Harry Jerome Individual Event Previews

800m Men
2007 World Championship silver medalist Gary Reed (1:43.68) will headline the men’s 800. Kevin Hicks of the U.S. who has run 1:44.94 and fellow American Ryan Brown (1:46.29) will try to challenge Reed. B.C.’s own Graeme Wells (1:47.64) will look to place in the top 3.

400m Men
2007 World Indoor Champion and Canadian Record Holder Tyler Christopher (44.44) will run in a very strong field which includes former USC Trojan Lionel Larry. Larry ran 44.63 last year at the NCAA championships. American James Davis (45.21) and UBC freshman star Rohan Stewart (21.67) will also be fun to watch in this great field.

Shot Put Men
British Columbia’s Dylan Armstrong (21.04, 4th place at last summer’s Beijing Olympics) is having a great start to his season. He will lead the field followed by Americans Rhuben Williams (20.07) and Justin Rode (18.96.)

1500m Men
Ontario’s Taylor Milne (3:36.00) will be back to defend his title in the metric mile. Juan Luis Barrios (3:37.87) of Mexico and Will Leer of the U.S. will look to challenge Milne.

Long Jump Women
This year’s women’s long jump will be a great event with a tremendous field led by Canadian Olympian Ruky Abdulai who recently won the Reebok Games long jump in New York with a jump of 6.74. She will face several outstanding competitors including fellow Canadian Olympian (10th in Beijing) Tabia Charles who finished 3rd at the Reebok Games with a jump of 6.66. Other elite jumpers include Alice Falaiye from Brampton Ontario (6.63) and Ola Sesay from Sierra Leone.

High Jump Men
U.S. high jump stars Jesse Williams (2.36) and James Nieto (2.34) will challenge former World Junior Champion and Canadian Olympian Mike Mason (2.30) in the high jump. Elite American Grant Lindsay 2.27 will also try to win.

400m Women
Nadjina Kaltouma from Chad who trains in Calgary (50.38) will run against Canadian and fellow Olympian Carline Muir of Edmonton (51.55) and Shareese Wood of the U.S. (51.60) in the women’s 400.

100m Men
Canadian Pierre Browne (10.12) will battle it out with American Tyree Gailes (10.11) and fellow Canadians Brian Barnett (10.24) and Sam Effah (10.31) for this year’s 100 meter crown.

100m Women
American Gloria Asumnu (11.03) and Jamaican Schillonie Calvert (11.19) will be challenged by Chad’s Nadjina Kalltouma (11.54) and Canadian stars Krysha Bailey (11.25) and Ruky Abdulai (11.81.)

800m Women
British Columbia’s own Rebecca Johnston (2:01.80) will be this year’s favorite in the two-lapper. She will be chased by Melissa DeLeon of Trinidad (2:02.36) and Sheena Godding of Barbados (2:03.59.)

1500m Women
Kara Goucher of Portland,Oregon will defend her 1500m title at the Jerome Classic on Sunday. This bronze medalist in the 2007 World Championships has remarkable credentials ranging from the 1500m to the marathon. This Olympian who took third in the NY Marathon last fall in 2h25:53, has bests of 30:55.16 in the 10km, 14:55.02 at 5km and 4:05.14 at 1500m. She is coached by the famed Alberto Salazar who wants to peak her speed before the US Championships. Last year she won the Jerome to 4:06.17. This 30 year old Colorado graduate will face a tremendously strong field this year lead by our Canadian Olympian, Malindi Elmore. She has a personal best of 4:02.64 and after several season marred by injury,this Kelowna native opened the 2009 season with a sparkling 4:06.54 in New York last month. This Stanford graduate will be joined by Kenyan, Sally Kipyego who with both track and cross country NCAA crowns to her credit will be a threat with her personal best of 4:06.67.

Pole Vault Women
Saskatoon’s Kelsie Hendry (4.55) will be this year’s favorite but she will face stiff competition from fellow Canadian Carly Dockendorf (4.55) and Seattle’s Kate Conwell (4.37).

Hammer Women
Canadian Record Holder Sultanna Frizell (72.07) broke her previous record of (71.64) on Sunday June 7th at the Prefontaine Classic. She will lead this year’s throwers into the hammer cage. Fellow Canadian Jennifer Joyce (68.73) and American Loree Smith will look to challenge her for the title.

Javelin Women
UBC star Liz Gleadle (55.85) will battle it out with fellow Canadian Krista Woodward and American Kim Kreiner (64.19) for this year’s win.

400m Hurdles Men
Jamaica’s Adrian Findlay (48.93) and American Adrian Mann (49.68) will try to win this year’s event but they will face a tough competitor in Canadian Nigel Joseph (51.55.)

High Jump Women
This year’s high jump will be a very competitive event with Prince George’s Alyx Treasure (1.82) and fellow Canuck Holly Parent at 1.80. They will be challenged by American Melanie Vertees (1.78.)

100m Hurdles Women
This year’s race will feature American Kellie Wells (12.58) and she will be racing fellow American Ashley Lordee (12.99) and Nigeria’s Toyin Augustus (12.89.)