Berlin World Champs: A look back at US Sprints

At the end of June the US Outdoor Track and Field Championships were held in Eugene.  Athletes set their sights on a 9-day period in August, the World Championships.  Here's a look back at the US sprinters and what they did to get to Berlin:

100 metres

With Tyson Gay only running one round, the show was left to Michael Rodgers.  Rodgers who had previously been known for his indoor races, came through this outdoor season with some of the best marks in the world running (best legal time of 9.94).  2008 Olympian Darvis Patton punched his ticket for the second year in a row finishing second behind Rodgers and Monzavous (Rae) Edwards rounded out the top 3.  For Edwards, it was the first US team he's made in his career.  Travis Padgett finished fourth in the race for the second straight year in a row just missing a spot on the team.  He should be in the relay pool for Berlin and the rest of the team will be joined by Tyson, the reigning World Champ and currently ranked #1 in the World (9.77, AR) while Usain Bolt sits #2 (9.79).

Contenders in Berlin: Tyson Gay, Usain Bolt (JAM), Daniel Bailey (ANT), Churandy Martina (AHO), Asafa Powell (JAM), Rodgers

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Carmelita Jeter was the first woman out of the finals at the 2008 US trials, but in 2009 it was a different story.  Jeter came out to win the US Champs joining 2008 Olympians Muna Lee (the '08 US Champ) and Lauryn Williams.  Alexandria Anderson, a new comer to the US scene from University of Texas, finished in the fourth spot and Marshevet Hooker finished fifth (she just missed a spot in '08 when she finished fourth).

Contenders in Berlin: Shelly-Ann Fraser (JAM), Kerron Stewart (JAM), Jeter, Veronica Campbell-Brown (JAM), Kelly-Ann Baptiste (TRI), Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie (BAH), Chandra Sturrup (BAH), Williams

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200 metres

The men's 200, just like the 100, was missing '07 World Champ Tyson Gay.  The door was opened for veteran and 2004 Olympic Champ Shawn Crawford.  Crawford ran his fastest time under any conditions with a wind-aided 19.73.  The 2009 NCAA Outdoor Champion and Florida State Seminole, Charles Clark ran strong for second to make his first US team (5th last year at the US Trials) and was followed by '08 Olympian Wallace Spearmon.  Wallace is no stranger to the World Championships as he earned the bronze in 2007 and the silver in 2005, both in the 200 meters.  Currently, Tyson ranks #1 (19.59) in front of Bolt's 19.59.

Contenders in Berlin: Tyson Gay, Usain Bolt (JAM), Crawford, Spearmon, Alonso Edward (PAN)

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The women's 200 saw an identical finish to the 2008 Olympic Trials with the 2x reigning World Champ Allyson Felix taking the victory, Muna making the team in her second event (100), and Marshevet Hooker.  Felix may be the most decorated 200 meter runner in the world right now with her two gold medals from '07 and '05.  She also won sliver in both the '04 and '08 Olympic Games.

Contenders in Berlin: Felix, Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie (BAH), Veronica Campbell-Brown (JAM), Kerron Stewart (JAM), LaVerne Jones-Ferrette (ISV), Shelly-Ann Fraser (JAM)

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400 metres

2007 World Champ Jeremy Wariner opted to run the 200 at the US Championships which gave LaShawn Merritt an easy road to repeat as the US Champ.  The 2008 Olympic Champ will be joined by Texas Tech standout Gil Roberts.  The 2007 400H World Champ, Kerron Clement, finished 3rd.  With Kerron attempting to defend his hurdle title, the door has been opened for Lionel Larry.  Larry was a member of the 2007 US team in Osaka.  2008 Olympian David Neville finished in the fifth spot. 

Contenders in Berlin: Merritt, Wariner, Latroy Williams (BAH), Chris Brown (BAH), Renny Quow (TRI)

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Sanya Richards repeated as the US Champion with no trouble as the 2009 year continues to be a great one for her.  Debbie Dunn had the best meet of her career at the time as she was runner-up behind Richards and set a PR by .32 running a 50.79.  Jessica Beard, the 2009 NCAA Champ and Texas A&M sophomore, continued a great year by making her first US team finishing third.  Beard who only started running 4 years ago, looks to have a great future ahead of her.

Contenders in Berlin: Richards, Shericka Williams (JAM), Novlene William-Mills (JAM), Antonina Krivoshapka (RUS), Anastasiya Kapachinskaya (RUS)

Track and Field Videos on Flotrack

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#3	dadrunner   August 13 at 7:06pm More insight and predictions would be better than what looks to be a listing of the athletes running these events, imho. reply
#2	GonzoB   August 13 at 3:57pm I think Charles Clark can possibly sneak in for a medal in the 200--great young man and isn't so prone to injury as some of the others--certainly should be in the finals. I don't know how Crawford does it at his age but he certainly blew away the field at the US champs. reply
#1	Sanya Richards Video Blog   August 13 at 10:08am Check out Sanya's video blog from Berlin --- the coolest blog on Flotrack!!! http://www.universalsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=23000&ATCLID=204773884 reply