Veronica Campbell of Jamaica (© Getty Images)
, USA The women outshone the men yesterday on the first day of the American University Indoor championships (NCAA, Division 1) which are being hosted by the University of Arkansas at the Randal Tyson Indoor Track (12 - 13 March).
The women's 200 was explosive, won by Jamaican Veronica Campbell in a collegiate record of 22.43 (fastest time in the world this winter) from fast-finishing Sanya Richards, who tied the old record at 22.49. Three others were timed under 23 seconds, Consuela Moore, 22.60, Muna Lee, 22.76q, and Lauryn Williams, 22.87.
A collegiate record was also set by New Zealand's Kimberly Smith, who won the women's 5000m by nearly half a lap in the excellent time of 15:14.18, bettering Sonia O'Sullivan's 1991 record by 3.10 seconds. The mark was also an Oceanian Area Record.
Other results included - Priscilla Lopes (CAN) won the women's 60m Hurdles in 7.95, a personal best for her; Hyleas Fountain took the women's Long Jump with 6.58; and Trinidad Olympian Candice Scott (9th in the Paris World Championships Hammer throw final) won the women's 20-pound (9.1 kg) weight throw.
In the men's events, Alistair Cragg, former of South Africa but now competing for Ireland, won his third straight 5000 in 13:39.63, while trying to conserve as much energy as possible for a try at his second straight 3000m title.
Leo Bookman won his second consecutive 200 metres title in 20.42; John Moffitt took the Long Jump at 8.17; and Dan Taylor's 20.30 edged two-time winner Carl Myerscough of Britain, who threw 20.19.
