Posted: May 22, 2006

Athletics: Spearmon Spearheads Strong Sprint Fields

Eugene, Oregon--Fresh off his world-leading 20.06 200 Meters at Carson, California yesterday (May 21), Wallace Spearmon will run the deuce at the 32nd Prefontaine Classic on Sunday, May 28th at Hayward Field. The 2005 World Championships silver medalist (behind only Justin Gatlin) recorded the fastest time in the world last year, a 19.89 in winning the London Grand Prix. The 21-year-old phenom gave up his remaining eligibility at the University of Arkansas to turn pro, and finished the season No. 2 in the world (again behind only Gatlin), as ranked by Track & Field News magazine. Spearmon's main challenge will be provided by Jamaican Chris Williams, who was rated No. 5 in the world last year by T&FN. The Pre Classic meet record in the 200 is 20.15 by Michael Johnson, way back in 19.95.

The men's 400 race is a "You Pick 'Em" with some of the fastest one-lappers in the world. Five of last year's top 10 fill the lanes at Hayward Field: Canada's Tyler Christopher (No. 2), defending Pre champion Michael Blackwood (No 9) of Jamaica, and Americans Tyree Washington (No. 6), Darold Williamson (No. 8), and LaShawn Merritt (No. 10). Merritt has already run 44.67 this year, Gary Kikaya of Congo 44.72, Commonwealth Games Champion John Steffenson of Australia 44.93, and Williamson 44.88.

200 Meters (Men)

Wallace Spearmon
Chris Williams (Jamaica)
Rodney Martin
Wes Felix
Ainsley Waugh (Jamaica)
Darvis Patton
Coby Miller

400 Meters (Men)

Tyler Christopher (Canada)
Darold Williamson
LaShawn Merritt
John Steffenson (Australia)
Tyree Washington
Michael Blackwood (Jamaica)
Gary Kikaya (Congo)
Alleyne Francique (Grenada)

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