What the said: 2010 US Indoor Track & Field Championships Day 1

Saturday, February 27, 2010 (Albuquerque, N.M) — Quotes courtesy USA Track & Field.

Anna Pierce, women’s 800 meter heat winner

“I wanted a bank, I didn’t even have to do anything so that was pretty nice. I feel good. I think all the altitude training is paying off. I spent most of my time training in Mammoth, I feel like I can deal with the altitude and not get too bogged down.”

Nick Symmonds, men’s 800 meter heat winner

“We all wanted to work together a little bit. I was supposed to take over the lead with 150 to go but it was too fast. I just found a way to work with him. I said last night I don’t anyone is going to run under 1:48 on this track and I think we might have just done that.”

Erica McLain, women’s triple jump winner

“I was cramping on my first jump a little bit. I felt it and knew I had to push through. My first jump ended up being 1cm over what I needed, I watched everyone’s mark and tried to stay as together as I could and it all worked out. I didn’t have much in me afterwards. In the finals I jumped on my first one and cramped, passed on the second and cramped again. I feel pretty good about how the day went. I like the runway, my training is going really well. I haven’t had a US championship title since 2005 outdoor championships and that was my freshman year of college and actually then I was just 1 cm over the standard I needed. I wanted this so bad.”

Allyson Felix, women’s 400 meter heat winner

“I felt a little sluggish, so we will just have to see how it goes. (On feeling the altitude) I felt something. Because of the altitude I’m definitely a little sluggish out there. (On the finals) I think I am going to be in the slower heat. We’ll see I’m not feeling too great going into it, but lets see if my legs can get it together.”

Kerron Clement, men’s 400 meter heat winner

“It went well today. The altitude was a little bit of a factor. It was my first time running at this altitude. The track is a fast track, but it was good.”

Jesse Williams, men’s high jump winner

“It got off to a shaky start with a couple of the lower heights and I was in fourth place when the bar changed to 7′7″. I knew I had to at least make that height to get on the team. I went ahead and made 7′8″. A couple of other guys made it and I knew if I didn’t make 7′8″ I still may have not made the team because I had a couple other early misses. I knew I had to make 7′8″, I made it on the first attempt and I feel really good about it. It was a great competition. I think it was the best competition ever for the USA championships. It was an honor to be a part of and especially to win. I am excited and I really feel that I can get a medal. The Russians have won a lot of things for a long time. Hopefully we can take it to the Russians. I’ve been training very hard. I had an injury (strained tendon on my jumping foot, just below the ankle) and this is only my second meet of the year. I hope I didn’t re-hurt my foot, it’s kind of tender right now and it isn’t feeling too goo d.”

Tim Seaman, men’s 5000 meter race-walk winner

“Today went different. Out of all the 12 championships this is definitely the most topsy turvy race I have ever done. With the altitude you can’t just push, you have push and then rest. Once I’ve taken the lead I have never let it up. This is the first time that I let the lead up. I was frustrated that I took it out so slow. I told myself ‘Ok, I’m going to take it,’ and I pushed too hard and I had to slow down. It felt like my lungs were burning and I spent three weeks at altitude so I can only imagine how these other guys how bad they felt. This is my 43rd win overall, so it moves me into No. 2 all-time track and field national championship wins. This was my 12th win in indoor, which is the most by any athlete in any event in track and field history.”

Amber Campbell, women’s weight throw winner

“This hands down was one of the best series ever. It felt great, the crowd was amazing, the ball was just flying. It felt amazing. (how it felt to open with the her best throw) Fantastic. You can never complain about opening up with your best throw ever. I was trying to focus on the things we have been working on in practice. It was mechanical. I was trying to hit the things that I have been working on, it was very step one, step two, step three. I guess I should do it like that all the time. (on her homecoming) My god parents are here and my uncle, I haven’t seen them in years. It really is like coming home.”

Tim Mack, men’s pole vault winner

“It means a lot. I am still fired up. This is the highest I have jumped in indoors in six years. I felt really good coming into the meet. (competition with the other gold medaler) We are actually really good friends, we helped each other out a lot. But a lot of time during competition I have too much to worry about than to think about other people. I was competing against the event really.”

Chaunte Howard Lowe, women’s high jump winner

“This hit my outdoor personal record (PR) but indoor yes that is the closest I have ever come to it. I knew I was over it, I felt it. Maybe I got lazy at the end but I didn’t feel like I touched the bar or anything so when it came down it shocked me. But I was happy to be able to get that much height over it. This is the best I have ever jumped this early in the season. My indoor PR last year was 195, this is by far the best. It’s really exciting because I haven’t PRed since I had my daughter, and she is two and a half now. This is huge for me. When I saw the bar fall, I was excited because I got that high, but it felt like everything had slipped through my fingers. That would have been a good mark for the Visa Series.”

Bernard Lagat, men’s 3000 meter winner

“I didn’t know how I was going to feel with the altitude. I actually didn’t feel anything after about five laps. I just wanted to have fun. I was running on the inside. I wanted to be able to keep an eye on who was going to make a move. I just wanted to win and make the team. I wanted to maintain the lead. I wanted to make sure I was going to be number one. I wanted to win and make the team. That is what I came here for.”

Renee Metivier Baillie, Women’s 3000 meter winner

“Coach might be mad at me I was supposed to wait five laps and then take off. I could just tell that everyone was putting on the breaks and I thought screw it I’m going to go. I had a really good workout on Tuesday so I had the confidence to continue. In a race situation you don’t always know what to do so I just went with my gut. I never quite knew how far the gap was, I was just focused on myself. I had to stay in the moment each lap by lap. I know I have a good kick and as soon as I hit the last lap I knew I was going to give it a run. I didn’t know what was going to happen but you have to be confident in yourself whether you win or lose.”

A.G. Kruger, men’s weight throw winner

“I had a lot of fun this year. I trained to throw far. I knew I was capable so I just came out here and threw. The tenth best throw ever. It was great.”

Lawrence Willis, men’s triple jump winner

“The competition was great. Jumping against the regining champion, I knew I had to put up a good mark. It’s…I don’t even know what to say. After taking a year off, with all the support from my family and friends, this just feels great.”

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

Day 2 Evening Quotes, 2009 IAAF World Athletics Championships

For Immediate Release
Sunday, August 16, 2009

Tyson Gay (Clermont, Fla.), men’s 100m silver medalist AMERICAN RECORD

It felt pretty good. I’m really happy Usain Bolt broke the record. I know that may sound strange. I knew it was humanly possible for someone to run that fast. Unfortunately it wasn’t me. I’m very happy with the race. I did my best the best way I could. I’ve been you all this year that it’s possible to run this fast. I did my best. I still know I have a lot more left in the tank. My groin is barely hanging on. In the final I just tried to block everything down and give it my all because there wasn’t that much left. (On the 200) I’m going to talk to doctors and everything. It’s at a pain right now and we’ll see how it goes tonight.

Darvis Patton (Grand Prairie, Texas), Men’s 100 Meters 8th place finisher

I just cramped up and I cramped up real bad. I couldn’t get into with these guys. It’s the second time I have been in the fastest race in history. That’s all I have to live on now. Cramping up is part of the sport. It’s unfortunate that it had to happen in the finals of the World Championships. Hats off to these guys. Everybody ran well. Everybody is a great competitor.

Michelle Carter (Ovilla, Texas), Women’s Shot Put sixth place finisher

I think I did pretty good today. I’m happy with what I did. I think it went well. I’m learning more. What I learned in Beijing I brought with me here. I have to keep on building and get better.

Bettie Wade (Ann Arbor, Michigan), Women’s heptathlon

I had to pick myself up, and did a lot of thinking over the last 24 hours.

I enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to compete here. It was hard to compete today. My season is officially done. My body’s slowly tearing down, so I’m going to nurse some small injuries I’ve accumulated, and take some time off to let my body heal.

Diana Pickler (Sacshe, Texas), Women’s heptathlon

I came in so prepared. I went in here faster and stronger than I’ve ever been, and I felt mentally prepared. It just didn’t start out this way.

The first day was a struggle, and it was so frustrating, because I knew that I did everything to prepare right for this meet. It was hard to go out there and be disappointed with the way things went yesterday. I was nowhere close to where I should have been.

Today, I just tried to block everything out. I was really happy with setting a PR in the 800 after what I went through the competition. Setting a PR in the 800 is going to make me mentally stronger.

Sharon Day (Costa Mesa, Calif.), Women’s Heptathlon

I’m very happy about my performance. It’s my first major competition at the international scale. I couldn’t be happier with 10th place in the world right now. (On the fast start in the competition) That’s the way it goes with the heptathlon. You are going to have some bumps and some ups and downs. You have to take it in stride. It was a really good experience to compete at a world level. I’m going to put this in my pocket and keep training.

Lauryn Williams (Miami, Fla.), Women’s 100 meters

I think I had a great race. It was a season best. Everything seems to be coming together. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. I’m really excited that things are turning around for me. There are some really fast times. There are many sub-11s. My competitors have done it many times. I think there have been eight people that have been under 11 seconds. I haven’t gotten there yet. But 11.06 is going in the right direction. I am going to give it my best tomorrow and hopefully get on the podium.

Muna Lee (College Station, Texas), Women’s 100 meters

I am working on the beginning part, like I said. I wish I could go a round without a false start. It will be a hot semifinal, probably the best field I have seen in a while.

Carmelita Jeter (Inglewood, Calif.), Women’s 100 meters

It was a good race. I got out of the blocks real well. I am going to go back to the hotel, get some rest and come back tomorrow. Tomorrow is when it really counts. I’m satisfied with crossing the finish line healthy. That’s the only thing that really matters.

Rae Edwards (Kansas City, Kansas), Men’s 100 meters, semifinals

I gave up too much at the start. It’s as simple as that. As I re-watched it, I gave up too much at the start. Then I let the whole field get away from me. I’m not down about because obviously that was my purpose to be here. God has a plan for everyone. That was his plan. I’m not down about it. I had fun. In all reality, I’m not disappointed at all because I know I wasn’t even expected to get this far. Just to make it this far shows how beautiful God is. I’m disappointed at all. I would love to be in the finals. But I’m not.

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

(Set a personal best in getting one of the two at large spots to the finals.) I needed that. I’m so happy, so happy to run again. I’m so happy to come out here, representing the United States for the world championship. To get a PR and make it to the finals, that was the goal. Now, the next step is on Tuesday. We’ll see what happens there.

(On waiting for the last heat to be completed to see if she qualified for the finals) I was nervous because with one heat to go, you never know when someone may drop a 49.04, and I could end up not being in there. I was kind of happy, but I had to see the last race. But after the last race, I went, “Yes.” I’m happy with the time and making it to the finals. I felt like I was on the bubble when I didn’t make top two.

Walter Davis (Baton Rouge, La.), men’s triple jump

It didn’t go to well. I had a little bit of runway trouble in the first jump. The second one, I started getting it together. The third one was going good. I just broke down going into my step. I wasn’t able to get out of it. We’ll shut down the season, then get ready for USA Indoors.

Brandon Roulhac (Tallahassee, Fla.), men’s triple jump

I felt good. I just struggled with my runway a bit. I’m now going to get ready for indoors. I plan to do a couple of more meets. It was a great experience. Now I know what to expect the next time.

Kenta Bell (Decatur, Ga.), men’s triple jump

I didn’t do as well as I wanted to. But it has been a long, rough season. I’m thankful to be here at this point. I had some injuries at the USAs. But to be on the team and be here is a blessing.

Jessica Beard (College Station, Texas), Women’s 400 meters

It was a decent race, but it wasn’t my best. I just went out and did the best that I could do, and I just have to be happy with what I gave tonight.

I’m looking forward to the relay and keeping my mind focused on the task at hand. Hopefully I can contribute to that.

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

My plan was to stay focused and take care of business, and run a strong last 150. I was really pleased that I did that, and got my 13 strides down. I’m feeling really confident going into the finals.

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

My goal was to come home with a strong kick, because that’s what it’s gonna take to win a gold medal here. So many guys are running fast and this event’s so competitive. With so many guys who are bigger and taller than me, I’ve got to make up for it in the second half.

Overall, I feel good, and I did what I needed to do.

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

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.

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.

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

Kerron Clement Steps Into Music Video

This 400-meter hurdle Olympian is expanding his game outside of track and field with an appearance in “The Greatest” video by Michelle Williams - formerly of Destiny’s Child.

Kerron Clement makes a cameo in the video donning his Olympic medal and uniform while hurdling on the street. This is not his first modeling gig, as he has done several European photo shoots.

Michelle Williams is stunning in what appears to be her best solo yet and Clement does nothing to take away from that fact.

Clement told the press:

“It takes my mind off athletics,” said Clement. “I’m a person who doesn’t like to focus myself on track and field, it tires me out. Modelling is the avenue that I take to relax myself. It’s like a relaxation for me.”

No worry track fans. He won’ be quitting his day job anytime soon as track and field is paying his bills these days.

Jay Hicks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Jay Hicks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Jay Hicks.