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Record-holder Stuczynski to compete at Reebok Grand Prix
Jenn Stuczynski, who on Sunday ended the 11-year reign of Stacy Dragila as American Record-holder in the women' pole vault, will compete at the Reebok Grand Prix on June 2, organizers announced this week. Among her rivals in New York will be Dragila, on the comeback trail after missing last season with an injury.
Also added to the lineup are Torri Edwards (100-meter dash), Michelle Perry (100-meter hurdles), Kenia Sinclair (1500 meters), Novlene Williams (400 meters), Kenneth Ferguson (400-meter hurdles) and Long Island native Anthony Famiglietti (5,000 meters). All are coming off big wins in Sunday's adidas Track Classic, as are the previously announced Allyson Felix and Tyson Gay. Gay's scorching time of 9.79, had it not been just over the allowable tailwind limits, would have tied the American Record.
In her huge L.A. win, the 25-year-old Stuczynski vaulted 4.84 meters/15 feet, 10.5 inches, surpassing Dragila's U.S. mark of 4.83m/15-10, set in 2004. Ranked #1 in the U.S. and #6 in the world for 2006, Stuczynski is the reigning U.S. Champion both indoors and outdoors and is poised for stardom heading toward the 2008 Olympics.
Edwards, the 2003 World Champion, turned in a torrid 10.90 personal best on Sunday in defeating a 100-meter field that included 2004 Olympic triple medalist Veronica Campbell of Jamaica (2nd in 10.91) and 2006 World Indoor 60m Champion Lisa Barber (3rd in 10.95). Those are the three fastest times in the world this year. Campbell and Barber will also compete here, making for a top 100-meter field. Perry, the 2005 World Champion in the hurdles, also turned in a world leader with a 12.58 victory.
A popular hometown favorite, Famiglietti attended Patchogue-Medford High School on Long Island and now lives and trains in Manhattan. He is a 2004 Olympian in the steeplechase and is the U.S. 8-kilometer road race champion, a title he won in Central Park on May 18 in a race hosted by the New York Road Runners.
The third-annual Reebok Grand Prix will begin at 5 p.m. June 2 at state-of-the-art Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island. It is the third stop of USA Track & Field's Visa Championship Series. Tickets, at $20, $30 and $40, are available by calling 1-877-TIX-TRAC. USATF welcomes you to pay with your Visa. For more information and event updates, visit the event website at www.ReebokGrandPrix.com
World's leading throwers to compete at Prefontaine Classic
The top throwers on the IAAF World Rankings list in the men's shot put and women's javelin throw will compete June 10 at the 2007 Prefontaine Classic Grand Prix at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
The fourth event of USA Track & Field's 2007 Outdoor Visa Championship Series, the Nike Prefontaine Classic will be televised live on NBC from 4-6 p.m. on June 10.
The men's shot put winner last weekend at the adidas Track Classic in Carson, Calif., Christian Cantwell posted a world-leading throw of 21.96 meters/72 feet .75 inch. He'll face reigning World Indoor champion Reese Hoffa, who ended last year ranked #1 in the world by Track & Field News. Also look for two-time Olympic silver medalist and reigning World champion Adam Nelson and Dan Taylor, who ended last season ranked #8 in the world. Two-time Olympic medalist and three-time World Outdoor champion John Godina, also will be in the mix following an injury-plagued 2006 campaign.
The women's throwing events will include Kim Kreiner and Suzy Powell, who earlier this year set American records in their respective events.
Kreiner increased her U.S. record in the javelin throw for the sixth time in her career with her toss of 64.19 meters/210 feet 7 inches on May 16. Known more for her prowess in the discus throw, Suzy Powell, who set the American record in that event last month, will challenge a strong field in the javelin. Powell was the NCAA javelin runner-up and Pac-10 champion in 1997.
Others to watch in the women's javelin include the Czech Republic's Barbora Spotakova, who broke through last year to climb to the top of the IAAF World Rankings with a best mark of 66.21m/217-2 . She will be challenged by Dane Christina Scherwin, now living and training in Eugene, who ranked #6 in the world last year by T&FN; and Spaniard Mercedes Chilla, who ranked #7 globally.
Tickets are available at the Casanova Center ticket office, by calling 1-800-WEBFOOT, or online at GoDucks.com. USATF welcomes you to pay with your Visa.
For more information on the 2007 Visa Championship Series, visit USATF.org.
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