Contact: Jill M. Geer
USATF Director of Communications
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 25, 2003
Track events to bring excitement to USA Indoor Championships
BOSTON � The 2003 USA Indoor Track & Field Championships will feature some
of the world�s biggest track and field stars this weekend at Boston�s Reggie
Lewis Track & Athletic Center, on the campus of Roxbury Community College.
The top two athletes in each event will earn the right to represent Team USA
at the World Indoor Track & Field Championships March 14-16 in Birmingham,
England.
Events begin Friday afternoon, February 28, with the finals of the women�s
and men�s weight throws and the first rounds of the 400 meters. A full
schedule of competition begins Saturday, with the conclusion of the meet
Sunday afternoon.
The 2003 USA Indoor Track & Field Championships are the final stop on USA
Track & Field�s 2003 Indoor Golden Spike Tour. The Tour began February 1 at
the adidas Boston Indoor Games; moved to New York February 7 for the Verizon
Millrose Games; and headed to Fayetteville, Ark., for the Tyson Foods
Invitational February 15. One world record and three American records have
been set on the Tour in 2003 alone.
The 2003 USA Indoor Track & Field Championships will be broadcast live on
ESPN2 from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Eastern Time, on Saturday March 1.
On the track, Regina Jacobs, the freshly minted indoor world record holder
for the women�s 1,500 meters at the age of 39, tries to add to her 22
all-time USA championships. She broke the world record at the adidas Boston
Indoor Games, so the Reggie Lewis Center is a favorite venue. Three-time
world outdoor hurdles champion Gail Devers aims to win her first USA indoor
title after breaking Jackie Joyner-Kersee�s record in the 60m hurdles at the
Verizon Millrose Games. Olympic silver medalist Terrence Trammell tries to
prove he is the man to beat, worldwide, in either the 60m dash or the 60m
hurdles. But will outdoor 100-meter world record holder Tim Montgomery
decide to run and throw a wrench into Trammell�s plans?
Visit the 2003 Indoor Championships section of the USATF Web site,
www.usatf.org, for a complete schedule of events. A preview of field events
will move on Wednesday
2003 USA Indoor Track & Field Championships
EVENT PREVIEWS
Top 2003 performances as of February 20, 2003
For current list of entrants visit
http://www.usatf.org/events/2003/USAIndoorTFChampionships/entry/status.shtml
Fields subject to change
Women�s 60 meters
Prelims Saturday 2:50 p.m., 4:55 p.m.; Final Saturday 7:14 p.m.
World record: 6.92, Irina Privalova (RUS), 1993, 1995
American record: 6.95, Gail Devers, 1993; Marion Jones, 1998
Meet record: 6.99, Gail Devers, 1993
THE SCOOP: Chryste Gaines is the two-time defending U.S. champion and is the
2001 World Indoor bronze medalist. She owns an Olympic gold medal in the
4x100m relay, and she showed good form in winning the 60m at the Verizon
Millrose Games on Feb. 7. Four-time NCAA 100m outdoor champion Angela
Williams will give Gaines a run for her money, though. Williams beat Gaines
here at the adidas Boston Indoor Games on Feb. 1, and she is the World
Indoor silver medalist. Williams started training under coach John Smith,
with the H.S.I. group, after graduating from USC last spring.
Verizon Men�s 60 meters
Prelims Saturday 3:15 p.m., 5:10 p.m.; Final Saturday 7:23 p.m.
World record: 6.39, Maurice Greene (USA), 1998, 2001
American record: 6.39, Maurice Greene, 1998, 2001
Meet record: 6.39, Maurice Greene, 2001
THE SCOOP: Terrence Trammell is the favorite after winning the Verizon
Millrose Games and Tyson Foods Invitational in the 60m sprint � if he
chooses the 60 sprint over the 60m hurdles. The 2001 World Indoor hurdles
champion, Trammell also is the defending U.S. 60m sprint champion, and his
time of 6.46 at the Tyson Foods Invitational on Feb. 15 is the fastest in
the world this year. However, the meet schedule seems to prevent Trammell
from competing in both events � he�d have to run six races in one day! With
Maurice Greene withdrawing from the race due to a pulled calf muscle, the
top contenders will be 2000 Olympic Trials 200m champion John Capel, who was
a close second to Trammell at Tyson, and Justin Gatlin, the former NCAA
champion who was second at Verizon Millrose. Coby Miller, the 2001 indoor
200m champ, has shown excellent speed this year in Europe as well. Wild
cards are Tim Harden, the 2001 World Indoor gold medalist, and Tim
Montgomery, the outdoor world record holder in the 100m and the 2001 World
Indoor silver medalist. Montgomery has entered the USA Indoor Championships,
but not until declarations are final just prior to the meet will it be known
if he will take to the starting line. Montgomery has not raced since running
9.78 seconds to break the 100m world record September 14 at the Grand Prix
Final in Paris, but he is reported to be extremely fit.
Women�s 60m hurdles
Prelims Saturday 1:45 p.m., 4:25 p.m.; Final Saturday 6:45 p.m.
World record: 7.69, Lyudmila Narozhlenko (URS), 1990
American record: 7.78, Gail Devers, 2003
Meet record: 7.85, Melissa Morrison, 1999
THE SCOOP: Three-time world outdoor champion Gail Devers is at the top of
her form in 2003. At the age of 36, she broke Jackie Joyner-Kersee�s
American record at the Verizon Millrose Games with her time of 7.78 seconds.
The two-time Olympic 100m champion looks virtually unbeatable, both here and
at World Indoors � but don�t count out four-time defending U.S. indoor
champion Melissa Morrison, who owns the meet record and has dominated this
event at the USA Indoor Championships in recent years. Jenny Adams and 2002
USA indoor runner-up Miesha McKelvy are other top contenders.
Men�s 60m hurdles
Prelims Saturday 2:11 p.m., 4:40 p.m.; Final Saturday 6:54 p.m.
World record: 7.30, Colin Jackson (GBR), 1994
American record: 7.36, Greg Foster, 1987
Meet record: 7.38, Reggie Torian, 1999
THE SCOOP: The United States has the best men�s hurdlers in the world, and
the men�s 60m hurdles has produced some of the most exciting races on the
2003 Indoor Golden Spike Tour, and the USA Indoor Championships should be no
exception. Two-time Verizon Millrose Games champion Larry Wade came from
behind to edge out 2001 World Indoor champion Terrence Trammell by .01
seconds at this year�s Verizon Millrose Games, but Trammell responded with a
.02 second margin of victory over Wade at the Tyson Foods Invitational, with
a world-leading time of 7.42 seconds. If he runs the hurdles instead of the
60m dash, look for Trammell, the 2000 Olympic silver medalist in the 110m
hurdles, to get off to a quick start, but Wade closes quickly at the end. If
Trammell is not in the race, Wade will be the favorite. The wild card is
1996 Olympic champion and defending U.S. indoor champion Allen Johnson.
Johnson was a close third at Millrose but didn�t run at Tyson due to leg
cramps. He is a threat to win any race he enters, and he is a strong threat
to win another U.S. title.
Women�s 200m
Prelims Sunday 2 p.m.; Final Sunday 5:06 p.m.
World record: 21.87, Merlene Ottey (JAM), 1993
American record: 22.33, Gwen Torrence, 1996
Meet record: 22.33, Gwen Torrence, 1996
THE SCOOP: Michelle Collins, normally a 400-meter specialist, has dropped
down to the 200m indoors this year, with stunning success. She opened the
year with a time of 22.85 in January to lead the world, then ran a sizzling
22.64 at the Tyson Foods Invitational. If she chooses the 200 at this meet
and is on her form, it could be a race for second place among her
competitors � and Collins would go on to be a gold-medal threat at the World
Indoor Championships. Defending indoor champion and 2001 World Outdoor
bronze medalist Kelli White will contend, but she finished in 23.18, behind
Collins, at Tyson. 2001 World Indoor silver medalist LaTasha Jenkins could
be in the mix as well.
Men�s 200 meters
Prelims Sunday 2:25 p.m.; Final Sunday 5:15 p.m.
World record: 19.92, Frank Fredericks (NAM), 1996
American record: 20.26 Shawn Crawford and John Capel, 2000
Meet record: 20.31, Coby Miller, 2001
THE SCOOP: John Capel enters as the favorite after running the world�s
fastest time in 2003, 20.39 seconds, February 15 in Fayetteville. He shares
the American record with Shawn Crawford, who is the defending U.S. champion
and the 2001 World Indoor gold medalist. Capel took two years off from track
after winning the 2000 Olympic Trials to try his hand at football. His
decision to return has paid off. Crawford made news off the track when he
ran against a zebra and a giraffe in FOX television�s �Man vs. Beast.�
Darvis Patton, a man who was runner-up in this race last year, could be a
surprise winner after being ranked #1 in the 200 among Americans outdoors in
2002. This is another event in which the United States will be a gold-medal
favorite at World Indoors.
Women�s 400 meters
Prelims Friday 3:00 p.m.; Final Saturday 6:16 p.m.
World record: 49.59, Jarmila Kratochvilova (TCH), 1982
American record: 50.64, Diane Dixon, 1991
Meet record: 50.99, Jearl Miles, 1995
THE SCOOP: Suziann Reid is a two-time champion and Monique Hennagan, ran on
the gold medal-winning 4x400m relay at the 2000 Olympic Games, returns to
defend her title. Meet record holder Jearl Miles-Clark is concentrating on
outdoor track and will not compete, so the door is open for a well-balanced
field.
Men�s 400 meters
Prelims Friday 3:25 p.m.; Final Saturday 6:25 p.m.
World record: 44.63, Michael Johnson (USA), 1995
American record: 44.63, Michael Johnson, 1995
Meet record: 44.63, Michael Johnson, 1995
THE SCOOP: The scramble continues for U.S. and world 400-meter supremacy
since the retirement of Michael Johnson in 2001. After sitting out almost
two years with injury, two-time U.S. outdoor champion Jerome Young is back
on track. He won the Tyson Foods Invitational in 46.10 seconds, the fastest
time of his career. This year also has seen the return of one of America�s
most promising quarter milers, Tyree Washington. The World Outdoor bronze
medalist in 1997, Washington has shown flashes of brilliance. A hamstring
injury in 2001 was followed by family issues in 2002, but Washington is once
again training hard. He won the Verizon Millrose Games and ran 45.3 outdoors
this winter, so he could be in the mix. Brandon Couts is the defending
champion, and Leonard Byrd had the fastest time in the world outdoors in
2002, with 44.45. James Davis ran 45.99 on February 23 in France, becoming
the first American since 2001 to run sub-45 indoors.
Women�s 800 meters
Prelims Saturday 5:24 p.m.; Final Sunday 4:16 p.m.
World record: 1:55.82, Jolanda Ceplak (SLO), 2002
American record: 1:58.71, Nicole Teter, 2002
Meet record: 1:58.41, Maria Mutola (MOZ), 1995
THE SCOOP: Nicole Teter broke the American record, formerly held by Mary
Slaney and Suzy Favor Hamilton, last year at the USA Indoor Championships,
and she will be the favorite if she runs. Hazel Clark, the 2000 Olympic
Trials champ, is competing again after spending 2002 recovering from an
injured foot she suffered late in 2001. At the Tyson Foods Invitational she
ran the fastest time by an American to date in 2003, 2:04.45, and she
continues to improve every week. She will face a strong challenge from Jen
Toomey of Salem, Mass. Toomey is the 2002 USA Indoor runner-up, and she was
third in this event in 2001. The 1984 Tufts graduate has become one of the
United States� most consistent 800m specialists. Chantee Earl trains with
Teter and could contend.
Men�s 800 meters
Prelims Saturday 5:49 p.m.; Final Sunday 4:25 p.m.
World record: 1:42.67, Wilson Kipketer (DEN), 1997
American record: 1:45.00, Johnny Gray, 1992
Meet record: 1:46.60, Derrick Peterson, 2002
THE SCOOP: Derrick Peterson is the defending champion and meet record
holder, but it will take a big performance to defeat the heavily favored
David Krummenacker, the two-time U.S. outdoor champion. Krummenacker was
ranked #3 in the world outdoors at 800 meters last year and won the Verizon
Millrose Games and Tyson Foods Invitational � both over Peterson � on the
2003 Indoor Golden Spike Tour. Krummenacker�s style is to wait behind the
leaders until the final stages of the race. If Peterson can hold him off, it
will make for an exciting finish! Others to keep an eye on are 2002 indoor
runner-up Michael Stember, 2000 indoor champion Bryan Woodward and 1999
champion Khadevis Robinson.
Nike Women�s 1,500 meters
Final Sunday, 7:03 p.m.
World record: 3:59.98, Regina Jacobs (USA), 2003
American record: 3:59.98, Regina Jacobs, 2003
Meet record: 4:03.08, Mary Slaney, 1997
THE SCOOP: The women�s 1,500m run is being contested for just the third time
at the USA Indoor Championships, replacing the mile. (The 1,500m was
previously held in 1997 and 1999.) Regardless of the distance, Regina Jacobs
unquestionably is the woman to beat, in the U.S. and on the world stage. A
22-time U.S. champion at various distances in indoor track, outdoor track
and cross country, Jacobs broke the world record in the 1,500 at the 2003
adidas Boston Indoor Games, becoming the first woman ever to break 4:00
indoors. At the age of 39, Jacobs is fitter than she�s ever been and should
dictate this race. Collette Liss was the 2001 U.S. indoor champion in the
mile and should make a strong showing. Other contenders include Mary Jayne
Harrelson and Sarah Schwald, who finished 2-3 in the mile last year, behind
Jacobs.
Men�s 1,500 meters
Final Saturday 6:34 p.m.
World record: 3:31.18, Hicham El Guerrouj (MAR) 1997
American record: 3:38.12, Jeff Atkinson, 1989
Meet record: 3:48.4, Glenn Cunningham, 1938
THE SCOOP: The men�s 1,500m hasn�t been held at the USA Indoor Championships
since 1939, so a new meet record is all but assured. The mile was held from
1940-2002. This year, Jason Lunn looks to win his second straight title
after winning the mile in 2002 with a time of 3:57.45. Lunn ran a brilliant
mile at the Tyson Foods Invitational with a personal best of 3:55.49 and is
in peak shape. Front-running former NCAA champion Bryan Berryhill was second
to Lunn in 2002 and could make a run for his first title.
Women�s 3,000 meters
Final Sunday 4:34 p.m.
World record: 8:29.15, Berhane Adere (ETH), 2002
American record: 8:39.14, Regina Jacobs, 1999
Meet record: 8:40.45, Lynn Jennings, 1990
THE SCOOP: Amy Rudolph, Cheri Kenah and Carrie Tollefson went 1-2-3 in this
event last year, and the three should also lead in the way in 2003. In what
order they finish is still up for grabs. Among the three former NCAA
champions, the 26-year-old Tollefson is the youngest and in 2003 she set
personal bests outdoors for 1,500 and 5,000 meters. Amy Rudolph also won
this race in 1997, and she is a former American record holder outdoors over
5,000 meters. Kenah is a five-time USA Indoor runner-up in the 3,000 meters.
Kenah led the race until the final steps in 2002, so a close finish should
be in the cards. Sarah Schwald, traditionally a miler but a former NCAA
indoor champion at 3,000m also is entered, as is Regina Jacobs. If they
compete in the 3,000, they will significantly impact the shape of the race.
Men�s 3,000 meters
Final Sunday 4:50 p.m.
World record: 7:24.90, Daniel Komen (KEN), 1998
American record: 7:39.23, Tim Broe, 2002
Meet record:7:42.81, Moses Kiptanui (KEN), 1994
THE SCOOP: The men�s 3,000m is a wide-open race, with different men winning
the race each of the last six years. 1998 champion Dan Browne is a favorite
after finishing as the top American, second overall, at the Verizon Millrose
Games in 8:00.90. The 2002 USA marathon champion in his debut at the
distance, Browne has shown great versatility and improvement since moving to
Eugene, Ore., to be trained by Alberto Salazar. Clint Wells, the 5th-place
finisher in the steeplechase at the 2000 Olympic Trials, has run 7:56.06
this year and could get his first U.S. title. Bolota Asmerom owns a
qualifying time of 7:49.68, and former NCAA 5,000m champion Jonathon Riley
also is a favorite.
Women�s 3,000m race walk
Final Saturday 4:05 p.m.
World record: 11:40.33, Claudio Iovan (ROM), 1999
American record: 12:20.79, Debbi Lawrence, 1993
THE SCOOP: Joanne Dow is the returning champion and looks strong after
setting an American record in winning the 20 km walk at the 2002 USA Outdoor
championships, on the track. It�s a mix of veterans and relative newcomers
in the field. Michelle Rohl has been the top U.S. walker outdoors the last
several years and is coming back from maternity in 2002. She is a five-time
indoor champion. Dow has won twice, while American record holder Debbi
Lawrence is a four-time champion. Amber Antonia is an up-and-comer who
placed second last year.
Men�s 5,000m race walk
Final Sunday 3:21 p.m.
World record: 18:07.08, Mikhail Shchennikov (URS), 1995
American record: 19:18.40, Tim Lewis, 1987
Meet record: 18:53.25, Guillaume LeBlanc (CAN), 1988
THE SCOOP: Tim Seaman, a 2000 Olympian in the 20 km race walk, has owned
this event, winning the last five indoor titles. The crown could be his for
the taking, but 50,000 km outdoor specialist Curt Clausen could show some
speed. Al Heppner of the U.S. Army, Philip Dunn and other younger walkers
are waiting for their chance to steal a title, however, if they compete in
Boston.
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