AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships
photo: Matt Stockman - Getty Images
Day 4
Gay makes more history in AT&T men’s 200m, Webb breaks meet record
Undeterred by a soggy track and slight headwind, Tyson Gay cemented his status as the world's dominant sprinter by winning the AT&T men's 200 meters in the second-fastest time in history Sunday at AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. In addition to two national titles, Gay came away from the meet with the men's Visa Championship as the top male performer of the Visa Championship Series, while Tiffany Williams was women's Visa Champion.
The final meet of the 2007 Visa Championship Series, the AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships serves as the Team USA selection competition for the 2007 IAAF World Outdoor Championships in Osaka.
Already having won the 100m on Friday night in a meet-record 9.84, Gay put on another impressive display Sunday in the 200. Coming off the curve, he held a huge lead and continued to win in 19.62 seconds (0.3 meters-per-second headwind), the #2 time ever, behind only Michael Johnson's world record of 19.32 from the 1996 Olympics. It breaks Johnson's meet record of 19.66 set in 1996, which at the time was a world record.
World Championships silver medalist and defending U.S. champion Wallace Spearmon, Gay's training partner, began to close in the final meters but had too much distance to make up. Spearmon ended up second in 19.89, with Rodney Martin third in 20.18 and Jeremy Wariner fourth in 20.35.
Webb breaks Scott's meet record
Alan Webb has long spoke about wanting to break Steve Scott's records, and he got one of them Sunday in a thrilling Nike men's 1,500m. Webb ran in the style that suits him best, taking the lead and pushing the pace. Webb towed the pack through quick splits of 57.56 for 400m and 1:56.23 for 800, when defending champion Bernard Lagat took the lead.
Webb and company stayed right with Lagat, however, with Said Ahmed, Chris Lukezic and Leonel Manzano also tailing the leader. Lagat passed 1,200 in 2:53.8 as the race continued to escalate. Coming off the final curve, Lagat, Webb, Lukezic and Manzano all were in the running, and it came down to a final sprint.
As he did to win the Reebok Grand Prix, Webb displayed a sizzling kick in the last 30 meters to win in 3:34.82, breaking Steve Scott's meet record of 3:34.92 set in 1982 and winning his third career national title. The University of Texas' Manzano passed Lagat to place second in 3:35.29, with Lagat, who on Friday won the 5,000, placing third in 3:35.55. It was the fastest third-place time in USA Championship history.
Williams blazes world leader in women's 400H
Two years after giving birth to a daughter, Tiffany Williams put her name atop the 2007 women's 400m hurdles world list, leading the race from early on and winning in a personal-best time of 53.28. 2004 Olympic Trials champion Sheena Johnson closed quickly and nearly caught Williams, finishing second in 53.29. Nicole Leach of UCLA passed Sandra Glover to place third in 54.49. Williams' performance was worth 1,227 points using IAAF scoring tables and put her in first for the women's Visa Championship. Gay had led the race for the men's Visa Championship since the first meet and maintained his lead throughout the season.
Trammell wins long-awaited 110 hurdles title
Among the most decorated American hurdlers in history, with two Olympic silver medals and a pair of World Championships silvers as well, Terrence Trammell won his first career U.S. crown in the 110m hurdles in 13.08 (+0.5), leading from start to finish. American record holder Dominique Arnold was second in 13.17, with David Oliver third in 13.18.
Felix flies in Visa women's 200
Overcoming a slow start, world champion Allyson Felix showed her gold-medal form in the Visa women's 200 meters. Running in lane 4, Felix lagged behind Sanya Richards in lane 5 as Richards came back from her fourth-place finish in Saturday's AT&T women's 400.
In Sunday's 200, Felix came up on Richards' left shoulder, then went on to win in 22.34 seconds (+0.4 mps) with Richards second in 22.43. USA 100m champion Torri Edwards was third in 22.55, with 2004 Olympian LaShauntea Moore fourth in 22.58. With Felix enjoying a bye into the World Championships as defending champion, Moore will join the U.S. delegation.
Middle-distance excitement
Khadevis Robinson put on a brilliant display in the Tyson men's 800 meters, leading from start to finish as is his custom and finishing in 1:44.37 to win his fourth national title. It is the fastest time by an American this year and second-fastest in the world. USA indoor champion Nick Symmonds was second in 1:45.17, with Duane Solomon of USC third in 1:45.69.
The men's steeplechase was as exciting as its outcome was uncertain. Max King took early leading duties as the packs strung out closely behind him. American record holder Dan Lincoln, currently a full-time medical student, sprinted to the lead with 600m to go, but BYU grad and 2007 U.S. leader Joshua McAdams passed him with 250m to go. The race for second and third was where the suspense was. In a bold move, Aaron Aguayo shifted from running three abreast to the inside lane, sprinting past Lincoln with 20m to go along with Thomas Brooks to take second (8:27.01) and third (8:27.34) as McAdams won his first title in 8:24.46. Anthony Famiglietti finished fourth (8:27.64) with a spent Lincoln fifth (8:28.32).
The women's 800 was even closer. After high schooler Chanelle Price led the field through a 57.90 400m split, veterans took over. Alysia Johnson of Cal, the NCAA indoor and outdoor champion, then assumed leading duties, with three-time USA champion Hazel Clark on her shoulder. Clark moved past Johnson with 30 meters to go, but Johnson surged back to win as both women collapsed across the finish line, Johnson stopping the clock in 1:59.47 and Clark in 1:59.60. Alice Schmidt nearly caught Clark, placing third in 1:59.63.
Stuczynski comes through in Gill women's pole vault
Slick conditions and swirling winds played havoc with the jumping events, but American record holder Jenn Stuczynski still was able to come out on top in the Gill women's pole vault, clearing 4.45m/14-7.25. Nikole McEwen was second at the same height, clearing on her second attempt, with Lacy Janson third at 4.35m/14-3.25.
The Gill men's high jump was more unpredictable. NCAA Division II champion Jim Dilling of Minnesota-Mankato was a surprise winner at a height of 2.27m/7-5.25. Two-time national champion Jamie Nieto tied for second with Adam Shunk as both men had no misses up to and including clearances at 2.24m/7-4.25.
More winners
2005 USA champion Kristin Heaston won her second national title in the women's shot put with a personal-best throw of 18.74m/61-5.75. Jillian Camarena was second with 18.50m/60-8.5, and Sarah Stevens third in 18.02m/59-1.5.
USA indoor men's triple jump champion Aarik Wilson added the outdoor title to his career highlights, jumping 17.06m/55-11.75 (+1.7mps). Lawrence Willis was second with 16.97m/55-8.25, and 2004 Olympian Kenta Bell was third with 16.87m/55-4.25. Defending world champion Walter Davis has a bye into the World Championships.
NCAA runner-up Michael Robertson of Stanford was a surprise winner in the men's discus with a best throw of 64.04m/210-1.Ian Waltz was second with 63.60m/208-8, Jarred Rome was third with 63.56m/208-6.
In the lone junior event of the day, Pan Am Race Walk Cup bronze medalist Lauren Forgues of Maine Racewalkers easily won the women's 10,000m race walk in 51:49.96. Le'erin Voss was second in 53:46.42
Carter knee drama
Xavier Carter, who heading into the meet was the second-fastest man in history over 200 meters, went down with a right leg injury approximately 150 meters into the first race of the day, the men's 200m semifinals. Carter's agent, Mark Block, said a medical evaluation revealed that Carter's right knee had dislocated, popping out during the race but then popping back in. No further damage was seen, but Carter will continue to be evaluated.
Big attendance
Despite damp conditions the final two days, an impressive total of 33,540 fans attended the 2007 AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Day 3
Trotter surprises in AT&T women’s 400; Hoffa takes Visa men’s shot put
Dee Dee Trotter was an exultant winner in the AT&T women's 400 meters and Reese Hoffa won his first national outdoor title Saturday at the AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Carroll Stadium at IUPUI. On the day, four world-leading performances were turned in amid damp and breezy conditions.
The final meet of the 2007 Visa Championship Series, the AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships serves as the Team USA selection competition for the 2007 IAAF World Outdoor Championships in Osaka.
The shocker of the meet came in the women's 400, with Trotter winning her first national title in a world-leading, personal-best time of 49.64, upending the heavily favored Sanya Richards. A 2004 Olympic relay gold medalist, Trotter took the lead on the final curve and powered to the win.
NCAA champion Natasha Hastings of South Carolina placed second in a personal-best time of 49.84, which is the fastest time ever run by a collegian. Mary Wineberg was third, also in a personal-best time of 50.24. Fading in the homestretch, Richards was fourth in 50.68, competing in just her third meet of the year after struggling with illness this spring. It was her first loss outdoors since August of 2005, when she took the silver medal at the World Outdoor Championships in Helsinki, Finland. She had won 18 finals races in the 400 since that time.
Hoffa posts first outdoor title
The 2006 World Indoor champion Reese Hoffa was least affected by the rain-soaked conditions during mid-day competition in the Visa men's shot put. One of the more nimble throwers in the field, Hoffa spun across the slick circle and led the competition from start to finish, though it was his fifth throw of 21.47m/70-5.25 that was the farthest of the day. All five of his legal throws were better than the next-best competitor.
Dan Taylor made his first USA international team in the shot with a best of 21.00m/68-10.75, with defending world champion and two-time Olympic silver medalist Adam Nelson third with 50.54m/67-4.75. Noah Bryant of USC was fourth with a best of 20.14m/66-1 and will make the Team USA roster for the World Championships due to Nelson having a bye as a defending champion. World-leading Christian Cantwell, the biggest thrower physically, struggled most with the weather conditions and ended fifth with a best of 20.10m/65-11.5.
Powell over Perry in Hershey women's hurdles
In a race that pitted the world's top two hurdlers against each other, current 2007 world leader and defending USA champion Ginnie Powell prevailed over reigning world champion Michelle Perry in the Hershey women's 100-meter hurdles. Powell took an early lead and stayed strong through the finish, winning in 12.63 (-1.3mps) with Perry at 12.72. USA indoor champion Lolo Jones was third in 12.79 to make her first national team.
Carter cruises in Tyson men's 400 hurdles
Running with strength and determination, World Championship silver medalist James Carter held off two-time defending champion Kerron Clement to win the Tyson men's 400-mter hurdles in a word-leading 47.72. Two-time Visa Champion Clement, trailing by several meters over the final hurdle, moved up to finish in 47.80, with Derrick Williams third in 48.26.
The AT&T men's 400m final featured the most exciting finish of the day as 2006 USA runner-up LaShawn Merritt tried to hold off 2000 Olympic 400m hurdles gold medalist and 2002 USA 400m sprint champion Angelo Taylor. With a lunge and a lean, Taylor took the win in a world-leading time of 44.05 with Merritt at 44.06. NCAA runner-up Lionel Larry was third in 44.84.
In the women's 3,000m steeplechase, Jennifer Barringer of the University of Colorado came off the final water barrier well and went on to win in 9:34.64, a meet record and the second-fastest time ever by an American. Anna Willard was second in 9:34.72, also under the previous meet record, and Lindsey Anderson was third in 9:40.74.
The Nike women's 1,500m saw several strategies play out, but in the end, Treniere Clement won her third straight national title in the event in 4:07.04. Having sprinted into the lead with 300 meters to go, Christin Wurth-Thomas was second in 4:07.86. Erin Donohue was third in 4:08.11, with Tiffany McWilliams, who led through 1,200m, fourth in 4:08.86.
Pappas, Fountain win multi-events
2003 world champion Tom Pappas easily held onto his day 1 lead in the men's decathlon, winning with 8,352 points to become just the third man to win five national decathlon titles. On Saturday, Pappas ran 14.12 in the 110-meter hurdles, threw 46.34m/152-0 in the discus, vaulted 5.00m/16-4.75 in the pole vault, threw 59.70m/195-10 in the javelin and ran 4:59.69 in the 1,500m. Paul Terek was second with 8,064 points and NCAA champion Robert Arnold of Arizona was third with 7,921.
2005 USA champion Hyleas Fountain won the women's heptathlon with 6,090 points, with performances Saturday of 6.43m/21-1.25 in the long jump, 41.59m/136-5 in the javelin and 2:22.54 in the 800. Diana Pickler of Washington State was second with 6,029 points, and GiGi Johnson was third with 6,002.
More field events
Grace Upshaw moved from fifth to first on her final attempt in the women's long jump to win her third national title with a mark of 6.74m/22-1.5w (+2.5). Brittney Reese was second with 6.67/21-10.75w (+2.1), with Rose Richmond third (6.60m/21-8). They will join defending world champion Tianna Madison, who placed fifth here with 6.57m/21-6.75, on the World Championships roster.
Amy Acuff won her sixth USA outdoor title in the Hershey women's high jump with a clearance of 1.89m/6-2.25. Placing second was Sharon Day at the same height, with Destinee Hooker of the University of Texas third at 1.86m/6-1.25.
Brittany Riley was a surprise winner of the 24-Hour Fitness Women's Hammer Final with a best effort of 72.41m/237-7. Kristal Yush was second with 68.24m/223-11, with Jessica Cosby third with 68.21.
In the day's qualifying heats, 100m champion Tyson Gay posted the fastest time in the AT&T men's 200m (20.66, -2.4mps), while Miki Barber was fastest in the Visa women's heats (22.73 -1.9mps). In the men's 110-meter hurdles first round, David Payne led a large group of qualifiers with his winning time of 13.43 in the first heat. All top competitors advanced in the 200s and hurdles.
Day 2
Gay blazes meet record in AT&T men’s 100m
Tyson Gay rewrote meet record books and showed why he is the hottest sprinter in the world by winning the AT&T men's 100 meters Friday at the AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Carroll Stadium at IUPUI.
The final meet of the 2007 Visa Championship Series, the AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships serves as the Team USA selection competition for the 2007 IAAF World Outdoor Championships in Osaka.
The heavily favored Gay parlayed a solid start into a brilliant drive phase and an unrelenting finish into a meet-record winning time of 9.84. With a headwind of .5mps, the time is the fastest in the world this year and the second-fastest ever run into a headwind, 2000 Olympic gold medalist Maurice Greene having run 9.82 into a -0.2 headwind at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton. It shattered the meet record of 9.90 held jointly by former world record holders Greene and Leroy Burrell.
LSU sophomore Trindon Holliday, second at the 2007 NCAA Championships, was a distant runner-up on 10.07 seconds, with NCAA champ Walter Dix of Florida State third in 10.09. Gay's win had the largest margin of victory in the 100 since fully automatic, electric timing was instituted in 1975.
2003 world champion Torri Edwards displayed an impressive return to form in the Visa women's 100m. At age 30, the 2003 USA 100 and 200 champion led from start to finish, winning in 11.02 (0.9mps). World champion Lauryn Williams was second in 11.16, with Carmelita Jeter third in 11.17. World 200m champion Allyson Felix was fourth in 11.25 to make the 100m squad for the World Championships in Osaka, since Williams has an automatic bye as defending champion.
The Nike men's 5,000 was less relatively speedy but much more suspenseful. In a large field, Matt Tegenkamp threw down a 58.7 lap with 1000 meters go to break away from Bernard Lagat, Jonathon Riley and Adam Goucher. Fresh off an American record at 2 miles at the Nike Prefontaine Classic, Tegenkamp opened a 15-meter lead over the field. Goucher moved to pass Lagat, the defending USA champion, with 200m to go as Tegenkamp still led, but Lagat turned that challenge away and then set upon reeling in a tiring Tegenkamp. Lagat sprinted away to win in 13:30.73, with Tegenkamp holding on for second in 13:31.31 and Goucher third in 13:31.50.
American record holder Shalane Flanagan surprised no one by leading the Nike women's 5,000 from wire-to-wire. Her winning time of 14:51.75, however, was perhaps a bit brisker than expected and was the fourth-fastest time ever by an American. Two-time Olympian Jen Rhines was second in 15:08.53, with Michelle Sikes third in 15:09.28.
Two-time defending world champion Dwight Phillips turned in a strong performance in the men's long jump with a best mark of 8.36m/27-5.25. 2005 USA champion Miguel Pate was second with 8.24m/27-00.5, with Trevell Quinley third at the same distance. Two-time OlympianWalter Daviswas fourth, also with the same distance as a farthest jump, but Quinley had the top next-best jump with 8.22m/26-11.75.
A trio of vaulters all cleared 5.70m/18-8.25 to qualify for Team USA. World Outdoor silver medalist Brad Walker won the competition with all first-attempt clearances, with American record holder Jeff Hartwig second. 2001 NCAA indoor champion Jacob Pauli was third at the same height.
A.G. Kruger successfully defended his national title in the men's hammer throw with a distance of 78.10m/256-3. Kibwe Johnson was second with 75.12m/246-5. Former NCAA champion Dana Pounds of the Air Force upset American record holder Kim Kreiner in the women's javelin, throwing 59.65m/195-8 to Kreiner's 58.17m/190-10.
2003 world champion Tom Pappas led the men's decathlon after the first five events with 4,394 points, ahead of Paul Terek in second (4,234). Pappas ran 11.00 in the 100, jumped 7.50m/24-7.25 in the long jump, threw 16.43/53-11 in the shot, cleared 2.05m/6-8.75 in the high jump and ran 48.81 in the 400.
Diana Pickler led the heptathlon after four events with 3,636 points. She ran 13.46 in the 100-meter hurdles, cleared 1.75m/5-8.75 in the high jump, threw 12.44m/40-9.75 and ran 24.07 in the 200. 2005 champion Hyleas Fountain was second with 3,618 points and defending champion GiGi Miller third with 3,616.
In qualifying rounds, the women's 100-meter hurdles provided a glimpse into the competition to expect in Saturday's semis and final. Defending USA and NCAA champion Ginnie Powell ran a quick 12.79 in Friday's first round into a 1.7mps headwind. Reigning world champion Michelle Perry was next fastest, winning heat 3 in 12.90, with Nichole Denby taking the second heat in 12.92.
2006 world athlete of the year Sanya Richards ran a 2007 world leader in the semifinals of the women's 400, blazing the first 200 under 24 seconds and finishing in 50.02. 2006 runner-up Lashawn Merritt was the top men's 400 qualifier with 44.44. Hazel Clark led women's 800 qualifiers with 2:02.59, while Khadevis Robinson (1:46.17) was the top man.
Micheal Tinsley was a surprising winner in the men's 400m hurdles semifinals, running a big personal-best of 48.02 in heat two to post the fastest time in the world this year.
Steve Slattery was the fastest man in the 3,000m steeplechase rounds in 8:33.65, Tiffany Williams ran 55.18 in the women's 400m hurdles, all top contenders in the men's 1,500m advanced, including defending champion Bernard Lagat and two-time champion Alan Webb.
Day 1
Greer breaks AR
Breaux Greer broke his own American record in the javelin and won his record eighth straight national title in the event as competition opened Thursday at the AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Carroll Stadium at IUPUI.
The final meet of the 2007 Visa Championship Series, the AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships serves as the Team USA selection competition for the 2007 IAAF World Outdoor Championships in Osaka.
Known for his one-and-done competitions, Greer took two throws in the competition. A sore groin heading into the meet caused him to throw a relatively cautious 82.51m/270-9 on his first throw before letting loose with his second toss, which gave him the record at 91.29 meters/299 feet 6 inches and his eighth consecutive national crown. The throw broke his own American record set May 20 at the adidas Track Classic, when he threw 90.71m/297-7, and marked the fourth time in his career he's broken the AR. Mike Hazle finished second with a throw of 75.06m/246-03.
Abdi Abdirahman won his third national title in the men's 10,000 meters, after taking titles in 2001 and 2005. Running with Dathan Ritzenhein, Ryan Hall and later Galen Rupp, that group traded off leading duties for several kilometers. Abdi made a move at 9 km, and with two laps to go, 26:00 into the race, he had the lead to himself. He finished in 28:13.51. Rupp made a strong move to finish second in 28:23.31, passing a tiring Ritzenhein in third (28:31.88). Hall faded to seventh.
Deena Kastor went on a one-woman time trial in the women's 10,000 meters, leading by a gaping margin from wire to wire after throwing in a 3:08 second kilometer. Kastor went on to win her fifth career title in this event in 31:57.00, with Kara Goucher second in 32:33.80 and Katie McGregor third in 32:44.69.
Shani Marks won the first women's field event of the meet, successfully defending her national title in the triple jump with a personal-best jump of 14.08m/46-2.5; Yvette Lewis was second at 44-07.
The day had plenty of qualifying action in many events, with the women's and men's 100m first round taking center stage. The women's heats featured very fast times, with 2005 USA champion Lisa Barber posting a wind-aided time of 10.95 (+2.6) in the first heat, with world champion Lauryn Williams second at 11.02. Brianna Glenn won heat 2 in a personal-best 11.10 and Stephanie Durst did the same in heat 3 (11.09). 2003 world champion Torri Edwards took the final heat in 11.01.
In men's 100 heats, NCAA champion Walter Dix took heat 1 in 10.08, with red-hot Tyson Gay taking the second heat in 9.98, the fastest time of the night. Other fast times were turned in by Mark Jelks in heat 4 (10.04) and Trindon Holliday in heat 5 (10.03). Leonard Scott won heat 3 in 10.15.
Jennifer Barringer of the University of Colorado was the top qualifier into the final of the women's steeplechase, running 9:57.77 in Thursday's qualifying round. Three-time USA champion Hazel Clark was fastest in the women's 800 rounds (2:04.16), with USA indoor champion Nick Symmonds fastest among men (1:46.17).
Other top qualifiers were World Outdoor silver medalist James Carter in the men's 400H (49.07), Erin Donohue in the women's 1,500m (4:09.81), NCAA champion Natasha Hastings in the women's 400 (51.07), and 2006 USA runner-up LaShawn Merritt in the men's 400 (45.20).
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