PALO ALTO, California, 22 June 2003 — Bernard Williams upstaged compatriot Tim Montgomery as the premier figure at the United States Athletics Championships, humbling the “world’s fastest man” in the 100 meters here Friday.
Williams crossed the finish line in 10.11 seconds while Montgomery was second in 10.15 and Jon Drummond third in 10.18 in the feature event of a meet that serves as the US qualifier for the World Athletics Championships. “It means a lot being the American champ,” said Williams. “I was confident going into the race.”
The top trio qualified for August’s world meet in Paris, where Montgomery faces a showdown with former world record-holder Maurice Greene. The defeat was a bad sign for Montgomery in his preparation for the World Championships. Montgomery won his heat in the semifinals earlier Friday, but was off his form in the final. Montgomery is not worried though. He says he is close to having a new coach and hopes to make the announcement “in a couple of weeks”. He wouldn’t give details but said the coach was in the stands on Friday to watch him run.
Kelli White captured the women’s 100 meters on Friday in 10.93, the fastest time in the world this year. White also ran a wind-aided 10.79 in Los Angeles earlier this month. Torri Edwards finished second in 11.13 and Gail Devers, who will also run in the 100m hurdles, was third in 11.16. White also beat 1999 world silver medalist Inger Miller (11.17) and the US champ from two years ago Chryste Gaines (11.21).
Defending Olympic gold medalist Angelo Taylor became the second major casualty in as many days. Taylor finished fourth in his first round heat of the 400 meter hurdles and failed to advance. Joey Woody, who finished second at the nationals last year, clocked the best time of the day at 49.35.
Taylor follows 100m sprinter Justin Gatlin who was knocked out of the event on Thursday. Gatlin, who has been heralded as the future of American male sprinting, placed a disappointing fourth in his heat. Tyree Washington easily won his semifinal heat in the 400 meters in 45.09. Derrick Brew won the other heat in 45.57. Sanya Richards advanced to the final in the women’s 400 meters, clocking a 51.74 to win her heat. Savante Stringfellow won the men’s long jump with a jump of 8.22 metres while Jamie Nieto edged out Matt Hemingway to take the high jump with a 2.30 meters effort.
