Florida Women's Track And Field Head Coach Tom Jones Remembered

More than 500 people celebrated the life of Florida women's track and field head coach Tom Jones at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Northwest Gainesville on Tuesday morning.The sometimes tearful, sometimes joyful ceremony was attended by a plethora of University of Florida coaches, athletic association personal and members of Florida's men's and women's track teams. Complete article.

Deena Kastor - Runner's World Interview

Deena Kastor, the 2004 Athens Olympic marathon bronze medalist and winner of the 2005 LaSalle Bank Chicago and 2006 Flora London Marathons, will race in the Boston Marathon on April 16. Her 2:19:36 in London made her the first American to break 2:20 for the marathon.

Read the complete interview here.

Vernicha James Back In Training

Former world and European junior 200m champion Vernicha James has resumed training in the hope of returning to her best form next year.

James’ last race was back in May 2004 but soon after she struggled with injuries and stress in her personal life. It all led to James taking a break from the sport.
“I was always planning on coming back,” James told AW, “I just needed a bit of time off because I was having a few problems with an ex-boyfriend and I went off the rails a bit. But after having a break I realised that athletics is where my heart is, so I decided to return.”

Read the entire article at Athletics Weekly.

Greene To Stage Comeback At Osaka Grand Prix

Olympic sprint champion Maurice Greene is planning to reclaim his crown at the upcoming Osaka Grand Prix which he will headline alongside Chinese star hurdler Liu Xiang.

The US star has won the 100 metres three times in Osaka but has not competed for the last two years, allowing fellow American Justin Gatlin to take the title.

Boston Marathon Announces Elite Fields

In its 22nd year as principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon, John Hancock announced its elite team of 25 marathon runners from eight countries today, including American Olympic bronze medalist Deena Kastor, defending champions Rita Jeptoo and Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot of Kenya and past champion Hailu Negussie of Ethiopia.

Also in the field are the leaders of the World Marathon Majors Series. The race is set for Monday, April 16, 2007.

Moreno and Martinez excel at Cuban Throwing Champs

Olympic and World Championships Hammer Throw silver medalist Yipsi Moreno and World Championships Javelin Throw finalist Guillermo Martinez produced the highest notes at the Cuban Throwing Champs Aurelio Janet Memorial, held last weekend (10-11March) in the eastern city of Santiago.

A week after erasing her national and CAC area record with 75.64m in Jamaica, Moreno, the 2001 and 2003 World champion, confirmed her good early season form with a 73.25 metre effort.

Read the complete article.

All-American Honors for VS Athletics Employee Ronald Carter

VS Athletics employee, Ronald Carter, who works at our retail store in Torrance placed 4th in the triple jump with a mark of 15.95m at the NCAA Divison I Track and Field Championships. Ronald, is a senior at Long Beach State.

Congratulations on a great season Ronald!

See the complete results here.

Possible Terrorism Threat Will Keep Hasay Home

Jordan Hasay was dreading the needles.The six immunization shots were probably the peskiest prerequisite to the Mission College Prep sophomore running phenom's trip to the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, Kenya, scheduled for later this month.

But it's the 15-year-old's dream to compete internationally. She bared her teeth and took them. Three one day and three more on another. Thursday, Hasay said, it was for nothing. She backed out of the March 24 event after perceived terrorist threats against the championships were revealed by the U.S. Embassy.

More.

ESPN360 To Televise NCAA Indoor Track and Field National Championship

The 2007 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field Championships will be covered online on ESPN360. Fans can log on to ESPN360.com to watch the events.

The men’s and women’s track and field championship will be held on the same weekend, March 9-10 in Fayetteville, Ark. Coverage will begin on Friday, March 9, and will run from 2:30-9 p.m. and Saturday, March 10 from 4:30-9 p.m. Click for live updates.

VS ATHLETICS Employee Qualifies For NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships

Ronald Carter, a VS Athletics employee who works at our retail store in Torrance has qualified in the triple jump for the NCAA Divison I Track and Field Championships in Fayettville Arkansas.
His qualifying jump was 16.03 or 52' 7". According to the NCAA Division I Track and Field web site Ronald enters the competition, to be held March 9-10, with the third best mark. Ronald, who is in his senior year, competes for Long Beach State.

We are very proud of him as a company for representing the best in sport.
Go Ronald!!!

NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships - Triple Jump Top 5 Qualifiers

1  Muhammad Halim          JR Cornell                     16.21m 02-25
2  Anthony Flemons         FR Texas Tech                  16.06m 01-27
3  Ronald Carter           SR Long Beach                  16.03m 02-24
4  Michael Whitehead       SR Michigan                    16.02m 02-03
5  Andre Black             SO Louisville                  15.99m 02-17

LA Times Article Profiles Dick Fosbury

Dick Fosbury never intended to turn high jumping on its head. Leaving an indelible mark on the sport of track and field was not his mission.

"I certainly didn't set out to change the world," says the accidental revolutionary, who in the 1960s not only introduced a then-radical high-jumping technique that would change the event forever but also coined a catchy name for it: the Fosbury Flop. "I was just trying to figure out a way to jump a little higher for my own self."

More.

Terek, Asigbee win at 2007 USA Combined Events

Paul Terek and Fiona Asigbee won their respective men's and women's titles Sunday at the 2007 USA Indoor Combined Events Championships at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Terek lives and trains in San Luis Obispo, home of VS Athletics. Second place finisher Chris Boyles is a former resident of San Luis Obispo. Congratulations to both from the crew at VS Athletics.

UCSB 2007 Men's Track and Field Season Preview

2007 is shaping up to be a banner year for the Gaucho men. This year's men's squad is revitalized by the return of red-shirting star athletes, Eugene Bradley and Tetlo Emmen. Bradley, who utilized 2006 by moving to Canada to train with legendary throws coach, Antonaly Bonderchuck, returns to the Gauchos in the best shape of his life and equipped with a halcyon calm and confidence that will undoubtedly guide him well through the most elite competitions. Emmen, an All-American, returns to the Gauchos as the 4th best 800m runner in the entire nation, even amongst professionals. During his redshirt year, he managed to shave his personal record down to an uncanny 1:46.89 at the Occidental Invitational in May. He ended the season with a strong 6th place finish at the USA Track and Field National Championships. With these two stellar athletes leading the Gaucho men, there may not be a force in the Conference that could slow UCSB down.
Get the full report.

Event Reports Birmingham 2007 - European Indoor

Click for results and commentary on the
European Indoor Championships.

Hershey Company Committed To Youth Fitness Through Hershey’s Track and Field Games

The Hershey Company announced a significant expansion of its Hershey’s Track & Field Games, the longest-running youth fitness program of its kind in North America. During 2007, Hershey will conduct a sustained awareness-building campaign to encourage increased youth participation in the program’s local and state-level events. This multi-pronged effort will include: 1) continuation of the USA Track and Field Partnership, with support from past and present USA Track and Field athletes; 2) an expanded grassroots program with the National Recreation and Park Association; 3) an improved participant website hersheystrackandfield.com; 4) launch of a Youth Track and Field instructional program developed by Hershey in partnership with Athletics Canada and spokesperson Carl Lewis; and 5) creation of a Hershey’s Track & Field Hall of Fame, honoring past participants and leaders. Read more.