Posted: February 27, 2005

Athletics: Daigle stuns crowd, wins women's Visa Championship

BOSTON - Forget the Oscars. The USA Indoor Track & Field Championships on Sunday provided one-stop shopping for epic drama in the race for USA Track & Field's women's Visa Championship at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center.

Angela Daigle, who prior to Sunday had just one professional victory to her credit - at the 2005 Millrose Games - blasted out of the blocks in the women's 60 meters to run a stunning time of 7.09 seconds. Tied for the fastest time in the world this year and a huge personal best for the 28-year-old Pan Am Games gold medalist in the 4x100m relay, Daigle's winning time gave her 1,203 points and the title of women's Visa Champion.

With that title came a $25,000 payday - plus $2,500 in prize money for the U.S. win - and a trip for two to a premiere Visa-sponsored event.

John Godina's winning throw from Saturday's men's shot put of 71 feet, 7.5 inches (1,230 points) was never challenged on Sunday. The three-time world outdoor champion, three-time world indoor champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist took home the men's half of the combined $50,000 jackpot and prize package.

Drama, drama, drama

Daigle had never been considered a contender for the Visa Championship. Although she had looked strong at Millrose on February 4, her personal best of 7.21 seconds was nowhere near the 7.10 that she needed to surpass Visa Championship leader Erin Gilreath's 1,199 points. With Daigle running out in lane 8, the possibility of a fast time seemed even more remote.

But she delivered a Hollywood ending.

With a phenomenal reaction time of .124 seconds out of the blocks, Daigle threw down a time of 7.09. It was no runaway victory, however, as 2004 Olympic 200m finalist Muna Lee was close behind in second, in 7.11. Lisa Barber finished third in 7.18.

A teary-eyed and slightly stunned Daigle happily accepted her $25,000 Visa Debit card from Paul Tsuchiya, Vice President, Event & Sponsorship Marketing for Visa USA.

Leading ladies

Entering Sunday's competition, all eyes were on hurdler Danielle Carruthers.

Needing a time of 7.94 seconds to win the Visa Championship, Carruthers ran 7.95 seconds in the Nike women's 60-meter hurdles on Sunday to miss knocking off Gilreath by the narrowest of margins.

Although Carruthers had led the Race for the Championship throughout the Visa Championship series, Gilreath's toss of 24.46 meters/80 feet, 3 inches in Friday's weight throw competition gave the outdoor American record holder the lead with 1,199 points, surpassing Carruthers' previous leader of 1,191 points for her 7.98-second time at the Powered by Tyson Invitational on February 11.

When Carruthers crossed the line .01 too slow, in the penultimate women's event of the day, the Race for the Championship was over ... everyone thought.

Everyone was wrong.

Trotter, Jackson get first titles

The 60 hurdles was not the only event on the track, however. Dee Dee Trotter, the 2004 NCAA champion and Olympic 4x400m relay gold medalist, won her first USA title in the 400 with a dominant performance. Trotter ran 52.01 to post the fastest time at the USA Indoor Championships since Jearl Miles-Clark ran 51.97 to win in 1999. Mary Danner was second with 53.25, with Maisha Pinkard third in 54.35.

2003 USA outdoor 400m hurdles champion Bershawn Jackson won his first national crown on the flat oval in the men's 400 dash. The former NCAA Division II hurdles champ led from start to finish, holding off James Davis to win in 46.05. Davis was second 46.75 and Ashton Collins third in 47.26.

Two-time Olympian Hazel Clark won her second career indoor 800m title in 2:01.98. Alice Schmidt of the University of North Carolina was second in 2:02.32, followed by Kameisha Bennett in third in 2:02.77.

800-meter surprise

Kevin Hicks of Florida A&M University was an unexpected winner in the men's 800 in 1:48.73, with Richard Smith second (1:48.80) and Joel Legare third (1:48.86). Pre-race favorite Derrick Peterson, the 2002 USA indoor champion and 2004 Olympian, fell with 400 meters to go.

Walter Davis easily won the men's triple jump. His leap of 17.31m/56-09.50 gave the two-time Olympian and 2002 USA outdoor champion his first U.S. indoor title. Fellow 2004 Olympian Kenta Bell was second (16.86m/55-03.75), with Chris Hercules third (16.83m/55-02.75).

More first-time winners

2002 NCAA champion Mardy Scales, 2003 Pan Am silver medalist, won a very close men's 60 meters with a time of 6.61. He out-leaned Joshua Norman in second (6.62) and Aaron Armstrong in third (6.64).

A two-time PAC-10 champion and 2002 NCAA runner-up for the University of Washington, Brad Walker won his first national title in the men's pole vault with a clearance of 5.65m/18-06.50. Tommy Skipper was second (5.55m/18-2.5) and Paul Litchfield third (5.45m/17-10.5).

Amber Antonia was a somewhat surprise winner in an eventful women's 3,000-meter race walk in 12:55.69 after Jolene Moore, who crossed the finish line first, was disqualified. Defending champion Joanne Dow was second in 13:09.62, with Deb Huberty third in 13:26.03.

Shani Marks won the women's triple jump with a best mark of 13.65m/44-09.50. Nicole Whitman (13.23m/43-05.00) and Simidele Adeagbo (13.19m/43-03.25) placed second and third, respectively.

Former NCAA All-American Joel Brown was the winner in the men's 60-meter hurdles in 7.60, followed in short order by Anwar Moore 97.63) and David Payne (7.64).

For complete results and athlete quotes, as well as more information on the Visa Championship Series, visit USATF.org.

USA Indoor Championships quotes, day 3

Below are athlete quoteson day3 from the USA Indoor Track & Field Championships, a part of the Visa Championship Series.

Angela Daigle, Women's 60m and women's Visa Championship Series winner: This is the most (money) I've ever made at a single event and my second win as a professional after Millrose this year. I tweaked my hamstring at Millrose and I came here thinking that I could either worry about my hamstring or run hard. I decided to run.

I entered the race just wanting to execute my race and win.

(About winning the Visa Championship Series) I really don't have words. This is huge for me. I've been working hard for such a long time. Now I can get ready for the outdoor season.

Danielle Carruthers, Women's 60m hurdles winner: I'm happy with my time. This championship win is huge for me because I have never won anything major before especially where people could see me win on television.

I am taking a little longer to get started, but it is coming together.

My main focus was to win, not the time to win the Visa Champions prize because it's not all about the money. This is what we all train for (winning championships). I really was not worried about the weight throw event, but the women's 60 meters because Muna Lee and Angela Daigle are capable of pulling anything out of their hat. The main focus was on the weight throw event, but I knew it was not over until the women's 60m was finished.

Walter Davis, Men's Triple Jump winner: This is my first indoor title (U.S. National) and I'm very happy to win here. I had some problems with cramping (left calf) almost from the beginning. I'm not sure just what the problem was. I found the air kind of dry. I tried getting some water in me. But it didn't seem to help.

I've been mostly concentrating on the triple jump, not doing too much work on the long jump. Jumping on the infield with the focus just on the triple jump and pole vault definitely helped. I could hear the announcer getting the crowd into it. If I keep training well and stay healthy I think the sky is the limit as to what I can jump.

Brad Walker, Men's Pole Vault winner: I came in and did what I wanted to do. I know I put myself in a good position after I cleared 5.65m on my first attempt.

I gained more control during the competition after having a shaky warm-up. Other than that, I felt pretty good with my overall performance today and happy to win my first (U.S.) championship.

Joel Brown, Men's 60m hurdles winner: I got off to a good start today. At the second hurdle I kind of leaned back just a bit, so I had to quickly regain my composure. By the fourth hurdle I was back into it. From there I was just concentrating on the finish. I'm gearing most of my indoor training towards the outdoor season.

I was ninth (one place out of the finals) at the US Olympic Trials last year. That was a bit disappointing. I'm pointing towards making the World Championship team this year.

Joel Brown is a graduate of Ohio State with a degree in finance. He also serves as a volunteer coach at Ohio State.

Mardy Scales, men's 60m winner: This is a great confidence builder and motivator going into the outdoor season. I didn't run the time I wanted to run, but a win is a win.

I've been trying to work on my start to make it more efficient in the 100 meters. I've been training for outdoors at all these (indoor) meets.

Dee Dee Trotter, Women's 400m winner: This is my first race on an indoor two hundred meter track this season. My other race was at Madison Square Garden (Millrose Games) where the turns are much tighter. This felt good.

My strategy was to get out first at the break and control the race. I didn't want to have to run from behind because it wouldn't have been an advantage to me. I found the air very dry inside here. It took me some time to recover following the race. I wasn't sick or anything. I just felt a bit weak.

I haven't done a lot of indoor running, but I find it lots of fun. The crowd is closer and I don't feel all the pressure when inside a big outdoor stadium.

Shani Marks, Women's Triple Jump winner: I'm really pleased by setting a new PR. Practice had been going well and it finally carried over to a meet. I've been working on my hop phase and my contacts. It all came together. I wasn't expecting to win and it hasn't sunk in yet.

Amber Antonia, Women's 3,000m RW winner: My goal was to come in here and win. I am so excited that I broke 13 minutes to PR. I knew I could, but didn't expect to do it here.

This was a great race because all the competitors were up there challenging for the lead. We have some tremendous talent out there and this is great for women's race walk.

Hazel Clark, women's 800m winner: It feels really good to win a national championship. I knew the other runners were going to try to take me out of my race. When Frances (Santin) passed me, I really didn't let it bother me.

This was the first year I've been pain free. This year we've done distance training and it's really worked for me.

My dad flew in and surprised me. He's a really great supporter. I heard someone say 'Run expeditiously, Peachy!' and I knew it was my dad. It was great to win with him here.

Kevin Hicks, men's 800m winner: I just went out and ran my race. I stayed in the middle of the pack and came down and made my move. We work on my kick in practice and I just try to have confidence.

(On being a college athlete competing against professionals): They look at me as a college guy and I just have to step up and run my race.

Derrick Peterson, men's 800m did not finish: I was going outside on the first turn and someone came up from behind me and I got tripped. It's part of the sport, and it happens on banked tracks with tight turns. Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you don't. I'm disappointed. I felt good up until then. I wanted to put on a good show for the fans.

Men's 400m winner: Bershawn Jackson, This is only my third indoor race. I'm here to build up more strength for the 400-meter hurdles outdoors. My plan here was to go out hard and take control of the race. I felt good at the break (leading) and was able to run relaxed the last lap. I never take anything for granted. This was a good field. You can never underestimate anyone, even if you are the top seed.