Jeter leads the way to Daegu

USA Track & Field Press Release.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Flair For Dramatics – Stucyzynski Breaks American Pole Vault Record

One of the lessons that Jenn Stuzynski learned from her countless attempts at the U.S. indoor national record is that winning is never easy. That’s why she didn’t lose hope at breaking Stacey Dragila’s record at the Boston Indoor Games. The new record 15 feet, 9 3-4 inches, was good enough to win a $25,000 bonus for breaking the world mark.

Kara Goucher won the 3,000 meters in a personal best of 8:46.65 seconds. Sally Kipyego made history setting a new collegiate record of 8:48.77 on Saturday. The previous record of 8:49.28 was held by Kim Smith of Providence set in 2004.

Right now, Olympic champion Steven Hooker of Austrialia is untouchable. He won the men’s pole vault with a height of 19 feet, 10 1/2 inches — the eighth-best in history, and the only person other than Sergei Bubka to reach it.

Flanagan smashes American Record
In the most exciting race, Sentayehu Ejigu of Ethiopia outleaned Olympic bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan and hit the tape 0.005 seconds in front to win the women’s 5,000 meters in 14 minutes, 47.613 seconds. Flanagan, who finished with the same official time on the scoreboard, set an American record and also got a $25,000 bonus.

Ethiopian Bekana Daba led from the gun in the men’s 3,000 meters, with Galen Rupp right on his heels. But at the bell lap, Daba was pulling away as Rupp was laboring, and the Ethiopian crossed the line in 7:41.88 ahead of Rupp’s 7:44.69.

Winners in other events
Mike Rodgers continued his streaking winning the 60 meters in 6.58 seconds, just ahead of Darvis Patton (6.61) and Travis Padgett (6.62). Two-time Olympian Terrance Trammell won the 60 meter hurdles in 7.53 seconds ahead of Antwon Hicks (7.68). 2006 NCAA indoor and outdoor 200m champion Shalonda Solomon added a world leader in the Visa women’s 200m dash, winning easily in 23.17.

Photo courtesy: Matthew Healy