Sanya Richards named USATF Athlete of the Week

INDIANAPOLIS - Sanya Richards has been named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week after winning a share of the $1,000,000 Golden League jackpot with her win Friday at the Memorial Van Damme in Brussels, Belgium.

The reigning world 400m champion, Richards dominated her signature event in leading from start to finish before crossing the finish line in a world-leading 48.83 seconds, which is her second best effort ever.

Richards’ performance equaled the second-best time ever by an American first posted by National Track & Field Hall of Famer Valerie Brisco-Hooks in winning the gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The nearest competitor to Richards in Brussels was 2008 Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu, who finished 1.6 seconds behind in 50.43.

Richards split the $1,000,000 Golden League jackpot with Yelena Isinbayeva (RUS) and Kenesia Bekele (ETH), who also won their respective events in Brussels. For Richards, this is the third time in her career she has won a share of the Golden League jackpot, having already earned shares in 2006 and 2007.

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 24, Dexter Faulk; March 3, Terrence Trammell; March 10, Diana Pickler; March 17, Galen Rupp; March 24, Sumi Onodera-Leonard; March 31, 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 26, Nadine O’Connor; June 2, Tyson Gay; June 9, Dwight Phillips; June 16, Galen Rupp; June 23, Kami Semick; June 30, Dawn Harper; July 7, Raevyn Rogers; July 14, Ryan Crouser; July 28, Anton Krupicka; August 11, Rita Hanscom; August 19, Christian Cantwell; August 26, Trey Hardee; September 1, Dathan Ritzenhein; September 9, Sanya Richards.

BEST MARKS WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 6

MEN

100 - 9.94 Doc Patton (Nike) - Zagreb, CRO 8/31
200 - 20.19 Wallace Spearmon (Nike) - Brussels, BEL 9/4
400 - 44.94 Jeremy Wariner (adidas) - Brussels, BEL 9/4
800 - 1:47.16 Nick Symmonds (OTC Elite) - Brussels, BEL 9/4
1500 - 3:33.33 Leo Manzano (Nike) - Rieti, ITA 9/6
3000 - 7:36.68 Bernard Lagat (Nike) - Gateshead, GBR 8/31
3000SC - 8:14.69 Dan Huling (Reebok) - Brussels, BEL 9/4     U.S. leader
5000 - 12:58.56 Matt Tegenkamp (OTC Elite) - Brussels, BEL 9/4
110H - 13.39 Joel Brown (Nike) - Brussels, BEL 9/4
400H - 48.83 Bershawn Jackson (Nike) - Zagreb, CRO 8/31
HJ - 2.33/7-7.75 Andra Manson (Nike) - Gateshead, GBR 8/31
PV - 5.70/18-8.25 Derek Miles (Nike) - Gateshead, GBR 8/31
LJ - 8.39/27-6.5 Dwight Phillips (Nike) - Gateshead, GBR 8/31
TJ - 16.49/54-1.25 Brandon Roulhac (HPC Elite) - Rieti, ITA 9/6
SP - 22.16/72-8.5 Christian Cantwell (Nike) - Zagreb, CRO 8/31     World leader
DT - 62.11/203-9 Ian Waltz (Nike) - Helsingborg, SWE 9/5
HT - 71.09/233-3 Mike Mai (US Army) - Portland, OR 9/6
JT - 76.13/249-9 Mike Hazle (Nike) - Brussels, BEL 9/4

WOMEN

100 - 10.88 Carmelita Jeter (Nike) - Brussels, BEL 9/4
200 - 22.73 Debbie Dunn (Nike) - Rieti, ITA 9/6
400 - 48.83 Sanya Richards (Nike) - Brussels, BEL 9/4     World leader
800 - 1:59.14 Anna Willard (Nike) - Brussels, BEL 9/4
1500 - 4:03.46 Shannon Rowbury (Nike) - Rieti, ITA 9/6
3000 - 9:02.08 Jen Rhines (adidas) - Gateshead, GBR 8/31
3000SC - 9:37.53 Lisa Galaviz (Nike) - Rieti, ITA 9/6
100H - 12.57 Dawn Harper (Nike) - Dubnica, SVK 9/6
HJ - 1.97/6-5.5 Chaunte Howard (Nike) - Brussels, BEL 9/4
PV - 4.47/14-8 Stacy Dragila (Nike) - Dubnica, SVK 9/6
LJ - 6.70/21-11.75 Funmi Jimoh (Nike) - Rovereto, ITA 9/1
TJ - 13.48/44-2.75 Erica McLain (Nike) - Zagreb, CRO 8/31
DT - 59.35/194-8 Aretha Thurmond (Nike) - Rieti, ITA 9/6
JT - 55.04/180-7 Rachel Yurkovich (Oregon) - Gateshead, GBR 8/31

Lolo Jones, Mo Farah put on quite a show in Birmingham.

This is why the Aviva Grand Prix draws crowd.

Has British distance regained some life?

Britain’s Mo Farah blew again the field, winning by nearly six seconds and lowering his own 3,000 meter British national record to 7:34.47. Farah was all smiles and fist pumping after wards.

Regardless of the time Mo Farah is good theatre.

But fans already knew this and that’s why they packed the house on Saturday.

During this season, Farah broke the British record with 7:40.99 in Glasglow, England, followed that performance up 7:35.95 for 3,000 meters.

This is another reason why fans flock to the Aviva Grand Prix.

World indoor champion Lolo Jones eased to victory in the 60 meter hurdles in 7.82. The time equals her world leading time she put down last week in Germany. Anay Tejeda of Cuba was 0.18 behind.
After wards Jones showed a big grin?

It’s called charisma. And if she didn’t have it, and you weren’t as enthralled and transfixed, would the BBC network have been so eager to make the Aviva Grand Prix a prime-time event on the UK? It’s doubtful.

Jumping off of an international flight and getting three hours rest did not seem to bother Carmelita Jeter as she won the 60 in a personal-best 7.11.  Not to be left out of the action, 400 meter Olympic Champion Christine Ohuruogu ran a stirring come-from-behind victory at 200 meters (23.42).

Yelena Isinbayeva cleared 15 feet, 9 inches to win the pole vault, but failed three times to improve on her own world indoor record of 16-5.

Bernard Lagat was handed a rare lose in the 1,500 meters to Augustine Choge in 3:38.52. Another national record was established, Vivian Cheriuyot of Kenya put down 3,000 meters indoors at 8:30.53.  In other races, With a personal best, Britain’s Simeon Williamson took the men’s 60 meters in 6.53.

Click here for the full results of the Aviva Grand Prix.

All-Star cast heading to Birmingham for the Aviva Grand Prix.

Three-way battle to victory.
David Oliver, David Payne and Joel Brown compete Saturday in the 60 meter hurdles at the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham, which is traditionally one of the largest meets of the indoor season.  David Oliver is coming into the race with a season’s best performance of 7.45 from Stuttgart from a week ago.

What happens when you try something new?
When you try something new is there excitement? Or is there nervousness?   After all it could fail.  Reigning champion Christine Ohuruogu is not accustomed to running indoors and adding to matters, she is running the shorter sprints.  So far this indoor season, the first female British athlete to win 400 meter Olympic gold, is set to run the 60 and 200 meters and so far they have run  7.36 and 23.41 respectively.

A new world record?
Speaking of new things.  Lolo Jones is entering the 60 meter and 60 meter hurdles.  The 2008 Olympian placed first in the Aviva International Match last month, while racking up subsequent wins in Stuttgart and Karlsruhe and is the world’s number one ranked 60 meter hurdles.

Unbeatable?
In two attempts Yelena Isinbayeva vaulted 5 meters, breaking her own world indoor pole vault record in Stuggart, her first competition of the season last Sunday.   The Russian superstar is the 2008 Beijing champion, current outdoor world record holder and number one ranked in the world.

Of course Isinbayeva is the women to beat this week – or any week.  Her competitors won’t deny it.  Will the Russian superstar break her own world record again this weekend?

Keep your eyes on these two
Bernard Lagat is undefeated in the 2009 season and is set to tow the 1,500 meter line against Kenya’s Augustine Choge and Portugal’s Rui Silva.  Last month, Mo Farah set the 3,000 British national record last month at the Aviva International Match.  This meet, the talented British runner is competing in the 3,000 meters, and might lower his national record.

400 meter showdown
Tyler Christopher of Canada, goes head-to-head against Xavier “X Man” Carter and Johan Wissman.  The “X Man” is coming off of a 46.98 second victory at the Tyson Invitational, this race however will give a view into how race ready he is right now.

Drop alert: Pamela Jelimo committed to the meet prior to cancelling the rest of her indoor season. Kelly Sotherton pulled out the competition because of a heel injury and hopes to be ready for the next month’s European Indoor Championships in Turin.

PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show - Episode 7

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2008: Heroes and Heartbreaks

This year was another success on the track, highlighted by incredible performances delivering fast times and fierce competition.

Which races will you be talking about in 20 years?

Usain Bolt, Young At Heart
It’s no stretch to say that Bolt was as much a dominant force as a sprinter in track this year as Wilt Chamberlin was a scorer in basketball.  The 22-year-old Jamaican was so hot that he accelerated global warming.

Yelena Isinbayeva, High Flying Act
The pole vault final in Beijing matched up reigning champion Yelena Isinbayeva and challenger Jennifer Stuczynski. Facing down each other, freshly minted American Record Holder Isinbayeva soared over the bar at 16 feet, 7 inches, increasing her own world record while securing her second Olympic gold.

Liu Xiang, Failure To Launch
Can you imagine the sight of Liu Xiang lined up in 110-meter hurdles in front of his countrymen? Fans were so shocked after the defending Olympic and former world record holder walked off the track after that false start.

Angelo Taylor, Leads Sweep
Team USA got off to a slow start, however in exactly 47.25 seconds, the 1-2-3 finish changes their fortunes. Taylor regaining the 400-meter hurdle title ahead of Kerron Clement and Bershawn Jackson after taking gold in 2000 Sydney revived the spirits of Team USA.

Lolo Jones, Top of the Class
Dignity is not something easily imitated or duplicated. Lolo maybe the top athlete that fans are rooting for after running into the hurdle. She left the games champion, no one showed more class than Lolo Jones in Beijing.

Bryan Clay, Larger Than Life
The 5 foot, 10 inch and 185 pound Hawaiian may have been overshadowed by Michael Phelps and the Jamaicans, but his timing could not have been more on to achieve the status as the ‘World’s Greatest Athlete’. Battling through asthma in winning the decathlon gold.

Stephanie Brown Trafton, Season’s Biggest Surprise
There is no coronation in track & field, you play to win the competition. Brown Trafton surprised everyone in Beijing in becoming the first U.S. woman in 76 years to win the discus.

Dayron Robles, Solid Gold Performance
A ruthless competitor over the hurdles. The Cuban hurdle star rolled 12.87 in Ostrava, Czech Republic establishing a new 110 meter world record.

Kenenisa Bekele, Double The Pleasure
Reassuring proof that the Ethiopians have a stranglehold on the distance events. Bekele led all the way, sprinting to an Olympic record over 5,000 meters, just days after winning the 10,000 meters.

American Women’s 4×400-meter relay, Thrilling Come-From-Behind Victory
After the come-from-behind victory over the Russians on the anchor leg, the scene could have ended with Sanya Richards being carried off the track on the shoulders off Mary Wineberg, Allyson Felix and Monique Henderson.

Unstoppable Bolt and Isinbayeva Snag Top Award

Instantly Analysis: Campbell-Brown Leads Jamaican Entourage In Shanghai

-Shanghai, China-Anytime Olympic champion Yelena Isinbeyva of Russia enters a meet, there is bound to be fans in the seats. But on Saturday all eyes were focused on Vernonica Campbell-Brown, who lead a group of Jamaicans athletes wrapping up their season at the 2008 IAAF Shanghai Golden Grand Prix.

The show stopper was a Jamaican-surprise. The 200-meter Olympic champion from Beijing, Veronica Campbell-Brown won a blistering late season race in 11.01 at 100-meters. Lauryn Williams of the U.S., ran a solid 11.26 to earn second place honors.

She may have been tired from the long season but she was definately entertaining. Yelena Isinbeyeva, did not break her own world record, but she cleared a modest 4.60 meters. The greatest women’s pole vaulter ever cleared 5.05 meters in winning the gold medal in Beijing and in the process rewrote her own world record.

Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell did not compete in Shanghai, but Jamaican Michael Frater took the men 100 race in 10.05 and Nesta Carter was a close second.

It doesn’t matter if the one lap race has hurdles or not for the Atlanta resident. You have to respect the talent of Angelo Taylor. The 400 was won by Taylor in a very respectable 44.94 over Gary Kikaya of the Democratic Republic of Congo (45.09).

Not to be out done–Dawn Harper did a repeat of her Olympic gold medal performance. Harper flew over the 110n hurdles in first (13.56), which is a new stadium record. How good is Hyleas Fountain? The Olympic silver medalist Fountain took an impressive third place finish in 12.96.

Fresh off a winning the IAAF World Athletics Final in Stuttgart last week, he did it again. David Oliver finished strongly to win the 110s in 13.25.

Olympics gold medalist Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain continued her post-Olympic performance decline. She finished a distant fourth place (52.30). Jamaican’s Shericka Williams and Shereefa Lloyd took first and second place, respectively in 50.88 and 51.24.

Click here for full results.

Jay Hicks For Prerace Jitters.

Isinbeyeva Raises the Roof In Beijing

Russian pole vaulter breaks her own world record and Stucynski grabs silver.

-Beijing—The women’s pole vault unfolded with an air of predictability at the Birdnest. The venerable Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia jumped and produced yet another world record of 16 feet, 6.75 inches. This is her third time this season to improve on her world record.

If it is any indication, nearly half of the field was out of the competition before Isinbayeva took her first jump.

Jennifer Stucynski (15 feet, 9 inches) of the U.S. did everything she needed in order to earn a well-deserved silver medal. Afterword she said, “I couldn’t ask for anything more than to come to my first Olympics and get a medal, a silver no less. It’s beyond words to have people in there cheering for you. I made a lot of jumps and I’m feeling it right now.”

The clearance by Isinbayeva was so large it leads me to think that will be raise her record again before the end of this outdoor season.

By Jay Hicks.

Monaco IAAF Super Grand Prix–Preview

Catch all of the action live on WCSN.com and Universal Sports TV.

-Monte Carlo - Don’t miss the last major action before the Olympic Games at the historic Monaco Super GP. How fast can David Oliver fly over the hurdles? The U.S. Olympic Trials champion headlines the 110-meter hurdles along with Americans Anwar Moore and Antwon Hicks.

Asafa Powell will take his last run prior to Beijing Olympic Games. Can anyone touch Yelena Isinbayeva? The Russian pole vaulter will take a stab at the world record.

The women will continue to duke it out on the 100-meter international scene. Torri Edwards (10.79) will take on Jamaica’s Kerron Stewart (10.80) along with compatriots Shelly Ann Fraser (10.85), Sherone Simpson (10.87), and USA’s Marshevet Hooker (10.93) in what is a class field. Kim Gevaert of Belgium, the European champion, makes another outing in her recovery from recent injury niggles.

IAAF Herculis Super Grand Prix on WCSN.com and Universal Sports TV.

Tuesday, July 29^th

Monaco, Monte Carlo

2:00-5:00p EDT- LIVE