Day 1, Morning: USATF World Champs Quotes

For Immediate Release
Saturday, August 15, 2009

Day 1 Team USA quotes from Berlin - Mornining Session

Adam Nelson, Men’s shot put, Charlottesville, Va.
It was great out there. That’s how you like to get it done, with one throw. I’m in great shape. I’m expecting big things tonight.

Christian Cantwell, Men’s shot put, Columbia, Mo.
We had great weather. I feel good. I did what I wanted to do, and that’s all that matters. (Getting the qualifying mark on the second throw) I typically do that. I have only done it once on my first one. I don’t mind taking two throws. I usually take it safe on the first one, which I did. The second throw was just as easy. I got a little more flick on it. On the warm up track, I was throwing fine. I imagine I will add a little more distance to that tonight.

Dan Taylor, Men’s shot put, Mesa, Ariz.
The first throw was great. It was well over qualifying, but I guess I fouled it on the front. It went all downhill from there. The same thing happened at my first worlds.

Reese Hoffa, Athens, Ga.
It’s awesome to be in the finals. But I have to execute. I can’t just dilly-dally like I did this morning. I got through, and I’m happy about that. I may have struggled a little bit. I have to believe it was there. I don’t know what was going on out there. I think I was thinking too much. At the last couple of major championships, I went out there, first throw and I was gone. To go out there and barely just miss it, maybe it got too technical. It was 30 minutes between throws. That might wear you out just a bit as well.

Lindsay Anderson, Women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, So. Ogden,Utah
It’s definitely not what I was hoping for. As soon as the gun went off, I felt like I didn’t have it. I didn’t have anything there. It was kind of disappointing. Everything has been running great. It just wasn’t a good day.

Jennifer Barringer, Women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, Boulder, Colo.
I qualified. I gave everyone a heart-attack, but I qualified. I was a little nervous. With two laps to go, I changed the game plan, don’t try and take control of the race. It was getting a little aggressive up front. We weren’t running especially fast. I calmed down a little bit. I gave myself some room to see and know what I wanted to do. I was really confident with 100 meters that I was going to catch that qualifying pack. I think when I re-watch the race, I’m going to realize I was a little farther behind than I thought. It was a physical race for sure. I was ready for that. It was that way in China. It was that way in Japan. I definitely experienced that before. I got through today. I am really happy with qualifying. I will be ready to go.

Bridget Franek, women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, Hiram, Ohio
The first few laps, I definitely wanted to put myself in position, be ahead at the end and make finals, and that was the ultimate goal. Unfortunately, I ran out of gas or something. I felt awesome (when the race started). The first five laps, it felt so good. I don’t know what happened at the end. I’m so honored to make it. Nothing has changed. It has been a long season. I didn’t expect this going into the season. I have to make some adjustments. That’s something I will be working on for the future.
Jake Freeman, men’s hammer, Westbury, N.Y.
It was fun, a lot of fun out there. It was a great day to throw, we had great competition. I thought I did pretty good. The second throw was a good one. I just finished it right. That third throw, I needed a little more. But I kind of pulled it too much. I got some experience for my next one. I think I did ok. It gives me a little bit of confidence going into next year, and the next three years.
I would’ve like to have made it to the next day.
A.G. Kruger, Men’s Hammer Throw, Ashland, Ohio
Training, coaching and everything else felt great. I just didn’t put it together. It’s just as simple as that. I’m going to go home and figure out what to do next year. I will figure it out one of these years. When I do, I will throw it far.

Michael Mai, Men’s Hammer Throw, Santa Clara, Calif.
It started off pretty good. I was happy with my first throw. I kind of missed it at the finish. My second throw was really looking great. I just pulled it at the finish. It was a good day for the most part. I had the speed. Everything was ready to go. I just didn’t quite do what I was looking for. I haven’t had a lot of volume this year. I’m trying to work on things. It just takes a long time. Hopefully, I will have some more chances in the next year.

Jessica Beard, Women’s 400 Meters, Euclid, Ohio
I think it went pretty good. I got second in my heat. The top three automatically make it. Of course that was a big goal for me. I have to still work on some stuff in my race. I know that. I felt I ran pretty well, I’m happy with it. I know I have to run something better than I ran at USA Nationals. I think this is a perfect time for me. There is so much experience on this team especially when it comes to quarter-milers with what all they have done and accomplished. I’m just looking at them for experience and words of wisdom. Sanya (Richards) told me, “Jessica, just run your race.” That helped me calm down a lot.

Debbie Dunn, Women’s 400 Meters, Norfolk, Va.
It’s the first round, so the main goal is to go out there and get to the next race. I did that, so I am happy with my time. (Running style with right arm) I know. I have been happy with that for the longest time. I don’t know what to do with it. But I tried to work it. We’ll see for the next round. Hopefully, I will work it better for the next round.
Darvis Patton, Men’s 100 Meters, Grand Prairie, Texas
I miss my daughter Dakota Rae. She was born a little bit before the USA Championships, and my mom’s been doing a great job taking care of her while I’ve been away.

Rae Edwards, Men’s 100 Meters, Kansas City, Kan.
I learned today what it’s like to have to get back into the race.

Tyson Gay, Men’s 100 Meters, Clermont, Fla.
I just had to run and get the kinks out. I just played it safe and got through the=2 0round.

Erica McLain, Women’s Triple Jump, Menlo Park, Calif.
I felt like I was rushing through all three of my phases today. I had a lot of energy in getting ready to compete today, but it seemed like it wasn’t there this morning. In big meets like this, I have to learn how to be more of a competitor.

Sanya Richard, Women’s 400 Meters, Austin, Texas
I was happy that (Christina Ohuruogu) was there. I t gave me a little bit of extra motivation. Today I felt really relaxed. Coach (Clyde Hart) wanted me to go out and run my first 300 a little bit more aggressive. Coach might not be happy with where I was at 300, but my legs felt really strong coming home, and that’s how I like to feel.

I like to win all my races, so I can get the first pick of lanes.
For complete results, quotes and Team USA reports, visit www.usatf.org.
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For more information on Team USA at the World Outdoor Championships, visit http://www.usatf.org/events/2009/IAAFWorldOutdoorChampionships/.
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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

Instant Analysis - QATAR SUPER GRAND PRIX

The weather at the Qatar Super Grand Prix - IAAF World Athletics Tour - meeting in Doha on Friday was predictably good. Sunny and warm with a breeze. A track that is soft but yet firm.

A place to go fast.

David Oliver led the assault on the world leader board in a meet that saw over a dozen world leads and a meet record. Oliver flew over the hurdles in 13.19 over Antwon Hicks (13.24) and Andrew Turner (13.31).

How fast can Travis Padgett go this season? Today the former Clemson standout made his move early, getting out the blocks quickly as he ran 10.00 equaling the world fastest time. With Padgett coming out gunning at 10.00, it easily be said that his personal record of 9.89 is in jeopardy.

Is Allyson Felix signaling an unofficial career shift to the 400? Felix put down 50.75, with a field including Shericka Williams (51.08) and Natasha Hastings (52.39). Last year Felix won the meet in 10.93, a world leading time at the time. This year the Beijing silver medalist at 200 meters set the world leading time in the 400 meters. A monumental shift in the women’s 400 would occur if Felix competes at major championships in the one lap race.

It was the hottest race of the evening. Abubaker Kaki Khamis of Sudan ran a dizzying second lap on the way to running 1:43.09 in the 800 meters that saw three runners peel off sub 1:44 seconds. Abubaker fought off Asbel Kipruto Kiprop and Mohammed Al-Salhi to retain victory.

Jamaica’s Kerron Stewart is going to be a force to reckon with this season in the 100. She easily ran 10.93, against a field featuring Stephanie Durst (11.15) of the U.S. and Jamaica’s Sherri Ann-Brooke (11.20).

Getting back to business as usual, Croatia’s Blanka Vlasic cleared 2.05 meters, before making a ran at a World record 2.10 meter jump. Reese Hoffa got off early heaving 21.64 to win the shot put.

Click here for full results.