Posted: May 31, 2005

Athletics: Godina's world domination continues at Payton Jordan U.S. Open

PALO ALTO, Calif. - Two-time Olympic medalist and three-time world outdoor champion John Godina added another chapter to his magical 2005 season Monday at the Payton Jordan U.S. Open at Stanford University's Cobb Track & Angell Field in Palo Alto, Calif. The third event of USATF's 2005 Outdoor Championship Series, the Payton Jordan U.S. Open will be televised May 30 from 10-11:30 p.m., Eastern Time on ESPN2.

The meet is named in honor of former Stanford track and field coach Payton Jordan, who brought the 1960 U.S. Olympic Trials and the famed 1962 U.S.-U.S.S.R. track meet to Stanford.

Godina owns 2005 world list

After winning the 2005 USA Indoor title, and with it the inaugural USATF Indoor Visa Championship Series crown, Godina entered Monday's action owning the longest throw in the world this outdoor season with his personal best toss of 22.20m/72 feet, 10 inches in winning the adidas Track Classic last weekend.

Godina won Monday's competition with his third round throw of 21.93 meters/71 feet, 11.50 inches, the second-best performance in the world this year. Godina's second-round throw of 21.84m/71-8 is the third-best throw globally this season. Godina now owns the top four throws in the world in 2005, and is the only winner of the men's shot put (5 titles) in the history of the Payton Jordan U.S. Open. 2004 Olympic Trials finalist Jamie Beyer was the runner-up with a best of 21.13m/69-4, with two-time Olympic silver medalist Adam Nelson third with a throw of 20.72m/67-11.75.

O'Hara posts personal best

2002 NCAA Outdoor champion Tracey O'Hara set a new personal best in winning the women's pole vault with a clearance of 4.60m/15 feet, 1 inch, a performance that ranks as the second-best in the world this year. Only Stacy Dragila, Mary Sauer and Kellie Suttle have jumped higher than O'Hara in U.S. history. Dana Ellis of Canada was the runner-up (4.60m/15-1), with Suttle placing third with a best of 4.25m/13-11.25.

2004 Olympic Games finalist Kenta Bell won the men's triple jump in his final attempt on Monday, as he did in winning the adidas Track Classic last week in Carson, Calif. Bell's winning leap of 16.93 meters, 55 feet, 6.50 inches is the fourth-best by an American this outdoor season. Former University of Mississippi standout Marcus Jones was the runner-up with a best of 16.57m/54-4.50.

In other men's field events, 2004 Olympic Trials finalist Jacob Pauli was the surprise winner in the men's pole vault with his clearance of 5.75m/18-10.25. Brad Walker was the runner-up with a best of 5.65m/18-6.50. In long jump competition, former Southern University standout Brian Johnson won the event with a best of 8.17m/26-9.75, with Miguel Pate finishing as the runner-up in jumping the identical distance. Johnson was the declared the victor due to his second-best jump outdistancing Pate's. Their performances equal the second-best jumps by an American this season.

Rome, Heaston, Upshaw win field events

Current U.S. leader and 2004 Olympian Jarred Rome won the men's discus on his final attempt with a throw of 63.04 meters/206 feet, 10 inches. Rome's 2004 Olympic teammate Ian Waltz was the runner-up with a best of 63.02m/206-9.

In women's field events, 2004 Olympian Kristin Heaston won the shot put competition with a best of 18.55 meters/60 feet, 10 inches, the second-best throw by an American this season. Current U.S. 2005 leader Liz Wanless (18.58m/60-11.50) was the runner-up with a best of 18.00m/59-0.75.

2004 Olympic finalist Grace Upshaw equaled the second-best performance by an American this season with her winning leap of 6.73 meters/22 feet, 1 inch in the women's long jump. Brianna Glenn was the runner-up with a best of 6.60m/21 feet, 8 inches.

Perry sets hurdles personal best

In women's action on the track, 2004 Olympic Trials finalist and Athens Olympic Games heptathon competitor Michelle Perry set a lifetime best in winning the 100m hurdles in 12.65 seconds. Her performance is the second-fastest time by an American this year. 2004 Jamaican Olympian Delloreen Ennis-London was the runner-up in 12:77, with 2005 USA Indoor champion Danielle Carruthers placing third in 12.83.

In other women's running events, 2004 Olympic Games 200m finalist Muna Lee won the 100 meters in 11.16 seconds, with Rachelle Boone-Smith the runner-up in 11.23 and 2005 USATF Indoor Visa Championships Series winner Angela Daigle third in 11.30.

2004 Olympic Trials fifth-place finisher Frances Santin broke away from the field coming down the final stretch to win the women's 800 meters in 2 minutes, 01.44 seconds, the second-fastest time by an American this outdoor season. Amy Teteris of Canada was the runner-up in 2:01.90, with Alice Schmidt finishing third in 2:02.71.

Capel, Arnold & Krummenacker win on the track

2003 World Outdoor 200m champion John Capel won the men's 100 meters in 10.08 seconds, the third-fastest time by an American this season. Jamaica's Dwight Thomas was the runner-up in 10.12, with Brian Lewis third in 10.16. In the men's 110m hurdles, Dominique Arnold posted the second-fastest time by an American this season with his win in 13.21 seconds. Arend Watkins was the runner-up in 13.35.

In other men's running events, 2003 World Indoor champion David Krummenacker won the 800 meters in the second-fastest time by an American this season of 1 minute, 45.19 seconds, and 2003 USA champion Steve Slattery won the men's steeplechase in 8:38.89.

In Olympic Development events on Monday, 2004 Olympic Trials 1,500m finalist Scott McGowan won the men's 800 meters in 1 minute, 49.49 seconds, with former Stanford great and 2000 Olympic gold medalist Gabe Jennings the runner-up in 1:49.67. Two Olympic Development men's 1,500 meter races were contested Monday with Jim Sorenson winning Section 1 in 3 minutes, 45.09 seconds, and Julius Achon picking up the win in Section 2 in 3:41:58.

Athlete Quotes

Men's Triple Jump

Kenta Bell, winner

"It was a good day, a great day to jump, I just had a problem with the board. I put drama in stuff that doesn't need drama. I guess it's good for the crowd. "

"Some days you're up, some days you're down, but you have to jump."

Men's Discus Throw

Jarred Rome, winner

"I'm notorious for that (winning on the last throw). This is good for me, but not my competition.

"My technique was not good, but I did come back and win and that's the important thing."

"This shows that I am a good competitor."

Women's Pole Vault

Tracy O'Hara, winner

"Conditions were not that great. We had a cross wind which is not that fun, and sometimes a tail wind. It wasn't that great, and that's hard to say because I jumped so well."

"This is definitely huge for me. I have more in me, I don't want to set limits. I think I can jump 16-6."

Women's Long Jump

"Grace Upshaw, winner

"It took me a while to et going. Once I got going, I was working on my run up. I'm trying to be a little quicker in my last three steps. It's a matter of me trusting and following through. I felt pretty good. I definitely didn't feel as fast as I have in practice. Once I complete my 12-week training cycle, I should be where I want to be. My goal this year is to have a good strength base going into the trials and Europe afterwards."

Men's Pole Vault

Jacob Pauli, winner

"It was tough out there with the wind going every way. I was lucky to get some good wind. "

(On beating Tim Mack and Toby Stevenson)

"Those guys are still awesome. You have to give it to them. They have both jumped 19-2 this year. They are in it for the long run.

Women's Nike 100m Hurdles

Michelle Perry, winner

"I got out so late, I'm happy with the win. The strong part of my race is the last five hurdles. not going to do a heptathlon until the nationals. This year there's a good balance between the two. "

"I like the hurdles better than the heptathlon."

Men's 110m Hurdles

Dominique .Arnold, winner

I was so nervous going into the race, that's the reason for my start. I tried putting more pressure on myself and I've still got stuff to work on. I'm slightly disappointed in my race. At least I won and that's the important thing."

Women's 800m

Frances Santin, winner

"I felt good, I felt ready. I told the coach that today would be a good day. Her winning time was her third fastest time. I felt like my third 200 meters, I pushed it."

Men's Long Jump

Brian Johnson, winner

"I actually felt 'on" today. My coach (Johnny Thomas) has been working with me on the runway. We're letting the jump take care of itself.

Being here is quite an achievement. I'm happy to be back (after his knee injury). I knew I'd be back, I just didn't know how long it'd take me."

Men's Visa Shot Put

John Godina, winner

"My technique was good for me. I am a little disappointed. I wanted to get another PR. I'll see about getting another one in New York. "

Men's Visa 800m

David Krummenacker, winner

"I felt good, I felt very happy. The training is going well, but you don't know how good it's going until you have a race like this.

Women's Visa 100m

Muna Lee, winner

The race was all right. My start was shaky. But my finish was good. I was able to come up, run and accelerate.

Men's Nike 100m

John Capel, winner

(On running both the 100 and 200 meters at the Outdoor Championships): I've got to make sure my fitness level is ready for eight races. I know I've got one good race in me. I'd pick the 200 meters, it's my wife's (Sandy) favorite race. If my health keeps progressing, I'd like to do both but my coach will have to decide that.

It's extremely important to me (to do both). It'd be the best thing ever to double like Mo and Marion did. That'd be awesome, doubling at World's."

"I'm a sprinter, I like the shortest distance possible. "

Fans can compete, too!

For the first time ever , track & field fans around the country now have a chance to share in the success of their favorite athletes, picking the male the female they believe will be crowned Visa Champions as part of the Visa Championship Series "Watch. Click. Win." Online Sweepstakes. Fans can support their favorite athlete on his/her journey by logging onto www.usatf.org/win and voting for the male and female athletes they think will be the Visa Champions at the end of the outdoor season.

Following their favorite athletes online and via television broadcasts, fans may submit an entry once an hour, once a day, once a week, and may change their entries as the Visa Championship Series progresses. By logging ontowww.usatf.org/win, fans can select the athlete they think will win the title of Visa Champion, and the winning point total that will be assessed to their top performance, using the IAAF Scoring Tables of Athletics. Fans began submitting entries on Wednesday, April 27, 2005, with entries closing on June 17. Only each fan's most recent entry for each category (male and female) will be eligible.

For more information on the 2005 Payton Jordan U.S. Open, the Visa Championship Series and the Visa Championships Series "Watch. Click. Win." Online Sweepstakes, visit USATF.org.