2009 National Champions - Eugene, Oregon

About the meet

PreRaceJitters will provide Live coverage from the 2009 National Championships hosted at the University of Oregon in Eugne. The final two days will be aired on television. Check out the meet’s official website.

Live television coverage:
• ESPN, June 26, 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. ET
• ESPN, June 27, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. ET
• NBC, June 28, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. ET

Meet Review and Results:

Instant Analysis The daily wrap up upon conclusion of meet.

Live Results Check out the complete results from the 2009 Track & Field Championships.

Pre-Race Coverage:

Preview Show Click here for the PRJ Track & Field Radio Show, Nationals Preview Show.

Live Updates:

Twitter Follow our live updates from the National Championships on Twitter.

PreRaceJitters’ Fan Page on Facebook Get exclusive information on PreRaceJitters’ Fan Page on Facebook.

PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show #35, U.S. Nationals Preview Show

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It’s not too much to say that the Road to Berlin starts this week in Eugene, Oregon. Jay Hicks and John W. Davis discuss athletes to watch at the 2009 National Championships and much more.

-U.S. Nationals

PreRaceJitters Track & Field Radio Show…Where the Real Playas Come to Hangout!

2009 Reebok Grand Prix Meet Coverage

About the meet

Icahn Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility on Randall’s Island featuring a 400-meter Mondo track and covered seating for spectators, is the premier outdoor track-and-field venue in New York City. The 2009 Reebok Grand Prix will be broadcast on NBC from 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. EST. Check out the meet’s official website.

Pre-Meet Interviews:

PreRaceJItters’ Track and Field Radio Show, Reebok Grand Prix with Lionel Larry Lionel Larry has run 20.37 so far this season and is set to compete this weekend at the 2009 Reebok Grand Prix.

6 Things You Oughta Know About Lionel Larry Coming soon!

Meet Review and Results:

Instant Analysis Tyson Gay delivers top meet’s top performance and Carmelita Jeter’s 100m streak remains in tact.

Results Check out the complete results from the 2009 Reebok Grand Prix.

Videos:

Interviews Coming soon!

Coming Soon!

Live Updates:

Twitter Follow our live updates from the Adidas Track Classic on Twitter.

PreRaceJitters’ Fan Page on Facebook Get exclusive information on PreRaceJitters’ Fan Page on Facebook.

PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show #26, Reebok Grand Prix Preview Show with Lionel Larry

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PreRaceJitters Reebok Grand Prix Meet Coverage

Jay Hicks and John W. Davis preview the 2009 Reebok Grand Prix, revealing their picks for the upcoming meet in New York. Former NCAA All-American Lionel Larry stops by to talk about first trip to the Reebok Grand Prix, his first season on the professional circuit, and thoughts on track and field.

• Reebok Grand Prix Official Website
• adidas Track Classic Results
• IAAF World Rankings
• Asafa Powell Ready for New York

PreRaceJitters’ Track and Field Radio Show, where the real playas comes to hang out!

Special thanks to Lionel Larry and the Global Athletics.

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

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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!

2009 Adidas Track Classic to Run Fast Without Tyson Gay

Photo by Jay Hicks.

-Carson, CA. Home Depot Center.

Those looking to see the 2007 IAAF World Champion at 100 and 200 meters will have to wait a couple of weeks.  Meet officials formally announced today that Tyson Gay is not competing in the 2009 adidas Track Classic and remained at home in Texas to train in preparation for the Reebok Grand Prix in New York taking place in two weeks.

Tyson is not competing and we are disappointed,” Rich Kenah, one of the meet officials, told reporters.”He’s just not ready to run 100 and 200 yet so he won’t be competing here.

Last year, Gay ran a 100 and 200 meter double at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.

In his place, former 100 meter Olympic gold medalist Maurice Greene spoke to reporters about the adidas Track Classic.  The retired sprinter said, “having a high quality is about having great athletes but the fans really energize the athletes to perform well here at Carson.”

“Dancing is harder than running,” said Greene. You have get your heel and toe placement just right.  And the judges are know if you miss one item in your routine.

True to the meets’ reputation this years meet hosts some of track and field’s biggest names.

Competing this year is Jenn Stucyznski.   Last year she set the American record pole vault at 16 feet, 1.75 inches and is the events three time reigning champion.

Stucyznski said, “We come out here to get get some sun and heat.” “Jumping outdoors is all about wind and conditions. The last two years that I jumped here the the conditions.”

Allyson Felix is running her first 200 meters of the year. “I’m not really sure where I am at in my 200 meters. 

“We haven’t done that much speed work so will tell me where I am.”  Felix went on to say, “It is really special for me to run here.  I believe that I have only missed running year since the start of this meet. It’s great because my family can come.  For some of them is the only chance for my family to be present to see me run all year long,” said the 2007 World Champion at 200 meters.

Also running at the meet includes: Jeremy Wariner, Sanya Richards, LaShawn Merritt, Darvis Patton, Bernard Lagat, Shalane Flanagan, Terrence Trammell, Kerron Clement, Marshevet Hooker, and Hazel Clark.

PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Weekly Radio #23 with Marshevet Hooker

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This week, Marshevet Hooker joins Jay Hicks and John W. Davis on PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show to discuss her athletic family, training under Jon Drummond and the upcoming 2009 adidas Track Classic in Carson, CA.

That and much, much more on PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show.

-Oregon’s 4 x mile collegiate record
-Qatar Super Grand Prix
-Osaka Grand Prix

Special thanks to Marshevet Hooker.

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

Impressive Performances at Drake Relays Trump Poor Weather

Adam Nelson. Photo by Glenda Boyd.

-Des Moines, Iowa - April 25, 2009. By Jerry Boyd.

The big stories were nonstop from the 100th Drake Relays in Des Moines, IA. Twenty of the century’s top athletes were honored for their participation over the years, from Jessie Owens to Essie Kelly Washington. Michael Johnson and Gwen Torrence were selected as the male and female athletes of the century. The Drake Relays is in its first year as one of the first outdoor events in the 2009 Visa Championship Series. The weather also claimed its share of the news starting with near perfect weather the first two days and a cold, rainy Saturday for the final day of competition.

Lolo Jones was scheduled to run the 100m hurdles and the fans came to life as she stepped on the wet track in a tuxedo like two-piece uniform. She got a good start but started pulling up before the 8th hurdle and was unable to finish the race. The crowd was stunned as she was carted off holding her right hamstring. Jones later came back on the field to speak to the sold out stadium saying that there had been some soreness for a few weeks and if it had not been the Drake Relays she “would have pulled out” of the meet.

Jones reassured everyone saying, “it is only a slight tear, and is not as bad as it seems.”  Again the fans responded with appreciation as Jones walked gingerly off the field.  Michigan’s Tiffany Ofili won the race with the worlds third fastest time of 12.82.

In the men’s 400m Special, Olympic Gold medalist and former Drake champion Jeremy Wariner dominated the field, starting strong and hit it hard at the 300m mark to finish with a convincing 45.06 for the second fastest time in the world. This is Wariner’s first 400m of the season and after wards Wariner said, “I really wanted to give the crowd a good show.”  The four time Olympic medalist is competing in two week in Osaka.

Lauren Hagans won the women’s 1500m with a strong run of 4:18.24 and Alan Webb continues to be unbeaten at Drake in the men’s mile at 4:00.61

The men’s 400m hurdles featured a heavily loaded field with former LSU standout Isa Phillips taking the win with a 49.60. The cold and rain required a little extra warm up, but Philips said, “at this level you have to be able to compete regardless of the weather”. His next appearance will be in Jamaica next week.

The best race of the day might have been the high school boy’s 4 X 400m relay. On the anchor leg Indianola and Waukee came down the home stretch shoulder to shoulder with Waukee appearing to cross the line first but an out of control lean and hard fall got the win for Indianola by one, one hundredth of a second, 3:23.15.

Once again Baylor is the Drake Relays 4X400m relay champion at 3:05.11. They have compiled an impressive string of victories winning 18 of the last 21 years and 5 straight titles in Des Moines. The victory was also the relays 40th consecutive 4 X 400m collegiate win.

Suzy Powell-Roos won the women’ discus with a throw of 59.15m – 194’01” but second place winner and Olympic champion Stephanie Brown-Trafton 58.76m – 192’09” was able to put the day in perspective. Brown-Trafton was prepared for the rain and saying ”it is a great opportunity to not be afraid to compete in wet weather” because the U.S. Championships will be held in Des Moines next year. This was Brown-Trafton’s first competing in Drake and  she went on to say, “I am happy that there is a town outside of Eugene that is into track and field”.

Jerry Boyd is a sportswriter for PreRaceJitters.com. All photos by Glenda Boyd.

Michael Johnson Classic, Baylor

Saturday 18, 2009, Waco, Texas

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- Meet schedule | Meet Information | Meet results

Records fell at Michael Johnson Classic.

In a day the included rain, lightening and cold weather the 2009 Michael Johnson Classic will be most likely be remembered as the Trey Hart show.
Breaking Michael Johnson’s stadium record 20.41, set in 1987 goes a long way at earning that unofficial title.

A star-studded 200 meter field lined up on the track that included Jeremy Wariner, Michael Rodgers, Reggie Witherspoon, and NCAA 200 meter Indoor Champion Trey Harts.

Harts clocked a new Hart-Patterson Track and Field Complex record time of 20.29 seconds in the 200-meter dash Saturday evening.  Harts shot out of the blocks, crossing the lined in 20.29 seconds, establishing a four meter lead that he maintained over Wariner (20.56).  Witherspoon did not finish the race, pulling up at around the 100 meter mark.

Running in just the preliminary heat was enough work for Darvis “Doc” Patton.  Michael Rodgers was the first sprinter out of the blocks, before Patton took over at the 45 meters marks and crossed the line in 10.19 after shutting down four meters before the finish line.

Baylor’s Erin Bedell took a rest from her normal duties of running the 5,000 meters to compete in the 1,500 meters.  Bedell marked the occasion by running a new Hart-Patterson stadium record time of 4:16.03.

Tiffany Townsend proved a viable day winning the 100 in 11.28, 200 in 23.03, and assisted the Bears 4×100 meter relay to victory in 44.08.
South Plain’s Bryce won the 400 meter hurdles in a regional qualifying time of 50.31.  Not to be out down on a day of record performances, Baylor’s Chris Gowell ran a season’s best time of 1:47.42 in the 800 meters.

Andrae’s Williams of the Bahamas clocked 45.13, winning a stacked 400 meter Invitational in 45.13, ahead of Renny Quow (45.23), and Darold Williamson (45.75).

The SMU women set a school record in the 4×400 meter relay and recorded a NCAA Regional qualifying time of 3:42.59 in their second place finish behind Baylor in 3:40.70.

Despite a scare from Texas Tech, the 39 race winning streak against collegians for Baylor remained in tact in the 4×400 meter relay.  A professional relay team comprised of Olympians Witherspoon, Wariner, Wallace Spearmon and Darold Williamson ran away with the race.

Baylor and Texas Tech handed off the their respective anchor legs. Baylor’s Iglehart-Summers went out easily before pouring on a kick down the homestretch to win the race in 3:05.47.

Weekend Thoughts: Cold weather dampers times

Photo courtesy of Danny Wariner.

Men’s Collegiate Ranking | Women’s Collegiate Ranking | World Rankings

There was one sub-21 second 200 meters at the UTA Invitational on Saturday, Jeremy Wariner fired off 20.83 seconds in a race including runner up Sanjay Ayres of Jamaica. Wrapped in long tights, Reggie Witherspoon made an appearance in the 400 meters, taking the cold weather conditions to get in a day of work. After running the 800 meter last week, pro runner Angel Perkins opened up her women’s 400 m hurdle meter season at UTA by winning in a wide margin of victory.

The cold and windy condition dampened the performance marks of athletes at the UTA Invitational. Professional runners Darvis “Doc” Patton, Marshevet Hooker, Aries Merritt and Darold Williamson cancelled their race appearances for Saturday at the University of Texas at Arlington.

What kind of shape is one of America’s top options to rival Usain Bolt? At a recent adidas promotional event – Gay revealed that he suffered a knee injury and plans on returning for the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.

Collegiate Ranks

Weather affected other meets – the second day of the Yellow Jacket Invitational and FSU Relays were cancelled due to inclement weather conditions.

You could probably say that the LSU Relays came out the winner. Despite cold and windy race conditions – I can only assume that with warmer weather that even faster times would have been produced.

The LSU men’s defense of their 4×100 meter relay NCAA title began this weekend by barely holding off the Baylor Bears in the narrowest of victories. Trindon Holiday edged Trey Harts in a photo finish by one one-thousandth of a second, 39.696 to 39.697.  The Baylor 4×400 meter relay streak extends to 37 races at the LSU Relay running 3:04.93 – winning by over four seconds ahead of TCU in 3:08.63.

Watch out for St. Augustie’s Josh Scott, running at 46.13 this past weekend at the Raleigh Relays while also leading his mile relay to victory in 3:05.95 seconds.

LSU’s Samantha Henry set a meet record 11.37 in the 100 meters in the prelims and over teammate Kenyanna Wilson. In the finals, Wilson prevailed in 11.42 over teammates Henry in 11.59.

In a precursor to Texas Relays, the women’s 4×100 saw LSU run 44.07 ahead of TCU in 45.02 seconds.

In the 100 meter hurdles Tenaya Jones of LSU ran 13.89, finishing second in the race after LSU alum Jessica Ohamaja in 13.41.  Brandon Byram, Michael Ray Garvin, Charles Clark and Maurice Mitchell of FSU passed the stick around in 39.56 at the FSU Relays to win the 4×100 meter relay.  Powered by a +6.0 wind, Terrell Wilks ran 10.23 in the 100 meters at the FSU Relays.

As Oklahoma State University starts the outdoor season the squad will be without German Fernandez for at least some of the season, as he recovers from a foot injury.  Saturday, the OSU freshmen finished 11th (24:13) at the World Cross Country Championships in Amman, Jordan. Fernandez produced the top non-African performance in the race.

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