PORTLAND, Oregon. – 2003 World Indoor 800 meter champion, David Krummenacker ran the fastest time by an American this year in winning the men’s 800 meters Saturday at the 13th annual adidas Oregon Track Classic, the first event on USATF’s Outdoor Golden Spike Tour.

In a meet held in cold and occasionally rainy conditions, Krummenacker, the reigning U.S. indoor and outdoor 800m champion, won in 1 minute, 45.77 seconds to edge runner-up Nicholas Wachira of Kenya in 1:46.56. Krummenacker’s performance is the fourth best time in the world this year.

In other men’s events, Kevin Toth, who has the world-leading throw this season of 22.67 meters/74 feet, 4.50 inches, won the men’s shot put with a throw of 21.21m/69-7. Canada’s Brad Snyder was second with a best of 20.53m/67-4.25, while Australia’s Justin Anlezark was third with a throw of 20.38m/66-10.50. Three-time world shot put champion and two-time Olympic medalist John Godina was fourth with a best of 20.36m/66-9.75.

Godina bounced back later this afternoon to win the men’s discus throw with a best of 62.98m/206-7. Ian Waltz was the runner-up with a throw of 61.94m/203-2, with Carl Brown finishing third with a best of 61.16m/200-8.

In women’s action today, defending meet champion Miesha McKelvy won the 100 meters hurdles in the fourth-fastest time in the world this year of 12.93 seconds. 2000 Olympic bronze medalist Melissa Morrison and Jenny Adams both ran 12.96, with Morrison awarded the second-place finish over Adams.

Kim Collins surprised a strong field in the men’s 100 meters with his victory in 10.21 seconds. Collins, of Saint Kitts & Nevis, edged 2003 U.S. Indoor 200m champ John Capel, who finished in10.28. In his first 100 meters of the season, 2000 Olympic 100m gold medalist Maurice Greene was third in 10.33.

In the men’s 200 meter dash, 2003 U.S. Indoor 200m champ John Capel and 2002 U.S. Outdoor championships runner-up Darvis Patton each ran 20.38 seconds, with Capel declared the winner in a photo finish.

In the men’s 400 meters, two-time U.S. Outdoor 400 meter champ Jerome Young won in 45.23 running out of lane eight. Young surprised Jamaican Michael Blackwood (2nd - 45.33) who entered today’s race ranked #1 in the world. Derrick Brew, who has the fastest time by an American this year (44.83), finished third in 45.55.

2000 Olympic 1,500 meter bronze medalist Bernard Lagat of Kenya ran the fastest time in the world this year of 3 minutes, 34.13 seconds for the win. Abraham Chebii of Kenya (2nd ranked in the world) won the 3,000 meters in 7 minutes, 45.21 seconds. U.S. indoor 3,000m record holder and two-time indoor champion Tim Broe finished third in 7:46.57.

In a competition at times held during a heavy rain, 1996 Olympic gold medalist and 2003 U.S. Indoor champion Charles Austin won the men’s high jump with a clearance of 2.24 meters/7 feet, 4.25 inches. Jamie Nieto and Terrance Woods tied for second place after clearing of 2.20m/7-2.50.

In the men’s triple jump, Von Ware won with a best leap of 15.58 meters/51 feet 1.50 inches. Marcus Jones finished second with a leap 15.14m/49-8.25.

In the women’s 100 meters, 2003 World Indoor 60 meter bronze medalist Torri Edwards won in 11.23 seconds. Tayna Lawrence of Jamaica, ranked #3 in the world in 2002, was the runner-up in 11.26.

In the women’s discus throw, three-time outdoor women’s discus 2002 U.S. outdoor third place finisher Aretha Hill won with a toss of 63.44 meters/ 208 feet, 2 inches.

In the women’s hammer throw, two-time Big 12 Conference champion Melissa Price set a new meet record with her winning throw of 65.64 meters/215 feet, 4 inches. Price’s performance betters the previous meet record of 64.84m/212-9 by Lisa Misipeka in 2001. Six-time U.S. outdoor champion Dawn Ellerbe was the runner-up with a best of 64.20m/210-7.

2000 Olympian Kelli Suttle won the women’s pole vault with a clearance of 4.41 meters/14 feet and 5.50 inches. Mary Sauer (2nd), Tracy O’Hara (3rd) and Mel Mueller (4th) all cleared 4.25m/13-11.25.

In the women’s 800 meters, Canada’s Diane Cummins won in 2:00.79, with Ethiopia’s Meskerem Legesse the runner-up in 2:01.11. In the women’s 5,000 meters, Ethiopia’s Meseret Defar won in 14 minutes, 59.88 seconds.

USATF’s Outdoor Golden Spike Tour continues May 24 with the Nike Prefontaine Classic in Eugene Oregon; on June 1 it moves to the Home Depot Track & Field Invitational in Carson, California; and on June 7 it hits the Oracle U.S. Open in Palo Alto, Calif., on the campus of Stanford University.

The final stop returns the Tour to Stanford for the 2003 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships held June 19-22 at Cobb Track and Angell Field. Known for standing-room only crowds for USATF events, Stanford will host the Outdoor Championships for the second straight year.

For complete results from the adidas Oregon Track Classic and for more information on the 2003 USATF Outdoor Golden Spike Tour, visit the USATF Web site, www.usatf.org.

ATHLETE QUOTES

David Krummenacker, 1st, men’s 800: I was excited to compete in such a great field. I always love running in Oregon, the fans are great and I felt really good today. I want to keep going and get stronger. My goal is to get on that medal stand at the world outdoor championships.

Kevin Toth, 1st, men’s shot put: I’m really rushing it and trying too hard. I’m not gonna settle for this kind of stuff the rest of the year. The power indicates 75 (feet) plus, my technique is indicating 69-70 right now. We’re going to go back and refocus and get ready for the Prefontaine meet, (May 24 in Eugene, Oregon).

Miesha McKelvy, 1st, women’s 100m hurdles: It was so cold and when the false start happened, I didn’t react. I am not satisfied with my race, but I feel good about winning.

Kim Collins, 1st, men’s 100: This was a very tough field and I feel very good about winning the race. I had a good start and I wanted to finish strong. It’s not a surprise to me that I won, that’s what I came here to do.

Maurice Greene, 3rd, men’s 100: Its cold out here and I did not get a good start. I got caught in the blocks and I felt a little tightness midway through the race. They ran a good race and I am still trying to get the cobwebs out.

Jerome Young, 1st, men’s 400: I just wanted to run my race, stay focused and execute my plan. I was worried about running out of lane eight. In some ways it’s an advantage. I’ve been battling injuries for three years and I am looking forward to running well this year.

John Godina, 1st, men’s discus: This was a solid comeback for me considering my earlier performance in the shot put. A 206 (mark) is not bad considering the weather conditions because the discus slippery.

Torri Edwards, 1st, women’s 100: This was a good race for me despite the cold. Winning today is a confidence builder and I am very pleased. My main focus this year will be the 100 meters.

Benard Lagat, 1st, men’s 1,500: It was a little cold out there, but I was able separate myself with 400 meters to go. I ran faster than I expected to go against a solid field.

Kellie Suttle, 1st, women’s pole vault: These conditions were very difficult, but it was the same for everybody and we all just did our best. I am happy with the win and I’m sure I will jump better next year.

Charles Austin, 1st, men’s high jump: We had fun out there despite the conditions. I took the summer off last year, but I am ready to compete well this year. My confidence is always there and I look forward to jumping this season.

John Capel, 1st, men’s 200: These are the worst conditions I have ever run in. I locked up 50 meters from the finish. The straight seemed it would last forever. This is my first 200 meters since the 2000 Olympics, I need to get my rhythm back.

Tim Broe, 3rd, men’s 3,000: I decided to take the lead late in the race knowing that I could not out-kick them in the end. My strength is my strength, and taking the lead then was my only chance to win. I broke my foot last year and it still hurts.

Marcus Jones, 2nd, men’s triple jump: My approach was off today, but I did the best that I could due to the weather conditions. I am going to take a few days (to regroup) and focus on good training. I appreciate the opportunity to compete here in Portland.

Diane Cummins, 1st, women’s 800: I had a good opening considering the weather conditions. I am not happy with the race because you had to push and shove to win.

Aretha Hill, 1st, women’s discus: I’m feeling real good (about today’s performance). My technique is smooth in the circle and I am excited that is everything is clicking for me this year.

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