Posted: June 26, 2005

Athletics: Webb And Clement Rule 1500; Lincoln Wins Steeple

From David Monti

© 2005 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

CARSON, Calif (25-Jun) -- Alan Webb and Treniere Clement won tactical 1500m finals, while Daniel Lincoln prevailed in a relatively fast steeplechase to highlight the pentultimate day at the U.S. Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the Home Depot Center.

Webb, the reigning U.S. champion who did not make it out of the first round at the Athens Olympics, showed today that he has matured as a racer. He let Dan Wilson and Charlie Gruber lead in the early going, with the 800m mark passed in a modest 2:04. The pack was large and edgy, and there was a lot of jostling.

"I think I probably made ten moves in that race," commented Robb Myers, who would finish third in 3:42.27.

It was Gruber who took the bell in 2:48.2. Webb wanted to go, but he thought it better to wait.

"I kind of wanted to make a move a little earlier, but I got pushed around a lot," said Webb who waited until 200m to go to really turn on the speed. But entering turn four, it was the former UCLA star John Rankin who had a slight lead and Georgetown junior Chirs Lukezic was coming up on the outside. That didn't surprise Lukezic's coach, Juli Henner.

"He's ready to do a lot more," she said after the race.

Webb showed his superior finishing speed coming out of turn four, and it could not be matched by any of his rivals. He got to the finish line first in 3:41.97. Lukezic, who led the NCAA Championships 1500m before crumbling in the final 100m, showed that his occasional workouts with Webb were paying dividends. He finished second in 3:42.06, and he and Webb shared an jubilant embrace immediately after the race.

"I knew he was that much more motivated," said Webb of Lukezic.

Of the top-3 finishers, only Webb possesses the IAAF World Championships "A" standard of 3:36.20. Meyer already has some races lined up in Europe, and he ran 3:38.96 in the preliminary round. "I think it would have been possible today," said Myers of making the standard, but the tactical nature of the race dictated that he run for finish position, instead. Lukezic doesn't have a race lined up, but is ready to run fast: "I'm confident I can run the time," he said.

Clement Uses Patience And Finishing Speed

Earlier, in the women's 1500m final, Treniere Clement also used patience to her advantage. She did not lead the race until the final few meters, getting by Jen Toomey and Amy Mortimer to win her first-ever U.S. title in 4:06.73, a personal best. Toomey was second (4:07.39) and Mortimer third (4:07.58).

"It's a definitely breakthrough," said Clement, last year's NCAA East Regional 1500m champion when she ran for the Georgetown Hoyas.

Clement only has the "B" standard (4:08.20), and is thus assured a slot on the U.S. team only if two other "A" qualifiers don't emerge from the top finishers by 25-Jul (none of today's finishers have the "A" standard of 4:05.80). But Clement plans to get the time, soon.

"I'm definitely in shape to get the "A" standard," she said.

Lincoln Takes Fam In Steeple; Three Headed To Helsinki

Under the high noon sun, the top-3 U.S. steeplechasers quickly left everyone else behind, except for the young Ohio State junior, Brian Olinger, who was hanging on in fourth. Anthony Famiglietti, Daniel Lincoln and Steve Slattery circled the track in that order through the sixth lap, with SlatterY a few seconds behind the other two. But going into the seventh lap, Lincoln made a strong move and Famiglietti couldn't answer.

"Daniel moved going into the water jump," said Famiglietti. "I just felt flat. I'm so disappointed to lose like that."

"I wasn't quite sure how he'd react," recalled Lincoln of his move which proved to be all that was needed to secure the victory in an honest time of 8:17.27. Famiglietti finished second in 8:20.49 and Slattery came home third --despite severly banging his knee on a barrier in the first round-- in 8:25.52. Olinger held on for fourth in 8:28.44. The top-3 men have the IAAF World Championships "A" standard and will represent the United States in Helsinki.

These championships conclude Sunday, with the women's steeplechase and men's and women's 800m finals on the program.