Willard, Hall, Rowbury and Donohue Highlight Women's Distance At USATF Indoors

Press Release From USATF (With LetsRun.com edited title)
February 23, 2010

INDIANAPOLIS - Olympic and World Championship medalists Carmelita Jeter, Allyson Felix, Anna Pierce, Shannon Rowbury and Lolo Jones highlight the women's running fields at the 2010 USA Indoor Track & Field Championships, February 27-28 at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, N.M.

The third and final event of the USA Track & Field 2010 Indoor Visa Championship Series, the USA Indoor Championships will be televised February 28, from 7 - 9 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN2. In addition to competing for a total prize purse of $117,000, U.S. athletes will have the opportunity to qualify for Team USA roster spots for the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships, March 12-14, in Doha, Qatar.

Women's 60m

Two-time World Outdoor 100m bronze medalist Carmelita Jeter will race on American soil for the first time this indoor season when she competes in the women's 60m. The #1 world-ranked 100m runner by Track & Field News (T&FN), Jeter will be challenged by 2009 USA Indoor champion Lisa Barber. Barber has dominated the women's 60m in the Visa Championship Series so far this season, winning both the Millrose Games and the Reebok Boston Indoor Games.

Hershey Women's 400m

200m specialist Allyson Felix will be stepping up in distance this weekend to run the 400m. Felix is no stranger to the 400m though, her 2009 campaign ended with her world-ranked #4 by T&FN over 400m. DeeDee Trotter and Natasha Hastings, who between them have six Olympic Games and World Championships 4x400m gold medals, will challenge Felix for the top spot.

Women's 800m

Anna (Willard) Pierce is back after a huge 2009 season that saw her end the year ranked #2 in the world over 800m and #6 globally over 1,500m. Entered in both the 800 and 1,500m, Pierce will be a threat in either event. Other contenders include 2007 USA Outdoor, and NCAA Indoor and Outdoor champion Alysia Johnson and 1,500m specialist Erin Donohue.

Nike Women's 1,500m

2009 World Outdoor bronze medalist Shannon Rowbury leads the field in the Nike women's 1,500m. The current leader on the women's side in the Visa Championship Series standings, Rowbury ended last season ranked #3 in the world over the metric mile. Should Pierce run, she will be Rowbury's main challenger. Also watch for two-time USA Indoor third-place finisher Sara Hall and 2009 NCAA Indoor champion Sara Bowman.

Women's 3,000m

Rowbury and Hall are also the main entrants in the women's 3,000m. Whether or not they attempt to double is anybody's guess, but Hall completed the double last year, finishing as the runner-up in the 3,000 and taking third over 1,500m the following night.

Visa Women's 60m hurdles

The reigning World Indoor champion and a two-time Indoor Visa champion, Lolo Jones returns stateside to compete for her fourth-consecutive indoor national title. Jones has spent this indoor season competing in Europe, racking up wins and running a season-best 7.85. Two-time USA Indoor champion Danielle Carruthers, 2008 Olympian Damu Cherry and two-time NCAA Indoor champion Tiffany Ofili will also be in the field. Also watch for 2008 Olympic heptathlon silver medalist Hyleas Fountain to test out her legs in the hurdles.

 

 

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