Felix sets American record at Tyson Invitational
By Tom Surber, USATF
Posted Sunday, 11 February, 2007
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Reigning world outdoor 200m champion Allyson Felix made her season's debut a memorable one in posting an American record at the 2007 Tyson Invitational at the Randal Tyson Indoor Track Center on the campus of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
The third stop of the 2007 USA Track & Field Visa Championship Series, the Tyson Invitational will be televised on February 11 from 1-3 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN2.
Felix sets U.S. record in Tyson women's invitational 300 meters
2004 Olympic 200m silver medalist Allyson Felix set a new American record in the Tyson women's invitational 300 meters in a race that came down to the wire. Felix held the lead from the start in finishing in the new American record time of 36.33 seconds, which betters the previous U.S. standard of 36.67 seconds set three weeks ago by Hampton University freshman Francena McCorory. Felix's performance is also the fifth fastest performance in history. Dee Dee Trotter finished in second place in 36.42 seconds which is the sixth fastest time in history, with Mary Wineberg finishing third in 37.60.
Merritt dominates strong Tyson men's 400m invitational field
In one of the most highly-anticipated events of the evening, LaShawn Merritt, who first became a star at this event in 2005 when as an 18-year-old, he won the 400 meters in the spectacular time of 44.93 seconds (4th fastest time in history), grabbed the lead from the beginning and held on to win the Tyson men's 400 meters in the fastest time in the world this season of 45.51. Milton Campbell was the runner-up in 46.05 seconds, with reigning world 400m hurdles champion Bershawn Jackson third in 46.10.
Team USA wins men's 4x400m relay
Although the tremendously talented Team USA relay squad failed in its attempt to set a new indoor 4x400m record, it treated the enthusiastic crowd at the Randal Tyson Center to an amazing performance. The Team USA squad of 2005 World Outdoor Championships silver medalist Wallace Spearmon, reigning World Outdoor 400m silver medalist Andrew Rock, Xavier Carter, who won four titles at the 2006 NCAA Outdoor Championships, and LaShawn Merritt, was nearly upset by a strong Baylor University squad. Baylor sophomore Quentin Summers grabbed the baton to begin his anchor leg with a 15-meter lead over Merritt, who earlier in the evening won the Tyson men's 400 meters. An incredibly gutsy effort by Merritt saved Team USA from defeat as Merritt passed Summers in the main straightaway in bringing Team USA across the line first in 3:04.97. Baylor was the runner-up in 3:05.14. Team USA splits were as follows: Spearmon (46.92), Rock (46.59), Carter (46.84), Merritt (44.62).
Sullivan, Tegenkamp dominate in men's adidas 3,000 meters
Two-time Canadian Olympian Kevin Sullivan and former University of Wisconsin standout Matt Tegenkamp staged a spirited battle in the adidas men's 3,000 meters Friday night. Tegenkamp held the lead down the final stretch before Sullivan overtook him with 25 meters to go in winning the race in the new Canadian record time of 7 minutes 40.17 seconds. Tegenkamp's runner-up time of 7:40.25 is the fourth fastest ever by an American. Alistair Cragg, a 13-time All-American and seven-time NCAA champion while at the University of Arkansas, was third in 7:43.30.
Hooker wins women's sprint
University of Texas standout Marshevet Hooker continued her outstanding 2007 indoor season with a convincing victory in the women's 60 meters. Hooker, who won at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games and was the runner-up last week in New York at the Millrose Games, was victorious in 7.26 seconds. Sheri-Ann Brooks was the runner-up in 7.34 seconds, with World Outdoor Championships 200m silver medalist Rachelle Smith third in 7.40 seconds.
Oliver shows his stuff in men's hurdles
Former Howard University star David Oliver, who ended the 2006 season ranked #7 in the world in the 110m hurdles by Track & Field News, was the winner in the men's 60m hurdles against a strong field. Oliver won the race in 7.60 seconds, with young American up-and-comer Joel Brown the runner-up in 7.73 seconds. Aries Merritt, who won at the Millrose Games in New York City last week, hit the second hurdle and stopped in front of the third hurdle and did not finish the race.
Stuczynski wins again in women's pole vault
In the only field event of the evening, Jenn Stuczynski continued her dominating ways in clearing 4.72 meters/15 feet, 5.75 inches, which is a new personal best and the second best performance in the world this indoor season. Stuczynski owns the four best performances by an American this indoor season. Mary Sauer was the runner-up with a clearance of 4.52m/14-10.
Crawford wins men's 60 meters again
2004 Olympic 200m gold medalist Shawn Crawford continued his winning ways in the Visa men's invitational 60 meters in crossing the finish line first in 6.61 seconds. Earlier this year in the Visa Championship Series, Crawford posted wins at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games (6.55 seconds) and at the Millrose Games in New York (6.56). DaBryan Blanton, who finished second to Crawford in Boston, was the runner-up again this evening in 6.63 seconds.
Fountain flows in men's mile
Australian standout Mark Fountain, who lives and trains in Fayetteville, excited his home crowd with a strong effort in the men's mile. Running by himself most of the way, Fountain won the race in 3 minutes 55.58 seconds. New American middle distance sensation Nick Symmonds was the runner-up in 4:01.21, just edging third place finisher Rob Myers, who was third in 4:01.22.
Denby wins Visa women's invitational 60m hurdles
2004 NCAA Division I 100m hurdles champion Nichole Denbyfaced a strong challenge in the Visa women's invitational 60m hurdles from Canadian 2005 World Outdoor Championships team member Priscilla Lopes. Denby grabbed the win with a better lean in 8.02 seconds, with Lopes the runner-up in 8.04. 2004 World Indoor champion Perdita Felicien of Canada was third in 8.05, with American Jenny Adams finishing fourth in 8.06. Reigning Olympic gold medalist Joanna Hayes was sixth in 8.08.
Fight to the finish
The women's mile was a hotly contested race that featured the most dramatic finish of the evening as Mestawot Tadesse barely crossed the finish line ahead of Malindi Elmore. Tadesse won the race in 4 minutes 32.48 seconds, with Elmore the runner-up in 4:32.50. Longtime U.S. middle distance stalwart Sarah Schwald was third in 4:33.43.
That old college try!
In addition to the elite events Friday night, some collegiate events also were contested with Canadian standout Reid Coolsaet winning the men's 5,000 meters in the world leading time of 13 minutes 42.84 seconds. In women's action, Tennessee's Courtney Champion won the collegiate 60m hurdles in the fastest time by a collegian this year of 7.21 seconds, with Kelly Ann Baptiste of LSU posting the second fastest time by a women's college athlete this year of 7.25 seconds.
In other collegiate events, Jacoby Ford of Clemson won the men's 60 meters in 6.60 seconds and in the women's 4x400m relay, South Carolina was the winner in 3 minutes 31.85 seconds, with LSU the runner-up in 3:32.93
For more information on the Tyson Invitational and the Visa Championship Series, please visit www.usatf.org.
Contact:
Tom Surber
Media Information Manager
USA Track & Field
317-713-4690
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