Posted: May 21, 2007

Athletics: Two American records fall at adidas Track Classic

CARSON, Calif. - Breaux Greer and Jenn Stuczynski set American records in their respective events Sunday, while Meseret Defar broke world mark to highlight a day full of top performances at the adidas Track Classic. Held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., the meet is the second event of USA Track & Field's 2007 Outdoor Visa Championship Series. Seven-time U.S. champion Breaux Greer opened up the meet's first event, the men's javelin, with a monster first throw that broke his own American record with a heave of 90.71 meters/297 feet 7 inches. The previous record of 87.68m/287-8 was set by Greer in 2004. His effort marks him as the ninth-best performer of all time globally. 2006 U.S. Outdoor champion Jenn Stuczynski surpassed the American record in the women's pole vault with her clearance of 4.84m/15-10.5. The previous record of 4.83m/15-10 was set in 2004 by 2000 Olympic gold medalist Stacy Dragila. 2002 U.S. Indoor champion Mary Sauer was second with a height of 4.44m/14-6.75. Continuing her comeback from two years of injury, Dragila finished in a tie for sixth with her clearance of 4.29m/14-00.75. Tyson Gay won the men's 100m in spectacular fashion, crossing the line in 9.79w seconds (+2.5mps wind). The performance would have tied Maurice Greene's American record had the wind not exceeded 2.0m/s. Derrick Atkins was second in 9.86. 2004 Olympic 5,000m champion Meseret Defar of Ethiopia became the fastest woman in the world for the two mile, racing to the finish in 9:10.47. She surpassed Regina Jacobs previous world best of 9:11.97 from 1999. 2003 World champion Torri Edwards stole the show in a spectacular women's 100m, sprinting to the finish in a world-leading and personal best 10.90. Veronica Campbell of Jamaica was second in 10.91 and 2006 World Indoor champion Lisa Barber was third in 10.95. The men's and women's 200m proved events to watch as Wallace Spearmon and Allyson Felix both produced 2007 world-leading times. The 2005 World Outdoor silver medalist, Spearmon won the men's race in 19.91, while 2004 Olympic silver medalist and 2005 World Outdoor champion Felix cruised her way to 22.18. A world-leader was also set in the men's shot put as 2004 World Indoor champion Christian Cantwell won with a heave of 21.96m/72-00.75. Two-time Olympic silver medalist Adam Nelson took second with 21.47m/70-5.25 and 2006 World Indoor champion Reese Hoffa was third with 21.36m/70-1. The men's and women's hurdles saw exciting performances as 2005 World champion Michelle Perry ran a world-leading 12.58, just ahead of Ginnie Powell and Lolo Jones at 12.61, and two-time Olympic silver medalist Terrence Trammell won the men's 110m hurdles in 13.17. The men's 400m hurdles was won by 2006 NACAC champion Kenneth Ferguson in a personal-best 48.15. World Indoor 400m record-holder Kerron Clement was second in 48.46 and 2005 World silver medalist James Carter was third in 48.76. Other notable performances were turned in by reigning Olympic and World champion Jeremy Wariner, who won the men's 400m in 44.60 and 2007 USA 8km champion Anthony Famiglietti, who won the men's 3,000m in 7:41.27. 2006 Commonwealth Games champion Nick Willis of New Zealand won the men's 1,500m in 3:35.85 while Jamaican Kenia Sinclair won the women's 1,500m in 4:05.56, outsprinting 2006 U.S. indoor champion Shayne Culpepper (4:05.98 PR). Novlene Williams of Jamaica won the women's 400m in 50.66. For more information on the adidas Track Classic, including live results, visit www.adidastrackclassic.com. For information on the Visa Championship Series, visit www.visachampionshipseries.com. Athlete Quotes – adidas Track Classic Breaux Greer - men's Javelin winner "I've been waiting for years to do this (break his American record), so I can't say I'm surprised by it. This is the first year I've been healthy since 2001. I'm looking forward to this season, for a good year at the U.S. Championships and Worlds." "I don't think about the javelin every day and I think that's taking the pressure off. I wonder sometimes why I keep doing this but I have unfinished business. I've never started anything and not finished it. I've always said that I want to be the first man to throw 100 meters, that sounds ridiculous, but if there's ever a chance it will be this year or next year if I can stay healthy." Jenn Stuczynski - women's pole vault winner "Entering today I was not feeling my best, I was happy I did so well. I couldn't put it together (on my first attempt at the American record), but the second time I cam down I just got it. It is inspirational to see other women jump at 17 feet." Stacy Dragila - women's pole vault "It's great motivation and I'm glad she (Jenn) was able to do it (break the American record). Right now, I'm working on some issues and my running is coming together." Kenny Ferguson - men's 400m hurdles winner "This was a great field on a fast track. It was the perfect race. I was on the outside so I had to concentrate on my race. I'm just trying to make my first team." Anthony Famiglietti - men's 3,000m winner "It was a good race, you never know how you're going to feel. I just let the race come to me, just ran my own race. I would have run faster, but it's not always about fast, sometimes it is just about winning (the race you're in)." Michelle Perry - women's 100m hurdles winner "That was really my goal (to run that fast). I still have a long way to go. I think it is going to be a great year. My start is what I need to work on. I'm happy with my race. I believe I can break the American record." Terrence Trammell - men's 110m hurdles winner "I didn't know what to expect. I just came off an injury. I felt a little sluggish. I was surprised at the start. I focused on my tempo and regained my composure after hurdle number 6." Torri Edwards - women's 100m winner "I really didn't have any expectations. I just wanted to compete to the best of my ability. Hopefully take top three but 10.9, I really wasn't expecting that. This is definitely a great way to come back and start the season. I knew last year was going to be just getting back into it and running fast here and there but this year I want to be more consistent." Wallace Spearmon - men's 200m winner "When they shot the gun, my first goal was to catch Xavier. I came off the turn where I wanted to be. I didn't finish good but I'm happy with my race." Meseret Defar - women's 2 mile winner "I expected to run well, but before I started I was vomiting. I was surprised, but with two laps left I knew I was going to do it. As soon as I started the race, I was ok. I'm doing fine now, maybe it's because I am in top shape. My plan for Osaka is to run the 5,000m." Tyson Gay - men's 100m winner "I wanted the wind to be more friendly. My goal was to run under 10 at this meet. When I came out of the drive phase, I just relaxed and drove through the finish. When USA's come, I will be ready." "I think we (U.S. sprinters) have something to prove, especially in the 4x100m. I take lot of pride in the 4x100m. I want to take gold at World Champs." Maurice Greene - men's 100m "I'll be good for Nationals. My goal is to get stronger each week because me legs are still weak. (I came to the adidas Track Classic to compete) to help the meet out." On asked what he expects to do a Nationals: "I will win." Allyson Felix - women's 200m winner "My (first) 100 needs a little more work. We've been focusing on the start and staying close to the curve. For nationals, I'm looking to run the 100 and 200." Jeremy Wariner - men's 400m winner "I didn't get out too well on the first turn. To run under 44 seconds, I need to put the best parts of my races together. I'm looking at staying consistent throughout my races."