALI Siham MAR
2000 M WOMEN KIBIWOT Viola KEN
2000 M WOMEN MISHCHENKO Anna UKR
2000 M WOMEN PLIS Renata POL
2000 M WOMEN ROMAN Sonja SLO
2000 M WOMEN WURTH-THOMAS Christin USA
2000 M WOMEN YEVDOKIMOVA Natalya RUS

400 M WOMEN DUNN Debbie USA
400 M WOMEN FIROVA Tatyana RUS
400 M WOMEN HARGROVE Monica USA
400 M WOMEN LLOYD Shereefa JAM
400 M WOMEN OHURUOGU Christine GBR
400 M WOMEN RICHARDS Sanya USA
400 M WOMEN SANDERS Nicola GBR
400 M WOMEN WILLIAMS Shericka JAM
400 M WOMEN WILLIAMS-MILLS Novlene JAM

800 M WOMEN CUSMA Elisa ITA
800 M WOMEN JEPKOSGEI Janeth KEN
800 M WOMEN KREVSUN Yulia UKR
800 M WOMEN OKORO Marilyn GBR
800 M WOMEN ROSTKOWSKA Anna POL
800 M WOMEN SAVINOVA Maria RUS
800 M WOMEN SIMPSON Jemma GBR
800 M WOMEN TSYGANOVA Natalya RUS
800 M WOMEN VESSEY Maggie USA
800 M WOMEN WILLARD Anna USA
800 M WOMEN ZBROZHEK Oksana RUS

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.

Ultra talented men’s sprinters/hurdlers to compete at World Outdoor Championships

Press release by USA Track & Field.

INDIANAPOLIS - Tyson Gay, LaShawn Merritt, Jeremey Wariner, Angelo Taylor, Kerron Clement, David Payne and Terrence Trammell will headline a talented and highly accomplished group of Team USA sprinters and hurdlers at the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, August 15-23 in Berlin, Germany.

This will be the first time Team USA has returned to Berlin for a major international championship competition since the 1936 Olympic Games, where National Track & Field Hall of Famer Jesse Owens won gold medals in the 100m, 200m, 4×100m relay and long jump.

The men’s sprints and hurdles (100m, 200m, 400m, 110mH, 400mH) have always been a strong suit for Team USA in international competition, and that held true again at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing where, led by sweeps of the 400m and 400m hurdles, Team USA men won 11 out of the possible 15 medals in those five events.

100m

Tyson Gay, who was slowed by injury at the 2008 Olympic Games, enters the championships as the reigning 100m and 200m world champion, and with that designation has earned an automatic bye for both events into the World Outdoor Championships. Gay, who won the 100m gold medal at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan in 9.85 seconds, posted the fastest 100m time in the world this year of 9.77 seconds with his win in Rome on July 10. Gay versus 100m and 200m Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Usain Bolt of Jamaica is widely regarded as the most anticipated match-up of the Berlin World Championships.

Gay will be joined on the Team USA roster by up-and-coming-star and reigning USA Indoor 60m and USA Outdoor 100m champion Michael Rodgers, who won the 2009 100m national title in Eugene, Ore., in 9.91 seconds (+3.1 mps.). Rodgers, who nearly quit the sport in 2007 until former Jackson State coach Darryl Woodson began mentoring him, posted his personal best time of 9.94 seconds June 7 at the Nike Prefontaine Classic.

The wily veteran of the group is 31-year old Darvis “Doc” Patton, who qualified for last year’s Olympics and this year’s Worlds after spending the majority of his career primarily as a 200m specialist, winning the silver medal in that event at the 2003 World Championships in Paris. Patton, who finished second at the 2009 Nationals, owns a career best 100m time of 9.89 seconds from 2008, and a fastest clocking this year of 10.02.

2000 USA Junior champion Rae Edwards qualified for the Team USA roster with his third place finish in Eugene in 10.00w. Edwards, whose previous best finish at a USA Outdoor Championships was sixth in 2003 and 2005, posted his personal best of 10.02 in Hengelo on June 1, 2009.

200m

Tyson Gay also will headline the men’s 200 meters in Berlin after winning the world crown at the 2007 Championships in Osaka by stopping the clocks in 19.76 seconds. Gay’s performance bettered National Track & Field Hall of Famer Michael Johnson’s World Outdoor Championships record of 19.79 set in 1995. Gay currently leads the world list in the 200m with his 19.58 clocking at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York on May 30, which is the third-fastest 200m in history. Gay now owns the third and fourth fastest times ever over 200m, which include his New York performance and the 19.62 he ran to win the 2007 USA Outdoor Championships. Only USA Track & Field Hall of Famer Michael Johnson (19.32) and triple 2008 Olympic champion Usain Bolt (19.30) have run faster.

2004 Olympic gold medalist Shawn Crawford will look to win his first World Outdoor individual title in Berlin after winning the USA Outdoor Championships in convincing fashion in a blistering 19.73 seconds (+2.7 mps). Crawford won the race by a margin of nearly two meters over Florida State University standout and NCAA runner-up Charles Clark, who was the surprising runner-up in 20.00w. Clark, who owns a personal best of 20.22 from 2008, finished just ahead of two-time World Outdoor Championships medalist (2005, silver - 2007, bronze) Wallace Spearmon, who finished third in Eugene in 20.03w. In Berlin, Spearmon will attempt to become the first man to win three consecutive World Outdoor Championships 200m medals since Namibia’s Frankie Fredericks won four in a row (1991, 1993, 1995, 1997).

400m

Team USA’s men’s quarter milers captured the gold, silver and bronze medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, and with LaShawn Merritt and Jeremy Wariner leading the way, they’ll look to accomplish that same goal at the World Championships in Berlin.

The reigning Olympic gold medalist who is ranked #1 in the world, LaShawn Merritt enjoyed a dream season in 2008, and he’s shown no signs of letting up this year. Merritt, who posted the top 400m time in the world this outdoor season of 44.50 on May 1, and ran the identical time in winning at the USA Outdoor Championships, posted the #2 all-time mark and a sea level world best with his winning 300m time of 31.30 seconds at the June 7 Nike Prefontaine Classic in Eugene.

Merritt will be challenged by 2004 Olympic gold medalist and reigning world champion Jeremy Wariner, who was ranked #1 in the world from 2004-2007, and was ranked #2 globally last year. A two-time defending World Outdoor 400m champion and the 2008 Olympic silver medalist, Wariner is looking to reign again as the world’s top quarter-miler.

A three-time All-American at Texas Tech, Gil Roberts finished as the runner-up at the 2009 USA Outdoor Championships as a collegiate sophomore. In qualifying for his first-ever World Outdoor Championships team, Roberts finished the race in 44.93 after posting his career best of 44.86 in Lubbock, Texas on May 17.

2008 Olympic Trials finalist Lionel Larry rounds out the quartet after placing fourth at Nationals in 45.40. Larry posted his personal best of 44.63 last year in Des Moines, Iowa. Reigning world 400m hurdles champion Kerron Clement finished third in the 400m at the 2009 USA Outdoor Championships, but declined his spot on the 400m roster to focus on defending his 400m hurdles crown in Berlin.

110m Hurdles

America’s tradition of great men’s hurdling was enhanced at the 2008 Olympic Games as the U.S. took home five of the six available medals in those events.

Olympic Games silver medalist and 2007 World Championships bronze medalist David Payne will be a favorite to appear on the Berlin medal stand. Payne won his first career USA Outdoor title in June with his seasonal best winning time of 13.12 seconds. His personal best of 13.02 occurred at the 2007 World Outdoor Championships in Osaka in winning the bronze medal.

Two-time Olympic silver medalist Terrence Trammell will look to add to his World Outdoor Championships hardware collection that includes silver medals from 2005 and 2007. Trammell, who ended the 2008 season ranked #3 globally, posted the fifth-fastest time in the world this season with his 13.12 clocking first posted from his win at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York on May 30, and matched that when he finished as the runner-up at the USA Outdoor Championships.

2004 World Junior champion Aries Merritt, who ended the 2008 campaign ranked #6 in the world, punched his ticket for Berlin with his third-place finish at the USA Outdoor Championships in his seasonal best time of 13.15 seconds. Merritt posted his personal best of 13.09 in 2007.

400m Hurdles

Angelo Taylor, Kerron Clement and Bershawn Jackson enter the Championships as the top ranked men’s 400m hurdlers in the world, and they will look to prove that point again in Berlin.

In leading a U.S. medal sweep at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Taylor won his second Olympic 400m hurdles gold medal by leading from start to finish in a personal-best time of 47.25 seconds. Taylor, who won the 2000 Sydney gold medal running out of lane 1, joined National Track & Field Hall of Famer Edwin Moses as the second man ever to win Olympic 400m hurdles gold medals eight years apart. Taylor finished third at the 2009 USA Outdoor Championships in 48.30 seconds.

Kerron Clement, who entered the Beijing final as the 2007 world champion, was slightly behind Taylor coming off the final curve and went on to the silver medal in 47.98 seconds. Clement earned his 2008 #1 world ranking by posting wins in seven of 10 events, which included victories in Rome, Paris and London. Clement’s fastest time this year of 48.09 came from his win in Rome on July 10.

2005 world champ Bershawn Jackson, who beat Clement and Taylor earlier this season at the June 7 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, captured the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics with his time of 48.06, which secured an American men’s 400m hurdles sweep for the fifth time in Olympic history (1904, 1920, 1956, 1960, 2008). Jackson posted the second-fastest time in the world this season of 47.98 on July 28 in Monaco.

2008 World Junior Championships silver medalist and Olympic Trials fifth-place finisher Johnny Dutch finished as the runner-up at the 2009 USA Outdoor Championships, where he set his personal best of 48.18 seconds. A sophomore at the University of South Carolina, Dutch is the reigning SEC champion and finished as the runner-up at the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Championships.

NBC, Versus to broadcast meet

The 2009 World Championships will be broadcast in the United States daily on NBC and Versus. The broadcast schedule is as follows. All times Eastern; subject to change; check local listings.

August 15: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. NBC

August 16: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. NBC

August 17: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Versus

August 18: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Versus

August 19: 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. Versus

August 20: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Versus

August 21: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Versus

August 22: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. NBC

August 23: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. NBC

For more information on Team USA at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, visit: www.usatf.org.

Michael Johnson’s company adds Rupp & Other Stars to client list

The Senior is now part of Superman’s family.

Galen Rupp, who recently completed his senior season winning six NCAA titles — one of the most decorated seasons in NCAA history , is the newest client of Michael Johnson’s athlete management company.

Johnson founded Ultimate Performance Sport Management, which handles the endorsements of Jeremy Wariner, Ebonie Floyd, Natasha Hastings, and Jackie Johnson.

“When I retired in 2001, I felt that I was uniquely qualified to offer other athletes the same quality and personal attention that helped me to achieve success as a professional athlete, so I created Ultimate Performance,” Johnson said. “We’re incredibly selective about whom we represent, and I couldn’t be more excited to work with and for these three amazing young men.”

Johnson also signed Michael Bingham of North Carolina, the reigning NCAA 400m Indoor Champion with a personal record of 45.02 seconds. This former Wake Forest All-American competed for Great Britain’s 4×400 meter relay that placed fourth in Beijing.

400-meter hurdler Javier Culson Perez will be represented by Johnson and will also train at the Michael Johnson Performance Center, a 24,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in McKinney, Texas, about 20 miles north of Dallas. Perez boasts a personal best of 48.83 seconds and competed for Puerto Rico at the Beijing Olympic Games.

The good feelings are flowing all around.

“I’ve always surrounded myself with good people, and it’s a tight circle,” Rupp said. “I felt an immediate connection with Michael. I knew I could trust him, and that’s one of the most important things to me.”

Day 3 Wrap Up - 2009 U.S. Nationals

The action continues on day three of the 2009 USA Track & Field Championships. Fans and athletes enjoyed the sunny weather and exciting races.

It was a good day for LaShawn Merritt, who celebrated his 23rd birthday with another national title in the 400m. He ran it in 44.50 seconds and is undefeated in the event this season.

“When you’re in the #1 spot, you just know you have to work that much harder,” Merritt said. “Every time I come out I bring my A game.”

Merritt said he is happy with the team going to World’s, including runner-up Gil Roberts of Texas Tech and 3rd place finisher Kerron Clement. Jeremy Wariner is also on the team, but did not compete today. Merritt said he believes Wariner earned the right not to be here and will get his chance to race him in Berlin.

Sanya Richards reclaimed her US title in the women’s 400m final in 50.05 seconds. Richards said she was not happy with the time, but the wind was a factor. Debbie Dunn was second, and Jessica Beard proved herself against the senior women by finishing 3rd to make the world team.

A new Hayward record and fastest time in the world this year was set by Lashinda Davis when she ran 53.78 in the women’s 400m hurdle finals. Sheena Tosta and Tiffany Ross-Williams will join her in Berlin.

David Payne out-inched Terrence Trammel in the thrilling 110m hurdle finals. The race was so close that Payne said he had to check the jumbotron before he celebrated the victory. His time was 13.12 seconds.

The women’s 1500m was led almost entirely by Christin Wurth-Thomas. She ran to the front and looked strong, running about 62 seconds for the first lap.

“I knew once I went for it, I needed to throw in a 62,” Wurth-Thomas said.

Erin Donahue, Shannon Rowbury and Anna Willard went with with her. Rowbury was ready for the quick change of pace, due to her focus on sharpening her speed in training. No one else could stay with them.

“I thought someone would follow her, but they didn’t. I knew someone had to go,” Rowbury said.

Wurth-Thomas’s stamina could not match Rowbury’s speed. On the homestretch, Rowbury pulled into first, followed by Wurth-Thomas and Willard.

“I like to be the hunter, not the hunted,” Wurth-Thomas said. “I didn’t know if anyone was with me. I panicked.”

The 3000m steeplechase got off to a conservative start with William Nelson in the lead. Daniel Huling stuck behind him until the last three laps when he and Josh McAdams made a dash for the lead. At the bell, it was McAdams, Huling and Kyle Alcorn. McAdams pushed to the finish to win the national title.

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