Posted: February 16, 2006

Athletics: Barber-Williams rivalry heats up at AT&T USA Indoor Championships

BOSTON - A new and exciting sprint rivalry between USA outdoor 100m champion Lisa Barber and reigning World 100m champion Lauryn Williams that caught fire during this indoor season will be one of the many featured attractions at the 2006 AT&T USA Indoor Track & Field Championships, February 24-26 in Boston. The two will face off in the AT&T women's 60 meters.

The AT&T USA Indoor Championships is the final event of USATF's Indoor Visa Championship Series and serves as the selection event for Team USA roster spots for the 2006 World Indoor Championships next month in Moscow, Russia. ESPN will televise the AT&T USA Indoor Championships on February 26 from 3:30-5:30 p.m., Eastern Time.

The rivalry between Barber and Williams began in explosive fashion as both competitors ran personal best times at the first event of this year's Visa Championship Series, the Reebok Boston Indoor Games. Barber burst out of the blocks with a strong first 30 meters and held off a fast charging Williams to win in a meet record time of 7.09 seconds, with Williams the runner-up in 7.13.

Six days later they answered the gun at the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden in New York, where again Barber just beat Williams across the finish line. Barber finished the race in 7.10 seconds, with Olympic women's 200m gold medalist Veronica Campbell of Jamaica clocking the exact same time. A photo finish gave Campbell the win as Williams placed third in 7.19.

The next stop was the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where Campbell won her rematch with Barber, tying the world-leading mark this season of 7.04 seconds. After a false start, Barber was able to come back and place second in 7.10, with Williams placing third in 7.16.

Although Barber is 3-0 against Williams this season, Williams is the best in the world in championship situations, and in running rounds. Three rounds are scheduled for Boston - quarterfinals, semifinals and final - and Williams thrives on getting better with each race, as she did in winning the world 100m title and Olympic 100m silver.

Barber and Williams collectively own the four fastest times by Americans this season, but they'll face a stiff challenge from 2005 Indoor Visa Championships winner and defending indoor champion Angela Daigle-Bowen. 2005 world champion long jumper Tianna Madison, the NCAA 60m third-place finisher in 2005, also is among the entrants.

For more information on the AT&T USA Indoor Track & Field Championships, including schedule, ticket information and status of entries, visit USATF.org.

For more information on the Visa Championship Series, visit www.visachampionshipseries.com.

Sponsors of the AT&T USA Indoor Track & field Championships are AT&T, Nike, Visa, Hershey's, 24 Hour Fitness, Gleukos, Gill Athletics and Sport Court. Local sponsors include the Boston Herald Coca-cola, Keyspan, Hilton Family of Hotel, MBTA and Hot 97.7FM.