Photo above by www.photorun.net: Shannon Rowbury won the Women's 1500m with a sizzling time of 4:01.06 at the adidas Track Classic; she becomes the fifth fastest female American of all-time at the distance. John Cook is her coach, and training partners include 10,000m American record holder Shalane Flanagan. Shannon was injured (stress fracture in hip) during much of the 2007 season.

Jenn Stucyznski Raises American Women's Pole Vault Record
The third woman ever to clear the 16-foot barrier in the pole vault, Jenn Stuczynski, became the #2 performer all-time in that event Sunday at the 2008 adidas Track Classic at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Held under sunny skies with temperatures in the high 80s (Larry Eder's comment: 110 degrees during the middle of the meet, on the track, no shade except for tents. The 4,000 fans who ventured to the meet had to sit in the blazing sun, with little wind for most of the ocassion, but they were treated to some excellent performances.), the adidas Track Classic is the second event of USA Track & Field's 2008 Visa Outdoor Championships Series.

A two-time USA Outdoor champion, Stuczynski cleared 4.90 meters/16 feet .75 inch in bettering her own American record of 4.88m/16 feet set on June 2, 2007 in New York City. Only Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia has soared higher in the history of the event. For her efforts, Stuczynski was named The Team USA Athlete of the Meet, presented by Visa.

April Steiner was the runner-up to Stuczynski with a clearance of 4.47m/14-8, with Jillian Schwartz third with a best of 4.47m/14-8. Olympic gold medalist and former world record holder Stacy Dragila was fourth, also clearing 4.47m/14-8.

Shannon Rowbury Runs Tremendous Time in Women's 1500m
2005 Atlantic Coast Conference champion, 2006 NACAC champion and USA Indoor champion Shannon Rowbury won the women's 1,500 meters in 4:01.61, which is the fastest time in the world this year by nearly four and a half seconds, and ranks her as the #5 U.S. performer of all-time. Rowbury returns to competition this season after recovering from a stress fracture in her hip last year that kept her competing from April until July.

2007 USA Outdoor runner-up Christin Wurth-Thomas finished second to Rowbury in 4:04.94 and Lisa Corrigan of Australia was third in 4:06.97.

Women's 1500 Meter Run

    Name                        Team                     Time
  1 Shannon Rowbury              USA                    4:01.61
  2 Christin Wurth-Thomas        USA                    4:04.94
  3 Lisa Corrigan                AUS                    4:06.97
  4 Lindsey Gallo                USA                    4:08.43
  5 Jenelle Deatherage           USA                    4:08.84
  6 Carmen Douma-Hussar          CAN                    4:09.74
  7 Marina Muncan                SRB                    4:09.75
  8 Malindi Elmore               CAN                    4:13.81
  9 Alice Schmidt                USA                    4:15.36
 10 Carrie Tollefson             USA                    4:19.54
 11 Sara Hall                    USA                    4:25.26

Bernard Lagat's Final Stretch Kick Wins 1500m
Reigning World 1,500m and 5,000m champion Bernard Lagat took command coming off the final turn and won the men's 1,500 meters in 3:35.14, which is the fastest outdoor time by an American this year. New Zealand standout Nick Willis finished close behind Lagat as the runner-up in 3:35.75, with Canadian Kevin Sullivan placing third in 3:35.78.

Larry Eder's comments: Nick Willis of New Zealand is one of the most promising athletes of his generation, who had a rough World Indoor and had something to prove. Kevin Sullivan, all of 34, has been one of the best milers in the world for over a decade. Sullivan is running on all cylinders now, and with his new coach, Julie Henner, and confidence, has more experience than anyone but Lagat.

Then, add a false start, or call back, yes, a true call back after sixty meters in the 1,500 meters, the race was off and quick. Grant Robison had taken command after the rabbit took the field through 56.1 and 1:55. Robison hit 2:38 for the 1,100 meters and soon dropped out.

At that time, it was Lagat, Willis, Nate Brannen, Jon Rankin, and Kevin Sullivan moving through the pack. Lagat was in control, and Willis, Brannen and Rankin were menacing. Sullivan made a move with 300 meters to go and moved up to the leaders with the 150 left, with Lagat, Willis right there.

Bernard Lagat made his move with 100 meters to go and held on for the win in 3:35.14. Nick Willis barely held off Sullivan, who both ran in the great races, running 3:35.74 to 3:35.78. Nine guys under 3:40!

. . . Several guys were disturbed in the fray. Rob Myers had a small injury and Chris Lukesic had a spasm so he did not run.

Men's 1500 Meter Run

    Name                         Team                    Finals
  1 Bernard Lagat                USA                    3:35.14
  2 Nick Willis                  NZL                    3:35.75
  3 Kevin Sullivan               CAN                    3:35.78
  4 Lopez Lomong                 USA                    3:36.36
  5 Jon Rankin                   USA                    3:36.61
  6 Nate Brannen                 CAN                    3:37.69
  7 Boaz Cheboiywo               KEN                    3:37.98
  8 Will Leer                    USA                    3:38.11
  9 Mark Fountain                AUS                    3:39.31
 10 Nick Bromley                 AUS                    3:53.58

Meet Record for Erin Donohue
Another meet record was set by 2007 USA Outdoor Championships third place finisher and World Outdoor Championships team member Erin Donohue, who took command on the backstretch of the final lap and won the women's 800 meters going away in 2 minutes, 2.04 seconds. Her performance is the second-fastest by an American this outdoor season. Other top American finishers included Kameisha Bennett-Martin (3rd-2:02.94) and Nicole Cook (4th-2:03.57).

Women's 800 Meter Run

    Name                         Team                    Finals
  1 Erin Donohue                 USA                    2:02.04
  2 Neisha Bernard-Thomas        GRN                    2:02.60
  3 Kameisha Bennett-Martin      USA                    2:02.94
  4 Nicole Cook                  USA                    2:03.57
  5 Kim Gildersleeve             USA                    2:07.37
  6 Sherron Rhetta               USA                    2:07.85

Galen Rupp Impresses in Men's 3000m
Josh Rohatinsky, Galen Rupp and Jonathan Riley engaged in a terrific men's 3,000m tussle that saw all three competitors with the lead during the bell lap. Rohatinsky, who had the lead with two laps remaining, held on to the top spot until he was passed with 300 meters to go when Riley surged past him for the lead. Riley came around the final turn just ahead of 2007 NCAA and USA 10,000m second place finisher Rupp, who sailed past Riley with 30 meters remaining and held on to finish first in the fastest clocking by an American this outdoor season and a new personal best time of 7 minutes 51.17 seconds. Riley was the runner-up in 7:51.40, with Rohatinsky third in 7:52.83.

Larry Eder's comments: Galen Rupp, the collegiate 10,000 meter record holder has run 1,500 meters and mile races all winter and won the 3,000 meters by running a smart race behind Jonathan Riley and Josh Rohatinsky. Rupp did not make his move until the very end. . . The lead pack of Rohatinsky, Riley, Rupp, Kyle King and Ian Dobson went through the mile just at 4:10, and as the pack went to three, Riley and Rohatinsky upped the ante. Rupp waited until he had about 300 meters to go. . . Riley is one of the toughest finishers in our sport, and the Madison, WI emigre had a few tricks up his sleeve. He tried them all today, but Rupp was still there. . .

Men's 3000 Meter Run

    Name                         Team                    Finals
  1 Galen Rupp                   USA                    7:51.17
  2 Jonathon Riley               USA                    7:51.40
  3 Josh Rohatinsky              USA                    7:52.83
  4 Ian Dobson                   USA                    7:53.20
  5 Kyle King                    USA                    7:55.25
  6 Josphat Boit                 KEN                    7:57.45
  7 Collis Birmingham            AUS                    7:59.00
  8 Luke Watson                  USA                    8:25.82

Tyson Gay, Veronica Campbell-Brown Win 100m Races

The men's 100 meters was a blistering affair that saw reigning world 100m and 200m champion Tyson Gay challenged by 2007 World Outdoor Championships 4x100m relay gold medalist Darvis Patton. The last 30 meters saw the two combatants even all the way to the finish with Gay just sneaking ahead of his rival in winning in 10.05 seconds. Patton was the runner-up in 10.06 with World Championships silver medalist Derrick Atkins of the Bahamas third in 10.16.

Larry Eder's comments: . . . Tyson Gay endured three false starts in the hundred meters before he sprinted down the straight, running 10.05 into a headwind! In the 200 meters, Tyson blased away from the field, winning in 20.07.

The most anticipated event in Carson was the women's 100 meters featuring seven of the world's top sprinters. The end of the race resembled the final at the 2007 World Outdoor Championships in Osaka, Japan, as Jamaican standout Veronica Campbell-Brown hit the finish line first in 11.14 seconds, with 2005 World Outdoor champion Lauryn Williams on her heels, placing second in 11.15. Jamaican Kerron Stewart was third in 11.16 seconds, with reigning World 200m champion Allyson Felix fourth in 11.21.

Tyson Gay Wins 200m

Tyson Gay set out to win two events at the adidas Track Classic and he ended the event in style with his convincing victory in the men's 200 meters. Gay got out fast and showed no mercy to the rest of the field in winning in 20.08 seconds, which equals the second-fastest time in the world this season. The third- fastest 200m runner of all-time, Xavier Carter, was the runner- up in 20.30 seconds, with 2007 World Outdoor Championships third-place finisher Rodney Martin third in 20.55.

More of Larry Eder's comments: . . . Tyson Gay is the best sprint racer in the world. He may not have the fastest times, [but] he does not need the fastest times. When the gun goes off, in a big stadium with 80,000 screaming fans, Tyson Gay is the athlete to bet on. He is calm, focused and mild mannered. That mildness however, hides an intensity. He wants to win, he wants to dominate, he wants to be part of track history. He just does not like to trash talk. " I was not brought up that way." Tyson noted in a Thursday interview.

An athlete at the top of his game, an athlete who still notes that he has alot to learn and now has two sprint coaches, and one strength coach in his team, Tyson Gay is a student of his events. Do not expect him to react like a typical sprinter-- that is not him, and he lets his feet to the talking, and with a 10.08 and a 20.07, there was enough communication from those feet!

Jeremy Wariner Wins 400m Convincingly

World and Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner won the men's 400 meters in the second fastest time in the world and the fastest time on American soil so far this season when he crossed the finish line first in 44.42 seconds. Canadian standout Tyler Christopher was the runner-up in 44.71 seconds, with Bahamian Chris Brown third in 44.94 and reigning World 400m hurdles champion Kerron Clement fourth in 45.10.

Larry Eder's comments: . . .Last weekend, in Doha, in his 200 meters, Jeremy Wariner strained a hamstring, which was tight all week. On Thursday, before the media conference, he had considered not running, but when he went out and watched Tyson and Veronica working out, the competitive juices began to flow.

So, Jeremy ran. He got out of the blocks very gingerly and for the first 150 meters, and was runnng conservatively. The hamstring relaxed and Wariner went by Tyler Christopher, the World Indoor champion at 400 meters, like Christopher was standing still.

Women's Quartet Dominates the World

The women's 3,000 meters on Sunday will register prominently on the 2008 world outdoor list as the four top finishers posted the four fastest times in the world this season. Canadian standout Meagan Metcalfe won the contest in 8:51.97, followed by Ethiopia's Genzebe Dibaba, who finished as the runner-up in 8:53.72. 2007 USA Outdoor Championships 5,000m runner-up Jen Rhines was third in 8:56.26 and 2007 World Championships 10,000m bronze medalist Kara Goucher was fourth in 9:00.53.

Joanna Hayes, Anwar Moore Win High Hurdles Races

Reigning Olympic gold medalist Joanna Hayes faced a strong field in winning the women's 100m hurdles in 12.64 seconds, which is the second-fastest time by an American this season. 2008 World Indoor silver medalist Candace Davis was the runner- up in 12.71 seconds, with 2004 NCAA Outdoor champ Nichole Denby finishing third in 12.72.

The men's 110m hurdles was a hotly contested affair that came down to a close finish between Anwar Moore and Terrence Trammell. Moore, who ended the 2007 season ranked #4 in the world, won the race in 13.39 seconds, with two-time Olympic silver medalist Trammell the runner-up in 13.40. The hurdlers ran into a -1.3 meters per second headwind.

Christian Cantwell, Jared Rome Win Men's Throws

Two-time World Indoor champion and current world outdoor leader Christian Cantwell won the men's shot put with a heave of 21.39 meters/70-2.25 on his fourth throw. Two-time Olympic silver medalist and 2005 World Outdoor champion Adam Nelson finished second with a best of 21.13m/69-4.

In the men's discus, 2004 Olympian Jared Rome set a new meet record with his winning toss of 65.09 meters/213 feet 6 inches, which bettered the previous meet standard of 63.64m/208-9 he set in 2005. Two-time U.S. champion Ian Waltz was the runner-up with his best of 63.40m/208-0, with two-time national champion John Godina placing third with a toss of 61.85m/202-11.

Muna Lee Wins Women's 200m

2004 Olympian and 2005 World Outdoor Championships 4x100m relay champion Muna Lee won the women's 200 meters in 22.30 seconds, which is the fastest time by an American this season. 2007 World Outdoor Championships 100m bronze medalist Carmelita Jeter was the runner-up in 22.47 seconds, with Marshevet Hooker placing third in 22.49.

Bershawn Jackson Leaves No Doubt

The suspense ended early in the men's 400m hurdles as 2005 World champion Bershawn "Batman" Jackson took command with 300 meters to go and extended his lead throughout the race in winning in 48.94 seconds. Three-time Pac-10 champion and 2007 NCAA runner-up Brandon Johnson was the runner-up in 49.62 seconds, with 2006 NCAA champion Michael Tinsley third in 49.68.

Chaunte Howard Dominates Women's High Jump

2005 World Outdoor silver medalist and 2006 USA Outdoor champion Chaunte Howard, who returned to competition this season after becoming a mother last year, won the women's high jump on Sunday in convincing fashion. Howard cleared 1.98m/6 feet 6 inches to win the event, which is the best by an American this year. Mexico's Rosemary Rifka was the runner-up with a best clearance of 1.92m/6-3.50.

Grace Upshaw One-Ups the Competition

2004 Olympian and two-time USA Outdoor champion Grace Upshaw won the women's long jump competition with a leap of 6.68 meters/21 feet 11 inches. Jamaica's Patricia Sylvester was the runner-up with a best of 6.45m/21-2, with 2001 USA Outdoor champion Jenny Adams third with a jump of 6.39m/20-11.

The women's 400 meters was won by Jamaican standout Novlene Williams, who won the race in 50.38 seconds. 2007 World Outdoor Championships relay gold medalist Mary Wineberg was the runner- up in 50.41 seconds, with Jamaican Shereefa Lloyd third in 50.93.

In the 100m "B" races, Bahamian Debbie Ferguson won the women's race in 11.18 seconds, with Mechelle Lewis the runner-up in 11.23 and Alexis Joyce was the third-place finisher in 11.25. The men's race was won by 2007 World Outdoor Championships 4x100m relay gold medalist Rodney Martin in 10.13, with Steve Mullings the runner-up in 10.20.

In events contested Saturday night, Brandon Shaw, who ended the 2007 ranked #9 last season, won the men's 800 meters in 1 minute 47.51 seconds, with 2003 NCAA runner-up Sam Burley the runner-up 1:47.91. In the men's 5,000 meters, Ethiopia's Ali Abdosh won the hotly contested race in 13 minutes 08.64 seconds over his countryman Dejen Gebremeskel, who crossed the finish line in 13:08.96.

Men's 800 Meter Run

    Name                         Team                    Finals
  1 Brandon Shaw                 USA                    1:47.51
  2 Sam Burley                   USA                    1:47.91
  3 Raphael Asafo-Agyei          USA                    1:48.05
  4 Andrew Ellerton              CAN                    1:48.88
  5 Kevin Elliott                USA                    1:49.32
  6 Jim Wyner                    USA                    1:49.41
  7 David Krummenacker           USA                    1:49.66
  8 Nicholas Thornton            USA                    1:49.68
  9 Emmen Tetlo                  USA                    1:50.69