Posted: January 19, 2006

Athletics: American pole vaulters take center stage at Millrose

NEW YORK - Reigning Olympic gold medalist Tim Mack and the man who finished right behind him in Athens, silver-medalist Toby Stevenson, will lead six American pole vaulters - all among the best in the world - into the 99th Millrose Games, organizers announced Tuesday. The second event of the Visa Championship Series, the 99th annual Millrose Games is set for Feb. 3 at Madison Square Garden.

All four challengers to Mack and Stevenson have impressive resumes of their own: Brad Walker, the 2005 World Championship silver medalist ranked #1 in the world for2005; Nick Hysong, the 2000 Olympic gold medalist and 2001 World Championships bronze medalist; Jeff Hartwig, the American and Millrose Games record-holder; and Derek Miles, the 2003 US Indoor champion and 2004 Olympian who returns to defend his 2005 Millrose title.

Meanwhile, a strong lineup is set to challenge the USA's Lauryn Williams, the reigning 100m World Champion, and world silver medalist Veronica Campbell of Jamaica in the women's 60-meter dash. Rounding out the field is Debbie Ferguson of the Bahamas, the Athens 200-meter bronze medalist and member of the "Golden Girl" 4x100m relay team that won the 2000 Olympic title, and Americans Angela Daigle-Bowen, the 2005 USA Indoor champion at 60 meters, 2005 overall Indoor Visa Champion and World Championships 4x100m relay gold medalist; Me'Lisa Barber, the reigning USA 100m champion and World Championships 4x100m gold medalist; and Angela Williams, two-time World Indoor silver medalist.

With just a year to go before its centennial running, the 99th annual Millrose Games, the oldest continuing sporting event at Madison Square Garden, is set for Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster by phone (212-307-7171); via Internet at www.ticketmaster.com; at a Ticketmaster outlet near you; or by visiting the Madison Square Garden ticket office. Information can be found at www.Millrose-Games.com. The event will be broadcast on ESPN2 on Feb. 5 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest