U.S. Outdoors, Day 4: Jackson Wins 400 Hurdles in World-leading Time

In the final day of competition at the U.S. Outdoor Championships Sunday, Bershawn Jackson broke away after the last hurdle to win the men’s 400 hurdles final in a 2009 world- leading 48.03 seconds. Johnny Dutch, who was about even with Jackson at the final hurdle, was an impressive second (48.18) while 2008 Olympic gold medalist Angelo Taylor faded a bit near the end but still made the World Championships team by placing third (48.30).

Shawn Crawford ran a wind-aided 19.73 to win the men’s 200, followed by Charles Clark (20.0) and Wallace Spearmon (20.03). Earlier in the day, Crawford (20.19) and Xavier Carter (wind-aided 20.28) won their semifinal heats. Carter was fifth in the final. The 2007 women’s World Outdoor champion, Allyson Felix, had a bye to the World Championships but ran the full competition anyway and was rewarded with a U.S. title. Felix won the 200 final in 22.02, followed by Muna Lee (22.13) and Marshevet Hooker (22.36). Felix won the first semifinal Sunday (wind-aided 22.31) and Lauryn Williams won the second (22.54). Williams was sixth in the final.

Beijing 100 hurdles champion Dawn Harper ran a slightly wind-aided 12.36 (2.2 MPS) to win the women’s finals Sunday. Oft-injured Virginia Powell was a solid second (12.47) with Damu Cherry third (12.58). Defending World Outdoor champion Michelle Perry, who enjoys a bye to the World Championships, withdrew before Sunday’s final. Cherry (wind-aided 12.44) and Harper (12.53) won their semifinal heats earlier on Sunday. Lolo Jones suffered another setback as she struck a hurdle and didn’t finish her semifinal race.

Lopez Lamong won an exciting men’s 1500 in 3:41.68, with Leonel Manzano second (3:41.82) and Dorian Ulrey third (3:42.84). Stephen Pifer led on the final lap, trailed by Manzano and then Lamong. After Manzano passed Pifer with less than 200 meters remaining, Lamong passed Pifer and Manzano. Pifer fell to fifth. Qualifier Alan Webb withdrew prior to the race due to a hamstring injury.

U.S. steeplechase record-holder Jennifer Barringer pulled away from defending U.S. champion Anna Willard late in Sunday’s final to win decisively in 9:29.38. Willard gained second (9:35.01) ahead of third-place Bridget Franek (9:36.74).

Hazel Clark grabbed a quick lead and never let go to win the women’s 800 final in 2:00.79. Two-time NCAA champion Geena Gall ran behind Clark for much of the race and finished second (2:01.01), while Phoebe Wright took third (2:01.12). Nick Symmonds took a different route to victory in the men’s race. He was fifth midway through the event, second on the final turn, then burst to the front and won in 1:45.86. Khadevis Robinson couldn’t quite catch Symmonds on the final straight but Robinson held second place (1:45.97), while Ryan Brown (1:46.67) edged Christian Smith (1:46.92) for third.

Hyleas Fountain opened the day’s heptathlon competition by winning the long jump event with a leap measuring 6.95/22-9¾. However, Fountain, who seemed to have an insurmountable lead in points with two events remaining, aggravated a neck injury she suffered in Saturday’s high jump. Fountain was taken to a hospital for observation, dropping out of the heptathlon competition, and leaving Diana Pickler with the lead. Pickler finished fifth in the final event, the 800, to clinch the overall championship with 6290 points. Sharon Day, who won the 800, took second (6177) while Bettie Wade placed third (5908). Earlier, Emily Pearson won the sixth event, the javelin throw (43.66/143-3).

Tora Harris won the men’s high jump by clearing 2.31/7-7 on his second attempt. Andra Manson and Keith Moffatt mirrored each other’s performances and tied for second, clearing 2.28/7-5¾ on their second attempts. Jesse Williams also cleared 2.28 but did so on his third attempt and finished fourth.

U.S. record-holder Jenn Stuczynski cleared 4.65/15-3 to win the women’s pole vault final. Chelsea Johnson took second (4.60/15-1) while Stacy Dragila placed third (4.55/14-11).

Women’s long jump favorite Brittney Reese didn’t disappoint Sunday, leaping 7.09/23-3¼ to win the U.S. championship. Brianna Glenn took second (6.82/22-4½). Funmi Jimoh and Grace Upshaw both leaped 6.77/22-2½, but Jimoh took third place based on her second-best jump (6.72/22-½ in the final round).

Christian Cantwell had the two longest throws to win the men’s shot put (21.82/71-7). Dan Taylor took second (21.21/70-7), defending World Champion Reese Hoffa was third (21.10/69- 2¾) and Adam Nelson finished fourth (21.01/68-11¼). Because Hoffa has a bye to the World Outdoors, Nelson will join the four-member U.S. men’s shot put contingent in Berlin.

Any of Jessica Cosby’s five legal throws would’ve been good enough to capture the women’s hammer throw title Sunday. Her best toss measured 72.04/236-4. Amber Campbell was second (68.92/226-1) while Erin Gilreath took third (68.08/223-4).

Teresa Vaill earned the 20-kilometer race walk title with a time of 1:37:13. Joanne Dow placed second (1:39:59) and Maria Michta third (1:41:16).