University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee Track Well Represented In USA Championship Meets
July 24, 2001 | Men's Track
June 16, 2001
Individuals from Tennessee's NCAA champion track team and some world class Vol alums will line up for the USA Outdoor Championships next week in Eugene, Ore.
However, freshman Justin Gatlin will hit the track first Saturday and Sunday at the USA Junior National Championships at the Richmond Sports Backers Stadium in Richmond, Va. Gatlin will attempt to cap his stellar rookie campaign by becoming the first person ever to win the 100M dash, 200M dash and 110M hurdles at the USA Junior meet. Gatlin's results from the USA Juniors will be released late Sunday night.
Gatlin recently took double NCAA titles in the 100M dash and 200M dash. He also qualified to run the 110M hurdles at the NCAAs, but decided to concentrate on his other events. The USA Junior Championships are for American athletes age 14-19. The top three in each event will make the junior national team with the opportunity to compete against other international juniors. Last summer, Vol Rocky Danners won the USA junior pole vault title. The impressive list of former USA Junior competitors includes Marion Jones, Terrence Trammell, Adam Nelson, Suzy Favor Hamilton, Alvin and Calvin Harrison, Carl Lewis and Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
Next week, a greater number of Vols and former Vols will return to revered Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., the site of Tennessee's 2001 NCAA title a couple of weeks ago, for the USA Outdoor Championships. The meet runs Thursday through Sunday with those with Tennessee ties slated to compete in the pole vault, decathlon, steeplechase, 110M hurdles, 800M run and javelin.
The Vol alum presence is strong in the pole vault with 2000 Olympic silver medalist Lawrence Johnson and Tim Mack slated to hit the runway. Likewise, former Vol Tom Pappas, fifth at the Sydney Olympics, and Tennessee All-America Stephen Harris are scheduled to compete in the decathlon. Pappas will probably not participate in every event as he is recovering from an injury. Two former Vols, Olympian Tony Cosey and Anthony Famiglietti, will compete in another Tennessee strong suit -- the steeplechase.
Former Vol Dawane Wallace, the second-fastest Vol high hurdler ever behind Willie Gault, will report to the line in the 110M hurdles, his signature event. Jebreh Harris, who just completed his eligibility for Tennessee as the school's fourth-best 800M runner, will compete in the 800M run. Additionally, Leigh Smith, an All-America selection in his freshman year, will represent the Tennesseans in the javelin throw. Tentatively, results from the USA Outdoor Championships will be released late Friday night and Sunday evening.
Similar to the USA Juniors, the top three in each event at the USA Outdoors will have the opportunity to represent their country in international competition. Tennessee releases will be available on www.utsports.com. Results from both meets are scheduled to be updated on www.usatf.org.
