Upload a Photo Upload a Video Add a News article Write a Blog Add a Comment
Blog Feed News Feed Video Feed All Feeds

Folders

 

 

Bershawn Jackson sees return to championship form with Millrose Games win - AP

Published by
Shane   Feb 2nd 2008, 5:00am
Comments

NEW YORK -- Bernard Lagat might have set a record for earliest announcement of participation in a meet.

"I'm confirming it right now -- it's official," Lagat said of the 2009 Millrose Games.

He knows he'll be back because he has another record to chase. With one more victory in the Wanamaker Mile, he'll tie the mark for the most ever.

Lagat picked up his sixth title Friday night at Madison Square Garden in the 101st edition of the meet.

Irishman Eamonn Coghlan, dubbed the "Chairman of the Boards" for his dominance on the old wooden Millrose track, won seven times, the last in 1987.

So there's no way Lagat, the reigning 1,500- and 5,000-meter world champion, is skipping a chance at history next year.

"And if I come back again after that," he said, "then I'll become the 'President of the Board."

Lagat visualized the competition earlier Friday in his hotel room. Australian Craig Mottram, who gave him a tough race last year, would take the lead about midway through, then Lagat would make his move with around two laps to go.

He was absolutely right.

The Kenyan-born American sped to the front and easily held off Mottram to win in 3 minutes, 57.51 seconds.

In the 600 yards, Bershawn Jackson edged three-time defending U.S. outdoor 800 champ Khadevis Robinson by 0.19 seconds.

"I feel like the champion I was in '05," said Jackson, slowed last year by hamstring and groin injuries. "It's going to be a great year."

The indoor season is time for many runners to hone various skills by racing in other events than their specialties. Kara Goucher, who last summer became the first American woman to earn a world championship medal in the 10,000 meters when she placed third, entered the mile to work on her finishing speed.

She remembers what U.S. distance running great Lynn Jennings told her: When Jennings was running her best 10,000 times, she was sometimes competing in the mile and 1,500 meters.

Goucher got the experience she wanted by holding off Sara Hall to win by 0.08 seconds.

"It proves I can kick," she said, smiling.

It also proved she's recovered from minor knee surgery the week before Christmas to repair cartilage damage.

Lashinda Demus is making a different kind of comeback. The 2005 world championship silver medalist in the 400-meter hurdles gave birth to twin boys in June.

She won the women's 600-yard run for her first victory since then.

Two-time Olympic silver medalist Adam Nelson set a record for the meet in the Garden in winning the shot put at 72 feet, 5 inches. Christian Cantwell, who finished second, set the previous mark of 71-9½ last year.

American record-holder Jenn Stuczynski was upset in the women's pole vault by Jillian Schwartz, who has finished second at the U.S. championships three times each indoors and outdoors. Both cleared 15-2, but Schwartz had fewer misses. The height was a personal best for her.

Carmelita Jeter, the world championship bronze medalist in the 100 meters, beat Miki Barber by 0.01 seconds in the women's 60.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press   Article can be found here.



More news

History for Millrose Games
YearResultsVideosNewsPhotosBlogs
2024   136 17 1252  
2023 1 114 26 1934  
2022 1 104 33 1551  
Show 25 more
 
+PLUS highlights
+PLUS coverage
Live Events
Get +PLUS!