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Global superstars to compete at Nike Prefontaine Classic
5-21-2003
INDIANAPOLIS – Stacy Dragila, Gail Devers, Kevin Toth, Regina Jacobs, Suzy Favor Hamilton, Savante Stringfellow, John Godina, Cathy Freeman, Ana Guevara and Bernard Lagat are just a few of the top entries who will compete at the 29th annual Nike Prefontaine Classic at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday, May 24. The IAAF Grand Prix I meet, the second event on USA Track & Field’s 2002 Outdoor Golden Spike Tour, will be televised on NBC from 2-3:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, May 25.
Now in its fifth year, the Golden Spike Tour provides America’s best athletes the opportunity to compete in the United States and earn substantial prize money in front of a nationally televised audience. For more information on the Golden Spike Tour, visit the USATF Web site, www.usatf.org.
The world’s top three ranked long jumpers will do battle on Saturday as Americans Savante Stringfellow, Dwight Phillips and Miguel Pate go head-to-head. Stringfellow was top-ranked in 2002, is the 2001 World Championships silver medalist and the 2002 World Cup champion. Phillips is the 2003 World Indoor gold medalist, while Pate is a two-time U.S. indoor champion with a personal best of 8.59m/28-2.25.
Among the international highlights of this year’s Nike Prefontaine Classic is the women’s 400 meters, where Mexico’s Ana Guevara, who is currently ranked #1 in the world, will take on 2000 Olympic gold medalist Cathy Freeman of Australia. Guevara dominated the world last year in winning 11 consecutive races, including the IAAF Grand Prix Final, World Cup and a portion of the Golden League Jackpot. A two-time world outdoor champion, Freeman will test herself against Guevara in what should be a battle to remember.
On the men’s side, the Bowerman Mile features many of the world’s top runners as world-ranked Kenyans Bernard Lagat (#2), Laban Rotich (#8) and 2000 Olympic gold medalist Noah Ngeny take on U.S. stars Alan Webb, Michael Stember, Seneca Lassiter and Jason Lunn.
Tickets for the 2003 Nike Prefontaine Classic are $22.50 for reserved seats and $16.50 for adult general admission. Discounts are available for seniors, students and youngsters (2-10). Children under 2 years old are admitted free. Group discounts also are available.
2003 Nike Prefontaine Classic at a Glance (fields subject to change; athletes USA unless otherwise denoted)
Visa Women’s Pole Vault – 1:00 p.m.
THE FIELD: Stacy Dragila, Kellie Suttle, Mel Mueller, Mary Sauer, Jill Schwartz, Thorey Edda Elisdottir (Iceland), Becky Holiday.
THE SCOOP: Outdoor world record holder Stacy Dragila enters the Prefontaine Classic as the most successful athlete in the history of the women’s pole vault. The 2000 Olympic gold medalist and a two-time world outdoor champion, Dragila has won the USA Outdoor Championships six times, and she owns seven U.S. Indoor Championship titles. In winning the 2003 U.S. indoor crown in Boston, Dragila regained the indoor world record with a clearance of 4.78m/15-8.25, only to lose it again when Russian Svetlana Feofanova cleared 4.80m/15-9 at the World Indoor Championships. Joining Dragila in Eugene will be fellow members of the U.S. 15-foot club Mel Mueller, Mary Sauer and Kellie Suttle, who won last Saturday at the adidas Oregon Track Classic with a clearance of 4.41m/14-5.50, under cold, windy and rainy conditions.
Men’s Shot Put – 1:05 p.m.
THE FIELD: Kevin Toth, John Godina, Brad Snyder (Canada), Justin Anlezark (Australia), Reese Hoffa, Christian Cantwell.
THE SCOOP: Following his second career U.S. indoor title in March, Kevin Toth continued his winning ways Saturday with a victory at the adidas Oregon Track Classic. Toth easily won the competition in Portland with a best of 21.21m/69 feet, 7 inches, and he returns to the Nike Prefontaine Classic, where he set a then personal record of 22.19m/72-9.75 in winning last year’s event. At the 2003 Kansas Relays, Toth unleashed the farthest throw in the world since 1990 with a heave of 22.67m/74-4.50. Two-time Olympic medalist and three-time world outdoor champion John Godina will give Toth a strong challenge, as will five-time Canadian champion Brad Snyder and 2001 World Outdoor Championships Team USA member John Davis. Up and comer Christian Cantwell, a senior at the University of Missouri, currently owns the fourth-best throw in the world this season of 21.16m/69-5.25.
Nike Women’s 1,500 Meters – 1:07 p.m.
THE FIELD: Suzy Favor Hamilton, Mardrea Hyman (Jamaica), Sarah Schwald, Courtney Babcock (Canada), Collette Liss, Catherine Berry (Great Britain), Suzy Walsham (Australia), Lena Nilsson (Sweden), Dulce Maria Rodriguez (Mexico), Joland Ceplak (Slovenia), Lisa Nye, Meskerem Legesse (Ethiopia).
THE SCOOP: Three-time Olympian Suzy Favor Hamilton is the favorite here after finishing the 2002 season ranked #4 in the world and #1 in the U.S. Favor Hamilton’s 4:25.27 was the fastest women’s mile time in the world in 2002. She’ll face a strong challenge from Mardrea Hyman of Jamaica, who finished third at Eugene last year in 4:15.92. Also look for Sarah Schwald, who placed third (4:11.40) at the 2002 USA Outdoor Championships, and Collette Liss, seventh in the 5000 meters at last year’s outdoor nationals (15:37.87), to give Favor Hamilton a battle.
Men’s 400 Meters – 1:23 p.m.
THE FIELD: Tyree Washington, Leonard Byrd, Derrick Brew, Michael Blackwood (Jamaica), Felix Sanchez (Dominican Republic), Gregory Haughton (Jamaica), Avard Moncur (Bahamas), Aleyne Francique (Granada).
THE SCOOP: 2003 world indoor champion Tyree Washington has the third fastest time in the world this outdoor season of 44.97. Washington leads a talented group of Americans, which includes Derrick Brew, who on May 3 posted the fastest time in the world this outdoor season of 44.83 at Mexico City. Leonard Byrd enters the Pre Classic after ending the 2002 campaign ranked #5 in the world and #2 in the U.S. A Jamaican one-two punch awaits the Americans as the #1 ranked quarter miler in the world Michael Blackwood, and his countryman Greg Haughton, ranked #2 in the world, look to turn the Haywood Field track in Eugene into their own personal playground. Avard Moncur of the Bahamas, the 2001 world champion, is expected to challenge the favorites.
Women’s 100 Meters – 1:32 p.m.
THE FIELD: Torri Edwards, Chryste Gaines, Angela Williams, Kelli White, LaTasha Colander-Richardson, Tayna Lawrence (Jamaica), Juliet Campbell, (Jamaica), Chandra Sturrup (Bahamas).
THE SCOOP: 2003 world indoor 60-meter bronze medalist, Torri Edwards enters this event carrying the momentum following her victory last Saturday at the adidas Oregon Track Classic. She will face Kelli White of the U.S. and Jamaica’s Debbie Ferguson, who share the fastest time in the world this year of 10.97 seconds. After placing second to Marion Jones at Eugene last year (11.00), Tayna Lawrence of Jamaica ended the 2002 season ranked #3 in the world. Other Americans in the field include four-time NCAA 100m champion and two-time world indoor 60m silver medalist Angela Williams, and veteran Chryste Gaines, who ended the 2002 season ranked #4 in the world and #2 in the U.S. Also look for a strong challenge from Chandra Sturrup of the Bahamas, who ended last season ranked #8 in the world.
Women’s 100m Hurdles – 1:40 p.m.
THE FIELD: Gail Devers, Jenny Adams, Melissa Morrison, Miesha McKelvy, Lacena Golding-Clarke (Jamaica), Vonette Dixon (Jamaica) Brigitte Foster (Jamaica).
THE SCOOP: Defending champion Gail Devers returns to defend her title after ending the 2002 season ranked #1 in the world for the seventh time in her amazing career, which includes two Olympic gold medals in the 100 meters in 1992 and 1996. Devers will be challenged by Miesha McKelvy (ranked #5 in the world), who won last week in Portland in 12.93, and was the runner-up to Devers last year in Eugene. Other top Americans in the field include 2001 World Outdoor Championships fifth-place finisher Jenny Adams and 2000 Olympic Games bronze medalist Melissa Morrison. A pair of accomplished Jamaicans will make it tough on the Americans as 2002 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Lacena Golding-Clarke (ranked #7 in the world), and 2002 Commonwealth Games silver medalist Vonette Dixon (ranked #9 in the world) vie for the Pre Classic title.
Men’s 110m Hurdles – 1:47 p.m.
THE FIELD: Mark Crear, Larry Wade, Duane Ross, Ron Bramlett, Micah Harris, Dudley Dorival (Haiti), Robert Kronberg (Sweden).
THE SCOOP: Larry Wade, who ended last year ranked #3 in the world, moves into the favorite’s role following his third-place finish (13.21 seconds) at last year’s Prefontaine Classic. Two-time Olympic medalist Mark Crear will hope to reestablish himself as one of the world’s best after ending last season ranked #5 in the U.S. 2002 NCAA Outdoor champion Ron Bramlett (ranked #6 U.S.) also looks to make some noise in Eugene. 2001 world outdoor bronze medalist Dudley Dorival of Haiti also could challenge the favorites in this race. The University of Oregon’s Eric Mitchum is in the lineup after running a personal best of 13.75 at last week’s PAC 10 Championships in Los Angeles.
Women’s High Jump – 1:52 p.m.
THE FIELD: Kajsa Bergqvist (Sweden)Tisha Waller, Amy Acuff, Gwen Wentland, Karol Rovelto, Nicole Forrester (Canada), Ifoma Jones.
THE SCOOP: The #1 high jumper in the world and reigning world indoor champion, Kajsa Bergqvist of Sweden, will take on America’s best women’s high jumpers in Eugene. Bergqvist, who had a best clearance last season of 2.05m/6-8.75 with her win at Poznan, had five straight meets over the 2-meter barrier in August. The Americans will be led by four-time U.S. outdoor champion and six-time U.S. indoor champion Tisha Waller. An Olympian in 1996 and the bronze medalist at the 1999 World Indoor Championships, Waller also will contend with two-time Olympian and three-time U.S. outdoor champion Amy Acuff. Gwen Wentland, who was the runner-up to Waller at last year’s USA Outdoor Championships and ended last season ranked #3 in the U.S., should also provide a strong challenge.
Nike Women’s 800 Meters – 2:10 p.m.
THE FIELD: Maria Mutola (Mozambique), Regina Jacobs, Jearl Miles-Clark, Diane Cummins (Canada), Jen Toomey, Hazel Clark, Tanya Blake, Sasha Spencer, Brigita Langerholc (Slovenia). THE SCOOP: Mozambique’s Maria Mutola enters the Prefontaine Classic as the reigning world and Olympic champion. The #1 ranked 800m runner worldwide for the last five years, Mutola is a heavy favorite. The world indoor record holder at 1,500 meters (3:59.98), Regina Jacobs returns to Hayward Field, where the 24-time U.S. champion won the 800m at the 2001 USA Outdoor Championships. She is joined by American record holder Jearl Miles-Clark (1:56.40) and 2002 USA Outdoor runner-up Jen Toomey. Miles-Clark’s sister-in-law, 2000 Olympic Trials champion Hazel Clark, also is looking for big things this season after placing seventh at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Up-and-comer Sasha Spencer, who placed third at the 2002 USA Outdoor Championships and seventh at last year’s World Cup, could surprise the favorites on Saturday. Men’s Long Jump – 2:15 p.m.
THE FIELD: Savante Stringfellow, Miguel Pate, Dwight Phillips, Walter Davis, Kevin Dilworth, Hussein Al-Saba (Saudi Arabia).
THE SCOOP: American men are once again the dominate force in the long jump with four ranked in the top ten in the world after last season, and all of them will compete Saturday at Hayward Field. 2001 World Outdoor Championships silver medalist Savante Stringfellow ended the 2002 season ranked #1 in the world after winning his second U.S. outdoor title and the 2002 World Cup crown. Stringfellow will be challenged by the #2 ranked long jumper in the world, two-time defending U.S. indoor champion and 2003 World Indoor Championships bronze medalist Miguel Pate, who won seven outdoor events last season. Dwight Phillips was ranked third last year but is on top of the world after winning the 2003 world indoor crown. The 1999 U.S. outdoor champion, Kevin Dilworth enters this season ranked #7 in the world after a best mark last season of 8.20mi/26-11. Weather permitting, the Prefontaine meet record of 8.38m/27-7 by Joe Greene in 1992 could be in jeopardy.
Verizon Men’s 100 Meters – 2:17 p.m.
THE FIELD: Dwain Chambers (Great Britain), Coby Miller, Jon Drummond, Shawn Crawford, Bernard Williams, Joshua “J.J.” Johnson, Kim Collins (St. Kitts & Nevis), Darrel Brown (Trinidad & Tobago),.
THE SCOOP: The odds-on favorite is Great Britain’s Dwain Chambers, who ended the 2002 season ranked #2 in the world, highlighted by his runner-up 9.87 finish to world record holder Tim Montgomery at the Grand Prix Final. Kim Collins of St. Kitts & Nevis, currently ranked #4 in the world, enters the Pre Classic following his upset win over Maurice Greene last week at the adidas Oregon Track Classic in 10.21. Additional U.S. challengers include 2000 Olympic relay gold medalists Bernard Williams, ranked #6 in the world, and veteran Jon Drummond, who ended last season ranked #10 in the world. Also don’t count out 2001 U.S. indoor 200m champion Coby Miller, who ended 2002 ranked #7 globally, and Joshua “J.J.” Johnson, who was fourth at the 2002 USA Outdoor Championships.
Men’s 5,000 Meters – 2:23 p.m.
THE FIELD: Abdi Abdirahman, Bob Kennedy, Adam Goucher, Nick Rogers, Brad Hauser, Willy Kirui (Kenya), Abraham Chebii (Kenya), Ben Limo (Kenya), Karl Keska, Mike Power (Australia), Ray Hughes, Luke Kipkosgei (Kenya), Shadrack Kosgei (Kenya), Mike Donnelly, Chad Johnson, David Galvan (Mexico), Markos Geneti (Ethiopia), Martin Keino (Kenya/pacesetter).
THE SCOOP: Benjamin Limo of Kenya will make his first ever appearance at the Nike Prefontaine Classic as the heavy favorite after ending the 2002 season ranked #1 in the world in the 3,000 and 5,000 meters. Limo bettered 13:03 four times last year, including a seasonal best of 12:57.24. Fellow Kenyan Luke Kipkosgei will look for his fifth career Prefontaine title, and he holds the meet record of 13:07.83. Defending meet champion Abraham Chebii of Kenya also is in the field following his 3000m victory last Saturday at the adidas Oregon Track Classic in 7:45.21. American record holder Bob Kennedy (12:58.21) is among the U.S. contingent, which includes fellow Olympians Abdi Abdirahman, Adam Goucher, Brad Hauser and Nick Rogers. Kenyan Shadrack Kosgei will toe the line in Eugene after posting the world-leading mark this season of 13:16.47 on April 24. Women’s 400 Meters – 2:45 p.m.
THE FIELD: Ana Guevara (Mexico), Cathy Freeman (Australia), Monique Hennagan, Demetria Washington, Lisa Barber, Tonique Williams, Amy Mbacke Thiam (Senegal), Falilat Ogunkoya (Nigeria)
THE SCOOP: Mexico’s Ana Guevara will compete at the Nike Prefontaine Classic for the first time after ending the 2002 season ranked #1 in the world. The Mexican star won 11 straight races last year, went undefeated in seven IAAF Golden League meets, and won the IAAF Grand Prix Final and World Cup titles. Guevara will face 2000 Olympic gold medalist Cathy Freeman of Australia, who has been ranked #1 in the world on three occasions and won two World Outdoor Championship titles (1997-1999). 2001 world outdoor champion Amy Mbacke Thiam of Senegal also is in the field. Monique Hennagan, who ended the 2002 season ranked #7 in the world (#3 U.S.) will lead the American contingent, which includes Demetria Washington, who placed fifth at the 2002 USA Outdoor Championships, and 2002 NCAA Outdoor Championships runner-up Lisa Barber.
Bowerman Men’s Mile – 2:52 p.m.
THE FIELD: Alan Webb, Michael Stember, Ibrahim Aden, Jason Lunn, Seneca Lassiter, Steve Magness, Mike McGrath, Hudson de Souza (Brazil), Bernard Lagat (Kenya), Abdelkader Hachlaf (Morocco), Noah Ngeny (Kenya), Laban Rotich (Kenya), Kevin Sullivan (Canada), Yousef Abdi (Australia), Graham Hood (Canada), David Kiptoo (Kenya-pacesetter).
THE SCOOP: This year’s edition of the Bowerman men’s mile features many of the world’s finest athletes including Kenyans Bernard Lagat (#2 in the world and 2001 World Outdoor 1500m silver medalist), Laban Rotich (#8) and reigning Olympic champion Noah Ngeny. Look for a fast time as Rotich and Ngeny have run metric equivalents of sub-3:50; but Lagat should be the man to beat. National record holders Hudson De Souza of Brazil and Kevin Sullivan of Canada add additional international flavor to the event. Leading Americans include Alan Webb, who ran a blistering 3:53.43 at the 2001 Prefontaine Classic to erase Jim Ryun’s national high school record. Other U.S. stars entered include 2000 Olympian Michael Stember, defending U.S. outdoor champion Seneca Lassiter and two-time U.S. indoor champion Jason Lunn.
For more information on the Nike Prefontaine Classic and the 2003 USATF Outdoor Golden Spike Tour, visit www.usatf.org.