NEW YORK – Repeat Golden Spike Tour a winners and new Millrose records were the order of the evening Friday at the Verizon Millrose Games, the second stop of USA Track & Field’s Golden Spike Tour. Three Verizon Millrose Games records fell, and several athletes won for the second straight week on the GST or defended their Millrose titles as well.

The American record holder outdoors, Jeff Hartwig broke his own Millrose Games record in the Fred Schmertz men’s pole vault with a clearance of 5.87m/19 feet, 3 inches, winning his fourth Millrose title in the process and matching the personal best of his coach, former American record holder Earl Bell. It was Hartwig’s second Golden Spike Tour (GST) win in 2002 after winning at the adidas Boston Indoor Games January 27.

Coming off of a foot injury, Stacy Dragila successfully defended her Millrose title in the women’s pole vault, clearing 4.55m/14-11 in her first competition of the season.

Jolanda Ceplak of Slovenia earned her second Golden Spike Tour victory in as many attempts, winning the women’s 800m in a meet-record time of 1:59.98 – the first time a woman has dipped under 2 minutes at Millrose and beating Maria Mutola’s previous MR of 2:00.23. Ceplak also won in Boston in a U.S. all-comers record of 1:57.79.

In competition earlier in the day, Anna Norgren was less than 6 centimeters shy of Dawn Ellerbe’s world best in the women’s weight throw with a toss of 23.56m/77-3.75, breaking Ellerbe’s Millrose Games record.

David Krummacker followed up his American 1,000m record last week in Boston with a win at 800m at Millrose. The reigning U.S. outdoor champion, Krummenacker edged out Daniel Caulfield of Ireland for the win in 1:52.30, with Caulfield timed in 1:52.42.

Regina Jacobs came back from setting a world best at 2 miles in Boston with a come-from-behind win in the Fred Lebow women’s mile, running 4:34.60 to win her fourth consecutive Millrose crown. Lyudmila Vasileyeva was second in 4:35.31. In the Wannamaker mile, Laban Rotich led a Kenyan sweep, catapulting from third to first, ahead of leader Bernard Lagat and Leonard Mucheru, to win in 3:57.04. Lagat was second in 3:57.36.

Chandra Sturrup of the Bahamas won her second straight GST event in the women’s 60m, running 7.11 to second-place Gail Devers’ 7.18 seconds. In the women’s 60m hurdles, Miesha McKelvy used a quick start to win in 8.04 seconds over Melissa Morrison, second at 8.17.

Larry Wade defeated an outstanding field in the men’s 60m hurdles, winning his first Millrose title in 7.60 seconds. World indoor 200m champion Shawn Crawford came on strong to win the Verizon men’s 60m in 6.49 seconds, with J.J. Johnson second at 6.55.

The women’s high jump took center stage with a “speed jump” lasting 14 minutes and 51 seconds. The result was a triumphant return for Tisha Waller, the four-time U.S. champion who returned to competition at the Verizon Millrose Games after taking one year off from competition to finish her master’s degree. With just 45 seconds between jumps, Waller cleared 1.95m/6-4.75. Wearing a gold sequined uniform, Amy Acuff was second at 1.92/6-3.5.

Charles Clinger won the John Thomas men’s high jump with a clearance of 2.31m/7-7, and Tim Seaman won the 1-mile race walk in 5:46.75.

The Verizon Millrose Games will be broadcast nationally from 4:30-6 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN, Sunday, February 3.

The Golden Spike Tour continues February 9 at the adidas Midwest Track Classic in Lincoln, Neb. For complete results from the Verizon Millrose Games, and for more information on the Golden Spike Tour, visit the USATF Web site, www.usatf.org

Verizon Millrose Games – Winner quotes

Jeff Hartwig, men’s pole vault: “It was great to come in here and get the record. After 18-8 I started to feel like I was in a good rhythm. I had to switch to a new pole at 19-0. After the 19-0, knew I was on the right pole and the right grip. I knew if I set up and relaxed, I was set up for a good height. …. I do feel Lawrence (Johnson) and I, and sometimes Nick Hysong, have separated ourselves consistently at the highest level.” (On breaking his own Millrose record): “Think meant more the first time I broke it, because it was Sergey Bubka’s record. All the great vaulters at some point have competed at Millrose Games. To break the Millrose record is very special to me.” Lawrence Johnson – 2nd, men’s pole vault: “It went fairly well. I’ve been dealing with lot injuries this season, so I’m not in physical condition want to be in. One of the injuries I’ve had this season was third degree ankle sprain a few weeks ago (left ankle). It’s still giving few problems, so started to start a bit lower than usual and just jump every height.” (On traveling with their poles): “Since Sept. 11, taking poles through the airport is impossible. Everyone’s eying you like you’re walking around with a super bazooka or ICBM’s or something.”

Stacy Dragila, women’s pole vault. “It was my sixth time on the runway this season, so if I looked a little rusty, I was. There was some stress on the top of my left foot this year – I took all of December and the first week of January off. I’m just getting my feet wet. It’s hurry up and get in shape for nationals. I knew 15 feet was probably going to be my max, just because of my fitness level right now.” David Krummenacker, men’s 800m: “I feel wonderful. The crowd out here was great. They were going crazy. It was a huge crowd. I’m glad I was able to catch Daniel. Coming around the last curve, I was praying that I had enough to get by him. Fortunately I did.”

Regina Jacobs, women’s mile: “I knew it was going to be a tactical race, and I knew it would come down to the two of us. She is also a kicker. I’m very happy to pull off fourth win. It’s pretty awesome. I had a lot more than I realized tonight, so I ran up a little close (getting spiked on her left shin). I feel good, and hope the rest of the season is able to unfold at this pace. I’m running tomorrow (Saturday) evening in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in the mile. I’m real excited because it’s a very fast track. I’m going to act like I’m 25 or 28, not 38, so it will be a fun race.”

Jolanda Ceplak, women’s 800m: “This is my second race this year this year, and my second record. Nobody ran under 2 minutes before. I am really happy because the track is not so fast, and it is only 160 meters.”

Laban Rotich, men’s mile: “I still had a lot of energy to win the race. The (Millrose) record stood for 20 years. I really wanted to break it. With three Kenyans in the race, we were hoping we can break it. With one lap to go, I was knowing that I would be winning because I had so much energy.”

Bernard Lagat, second, men’s mile: “Today I was coming into the race thinking I was going to run a fast time. I was promising I would try to get the meet record. It was a little slow in the beginning. We went out in :59 and the half mile in 1:58. Laban just came like a bullet on the last lap. Laban Rotich is always known for being a sneaky guy. (laughter) I knew he was just following us and would surprise us at the last minute.”

Tisha Waller, women’s high jump: “It was really fun, it was. Prior to the competition, we talked and thought 45 seconds would be OK. But once you have one miss, that 45 seconds becomes very difficult. It’s more like training. So I was pleased, coming back (after one year off) and jumping well in such conditions.” On having 3 jumpers in the field: “I thought it was great. It kept the competition moving. We are very happy with the meet director (Howard Schmertz) for keeping this event in the meet. I’m happy to still be part of Millrose.”

Erin Aldrich, third place, women’s high jump (on the format): “It was great for the spectators and people really got into it. I hope that they have us back. These guys (Waller and Acuff) got some great marks and it was very exciting. In this format, you adrenaline can never go down. You can’t blink.”

Amy Acuff: “I thought Tisha looked great tonight. It was just really fun out there. I was just really entertained. I think we all ran out of breath out there. I’m just not in that kind of shape to be jumping that quickly.”

Larry Wade, men’s 60m hurdles: “It was the first race of the season for me. My coach and I have been working on some technical things. It was great to come in and win. It was very exciting. I knew it was going to be a very competitive. It means a lot to be able to come here and win Millrose. The guys in this event were the best in the world. To start with a win is a great way to start the season off.”

Chandra Sturrup, women’s 60m: “I came into this race very confident seeing that I won last week in Boston. I had a little stumble in the start, but came on to win, so that was good. It was a strong field. To me, this is a hard race to win.”

Gail Devers, second, women’s 60m: “I had a not-so-good start. I can tell that I’m used to hurdling instead of sprinting, because I’m rushing up as if I have a hurdle 13 steps in front of me. I see improvement in the front end and improvement in the latter phase in the race. (Sprinting indoors) is going to help my hurdles for outdoors. I’m very pleased with the second place, because I know what I did wrong.”

Charles Clinger, men’s high jump: “I felt really sluggish, so I was really pleased I made 7-7. I was disappointed that I didn’t get a good attempt in at 2.35m, the meet record. (On wearing tall black socks when he jumps): “I first started wearing the socks because it’s so cold in Utah, my calves would get cold. My wife, Kellie, hates them. (On why the socks are black): “It goes with the black suit I wear. My wife hates the suit, too.”

Shawn Crawford, men’s 60m: “This year I’ve been training for the 60. This is what I was looking for. I was looking for a win.”

Brian Clas, men’s 3,000m. “I felt good. I just wanted to get out in front and get in my own rhythm. I tied up at first, but it worked out.”

Melissa Donais, girls’ high school mile (4:53.90): “I broke 5 minutes for the first time two weeks ago, on my birthday, at Yale. It was a really big deal for me, since that’s the college I’m going to. I ran 4:58 there. My workouts have been going well. I know I could go faster, but I never dreamed I’d run this fast this soon. Maybe outdoors. I also never dreamed I’d win this race, wither. I always thought they were going to catch me.”