Photo above: Justin Gatlin is a new leader for the USA Track & Field squad heading to the 2005 IAAF World Championships in Helsinki, Finland.

Gatlin left the Home Depot Center in California with the first men's 100-200m double in twenty years. The VISA men's 100 meters continued to provide drama with 2004 Olympic gold medalist Justine Gatlin against 2000 gold medalist and three- time world champion Maurice Greene, as well as Olympic 200m gold medalist Shawn Crawford. Gatlin put on a stunning burst of speed in the final third in the race, looking as if he were launched from a slingshot.--USATF

USATF athlete quote: The trials are very hard mentally. In 2003 I didn't make the team and I wanted to make sure that it didn't happen here. . . I had a spark of inspiration this year after the Olympic Games where so many people didn't expect me to win, so I set out this year to focus on both the 100 and 200.

A Female Pole Vaulting Pioneer
Photo above: Continuing her climb back from Achilles tendon injuries, Stacy Dragila won her ninth U.S. outdoor and 17th overall national title in the women's pole vault. Dragila successfully negotiated 4.45m/14-7.25 for the win. U.S. leader Tracy O'Hara was second at 4.40m/14-5.25, with Olympian Jillian Schwartz third at the same height. --USATF
USATF athlete quote: I was happy just to get off the ground and to make bars. . . I have been running from a new distance and I am trying to find my rhythm.

First photo below: Abdi Abdirahman and Meb Keflezighi traded places for one night, with Abdirahman slipping into this 10,000m victory with 28:10.38 to Keflezighi's 28:10.57; Matthew Downin placed third in 28:34.65.

Second photo below: Second photo: Hazel Clark right won the women's 800m title with a fast 1:59.74. USATF athlete quote: I'm excited. . .I've been training with Treniere (Clement) and we've been pushing each other hard in practice.

Sanya Richards Wins Outdoor VISA Champion Title
First photo: Khadevis Robinson won his first national title since 2000 in the 800m with a time of 1:45.27, ending three years at #2. USATF athlete quote: It's been a long five years since my last title. . . I'm working with Johnny Gray, analyzing all of his best races, and now it's time to start taking risks to get to the next level. . . I'm in my comfort zone in the US and there are many factors to competing [well] in Europe.

Second photo: Sanya Richards, now training with Clyde Hart, was the class of an impressive field in the VISA women's 400m, winning in 49.28 seconds. The time is a huge personal best for the 2003 USA and NCAA champion--Richards' old personal best was 49.89.

See the USATF Recap of the 2005 USA Championships