USATF Preview: Felix and Perry chasing three-peats at World Championships
By USATF
Posted Friday, 14 August, 2009
BERLIN - Allyson Felix and Michelle Perry are each looking to win their third consecutive world championship title as they lead a talented group of sprinters and hurdlers at the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, August 15-23 in Berlin, Germany.
100m
2007 World Outdoor bronze medalist Carmelita Jeter leads the American squad in the women's 100 meters. Having just set a personal best of 10.92 in London, Jeter edged out teammate Muna Lee to win her first national title, with both girls clocking 10.78w.
Not to be overlooked is Lauryn Williams. The 2005 World Outdoor champion and '07 silver medalist, Williams is known for her big meet performances.
200m
Two-time Olympic silver medalist and World Outdoor champion Allyson Felix is looking to make history by becoming the first woman to win three consecutive world outdoor titles in the woman's 200 meters. Having run 21.88 just weeks ago in Stockholm, Felix is ready for the challenge.
Joining Felix on the U.S. team are Muna Lee, Marshevet Hooker and Charonda Williams. Lee, who finished fifth in Beijing, was an impressive runner-up at the U.S. Championships in a wind-aided 22.13. Hooker was third at the national championships and finished fourth in 22.84 in her most recent 200m outing in Stockholm. The 2009 NCAA Outdoor runner-up, Williams was fourth in Eugene.
400m
Having run four of the top five times in the world so far this year, including the current world leader of 49.23, 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Sanya Richards is the hands down favorite to win her first world title in the women's 400m. Having been ranked #1 in the world by Track & Field News for the past four years, Richards won her fifth national title at the 2009 USA Outdoor Championships.
Richards will be joined by 2007 NACAC champion Debbie Dunn, who set a personal best 50.79 in finishing as the runner-up at this year's national championships and then lowered it to 50.66 in Paris. Also in the mix will be 2008 World Junior silver medalist Jessica Beard, a sophomore at Texas A&M, who set her personal best 50.56 in her runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships.
100m hurdles
Two-time World Outdoor champion Michelle Perry is out to become the first woman to ever win three consecutive World Championship crowns in the women's 100m hurdles. Perry will face a considerable challenge from teammate and reigning Olympic gold medalist Dawn Harper, who has a season's best 12.53 to Perry's 12.74. Harper won her first U.S. title at the 2009 USA Outdoor Championships in a windy 12.36.
Rounding out Team USA's 100m hurdle contingent is two-time USA Outdoor champion Ginnie Powell and 2008 Olympic Games fourth-place finisher Damu Cherry.
400m hurdles
2005 World Outdoor silver medalist Lashinda Demus announced to the world that she is ready to bring home her first World title in the women's 400m hurdles when she ran 52.63 in Monaco, making her the fourth-fastest 400m hurdler of all-time.
After winning silver in Beijing, Sheena Tosta is back and looking to bring home another medal. Also watch for two-time USA Outdoor champion and 2008 Olympic finalist Tiffany Williams.
Heptathlon
Team USA's heptathlon squad is comprised of 2009 USA Outdoor champion and '08 Olympian Diana Pickler, nationals runner-up Sharon Day (who will also be competing in the open high jump), and Michigan's Bettie Wade.
This will be the first time Team USA has returned to Berlin for a major international championship competition since the 1936 Olympic Games, where National Track & Field Hall of Famer Jesse Owens won gold medals in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay and long jump.
NBC, Versus to broadcast meet
The 2009 World Championships will be broadcast in the United States daily on NBC and Versus. The broadcast schedule is as follows. All times Eastern; subject to change; check local listings.
August 15: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. NBC
August 16: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. NBC
August 17: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Versus
August 18: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Versus
August 19: 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. Versus
August 20: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Versus
August 21: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Versus
August 22: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. NBC
August 23: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. NBC
For more information on Team USA at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, visit www.usatf.org.
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