Bershawn Jackson competing at the 80th Kansas Relays (© Kirby Lee)
World champion Bershawn Jackson isn’t quite yet a household name in track and field but the 400m hurdler is doing his best to change that image.
Jackson won the 400m Hurdles in 48.75 at the last day of the 80th Kansas Relays yesterday (21) for the fastest time in the world this year in his seasonal debut on a warm and windy afternoon in the featured “Gold Zone” competition at the University of Kansas’ Memorial Stadium on Saturday (21).
It was the fourth time in five years that the 2005 World Champion has won the event at this meeting, setting the meet record of 48.34 in 2006, and thought that he justified a little heavier pre-meet promotion.
“I am not Asafa Powell. The 100 is the hot event. People don’t know the 400 hurdles. It’s a blessing for somebody to know me.”
Batman flies again
Jackson has gained as much notoriety for his hurdling as his childhood nickname “Batman.’’
“When I was coming up, they said I had big ears and I fly because I was always so small,” said Jackson, who stands 1.73m tall. “I thought it was an insult at first but as the years went by, it grew on me.’’
Jackson, 23, could go a long way toward public recognition by defending his World title in Osaka, Japan in August. Jackson said that he was at 80-percent fitness on Saturday but by the time the World Championships roll around, he will be at “115 percent.’’
He won the 2005 World title in cold and rain in Helsinki to move into ninth the on all-time performer list.
“Who knows, it is going to be interesting,” Jackson said. “I am sure, I am going to run faster this time.’’
Jackson said that he probably would have run under 48 seconds on Saturday if it were not for winds that registered more than 4.0 metres per second in some sprints. The gusts forced Jackson to alter his stride pattern on the homestretch.
“There is a lot of good stuff to come,” said Jackson, who will run in the 4 x 400m Relay in the ‘USA versus The World’ competition at the Penn Relays next weekend. “Your first race really determines how your season is going to turn out. It was a plus.’’
Jackson and Denby named athletes of meet
Jackson along with women’s 100m Hurdle winner Nichole Denby were chosen as the meet’s outstanding athletes. Denby defeated 2004 Olympic gold medallist Joanna Hayes, 12.72 to 12.78, in a 1-2 finish by athletes coached at Riverside North High School (Calif.) graduates who were coached by Charles Leathers.
When the results were flashed on the video board, Denby put her arm around Hayes as the two walked back to the finish line. “We come from the same stock,” Denby said about the high school connection with Hayes. “I mean Joanna is great. There is no rivalry but if we keep going like this, there is going to be one.’’
Coaching change for Denby
Denby is in her first season training in Illinois after moving from her native Southern California and the tutelage of John Smith to train in Champaign with Gary Winkler. Denby, however, remains under the management of Smith’s HSI group. “I had to do what was best for my career,” Denby said. “It was a business move.’’
Wind readings weren’t available for Saturday’s race but nevertheless the performance was the fastest season opener for Denby under any conditions. Denby has placed an emphasis on improving her start this season. “I knew it would be a fast time,” Denby said. “I had to stay in control and control my speed because the wind was so strong.’’
Hartwig still going at 39
Jeff Hartwig’s pending retirement could be on hold the way that American record holder has performed in 2007. Hartwig, 39, had announced that this would be his final season in January but that was before a productive indoor campaign, highlighted by the USA Track & Field Indoor title.
At Kansas, Hartwig opened his outdoor campaign with his a 5.72m win over two-time defending champion Jacob Pauli (5.62m).
“The most difficult decision is the one to quit track and field,” Hartwig said. “I am thinking about trying to finish the year and stay focused on this season. Hopefully, it plays out and goes well. I’ll be in a more comfortable position to make a decision.’’
Hartwig is stronger than ever based on weight workouts but his biggest weakness, as it has been throughout his career has been speed. In recent years, Hartwig has focused on improving his technique rather than physical aspects.
“There is always something that can work on,” Hartwig said. “It takes time to become good because so many things, I’ve de-emphasized the physical side and really worked on some of the technical things.’’
Strong winds forced adjustments by Hartwig on Saturday. He shortened his approach from 16 steps to 14 and switched a bigger pole that he would normally have used for an attempt at 5.92m.
“The idea was to go as fast as I could while being in control,” Hartwig said. “It’s like a guy running downhill and losing his balance from going too fast. So it turned out to be some really good decisions for me. I had a lot of good jumps and it is really strong indication for where I am at this season.”
Felix, Jelks highlight sprint relays
Six days after winning the 400m in 51.74 in her season debut at the Mt. San Antonio College Relays, Allyson Felix joined training partners Ginnie Powell, Tianna Madison and Muna Lee on the second leg of coach Bobby Kersee’s 4 x 100m Relay squad that timed 43.75.
World 200m champion Felix called the relay work preparation for a possible 100-200 double at the USATF Championships. She also said that there are at least plans to run at least two more 400s in an effort to gain consideration for the U.S. 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m relays for the Osaka World Championships.
“It’s all part of the plan to come here to come get some speedwork,” Felix said.
Kansas City native Mark Jelks made an impressive showing on his home soil. Jelks joined Mardy Scales, Ivory Williams and Rae Edwards on the second leg of coach Al Hobson’s 4 x 100m Relay squad that ran 39.18. Jelks later led a sweep of the top four places in the 100m with Scales, Edwards and Williams.
Other Gold Zone winners
In other invitational events, Mary Wineberg ran a PB 51.19 to overtake Laverne Jones (51.47) down the stretch of the women’s 400m. Nicheshia Anderson won the 100m in wind-aided 11.29 and Rebecca Johnstone won the 800m in 2:05.99. Grace Upshaw sailed 6.60m in her inaugural Kansas Relays appearance.
Men’s winners included Anwar Moore in the 110m Hurdles (13.38) and Matt Tegenkamp in the 1500m (3:43.01).
Kirby Lee for the IAAF
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