USA Track and Field Championships : Metcalf Wins Long Jump at 27-8

Olympic gold medalist Roger Kingdom ran the world’s fastest 110-meter hurdles since 1985, and Texas football star Eric Metcalf won the long jump to highlight competition in the USA/Mobil Track Championships Friday.

Emmit King won the men’s 100 meters in 10.04 seconds, and Sheila Echols easily took the women’s 100 meters in 11.04 on a humid night at Pepin/Rood Stadium on the University of Tampa campus.

The meet concludes today with finals in 9 field events and 16 running events.

Metcalf, who rushed for 1,161 yards with the Longhorns last season, leaped 27 feet 8 inches during the afternoon competition. On his final jump, the son of former NFL halfback Terry Metcalf clinched the victory. Only seven jumpers in history have jumped farther.

Michael Conley, the 1985 outdoor champion, finished second at 26-9 3/4, and Tyrus Jefferson of Arkansas was third at 26-9.

“I was right at the end of the board and hit it as well as I have all year,” Metcalf said. “It surprised me. I didn’t think I could get much over 26, but then everyone else started jumping. This is the first time I’ve beaten Mike--he’s one of the great long jumpers in the world. I’ll go to the Trials next month. Previously, my thinking was that if I make the Olympic team, I would turn it down. Now, if I make the team, I might say I wanted to go to the Olympics. I’m right in the middle now.”

Kingdom got off to his customary slow start but passed Tonie Campbell and Arthur Blake by the sixth hurdle. His time of 13.15 was the fastest since Kingdom ran 13.14 three years ago.

“I didn’t get out like I wanted to and by the time I looked up, I said to myself, ‘Damn, what’s going on?’ ” said Kingdom, the gold medalist in the 1984 Olympics. “I had to fight to come back. When I relaxed, I caught the field. I think I have the basics I need for the Olympic Trials. Now I just have to sharpen up.”

Campbell finished second in 13.28, just ahead of Blake (13.29). NCAA champion James Purvis was fourth (13.56).

Kim McKenzie held off Benita Fitzgerald-Brown to win the women’s 100-meter hurdles in 12.84. McKenzie took the lead at the second hurdle and barely turned back the onrushing Fitzgerald-Brown (12.85). Arizona State’s Lynda Tolbert was third (13.12).

“I got jet-propelled out of the start,” said McKenzie, hugging her son, Leander III. “I’m in the best shape of my life right now . . . You have to be strong with a 22-month-old baby like this guy.”

In the 100, King closed ground in the final 25 meters and just edged Brian Cooper (10.07) and Lee McNeill (10.09).

Echols pulled away at the 20-meter mark and Esther Jones of Louisiana State finished strongly in the women’s 100 for second place in 11.24. Michelle Finn was third in 11.32.

Dave Stephens won the javelin with a toss of 261 feet 6 inches. Michael Barnett was second at 259-0 and Brian Crouser third at 258-7.

In the women’s discus, Lacy Barnes of Fresno State won with a throw of 203-9, followed by Carol Cady and Penny Neer.

Brenda Webb ran the fastest women’s 5,000 meters in the world this year, finishing in 15:18.71.

With a time of 48 minutes 25.3 seconds, Maryanne Torrellas won the women’s 10-kilometer walk, beating Teresa Vaill and Wendy Sharp. Torrellas, 29, won the TAC meet in 1985 and the U.S. outdoor title last year at San Jose, setting the American record of 47:23.8.