What they said: 2010 US Indoor Track & Field Championships Day 2

Sunday, February 28, 2010 (Albuquerque, N.M) — Quotes courtesy USA Track & Field.

Jillian Camarena, women’s shot put winner

I started with a miss on my hands. My third throw was the best and I tried to improve from there. My timing was off. Now I have to pull it all together for Doha. This win was special for me. It was for my grandmother who recently passed away.

Maria Michta, women’s 3,000m race walk winner

It was awesome. I went out having pr’d three weeks ago. I knew the altitude would be a factor and it was. It hit me at 2,000m. I just finished strong. I felt like I was dreaming the last 100m. It was just so exciting.

Jeremy Hicks, men’s long jump winner

Being called a national champion sounds pretty good. This was my third time here at this track and it was definitely my best performance. It was wonderful. I believed in myself and it finally paid off.

Nick Symmonds, men’s 800m winner

I was pretty worried for a minute there. When I saw I was a couple of seconds behind at 600m, I was like that’s a lot to make up. That last lap I was running scared.

That dead spot in the track is gone. It’s a great track and it was a great race.

Leo Manzano, men’s 1,500m winner

It was a good race. This is nationals and the best in the nation were here. I knew I had to give it a go and it worked out really well. I hadn’t trained at altitude yet so I was at a disadvantage. I just had to go out and compete.

Anna (Willard) Pierce

I was planning to go hard from 250m. I wanted to run 1:59 but I’m happy with my race today. I’m quicker this year, its really exciting. I think I can medal at Doha. Entering the 1500 here was just an insurance plan.

Terrence Trammell, men’s 60m hurdles winner

I think my start wasn’t what it should have been, I was trying not to jump. I was trying to be aggressive through the first hurdles and I really focus on four and five. I still have time to improve before Doha. I’m not injured, coming off a head cold. I expect the best in Doha.

Ginnie Powell, women’s 60m hurdles winner

I was really focused and strong and confident. I put it all out there on the track. Bobby (Kersee) told me to really sprint off the last hurdle and I did.

Brittney Reese, women’s long jump winner

I was trying for a win or at least a season’s best and I came out with both. I am very pleased with today. And I expect good things in Doha.

Lacy Janson, women’s pole vault winner

I have no complaints. I had two good attempts at 4.84m (American Record height). I couldn’t be more confident going into World Indoors.

Morgan Uceny, women’s 1,500m winner

It’s great. I just wanted to get out there. Running from the back and relaxing isn’t my style.

Ivory Williams, men’s 60m winner

I just came out here ready to run, stay relaxed and come out with the victory. And that’s what happened.

Carmelita Jeter, women’s 60m winner

I had to be patient because of the false starts. My confidence is up but there is still someone out there running faster than me.

Shalane Flanagan named USA Track & Field Athlete of the Week

INDIANAPOLIS (January 17, 2010).  The awards are starting to pull up for Shalane Flanagan.

Flanagan has won the 2010 USA Cross Country Championships at Plantes Ferry Recreation Park in Spokane, Wash and been named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week after winning her fourth USA Cross Country title on Saturday.

The 2008 Olympic Games 10,000m bronze medalist, Flanagan took command of the open women’s 8 km from the gun and never relinquished control, winning the race in 25:10. She was 51 seconds ahead of runner-up Molly Huddle, a two-time USA Women’s 10 km champion. It was the second national title for Flanagan so far this year; she broke the course record in winning the USA Half Marathon Championships in January.

BEST MARKS WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 14

MEN

60 - 6.56 Mike Rodgers (Nike) - Fayetteville, AR 2/12
200 - 20.80 Curtis Mitchell (Texas A&M) - College Station, TX 2/13
400 - 45.03 Torrin Lawrence (Georgia) - Fayetteville, AR 2/12   World leader
800 - 1:46.36ot Andrew Wheating (Oregon) - Seattle, WA 2/13
Mile - 3:55.79 Russell Brown (Nike) - Fayetteville, AR 2/12
3000 - 7:49.94ot Craig Miller (Wisconsin) - Seattle, WA 2/13
5000 - 13:42.22ot Aaron Braun (Adams State) - Seattle, WA 2/12
60H - 7.43 Terrence Trammell (Trackstar Apparel) - Leipzig, GER 2/13   World leader
HJ - 2.32/7-7.25 Andra Manson (Nike) - Bydgoszcz, POL 2/10
PV - 5.52/18-1.25 Paul Gensic (USAF) - Air Force Academy, CO 2/13
LJ - 7.84/25-8.75 Jeff Henderson (unat) - Fayetteville, AR 2/12 & Bryce Lamb (Texas Tech) - College Station, TX 2/13
TJ - 16.55/54-3.75 Muhammad Halim (unat) - Ithaca, NY 2/13
SP - 21.61/70-10.75 Christian Cantwell (Nike) - Leipzig, GER 2/13
WT - 23.33/76-6.5 Jake Freeman (NYAC) - Riverdale, NY 2/11
Hept - 5496 Weston Leutz (North Dakota St.) - Fargo, ND 2/13

WOMEN

60 - 7.23 Kya Brookins (South Carolina) - Fayetteville, AR 2/12
200 - 23.15 Shalonda Solomon (Reebok) - Fayetteville, AR 2/13
400 - 51.67 Natasha Hastings (Nike) - Fayetteville, AR 2/12
800 - 2:02.60 Alysia Johnson (Nike) - Fayetteville, AR 2/12
Mile - 4:32.48ot Jessica Pixler (Seattle Pacific) - Seattle, WA 2/13
3000 - 9:12.25ot Jordan Hasay (Oregon) - Seattle, WA 2/13
5000 - 15:29.65ot Lisa Koll (Iowa State) - Ames, IA 2/13
60H - 8.00 Kellie Wells (unat) - Leipzig, GER 2/13
HJ - 1.94/6-4.25 Chaunte Howard-Lowe (Nike) - Valencia, ESP 2/13
PV - 4.66/15-3.5 Lacy Janson (Nike) - Fayetteville, AR 2/12
LJ - 6.63/21-9 Brittney Reese (Nike) - Fayetteville, AR 2/12
TJ - 13.82/45-4.25 Toni Smith (Oklahoma Elite) - Fayetteville, AR 2/13
SP - 17.48/57-4.25 Jill Camarena-Williams (NYAC) - Seattle, WA 2/13
WT - 22.34/73-3.5 D’Ana McCarty (Louisville) - Bloomington, IN 2/12
Pent - 4073 Liz Roehrig (unat) - Ames, IA 2/11

USA Track & Field contributed to this report.

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.

Raevyn Rodgers named USATF Athlete of the Week

Press Release Courtesy of USA Track & Field.

INDIANAPOLIS - Raevyn Rogers has been named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week following her record-setting performance at the 2009 USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Rynearson Stadium on the campus of Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich.

In her first time competing at the USA Youth Championships, Rogers, a 12-year old member of the Wings Track Club in Houston, shattered the previous Youth Girls’ national 800m record of 2:09 flat with her clocking of 2:06.90. Rogers also looked impressive in winning the Youth Girls’ 400m national title in 53.36 seconds.

Now in its eighth year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.

2009 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 6, Mason Finley; January 13, Amber Campbell; January 20, Josh Cox; January 27, German Fernandez; February 3, Ashton Eaton; February 10, Shalane Flanagan; February 17, Galen Rupp; February 25, Dexter Faulk; March 3, Terrence Trammell; March 10, Diana Pickler; March 17, Galen Rupp; March 25, Sumi Onodera-Leonard; April 1, German Fernandez; April 7, Cyrus Hostetler; April 14, Curtis Beach; April 21, Kara Goucher; April 28, Mason Finley; May 5, Chris Derrick; May 12, Natalie Willer; May 19, Will Claye; May 27, Nadine O’Connor; June 2, Tyson Gay; June 9, Dwight Phillips; June 17, Galen Rupp; June 24, Kami Semick; June 30, Dawn Harper; July 8, Raevyn Rogers.

BEST MARKS WEEK ENDING JULY 5

MEN

400 - 45.74 Jamaal Torrance (Nike) - Oslo, NOR 7/3
800 - 1:48.19 Rob Myers (Reebok) - Oordegem, BEL 7/4
3000 - 7:45.89 Bolota Asmerom (OTC Elite) - Sotteville, FRA 7/5
110H - 13.36 David Payne (Nike) - Sotteville, FRA 7/5
400H - 49.97 Justin Gaymon (Georgia) - Madrid, ESP 7/4
HJ - 2.21/7-3 Jamie Nieto (Nike) - Cork, IRL 7/4
PV - 5.70/18-8.25 Darren Niedermeyer (unat) - Champaign, IL 7/3
SP - 19.35/63-6 Russ Winger (unat) - Sotteville, FRA 7/5
DT - 60.30/197-10 Ian bWaltz (Nike) - Madrid, ESP 7/4
JT - 75.60/248-0 Chris Hill (Nike) - Oslo, NOR 7/3

WOMEN

100 - 11.40 Gloria Asumnu (adidas) - Madrid, ESP 7/4
200 - 23.38 Ashton Purvis (California HS) - Ypsilanti, MI 7/1
400 - 49.23 Sanya Richards (Nike) - Oslo, NOR 7/3 World leader
800 - 2:00.16 Christin Wurth-Thomas (Nike) - Madrid, ESP 7/4
100H - 12.68 Damu Cherry (Nike) - Oslo, NOR 7/3
HJ - 1.98/6-6 Chaunte Howard (Nike) - Oslo, NOR 7/3
PV - 4.46/14-7.5 Lacy Janson (Nike) - Madrid, ESP 7/4
TJ - 13.63/44-8.75 Shakeema Welsch (unat) - Metz, FRA 7/3
SP - 17.85/58-6.75 Liz Wanless (NYAC) - Moscow, RUS 7/1
HT - 67.59/221-9 Erin Gilreath (NYAC) - Madrid, ESP 7/4

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.

Onodera-Leonard named USA Athlete of the Week

Press Release provided courtesy of USA Track & Field.

INDIANAPOLIS - Sumi Onodera-Leonard has been named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week after setting two world records in the W80 age-division in winning four events at the 2009 USA Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships at Prince George’s Sports and Learning Center in Landover, Md.

At 80-years old, Onodera-Leonard opened her competition Saturday with a win in the 60 meters in 12.55 seconds. She came back later that day to set a world age-division record in the 400m, crossing the line in 2:03.81 to demolish the previous record of 2:15.67 set by Carol Peebles in 2004. On Sunday, Onodera-Leonard first won the 200m in 48.49 and then set a world record in the 800m in 4:59.60, surpassing the previous record of 5:16.53 set by Canada’s Ivy Granstrom in 1996.

Now in its eighth year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.

2009 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 6, Mason Finley; January 13, Amber Campbell; January 20, Josh Cox; January 27, German Fernandez; February 3, Ashton Eaton; February 10, Shalane Flanagan; February 17, Galen Rupp; February 25, Dexter Faulk; March 3, Terrence Trammell; March 10, Diana Pickler; March 17, Galen Rupp; March 25, Sumi Onodera-Leonard.

BEST MARKS WEEK ENDING MARCH 22

MEN

100 - 10.12 Marcus Brunson (unat) - Tucson, AZ 3/21
200 - 20.71 Jeremy Dodson (Colorado) - Boulder, CO 3/21
400 - 46.33 Joel Stallworth (unat) - Irvine, CA 3/21
800 - 1:48.25 Steve Sherer (NYAC) - Sacramento, CA 3/21
400H - 49.52 Jeshua Anderson (Washington State) - Los Angeles, CA 3/21
HJ - 2.21/7-3 Marquis Mack (unat) - Tampa, FL 3/20
PV - 5.25/17-2.75 Whitney Neves (BYU) - Tempe, AZ 3/21 & Derek Scott (USC) - Los Angeles, CA 3/21
LJ - 7.82/25-8 Johnta Griffin (Boston Elite) - Lake Buena Vista, FL 3/20
TJ - 16.15/53-0 Ronald Carter (unat) - Cerritos, CA 3/21
SP - 19.59/64-3.25 Rhuben Williams (Shore AC) - Athens, GA 3/20
DT - 64.86/212-9 Rashaud Scott (Kentucky) - Tempe, AZ 3/21
HT - 65.73/215-7 Nate Rolfe (Georgia) - Athens, GA 3/20
JT - 78.74/258-4 Corey White (USC) - Los Angeles, CA 3/21
Dec - 7452 Kevin Dwyer (Miami/Ohio) - Charlotte, NC 3/20

WOMEN

400 - 53.13 Ashlee Kidd (unat) - Coral Gables, FL 3/21
800 - 2:02.80 Geena Gall (Michigan) - Irvine, CA 3/21
1500 - 4:20.05 Geena Gall (Michigan) - Irvine, CA 3/20
3000 - 9:30.26 Arianna Lambie (Nike) - Eugene, OR 3/21
5000 - 16:24.48 Amanda Lorenzen (Brooks/TIE) - Charlotte, NC 3/20
100H - 13.35 Jackie Johnson (Nike) - Tempe, AZ 3/21
400H - 57.06 Tiffany Williams (Reebok) - Lake Buena Vista, FL 3/21
HJ - 1.82/5-11.5 Chaunte Howard (Nike) - Lake Buena Vista, FL 3/21
PV - 4.16/13-7.75 Brysun Stately (USC) - Los Angeles, CA 3/21
LJ - 6.31/20-8.5 DeAna Carson (Baylor) - Waco, TX 3/21
SP - 16.69/54-9.25 Jessica Pressley (unat) - Tempe, AZ 3/21
DT - 58.94/193-4 Summer Pierson (unat) - Tempe, AZ 3/21
HT - 69.01/226-5 Amber Campbell (Mjolnir) - Conway, SC 3/20
JT - 55.53/182-2 Kim Kreiner (Nike) - Sacramento, CA 3/21
Hep - 5549 Lauren Collins (Cal-Irvine) - Northridge, CA 3/20

For more information on USATF, visit www.usatf.org

PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show - USA Indoor Nationals Preview

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Join hosts Jay Hicks and John W. Davis on this special edition USA Indoor Track & Field Championships Preview show.  Read more

Trio of Olympic medalists lead men’s field at USA Indoor Champs

USA Track & Field Press Release

BOSTON - Olympic and World Outdoor Championships medalists Terrence Trammell, Adam Nelson and Dwight Phillips will headline a stellar men’s field at the 2009 USA Indoor Track & Field Championship, February 28-March 1 at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center at Roxbury Community College in Boston.

The concluding event of USATF’s Indoor Visa Championship Series, the USA Indoor Track & Field Championships is the world’s oldest indoor track championship, with the first meet being held in 1888 in New York. The USA Indoor Championships will be televised live on ESPN 2 on Sunday, March 1 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

A two-time Olympic Games 110m hurdles silver medalist, Terrence Trammell has enjoyed a highly successful indoor campaign this year. It began January 30 at the 102nd Millrose Games in New York, where Trammell won the 60m hurdles in the fastest time in the world this year of 7.45 seconds, and followed that with a runner-up finish in the Millrose men’s 60 meters in 6.54. At the Reebok Boston Indoor Games on Feb. 7, Trammell won the 60m hurdles in 7.53, and the next week he won the 60 meter dash (6.56) Feb. 13 at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark. Trammell, who will run only the 60m hurdles at the championships, will be challenged by Dexter Faulk, who won in Karlsruhe earlier this year in 7.50 seconds.

The 2005 World Outdoor men’s shot put champion and a two-time Olympic silver medalist, Adam Nelson enters the championships in the Visa men’s shot put following his win earlier this year at the Millrose Games (20.79 meters/68 feet, 2.50 inches). Nelson, who owns four USA outdoor titles, will be gunning for his third national indoor crown, and his first since 2002. His chief competitor likely will be 2004 Olympic Trials fourth-place finisher Dan Taylor, who ended the 2008 season ranked #10 in the world by Track & Field News.

2004 Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Outdoor champion, Dwight Phillips will compete in Boston this weekend, but not in his specialty. One of the finest long jumpers in U.S. track and field history, Phillips will compete in the Nike men’s 60 meter dash, where he’ll be looking for his first national title in that event. Phillips will do battle with 2007 USA Indoor 60m champion Dabryan Blanton, who finished first in Dusseldorf on February 13 in a season’s best time of 6.59 seconds, and 2007 USA Outdoor Championships fourth-place 100m finisher Mark Jelks.

Look for an interesting matchup in the men’s 800 meters as 2004 Olympian Khadevis Robinson does battle with 2008 Olympic team member Christian Smith. In one of the most unforgettable moments of the Trials, Smith’s desperate dive across the finish line gave him the third and final Olympic Team berth in the men’s 800 and  and barely kept Robinson from qualifying for Beijing. Robinson will be in search of his fifth U.S. Indoor crown, while Smith will attempt to earn his first.

Also in the 800 meters, keep an eye on 25-year old Tetlo Emmen, who won the 2007 Big West Conference outdoor title while at UC-Santa Barbara. Emmen, who battled injuries in 2008 and is reportedly in the best shape of his life, lowered his personal best last year to 1:46.04.

Three-time U.S. Outdoor 1,500m champion and American mile record holder Alan Webb will headline the Visa men’s 1,500 meters. Webb will be challenged by two-time USA Outdoor Championships fourth-place finisher Chris Lukezic and 2008 Olympic Trials finalist Rob Myers, who ended last season ranked #10 in the U.S. by T&FN.

American record holder Bernard Lagat, who had previously announced his intent to compete in the men’s 1,500m for the first time at the national indoor championships, has withdrawn from the race. Lagat sustained an ankle injury while competing in Birmingham, England, on Saturday and is resting the ankle as he continues to get it evaluated and treated.

In the men’s 3,000 meters, 2008 Olympic Trials 10,000m fifth-place finisher Josh Rohatinsky has the fastest qualifying time of 7 minutes 49.55 seconds, and look for two-time Olympian Tim Seaman in the men’s 5,000m race walk. Seaman won this event 10 times in a row between 1998 and 2007.

2008 Olympic Trials champion Jesse Williams, who ended the 2008 campaign ranked #6 in the world and set a new personal best with his clearance of 2.36 meters/7-8.75 earlier this indoor season, headlines the men’s high jump. He’ll be challenged by his two Beijing Olympics teammates Andra Manson and Dusty Jonas. Last year Manson won the bronze medal at the World Indoor Championships and Jonas was the NCAA Indoor champion while competing for Nebraska.

Other field event standouts to keep an eye on include Olympic Trials fifth-place finisher Jacob Pauli in the Gill men’s pole vault, 2008 Pac 10 Outdoor champion and NCAA runner-up Matt Turner in the long jump, 2008 USA Indoor Champs fourth-place finisher and Olympic Trials fifth-place finisher Brandon Roulhac in the triple jump and reigning Olympic Trials hammer throw champion and four-time USA Indoor champion A.G. Kruger in the 35 lb. weight throw.

For more information about the USA Indoor Track & Field Championships or to purchase tickets, log onto www.visachampionshipseries.com or www.usatf.org. For questions regarding tickets, please call (317) 713-4680. USATF welcomes you to purchase tickets with your Visa Card. Visa is the only credit card accepted by USATF.

Faulk named USA Track & Field Athlete of the Week

-USA Track & Field Press Release.

INDIANAPOLIS - Dexter Faulk has been named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week after winning the men’s 60m hurdles at two IAAF indoor permit meets in Europe last week.

Faulk was victorious in Karlsruhe on Sunday, February 15 in a personal best time of 7.50 seconds before winning again Saturday in Birmingham, England, in 7.54 seconds. In Birmingham, Faulk defeated 2008 Olympic Games silver medalist David Payne (2nd-7.55) and Beijing bronze medalist David Oliver (4th-7.57). Fellow American Joel Brown was third in 7.56.

Now in its eighth year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.

2009 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 6, Mason Finley; January 13, Amber Campbell; January 20, Josh Cox; January 27, German Fernandez; February 3, Ashton Eaton; February 10, Shalane Flanagan; February 17, Galen Rupp; February 25, Dexter Faulk.

Courtesy of USA Track & Field.

PreRaceJitters Exclusive Interview: Brianna Glenn- Back To Work After Vacation

After the stress and bumps of the 2008 season, the professional long jumper and sprinter was long overdue for a vacation. Brianna Glenn took off to Cancun, Mexico with a handful of close friends to recharge her batteries in preparation for the 2009 indoor season. Read more

Barber and Lee set for women’s 60m; Goucher enters women’s miles for 102nd Millrose Games

INDIANAPOLIS -2006 World Indoor champion Lisa Barber and 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials 100m champion Muna Lee headline the field in the adidas women’s 60m dash while Kara Goucher aims for her second Millrose title in the women’s mile on January 30 at the 102nd Millrose Games, held at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

The Millrose Games in New York is the first event of USA Track & Field’s 2009 Indoor Visa Championship Series. The event will be televised live on ESPN2 from 7-8:30 p.m., and on January 31 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on NBC (all times Eastern).

A local favorite from Montclair, N.J., Barber will be looking for her first win at the Garden as she returns to Millrose for the first time since her runner-up finish to Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown in 2006, where the two finished 7.095 seconds to 7.098. Later that season, Barber went on to win the U.S. Indoor title and was named the Indoor Visa champion.

Two-time Olympian Muna Lee comes to Madison Square Garden in search of her first win. In 2008, Lee took fourth in the women’s 200m and fifth in the 100m at the Olympic Games. Jamaica’s Sheri-Ann Brooks returns to the Garden looking to improve upon her third-place finish from 2007, and 2008 NCAA Indoor 200m champion Bianca Knight enters the Millrose Games for the first time. Last year’s champion, 2007 World Outdoor 100m bronze medalist Carmelita Jeter, is also in the mix.

The defending Millrose champion, 2007 World Outdoor 10,000m bronze medalist Kara Goucher will chase her second win in the women’s mile next week. Coming off an outdoor season where she competed in the 5,000m and 10,000m at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Goucher debuted in the marathon this past fall where she turned in a history-making American performance by finishing third in the 2008 NYC Marathon. Crossing the line in 2:25:53, it was the fastest marathon debut ever by an American woman.

Tickets for the 2009 Millrose Games are now available at Ticketmaster (call 212-307-7171, visit www.Ticketmaster.com or at Ticketmaster outlets); at the Madison Square Garden box office or on-line at www.Millrose-Games.com. USATF welcomes you to pay with your Visa.

For more information on the 2009 USATF Visa Championship Series, visit www.usatf.org.

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