(2-17-09) From USATF Press Release - The University of Oregon's Galen Rupp has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after setting the American Indoor record in the men's 5,000 meters Friday at the 2009 Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark.
A 2008 Olympian, Rupp's time of 13 minutes, 18.12 seconds in the men's 5,000m broke four records, the American indoor record, the collegiate indoor record and the American collegiate and Oregon record. The previous American record of 13:20.55 was set by Doug Padilla in 1982, four years before Rupp was born. The previous collegiate record of 13:20.4 was set in 1981 by Suleiman Nyambui. In that same race, Rupp's coach, Alberto Salazar, set the American collegiate and Oregon record of 13:22.6.
Elsewhere, Trevor Barron smashed the American junior record in the men's 20 km Race Walk, crossing the line in 1:37:49. The previous record of 1:42:15 was set in 1990 by Philip Dunn.
Now in its eighth year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
2009 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 6, Mason Finley; January 13, Amber Campbell; January 20, Josh Cox; January 27, German Fernandez; February 3, Ashton Eaton; February 10, Shalane Flanagan; February 17, Galen Rupp.
About USA Track & Field
USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world's oldest organized sports, some of the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States.
For more information on USATF, visit www.usatf.org
RaceCenter Event Expo Slated for Feb 21 in Portland
(2-17-09) The 3rd Annual RaceCenter Event Expo will be held February 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Foot Traffic in Northeast Portland (4020 NE Fremont St.). What can you expect? A chance to talk to local race directors, visit vendor booths, win free event entries, shop at a huge apparel and shoe sale, free injury and flexibility screenings and more. Join us and kick off the New Year with a party celebrating the upcoming racing season.
More: www.foottraffic.us
More: www.foottraffic.us
Oregon's Rupp Breaks 5000m American Record
(2-13-09) From USATF Press Release - In front 4,397 screaming fans, American records for Galen Rupp and Shalonda Solomon Friday night highlighted the 2009 Tyson Invitational at the Randal Tyson Indoor Track Center on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville.
The third stop of USA Track & Field's 2009 Indoor Visa Championship Series, the Tyson Invitational will be televised on February 15 from 5-7 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN.
2008 Olympian Galen Rupp broke the American Record in the men's 5,000m, running 13 minutes, 18.12 seconds in finishing second to Ethiopia's Bekana Daba (13:17.89WL). The previous American record of 13:20.55 was set by Doug Padilla in 1982, four years before Rupp was born. Rupp's performance also was a collegiate record, breaking Suleiman Nyambui's record of 13:20.4 from 1981 and Alberto Salazar's American Collegiate record of 13:22.6 from 1981.
Rupp ran a strategic race, sitting in fifth through the first 2km (5:23.35) and moving into second with 7.5 laps to go. He then moved into the lead with 2.5 laps left but couldn't hold it as Daba took the lead heading into the final lap and Rupp was unable to respond. Rupp's finish is the 11th fastest time ever and makes him the #9 performer of all time.
2006 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor 200m champion Shalonda Solomon set an American record in the women's 300m, leading wire-to-wire, to finish in 36.45. The previous accepted American record of 36.67 was set in 2007 by Francena McCorory. Monica Hargrove was the runner-up in 36.85. For her efforts, Solomon was given the Team USA Athlete of the Meet award presented by Visa.
2008 NCAA Indoor champion and Collegiate record-holder Bianca Knight easily won the Tyson Foods women's 200m in a world-leading 22.88. Jamaica's Nickeshsa Anderson was the runner-up in 23.60 and 2008 Olympic 4x400m gold medalist Natasha Hastings was third in 23.70. On the men's side, Chris Berry was the eventual winner in 20.67 with Michael Rodger the runner-up in 20.83 after Lionel Larry and Chris Lawson were disqualified for lane violations.
2008 Olympic silver medalist Jenn Stuczynski won the Nutrilite women's pole vault with a clearance of 4.63 meters/15 feet, 2.25 inches. She then had three good attempts at 4.83m/15-10, which would have been an American record, but was unable to clear the bar. 2000 Olympic gold medalist Stacy Dragila was the runner-up at 4.53m/14-10.25.
2008 Olympian Nick Symmonds went out in his usual style, sitting in the back of the pack for the first half of the Tyson Foods men's 800m. Moving up throughout the race, Symmonds took the lead with just under 200m to go and was scared at the end by a surging Khadevis Robinson, but was able to hold on for the win in 1:47.72 to Robinson's 1:47.76. Nothern Iowa's Tyler Mulder, who led for most of the race, was third in 1:48.53.
Two-time Olympic 110mH silver medalist Terrence Trammell brought Michael Rodgers undefeated streak to an end as he won the Puma men's 60m in 6.56, just edging out Rodgers who finished as the runner-up in 6.58. Ivory Williams was third in 6.59.
Four-time 2006 NCAA champion Xavier Carter shot out of the blocks in the men's 400m and was in the lead at the 200 mark. Florida's Calvin Smith came on strong at 300 with Michael Tinsley kicking at the end but Carter was able to hold them off for the win in 46.98 with Tinsley second (47.01) and Smith third (47.03).
In the Visa women's 60m, 2006 World Indoor champion Lisa Barber was first out of the blocks. Two-time Olympian Muna Lee surged halfway through to take the lead but was nipped at the tape by 2007 World Outdoor bronze medalist Carmelita Jeter, who won in 7.20. 2008 NCAA Indoor 200m champion Bianca Knight took the runner-up position in 7.26 with Gloria Asumnu third in the same time. Barber was fourth and Lee fifth, both in 7.28.
The Visa men's shot put saw a battle between two-time Olympic silver medalist and three-time World Outdoor medalist Adam Nelson and 2007 World Outdoor champion Reese Hoffa. Nelson took the lead on his first throw (20.64m/67-8.75) and improved on his second (20.90m/68-7) and third attempts (21.01m/68-11.25) while Hoffa had a best of 20.62m/67-8 through three rounds. On the last throw, Hoffa was able to pull one out and win with a best heave of 21.06m/69-1.25, just 5cm ahead of runner-up Nelson. Russ Winger was third with 20.42m/67-0.
Winners in other events included Alex Becker of Canada in the women's 3,000m (9:23.78) and 2008 Olympic trials steeplechase champion Anna Willard in the women's mile (4:30.69). 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Nick Willis of New Zealand won the Tyson Foods John McDonnell mile in 4:02.70 over Chris Lukezic (4:03.87). Penn State won the women's 4x400m relay (3:36.77) and Georgia won the men's 4x400m (3:07.96).
For complete results and quotes, visit www.usatf.org or www.visachampionshipseries.com.
ATHLETE QUOTES
Men's 5,000m Run
Runner Up Galen Rupp
"Coming in, I was confident because I have been running well the last couple weeks. I was really looking forward to this event because the 5K and 10K are my bread-and-butter."
"The first part of the race I was pretty relaxed. But I knew the two Ethiopians would run in the low 13s, so the pace was bound to get faster. I had to turn into a bit of a sprinter the last couple laps."
(On setting a new collegiate record) "Anytime you set a record it's special. They're all great to me. With about two laps to go I knew about how fast I had to run. I didn't focus on it too long though because I had a race to run."
Men's 400m Dash
Winner Xavier Carter
"I felt I ran a pretty good first 300 meters but lost my footing a little bit in the last 100. I haven't run on a banked track like this since college so that might have had a little to do with it."
(On the close finish) "I tried to my best to lean at the line because I knew I might need it. (Florida runner Calvin Smith) was on my hip down the stretch. I figured (Michael) Tinsley would make a push too because he's a good 400m hurdler and is usually there at the end."
Men's Shot Put
Winner Reese Hoffa
"I thought I threw pretty well. I hurt my knee in December so I'm still a little behind schedule in terms of how far I'm throwing. I'm starting to get my technique back which is paying off for more distance."
"I'm used to easily throwing in the 69-70 foot range by this time so to get my first throw in that range tonight gives me some confidence."
"I'm going to sit out the rest of indoors so my knee is good to go come outdoor season. I'm defending world champion, so I want to make sure I'm in peak throwing condition to defend my title."
Women's Pole Vault
Winner Jenn Stuczynski
"I'm always happy to come away with a victory regardless if I didn't necessarily get the mark I was hoping. I was hoping to build off last week's record mark and set another one here in Arkansas, but it just didn't happen."
"I have been on the road a lot the past few weeks, so I haven't been able to practice. When I went for the 15-10 mark, I thought my first couple of attempts were good efforts, but my third one I needed a longer pole probably to get the mark."
Men's 800m Run
Winner Nick Symmonds
"I had to run a lot faster than I anticipated coming into the race. (Tyler) Mulder was leading a fast pace at the beginning and the rest of the college kids are really fit at this point in the season so I knew they all would be pretty fast. I didn't anticipate (Khadevis Robinson) on my hip at the end. It was definitely a wake up call for USAs."
"I started to let up at the end because when I looked at the video board coming around the last turn, (Robinson) was a good five yards behind me. I should know that you can never do that against a runner like him."
Women's 300m Dash
Winner Shalonda Solomon
"Honestly, I didn't really know what to expect coming into this race. It was my first 300 to run indoors in my career so it was hard to gauge expectations. I have practiced and ran plenty outdoors so that was helpful."
"I was trying to look at the board so I could see what type of lead I had, but it was so blurry I just had to keep running my race."
"I'll go home and run one more indoor race, but then, I will start shifting my focus to outdoors.
Men's 60m Dash
Winner Terrance Trammell
"It feels good to get a win in the sprint. I'm usually having to worry about the hurdles and the sprint, so it's nice to just focus on the sprint and not hurdles for once."
"These are some prime time athletes I'm going up against. To get in there, mix it up a little bit and get the win feels great."
Women's Mile
Winner Anna Willard
"It was a hard effort. I just wanted to commit. When I made my move, I made my move."
"It was my indoor personal best. I wanted to be more like 4:25. I didn't feel comfortable making my move earlier on. I did make my move later based on how I was feeling."
"I think every time I get a chance to work on my speed, it obviously helps. I love the steeplechase. But I'm going to focus more on the 1500 this year."
Women's 200m winner
Bianca Knight
"It was a really fast time, but it wasn't as fast as I had hoped. I really wanted to go faster. I'm not totally pleased with it, but it's my first 200m race of the year, so I can't be too disappointed."
"I feel like I'm going in the right direction with my training. I'm faster in the 200 this year at this point in the season than I was last year. So, I know the training is going well and I'm glad to know that I'm improving."
Men's 200m winner
Chris Berrian
"I'm not feeling too good. It was an okay race. I kind of stumbled. It's good that I ran better than the last time. I'm going to try to do better than I did. It's something to work for."
"I'm done with indoor. I'm going to focus on outdoor and try to make the world championship team."
Women's 60m
Carmelita Jeter
"The gun went off and I didn't get out as well as I did last week in Boston, so I was a little disappointed with that. But I was pleased with my movement from 30 to 60 (meters)."
"John (Smith) and I are working on my first 30 meters, just taking it one meet at a time."
Men's Mile Run
Nick Willis
"It wasn't the fastest race because no one seemed to want to run with the rabbit. I thought I closed really strong so I was pleased with that aspect of my race. The race was delayed for about 30 minutes so all the warm-ups might have caused the race to be a little slow."
"As I have more success, I feel like I can take more risks. I ran more in lane 2 tonight, which usually I'm a little hesitant to do. Given the slow pace, I expected a strong push from all the young guys at the end, but fortunately, I was able to hold on and get the victory."
MORE: www.usatf.org
USA Cycling Awards 2009 & 2010 Junior, U23 and Elite Road National Championships to Bend
(2-4-09) From Press Release - Visit Bend today announced that USA Cycling has awarded the 2009 and 2010 Junior, U23 and Elite Road National Championships to Bend. Dates for the 2009 event are July 28 through August 2, and the announcement comes barely a month after Bend was awarded the 2009 & 2010 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships. This marks the first time in recent history that two USA Cycling National Championships will be held in the same city in the same year.
"Bend is a top destination for both recreational and competitive cycling, and USA Cycling is excited to be bringing another national championship race to Oregon," said Steve Johnson, CEO for USA Cycling. "Bend's long tradition of community-wide support and passion for cycling convinced us to award them two national championships in the same year."
Officials from USA Cycling will visit Bend in the coming weeks to preview the race courses, meet with key stakeholders and begin the process of preparing for the event. The Road National Championships are expected to attract approximately 1,000 competitors to Bend each year for six days of racing, including a time trial, criterium and road race. More than 2,000 additional visitors, including support staff, families and media, are also expected attend the event annually.
Because of the timing of the event, which begins just two days after the conclusion of the Cascade Cycling Classic, a USA Cycling National Calendar race, many competitors and spectators are expected to remain in town for both events.
"The Road National Championships are a perfect fit with Visit Bend's efforts to attract large events that will help our destination weather uncertain economic times," said Doug LaPlaca, president and CEO of Visit Bend. "We are thankful to USA Cycling for the trust they have put in us by awarding not one, but two National Championships to Bend."
Nationally-renown race director Chad Sperry, who has directed such races as the Cascade Cycling Classic, Mt. Hood Cycling Classic and the Tour of Utah, will serve as race director for the National Championships.
"Destination sporting events like the Road National Championships are a great way to increase awareness of Bend, with the added value of providing a significant economic boost to the community at the same time," said Drew Mahalic, Executive Director of the Oregon Sports Authority, and supporter of Bend's bid for the event. "Bringing events like this to Oregon is a great example of how tourism through sports can be used as an outstanding form of economic development during challenging times."
Hosting major national sporting events is not new to Bend, which is home to the Cascade Cycling Classic - the longest continually-running elite stage race in the country, the XTERRA Trail Running National Championships, the USA Triathlon Winter Triathlon National Championships and the USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships.
About Visit Bend:
Visit Bend is a non-membership, non-profit economic development organization dedicated to promoting tourism on behalf of the City of Bend. For more information or to order a complimentary Official Visitor's Guide to Bend, contact Visit Bend at 1-800-949-6086 or visit www.visitbend.com.
"Bend is a top destination for both recreational and competitive cycling, and USA Cycling is excited to be bringing another national championship race to Oregon," said Steve Johnson, CEO for USA Cycling. "Bend's long tradition of community-wide support and passion for cycling convinced us to award them two national championships in the same year."
Officials from USA Cycling will visit Bend in the coming weeks to preview the race courses, meet with key stakeholders and begin the process of preparing for the event. The Road National Championships are expected to attract approximately 1,000 competitors to Bend each year for six days of racing, including a time trial, criterium and road race. More than 2,000 additional visitors, including support staff, families and media, are also expected attend the event annually.
Because of the timing of the event, which begins just two days after the conclusion of the Cascade Cycling Classic, a USA Cycling National Calendar race, many competitors and spectators are expected to remain in town for both events.
"The Road National Championships are a perfect fit with Visit Bend's efforts to attract large events that will help our destination weather uncertain economic times," said Doug LaPlaca, president and CEO of Visit Bend. "We are thankful to USA Cycling for the trust they have put in us by awarding not one, but two National Championships to Bend."
Nationally-renown race director Chad Sperry, who has directed such races as the Cascade Cycling Classic, Mt. Hood Cycling Classic and the Tour of Utah, will serve as race director for the National Championships.
"Destination sporting events like the Road National Championships are a great way to increase awareness of Bend, with the added value of providing a significant economic boost to the community at the same time," said Drew Mahalic, Executive Director of the Oregon Sports Authority, and supporter of Bend's bid for the event. "Bringing events like this to Oregon is a great example of how tourism through sports can be used as an outstanding form of economic development during challenging times."
Hosting major national sporting events is not new to Bend, which is home to the Cascade Cycling Classic - the longest continually-running elite stage race in the country, the XTERRA Trail Running National Championships, the USA Triathlon Winter Triathlon National Championships and the USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships.
About Visit Bend:
Visit Bend is a non-membership, non-profit economic development organization dedicated to promoting tourism on behalf of the City of Bend. For more information or to order a complimentary Official Visitor's Guide to Bend, contact Visit Bend at 1-800-949-6086 or visit www.visitbend.com.
Oregon's Eaton Named Athlete of the Week
(2-3-09) From USATF Press Release - University of Oregon junior Ashton Eaton has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after winning the men's heptathlon over the weekend at the Washington Invitational Saturday in Seattle, Wash.
The 2008 NCAA Outdoor champion, Eaton set a personal and school record in winning the men's heptathlon with 6,174 points. He won six of the seven events, including the 60m (6.84), long jump (7.59m/24-11), high jump (2.10m/6-10.5), 60mH (7.91), pole vault (4.97m/16-3.5) and 1,000m (2:39.92). It is the second-best indoor heptathlon in NCAA history.
Elsewhere, Stanford freshman Chris Derrick won the men's 5,000m in 13:44.02, the fastest time ever run by an American junior. It also is the third fastest indoor 5,000m time in school history and the fastest collegiate time in the nation so far this year.
Now in its eighth year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
2009 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 6, Mason Finley; January 13, Amber Campbell; January 20, Josh Cox; January 27, German Fernandez; February 3, Ashton Eaton.
More: www.usatf.org.
The 2008 NCAA Outdoor champion, Eaton set a personal and school record in winning the men's heptathlon with 6,174 points. He won six of the seven events, including the 60m (6.84), long jump (7.59m/24-11), high jump (2.10m/6-10.5), 60mH (7.91), pole vault (4.97m/16-3.5) and 1,000m (2:39.92). It is the second-best indoor heptathlon in NCAA history.
Elsewhere, Stanford freshman Chris Derrick won the men's 5,000m in 13:44.02, the fastest time ever run by an American junior. It also is the third fastest indoor 5,000m time in school history and the fastest collegiate time in the nation so far this year.
Now in its eighth year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
2009 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 6, Mason Finley; January 13, Amber Campbell; January 20, Josh Cox; January 27, German Fernandez; February 3, Ashton Eaton.
More: www.usatf.org.
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