Contact: Tom Surber
Media Information Manager
USA Track & Field
(317) 261-0500 x317
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.usatf.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2002
Outstanding lineups for adidas Oregon Track Classic
INDIANAPOLIS - USA Track & Field's 2002 Outdoor Golden Spike Tour gets off
to a big start Saturday at the 12th annual adidas Oregon Track Classic.
USATF on Wednesday announced the fields for the May 18 meet featuring U.S.
stars John Godina, Melissa Morrison, Shawn Crawford, Jenny Adams, Terrence
Trammell, Mary Sauer, Adam Nelson, Kellie Suttle, and Tim Broe among others,
and a strong cast of international stars from 18 foreign countries,
including steeplechase world record holder Brahim Boulami of Morocco.
The adidas Oregon Track Classic will be held at Mount Hood Stadium on the
campus of Mount Hood Community College in Portland, Oregon, with field
events beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time. The event will be broadcast May 18
from 8:00-9:00 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN2. The 2002 adidas Oregon Track
Classic is an IAAF Grand Prix II event.
U.S. Olympic and world champions highlight the field including Olympic 110m
hurdle silver medalist Terrence Trammell, who will compete in the Verizon
men's 100 meters against 2001 World Outdoor Championships 200m bronze
medalist Shawn Crawford and Olympic and World Championships 4x100m relay
gold medalist Brian Lewis.
1996 Olympic high jump gold medalist Charles Austin will also compete in
Portland, along with two-time Olympic medalist and three-time world shot put
champion John Godina, who will face 2000 Olympic silver medalist and 2001
world indoor and outdoor silver medalist Adam Nelson.
Additional U.S. stars include 2001 World Indoor 200m silver medalist Tasha
Jenkins in the women's 100 meters. 1996 and 2000 Olympic 4x400m relay gold
medalist Jearl Miles-Clark will compete against her Sydney relay teammate
Monique Hennagan in the women's 400 meters, and 2001 World Indoor silver
medalist Kellie Suttle will compete in the women's pole vault.
Tickets for the adidas Oregon Track Classic are $10 in advance and $15 on
the day of the event. Charge tickets by phone by calling (503) 351-9471.
Youngsters 12 and under are admitted free. USATF members get $5 off tickets
Saturday at the gate.
The adidas Oregon Track Classic is sponsored by Verizon, Visa and SoBe
Sports System.
The 2002 Golden Spike Tour continues May 26 with the Prefontaine Classic in
Eugene, Oregon, followed by the Oracle U.S Open in Palo Alto, California on
June 8. The Tour concludes with the USA Outdoor Championships in Palo Alto
June 21-23.
For more information on the Golden Spike Tour, visit the USATF Web site,
www.usatf.org.
adidas Oregon Track Classic At a Glance (fields subject to change)
Men's Shot Put - 3:00 p.m.
THE FIELD: John Godina, Adam Nelson, Andy Bloom, Kevin Toth, Jarred Rome,
Brad Snyder (CAN), John Davis, Justin Anlezark (AUS).
THS SCOOP: A virtual who's who of U.S. shot putting will battle it out, led
by two-time Olympic medalist John Godina, who won his third world outdoor
title last year in Edmonton. Godina, who ended 2001 ranked #1 in the world
by Track & Field News, will be challenged by 2000 Olympic silver medalist
Adam Nelson, who has the best throw in the world this year of 22.15
meters/72 feet, 8 inches. Sydney Olympics fourth-place finisher Andy Bloom
is also in the field, along with Kevin Toth, who has enjoyed a resurgence
this year with two throws over 70 feet.
Visa Women's Pole Vault - 3:55 p.m.
THE FIELD: Kellie Suttle, Mary Sauer, Mel Mueller, Jillian Schwartz, Lesa
Kubishta, Stephanie McCann (CAN).
THE SCOOP: The second U.S. woman ever to clear 15 feet, Kellie Suttle leads
a talented women's pole vault field as the #4 ranked performer in the world.
The 2001 World Indoor silver medalist will be challenged by 2002 U.S. Indoor
champion and 2001 World Outdoor finalist Mary Sauer, and her training
partner and former U.S. indoor record holder Mel Mueller, who also has
surpassed 15 feet.
adidas women's 100m hurdles - 4:00 p.m.
THE FIELD: Jenny Adams, Melissa Morrison, Miesha McKelvy, Donica Merriman,
Damu Cherry, Lacena Golding (JAM), Vonette Dixon (JAM), Dionne Rose-Henley
(JAM).
THE SCOOP: Defending meet champion Jenny Adams returns after a breakthrough
2001 campaign where she won the USA Outdoor long jump title and won the 100m
hurdles at six IAAF Grand Prix events. 2000 Olympic bronze medalist Melissa
Morrison will challenge Adams following an injury-plagued 2001 outdoor
season. Morrison won her fourth U.S. Indoor hurdles title earlier this year.
Jamaicans Dionne Rose-Henley, Lacena Golding and Vonette Dixon are running
well this year. Rose-Henley placed sixth at last year's World Championships.
Men's 1,000 meters - David Krummenacker, Trinity Gray, Michael Stember, Jess
Strutzel, Derrick Peterson, Bryan Woodward, William Bungei (KEN), William
Chirchir (KEN), Graham Hood (CAN), Japheth Kimutai (KEN), David Kiptoo
(KEN), Hezekiel Sepeng (RSA), Khalid Tirhazuine (MAR), Zach Whitmarsh (CAN).
THE SCOOP: Look for Olympic 800 meter silver medalist Hezekiel Sepeng of
South Africa and 2001 World Outdoor Championships 800m silver medalist
Wilfred Bungei of Kenya to be the favorites. Kenyan mile star William
Chirchir should also challenge for the top spot. American challengers
include reigning U.S. Outdoor 800m champion and 1,000m record holder David
Krummenacker and 2002 U.S. Indoor champ Derrick Peterson.
Women's 400 meters - 4:16 p.m.
THE FIELD: Jearl Miles-Clark, Monique Hennagan, Suziann Reid, LaDonna
Antoine (CAN), Kaltouma Nadjina (CHA), Sandie Richards (JAM), Catherine
Scott (JAM).
THE SCOOP: As the 1993 world 400 meter outdoor champion and two-time Olympic
4x400m relay gold medalist, Jearl Miles-Clark leads the field. 2002 U.S.
Indoor 400m champ Monique Hennagan will challenge along with two-time USA
400m indoor champion Suziann Reid. Defending meet champ Kaltouma Nadjina of
Chad leads the international contingent that includes Jamaican Olympians
Sandie Richards and Catherine Scott.
Women's 5,000 Meters - 4:25 p.m.
THE FIELD: Marla Runyan, Jen Rhines, Amy Rudolph, Cheri Kenah, Collette
Liss, Katie McGregor, Carrie Tollefson, Janet Trujillo, Priscilla Hein,
Catherine Berry (GBR), Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH), Adriana Fernandez (MEX), Colia
Gomez-Solis (MEX), Andrea Grove (CAN), Werknesh Kidane (ETH), Claudia
Stadler (SUI).
THE SCOOP: 2000 Olympic 1,500m finalist and American 5,000m record holder
Marla Runyan is the U.S. headliner in this event after winning the 2001 U.S.
5000m outdoor title and ending last year ranked #1 nationally in the 3,000m
and 5,000m. Former U.S. record holder and 2000 Olympian Amy Rudolph is also
in the field along with 2000 Olympian and 2002 World Cross Country team
silver medalist Jen Rhines. Ethiopia's 2002 World Cross Country
Championships 4K silver medalist Werknesh Kidane leads a strong
international field that includes the 1999 New York City Marathon winner
Adrianna Fernandez of Mexico.
Men's High Jump - 4:48 p.m.
THE FIELD: Charles Austin, Nathan Leeper, Charles Clinger, Matt Hemingway,
Mark Boswell (CAN), Kwatu Boateng (CAN).
THE SCOOP: 1996 Olympic gold medalist and American record holder Charles
Austin returns for his third competition in Portland against America's best
high jumpers. Defending U.S. Outdoor champion and two-time defending U.S.
Indoor champ Nathan Leeper will challenge Austin, along with 2001 NCAA
Outdoor champ Charles Clinger, who had the third-best clearance in the world
last year of 2.35m/7-8.5. 2000 U.S. Indoor champ Matt Hemingway is also in
the field. 1999 World Championships silver medalist and Canadian record
holder Mark Boswell will challenge the Americans.
Women's Discus - 4:52 p.m.
THE FIELD: Suzy Powell, Seilala Sua, Kris Kuehl, Aretha Hill, Beatrice
Faumuina (NZL), Allison Lever (AUS).
THE SCOOP: America's finest discus throwers will compete in this event, led
by Suzy Powell, who set the new American record of 69.44m/227-10 April 27 in
La Jolla, Calif. Four-time defending U.S. champion Seilala Sua is also in
the field, along with world-class U.S. throwers Kris Kuehl and Aretha Hill.
New Zealand's 1997 World champion Beatrice Faumuina will compete along with
Australian record holder Allison Lever.
Men's Mile - 4:56 p.m.
THE FIELD: Bryan Berryhill, Ibrahim Aden, Berhanu Alemu (ETH), Adrian
Blincoe (NZL), Ryan Hayden (CAN), Martin Keino (KEN), Benjamin Kipkurui
(KEN), David Lelei (KEN), Leonard Mucheru (KEN), Sammy Ng'eno (KEN), Eliud
Njubi (KEN), Daniel Zegeye (ETH).
THE SCOOP: Kenya's Leonard Mucheru returns to defend his meet title after
running 3:53 at this event last year as ten runners broke 4:00. Other
favorites include fellow Kenyan Benjamin Kipkurui (3:49) and Ethiopia's
Daniel Zegeye, who placed sixth at the 2000 Olympic Games. 2001 NCAA
champion Bryan Berryhill is also entered.
Men's 400 Meters - 5:08 p.m.
THE FIELD: Antonio Pettigrew, Alvin Harrison, Jerome Young, James Davis,
Ja'Warren Hooker, Michael Blackwood (JAM), Mike McDonald (JAM), Shane Niemi
(CAN).
THE SCOOP: 2000 Olympic silver medalist and relay gold medalist Alvin
Harrison leads the field, which includes the 1991 World Outdoor champion,
four-time national champion and 2000 Olympic Games relay gold medalist
Antonio Pettigrew, who won at the Japan Grand Prix last week in 44.72. 2000
Olympic relay gold medalist Jerome Young, a two-time World Outdoor
Championships relay gold medalist, is also in the field along with Jamaican
Olympian and defending meet champion Michael McDonald.
Women's 100 Meters - 5:16 p.m.
THE FIELD: Tasha Jenkins, Tayna Lawrence (JAM), Angela Manuel, Merlene
Frazer (JAM), Savatheda Fynes (BAH), Beverly McDonald (JAM), Cydonie
Mothersill (CAY).
THE SCOOP: 2000 Olympic bronze medalist Tayna Lawrence of Jamaica is the
favorite. Tasha Jenkins of the U.S. should be a factor after her
fourth-place finish in the 200 meters at the 2001 World Championships in
Edmonton. Jenkins has an 11.05 to her credit this year. Savatheda Fynes of
the Bahamas placed seventh at the Olympics in Sydney and won a gold medal as
a member of the gold medal winning 4x100m relay team. Cydonie Mothersill of
the Cayman Islands was fifth in the 200 meters at last year's World Outdoor
Championships.
SoBe Women's 800 Meters - 5:30 p.m.
THE FIELD: Nicole Teter, Jen Toomey, Jill Snyder, Sasha Spencer, Svetlana
Badrankova (KAZ), Tanya Blake (GBR), Diane Cummins (CAN), Charmaine Howell
(JAM), Mardrea Hyman (JAM), Brigta Langerholc (SLO).
THE SCOOP: Four sub-two minute runners headline this field, featuring Nicole
Teter, who recently set a new American indoor record in winning the 2002 USA
Indoor Championships, her first national title, in 1:58.71. Canada's Diane
Cummins should be a factor after placing fifth at the 2001 World Outdoor
Championships, and Slovenia's Brigta Langerholc, the fourth-place finisher
at the 2000 Olympics, should also provide a strong challenge.
Men's 3,000 Meter Steeplechase - 5:37 p.m.
THE FIELD: Tim Broe, Anthony Famiglietti, Matt Harriman, Ray Hughes, Sean
MacMillan, David Milne (CAN), Salvador Mirandi (MEX), Brahim Boulami (MAR),
Joel Bourgeois (CAN), Stephen Cherono (KEN)
THE SCOOP: World record holder Brahim Boulami of Morocco will be the heavy
favorite in this event. Tim Broe begins his assault on the American record
after an impressive beginning to his 2002 season. So far this year Broe has
won his second U.S. 4K cross country title, set the U.S. indoor 3,000m
record of 7:39.23 on January 27 in Boston, and won the U.S. 3,000m indoor
crown in New York. Broe is out to better Hall of Famer Henry Marsh's 1985
American steeplechase record of 8:09.17. Others to watch include world
junior record holder Stephen Cherono of Kenya and 2001 World University
Games champion Anthony Famiglietti.
Verizon Men's 100 Meters - 5:50 p.m.
THE FIELD: Shawn Crawford, Terrence Trammell, Brian Lewis, Coby Miller,
Marcus Brunson, Kim Collins (SKN), Abdul Aziz Zakari (GHA).
THE SCOOP: As the owner of the fastest 100m (9.94, tied with two others) and
200m (19.85) times in the world this year, Shawn Crawford, the 200m bronze
medalist at the 2001 World Outdoor Championships, is the favorite of this
star-studded field. 2002 U.S. 60m indoor champ and 2000 Olympic 110m hurdles
silver medalist Terrence Trammell is also in the field along with 2000
Olympic 4x100m relay gold medalist Brian Lewis. Coby Miller has a best of
9.98 and a seventh-place finish at the 2000 Olympics, and Ghana's Abdul Aziz
Zakari ended the 2001 season ranked #7 in the world.
Men's 3,000 Meters - 6:00 p.m.
THE FIELD: Matt Downin, Dan Browne, Mark Bomba (CAN), Abraham Chebii (KEN),
Albert Chepkurui (KEN), Clyde Colenzo (RSA), Shaun Creighton (AUS), Matt
Gabrielson, Daniel Gachara (KEN), David Galvan (MEX), Luke Kipkoskei (KEN),
Shadrock Kosgei (KEN), Sammy Ng'eno (KEN).
THE SCOOP: The IAAF Grand Prix champion at 3000 last year, Kenyan Luke
Kipkoskei has a best of 7:27.59. Other Kenyan in the field include Abrah
Chebeii, the world leader in the 10,000m last year and Shadrock Kosgei, who
has his sights set on a sub-13 minute 5,000 meters this year. Others to
watch include Portland's Dan Browne and Australia's Shaun Creighton.
For more information on the 2002 adidas Oregon Track Classic visit
www.oregontrackclassic.org.
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