Posted: February 25, 2007

Athletics: Flanagan dominates; Seaman makes history at AT&T USA Indoor Champs

BOSTON - Hometown star Shalane Flanagan all but locked up the women's Visa Championship, while Tim Seaman cemented himself as an all-time walking great Saturday at the 2007 AT&T USA Indoor Track & Field Championships, held at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center. Competition continues Sunday afternoon, with the meet - the final stop of the 2007 Indoor Visa Championship Series - broadcast nationally from 4-6 p.m. Eastern Time Sunday on ESPN2. Flanagan on track for Visa Championship With the Visa Championship virtually sewn up, American record holder Shalane Flanagan easily won the women's 3,000m in 8:56.75, running what was essentially a conservative time trial in a race in which she was never challenged. USA outdoor steeplechase champion Lisa Galaviz was second in 9:10.75. Flanagan leads the standings for the Visa Championship with the 1,243 points she earned when she set the American record of 8:33.25 at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games on January 27. It would take an American record in any other event at this meet to surpass Flanagan's point total, leaving the Marblehead, Mass., native in the driver's seat. Decade of dominance for Seaman Two-time Olympian and multiple national record holder Tim Seaman made history with his 10th consecutive career victory in the men's 5,000m race walk, finishing in 19:24.38. With his win, Seaman matched the 10 national indoor walk titles won by National Track & Field Hall of Famer Henry Laskau between 1948 and '57. It was Seaman's 32nd overall national title at any distance indoors, outdoors or on the roads. Kevin Eastler was second in 19:28.63. ...yes, this guy turns 40 this year American record holder Jeff Hartwig won his second national indoor title, eight years after his first, in the men's pole vault, and he did so in impressive form. The 39-year-old easily won the competition at 5.80m/19-0.25, matching the top clearance by an American this indoor season. 2006 USA outdoor champ Russ Buller was second at 5.60m/18-4.5, with Darren Neidermeyer third at the same height (5.60m/18-4.5). Big day in the field Aarik Wilson had a career day in the men's triple jump. The 2005 NCAA indoor and outdoor champion leaped a career-best 17.28m/56-8.50 to win his first U.S. title and move to #7 on the all-time U.S. list. Rafeeq Curry was second with 16.54m/54-3.25. Reigning USA outdoor champion Tora Harris won his second national indoor crown in the high jump, prevailing over Jesse Williams in a jump-off. Both men cleared 2.29m/7-6 during the competition, but Harris cleared on his first attempt at 2.23m/7-3.75 in the jump-off, while Williams missed. More winners Elsewhere in the field, A.G. Kruger won his third consecutive national title and fourth overall - he also won in 2003 - in the weight throw with a best toss of 24.05m/78-11. Thomas Freeman was second with a best mark of 23.10m/75-9.5. Jillian Camarena won her third straight indoor title in the women's shot put with a mark of 18.46 meters/60 feet 6.75 inches, while Akiba McKinney won the women's long jump with a leap of 6.55m/21-6, and three-time Olympian Amy Acuff won her third indoor title in the women's high jump at 1.92m/6-3.5. Rising distance star Matt Tegenkamp and three-time indoor champion Jonathan Riley towed the field in the men's 3000m, but Tegenkamp moved away strongly in the final lap to win in 7:46.08, with Riley second in 7:49.73. Just a few months after giving birth to her second child, 2004 Olympic Trials 5,000m champion Shayne Culpepper continued her impressive return to competition, winning her first indoor title in the women's mile. The two-time U.S. indoor 3,000m champion and 2004 World Indoor bronze medalist at that distance took the lead with 400m to go and won in 4:34.42, with Sarah Schwald second in 4:36.12. Qualifying roundup The day was chock full of qualifying rounds. Top athletes moving to Sunday's semifinals or finals included Ron Bramlett posting a U.S.-leading time in the men's 60m hurdles (7.51), Olympic 4x400m gold-medal relay anchor Darold Williamson in the men's 400 (46.98), Monica Hargrove in the women's 400 (52.35), Mark Jelks and Ivory Williams in the men's 60m (6.62), Carmelita Jeter in the women's 60 (7.23), and Tim Ramirez in the men's 800 (1:49.11). VIPs in the house Local luminaries were among the nearly 3,000 fans attending Saturday's events, including State Rep. Marie St. Fleur, State House Ways & Means Chair Robert Deleo, State Rep Gloria Fox and Roxbury Community College President Dr. Terrence Gomes. For complete results and quotes from the 2007 AT&T USA Indoor Track & Field Championships, visit: USATF.org. For more information on the Visa Championship Series, visit www.visachampionshipseries.com. 2007 AT&T USA Indoor Championships - Day One Quotes Tora Harris (winner, men's high jump): I kinda opened the door at 2.26 meters (7-5) today. It seems I was a bit sloppy at the time. The competition took much longer than I had anticipated. Earlier in the competition I was hitting my mark consistently. That was a good sign. I was surprised when they (officials) announced the jump off. At that time I wasn't exactly sure where the competition was heading. I just had to regroup after that. Tim Seaman (men's 5,000 meter race walk winner): I'm very excited to be able to equal the record with my tenth consecutive win. It was a struggle. I never take anything for granted. Because the world championship and Olympic distances are so much longer, I can't do any specific training for this event. No speed training allowed. But certainly my goal was to get to this point. Kevin (Eastler) is my training partner. He is so strong. I can't let up for one second when he is racing. At this point in my career it is certainly much tougher mentally to keep going. But I do this for the kids with the South Texas Walking Club and all the kids who aspire to this sport. Jillian Camarena (winner, women's shot put): I got off to a bit of a rocky start. Even though I was leading after the first two flights, I just wasn't comfortable with my technique. After that I started to get my timing down and things went well from there. I love throwing here in Boston. It's a great facility and the field eventers got nice attention. My entire goal this year is just to get to Osaka for the world championships. I'm working hard for that. Shalane Flanagan (winner, women's 3,000m): It's always nice to say you have a U.S. title, it's a special day. It felt really good, I was trying out different race tactics. My fitness level really helped me out. The last time I was here was incredible and it's always nice to come back to feel the support of the fans, it's great. Matt Tegenkamp (winner, men's 3,000m): Winning a U.S. crown is always important. I didn't want to run too hard at the gun and I wanted to work my way up the field. It went out a little faster than I thought it would. I wanted to run my own race and not overlook anyone. Akiba McKinney (winner, women's long jump): It was a great day, my winner was unexpected. I've only had 2-3 practices in the jumps. I was more prepared to come out here and run a 200 or a 400 because that's the way my training has been going so I was surprised but it's great. Shayne Culpepper (winner, women's mile): I told myself that with 500 meter to I was going to the lead no matter what the pace was. I feel like I should be running a bit faster at this distance. My coach really believes that. I probably should be closer to four minutes for 1500 meters. That's where I'll have to be in order to compete better internationally. It's difficult coming back from the birth of my second child. I've learned some things, but unfortunately seem to make the same training mistakes over again. Amy Acuff (winner, women's high jump): It was pretty unpolished, but I feel really strong right now. I'm a beast! I've been doing some different kind of lifting and it's been working out well for me. I'll be better. For more information on the 2007 AT&T USA Indoor Championships and the Visa Championship Series, visit www.usatf.org.