Posted: june 1, 2004

Athletics: Greene, Teter, Godina & Dragila shine at Payton Jordan U.S. Open

STANFORD, Calif. - Maurice Greene, Nicole Teter and John Godina electrified a standing room only crowd Monday at the 2004 Payton Jordan U.S. Open at Stanford, Calif. The meet was the second invitational event on USA Track & Field's 2004 Outdoor Golden Spike Tour, and will be broadcast Tuesday, June 1 from 9-10 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN2.

The final event of the day was the Verizon men's 100 meters, where 2000 Olympic gold medalist and three-time world outdoor champion Maurice Greene blistered the track by running history's second-fastest time under any conditions with his windy 9.78 seconds performance (+3.7 meters per second). Only Obadele Thompson's 9.69 (+5.7 mps) on April 13, 1996 in El Paso, Tex., is faster than Greene' performance Monday at Stanford.

Greene, who owns the two fastest wind-legal times in the world this year, left no doubt from the beginning of the race as he jumped out to a great start and stayed in command the rest of the way. 2002 NCAA outdoor 100m and 200m champion Justin Gatlin was the runner-up in 9.91 seconds, with 2003 world outdoor 200m champion John Capel third in 10.07.

Another outstanding performance was turned in by 2002 U.S. Indoor and Outdoor 800m champion Nicole Teter, who grabbed the lead early and held on to win the Sunny D Intense Sport Women's 800 meters in the fastest time in the world this year of 1 minute, 58.83 seconds. Marian Burnett of Guyana was the runner-up in the second-fastest time in the world this year of 1:59.47, with Diane Cummins third, in the third-fastest time in the world this year of 1:59.67.

Another highlighted event Monday was the men's shot put, where three-time world outdoor champion and two-time Olympic medalist John Godina celebrated his 32nd birthday with his best effort since 2002 with his winning throw of 21.71 meters/71 feet, 2.75 inches. 2000 Olympic silver medalist Adam Nelson was the runner-up with a best of 20.91m/68-7.25 and Canada's Brad Snyder was third with a heave of 20.39m/66-10.75. 2004 world leader Christian Cantwell was a late scratch.

2000 Olympic gold medalist and two-time world outdoor champion Stacy Dragila won the Visa women's pole vault by equaling her world best mark from earlier this season of 4.70 meters/15 feet, 5 inches. 2003 U.S. Outdoor runner-up Jillian Schwartz was the runner-up with a clearance of 4.40m/14-5.25 and former collegiate record holder Tracy O'Hara was third with a best of 4.30m/14-1.25.

In the women's 200 meters, Latasha Colander, Allyson Felix and Crystal Cox were even coming off the turn before Colander grabbed the lead with 60 meters to go to win in the second-fastest time in the world this year of 22.37 seconds. Cox held on for second in 22.58, with world junior record holder Felix finishing third in 22.71. 2003 world outdoor champion Torri Edwards was fourth in 22.71 and Inger Miller was fifth in 23.04.

In the men's pole vault, former Stanford standout Toby Stevenson won a hotly contested battle with American record holder Jeff Hartwig. Stevenson finally won the event in a jump-off with a clearance of 5.85m/19-2.25, as Hartwig cleared 5.80m/19-0.25 in the extra session. Denmark's Piotr Buciarski was third with a best of 5.65m/18-6.50 and 2003 USA indoor champion Derek Miles was fourth with a clearance of 5.55m/18-2.50.

Four-time world outdoor champion and 1996 Olympic medalist Allen Johnson looked sharp in winning the men's 110m hurdles in 13.12 seconds over runner-up and 2000 Olympic silver medalist Terrence Trammell (13.20). Dwight Thomas was third in 13.34 and Ron Bramlett was fourth in 13.36.

Two-time World Outdoor Championships 100m hurdles finalist Jenny Adams got off to a fast start and dominated a strong field in winning in the fourth-fastest time in the world this year of 12.67 seconds. 2003 World Outdoor Championships bronze medalist Miesha McKelvy was the runner-up in 12.79 and 2001 world outdoor champion Anjanette Kirkland was third in 12.99.

In the men's Chevrolet 1,500 meters, Kenyan Laban Rotich won convincingly in 3:36 32 over Charlie Gruber, who finished as the runner-up in the second-fastest time by an American this outdoor season of 3:38.42.

The men's 3,000m steeplechase was won by Ray Hughes in the second-fastest time by an American this year of 8:29.20. Isaiah Festa was the runner-up in 8:30.48, with Kenyan Solomon Kandie third in 8:31.49.

Two-time Pan American Games gold medalist and 2003 U.S. champion Aretha Hill won the women's discus with the fourth-best throw by an American this year of 63.79m/209-3. Hill also owns the top three American women's discus throws this season. 2001 USA discus and shot put champion Seilala Sua was the runner-up with a best of 60.99m/200-1 and Kris Kuehl was third with a throw of 57.94m/188-7.

The men's hammer was won by Croatia's Andras Haklits with a best effort of 74.79 meters/245-4. Michael Mai was the runner-up with a throw of 74.04m/244-1 and James Parker was third with a best of 73.93m/242-9.

2003 USA Outdoor champion and World Outdoor Championships finalist Grace Upshaw won the women's long jump with a best of 6.74m/22 feet, 1.50 inches (w). Jernae Wright was the runner-up with a leap of 6.67m/21-10.75 and Jackie Edwards of the Bahamas was third with a jump of 6.59m/21-7.50.

A series of Olympic Development events also were contested at Stanford as Nakiya Johnson set a new personal best in winning the women's 800 meters in 2 minutes, 4.56 seconds. Carrie Messner won the 1,500 meters in 4:18.79.

In men's Olympic Development events, Timothy Dunne won the 800 meters in 1:48.18 and Sean O'Brien won the 1,500 meters in 3:40.66

For complete results, visit www.usatf.org.

Athlete quotes, 2004 Payton Jordan U.S. Open

Jenny Adams, winner 100m hurdles
It felt good out there. The wind was not too crazy, and it was nice and warm. The conditions were good. For my first big race, I'm pleased where I'm at right now. I'm not going to do the long jump this year. I am sad about that. No one else can do it at a world level. My run (on the runway) is all over the place. My rhythm is fast and hard. The events are not compatible to each other. I will pick up the long jump at some point.

Miesha McKelvy, second 100m hurdles
My training is going good. I am working on technical things. Now I am more focused on getting it right than running fast and winning. If I get it technically right, the fast time will take place.

Laban Rotich, winner men's 1,500 meters
The race was fast. The weather was nice. My training is right where I want to be.

Charlie Gruber, second men's 1,500 meters
I was happy with the race. It's a slow start to the season, but I'm physically fit. I just need to commit to the race from the gun. I think I ran a 3:38, which is good, but it's not the A standard. I just need to focus and keep believing.

Gabe Jennings, men's 1500 meters
Regardless of the last 500m, I felt good. I don't have much to say right now. Until I perform, there is no story, it's just Gabe the myth. I feel great and I'm motivated. I have nine races confirmed before the (Olympic) Trials. The fitness is there, I just need to practice racing. My family support has been great. I just want Gabe the myth to become Gabe the reality.

Anjanette Kirkland, third, women's 100 meter hurdles
I didn't feel good today. I can't feel anything on my left side. It's just another race. I need to get my left side healthy before the Olympic Trials. I've proven in the past that I can run 12:98 and then come back and run 12:60.

Allen Johnson, winner, men's 110 meter hurdles
I give myself a C technically and an A in the way I competed. If I can turn my technical part to an A, I will be happy. I had no problem with the wind. I didn't feel it at all. I am healthy. I did have some type of bug a few days ago. I was tired and had a sore throat. But I am fine now.

Terrence Trammell, second, men's 110 meter hurdles
This is the fastest I've run in a consistent basis this time of year and I'm happy about that. Mechanically, it felt good. There are still a couple of things that I need to work on. This is the fastest that I have run at this time of year. I am happy about that.

Nicole Teter, winner women's 800 meters
I've been having some low back and mid back problems and I've been really tight. I am really pleased and surprised with this race. I thought someone would come and take it over, but they let me lead wire to wire. It didn't feel that fast. I felt Sasha come up on me and I thought I'd press a little more. At 200m to go I felt great, but my coach said to wait until 120 meters, so that's what I did. Each race will get progressively better, not by time, but just finishing.

Grace Upshaw, winner women's long jump
It was great with the home crowd here. The weather was good. It was a little windy, but I'll take it. Technically, nothing felt brilliant. I have been working on my speed down the runway. That's been my main focus. Technically, I'll give myself a B- because my takeoff was off. Once I get comfortable with that, it will be fine.

Elliot Blount, winner men's 800 meters
This is the first time that I received flowers after winning. I won at the Brutus Hamilton meet and got a nice watch. At Occidental, I won and got a plaque. This is the third time I have won this year. At Home Depot, I finished second and got a nice pat on the back. My season is going well for me. I am looking forward to the Trials. I am very close to getting a qualifying mark for the Trials.

Aretha Hill, winner women's discus
It's been really consistent this year. I don't want to push it though. I felt great today, good weather, great meet. I love throwing here. I started out flat, but the last 4-6 throws came around to where I like them to be. I' m just being patient and staying relaxed & getting ready for the Olympic Trials. I love competing because it lets me know where I'm at. I plan to go to Portland, take 3 weeks off, and then maybe go to 1 or 2 meets before the Olympic Trials.

Stacy Dragila, winner women's Pole Vault
I felt good today. Got great height and I'm where I want to be right now. I have four meets coming up in Europe and I feel like everything will come together. I know everything will come together. This is a great meet and gives people in the local area a chance to see all of the athletes who will be competing at the Trials. Everybody is really fired up and excited going into Sacramento. My family and friends already have tickets and I know a lot of people from this area will be there.

Toby Stevenson, winner men's pole vault
I wanted to jump higher than I did, but Jeff pushed me, so I felt I competed well. I don't take winning for granted. My main goal is to get out there and jump well every time. My confidence is as high as it's ever been. If anyone is gong to beat me, they're going to have to jump damn high. If they do, great. I'm right where I want to be.

Latasha Colander, winner women's 200
In the curve, it was a little windy. Then, down the straight the wind was at our backs. I'm in the mix for the top three (at the Olympic Trials.) There are a lot of us in the mix. Five have gone 22 seconds. My times in practice have been exceptional.

John Godina, winner, shot put
The crowd was into it the whole time. Most of the time, the fans here are laid back. But this crowd was intense. This is a good next step to the Trials. You can't make it in one huge leap. I would like to have PR'd today. But this was a good throw for me.

Sarah Schwald, second, women's 1,500
This was my first race of the year, and I didn't know what to expect. I'm training for the Olympic Trials. I didn't have a clear idea what type of time I would get. I'm happy with 4:09.

Justin Gatlin, second, men's 100
It was windy out there. I'm trying to get my technique down. I'm young and I 'm learning something new every day. With no wind, I have been running at 10 seconds. With wind, I'm in the 9.9 range.

Maurice Greene, winner men's 100
I'm pleased with the beginning of the race. I accomplished what I wanted to do today. I was aggressive at the start. I'm in great form and the races are showing it. When I'm in a race with no wind, we'll see what happens. I am 100 percent healthy. When I'm healthy, the sky's the limit. The Trials will be great. I say everyone will be fighting for second.