Gail Devers sprints to her 60m win at the USATF indoors (© Kirby Lee)
Gail Devers added another milestone to her already illustrious career at the USATF Indoor Championships on Saturday, 28 February.
The 37-year-old Devers became the first American to win the 60m and 60m Hurdles in the national championships to highlight the second day of the three-day meet at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center at Roxbury Community College.
The reigning World 60m Hurdles champion clocked 7.81 to win over the barriers and then took the flat 60 by three-thousands of a second over Torri Edwards, 7.116 to 7.119, less than an hour later!
'Unique' double
In doing so Devers matched a feat accomplished only by Chi Cheng of Chinese Taipei, who won the sprint and hurdle titles at the 1970 national championships when foreign athletes were allowed to compete.
Devers painted her trademark 3-inch fingernails platinum for the USATF meet, saying the colour symbolized her effort that “surpasses gold.’’
"I had never done it for myself," Devers said about the double. "I didn't care who else had done it. I was looking at my record. Each year, I have to find something else for me to achieve.''
Budapest bound
That could include two more indoor global titles in the IAAF World Championships for Devers, the defending 60 hurdles champion and winner of the 60 in 1993 and 1997. The top two finishers yesterday qualified for the U.S. team for the Championships which take place 5-7 March in Budapest, Hungary.
In the 60 Hurdles, Devers led a 1-2 finish by former UCLA athletes with Joanna Hayes taking second in 7.91. The 60m was a lot closer with Devers dipping at the line to defeat Torri Edwards. It took several moments to review the finish before the times were posted on the video board.
"I am glad that I have an egghead instead of a forehead," Devers said, jokingly. "I have won some close races with it. I have been in that position before looking at the scoreboard. I am thankful for the race but my thing is fast times. That means more to me than anything."
Devers' double was not planned
Devers only decided to try the double after winning the sprint and hurdles at the Tyson Foods Invitational on 14 February where she won the 60 in 7.10 for the fastest mark of the season by an American. Devers was a last-minute entry in the sprint, doing it as a workout to improve her speed in the hurdles.
Devers, who is self-coached, has not had an opportunity to train in earnest for the USATF meet after coming down with the flu after the Tyson Foods meet. Devers said she only regained her voice in the days leading up to indoor nationals.
“I’ve always said the key for longevity is to listen to your body,’’ Devers said. “My heart was saying go out and train when I was sick but I didn’t do anything.’’
Olympic Trials uncertain for Devers
The Budapest schedule will be less demanding than the USATF championships for Devers, who ran four races on Saturday with semi-finals and finals in the 60m and 60 Hurdles.
Devers is intent on trying for a double in Budapest but was unwilling to commit to her participation in the U.S. Olympic Trials in Sacramento in July because of commitments to her charity foundation.
“I really don’t know about the Trials. I don’t have a clue when they are,” Devers said. “Right now, it’s going to have to be God or him sending Gabriel down to tell me himself you better go. I am happy with my life. I have to force myself to find time to train.’’
Greene withdraws from 60m Final in season debut meet
Getting through a race without injury was paramount for Maurice Greene in the men's 60m in his first race since limping off the track in the 100 semi-finals in the 2003 World Championships in Paris.
The 2000 Olympic 100 champion placed third in his 100 semi-final in 6.61 but withdrew from the final because of a sore hamstring.
Crawford sizzles to 6.47!
However, Shawn Crawford, the 2001 World Indoor 200m champion no doubt would have been little troubled even by Greene as he won the final in 6.47, the second fastest time in the world this winter. The world's fastest is the European record equalling 6.46 by Britain's Jason Gardener (15 Feb).
Crawford's run, which was a personal best (previous - 6.49, 2002) was enough to hold off World outdoor 200m champion John Capel's 6.52.
“I had no idea where I was running during the entire race," said Crawford. "At the finish, I knew I had either gotten first or second. I’m a bit surprised running a personal best today."
“I didn’t feel my start was as efficient today as it had been in practice. I’m very happy to make my third World indoor team,” concluded Crawford.
Capel said, “I think I should have ran a lot faster in the first round. Coming off Millrose (6.65, his season's best before this meet), it’s a big step. I’m getting better and better in my 100s and 200s."
"I felt myself closing. My 200s will be a lot better than last year. Some Americans have to step up, as people think Americans are done.”
Johnson with 7.44 is ready to defend in Budapest
Allen Johnson won his fourth national indoor title in the 60m Hurdles, his third in a row in preparation to defend his global title in Budapest. The four-time World outdoor 110m Hurdles champion was timed in 7.44 for a decisive 60m Hurdles victory over Duane Ross (7.59). Only Johnson has run faster this winter, his 7.43 clocking in New York (6 Feb) being the world lead.
Felix adjusts to the professional circuit
Allyson Felix has had a rocky inaugural season on the professional circuit after the 18-year-old placed seventh in the women's 60 in 7.33. Felix, who bypassed a scholarship to USC, to run professional recently began training with Pat Connolly, the former coach of former Olympic champion Evelyn Ashford.
"I didn't think it was rougher than I expected," said Felix, the national high school record holder in the 200. "I think that I can always expect this when I come to run the 60. All I can do is improve. It's been a big change and I still think that I am adjusting to coaching. Training wise it was a big step up for me.''
Hurd and Simms take upset wins in Triple Jump
Tiombe Hurd bounded to a stadium record of 13.84m in the women's Triple Jump to defeat 2002 and 2003 outdoor champion Yuliana Perez and two-time defending champion Vanitta Kinard. Hurd, who won in 2000 and 2001, overtook Perez (13.78m) on her sixth and final attempt, with Teresa Bundy (13.77) and Kinard (13.60m) in third and fourth.
Simms, a University of Southern California senior who won the 2003 NCAA title, won his first USATF title to defeat three-time outdoor national champion LaMark Carter, 16.88m to 16.48m, in the men's event.
All-in-the-family for Culpepper
Shayne Culpepper won the women’s 3000m in a duel down the homestretch with Carrie Tollefson, 9:00.59 to 9:00.53. It was the first national title for Culpepper, whose husband Alan won the U.S. Olympic Trials men’s Marathon on 7 February.
Michael Stember (1:48.08) and Rob Myers (3:40.80) were first-time men’s winners in the men's 800 and 1500m.
Stevenson puts on show in Pole Vault
In the men's Pole Vault, Toby Stevenson gained as much applause for his winning clearance of 5.80m as for his celebratory theatrics, which included a robotic dance and straddling his pole as if riding a horse on his winning jump.
Russ Buller placed second at 5.75m. Jeff Hartwig was third at 5.75m after a third-attempt miss at 5.85m after having the bar raised after two misses at 5.80m.
Seaman dedicates 5K Race Walk to Heppner
Timothy Seaman raised seven fingers as he crossed the finish line to win his seventh national title in a row in the 5000m race walk in 19:30.59. Seaman dedicated the victory to Al Heppner, who committed suicide after placing fifth in the U.S. Olympic Trials 50km race walk on Feb. 15.
“I have been mentally drained with everything,” Seaman said. “I didn’t want to be here but my friends and family said `No, you have to do it. You have to do it for Al.’’’
Toomey on course for double - Sunday’s Highlights...
Jennifer Toomey, duly won the women's 800m in 2:00.02 on Saturday. She ran tucked behind 2000 Olympic Trials champion Hazel Clark through 400 metres, covered in 58.78 seconds, before powering away in the third 200 metres as she has done all season. Toomey finished in a US leading time of 2:00.02 to win her first national title, followed by Clark (2:01.06) and American record holder Nicole Teter (2:03.05).
On Sunday she will attempt to complete a middle-distance double with a victory in the 1500m.
Men’s and women’s finals will also be contested in the 200 and 400m, Long Jump, High Jump and Shot Put. The women’s Pole Vault, 3000m Race Walk and the men’s 3000m are also scheduled.
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