Top Field Is Set for Times Meet

Many of the greatest names in track and field will take to the Great Western Forum boards Friday night for the 31st annual Los Angeles Times/Eagle Indoor Games.

They will represent 17 nations, from the vast reaches of the U.S.S.R. to tiny Trinidad/Tobago. And, they’ll compete in 39 action--packed events that begin at 6:30 p.m.

Danny Everett, America’s newest world record--holder, will battle at 500 meters against Ian Morris (Trinidad) and America’s David Patrick, U.S. champion in the 400 meter hurdles in 1989. Everett set a new indoor world mark for 500 meters (45.04) recently in Stuttgart, West Germany.

The men’s mile is packed with superb distance runners. Great Britain’s Peter Elliott will be up against the always--tough Marcus O’Sullivan (Ireland), and American Joe Falcon.

The Eagle men’s 3000 meters features comebacking Eamonn Coghlin (Ireland) against Doug Padilla of the U.S. Padilla set a meet record (7:51.33) at the Forum last year. The great John Walker (New Zealand), Ray Flynn (Ireland) and American Brian Abshire round out a stellar field.

Dawn Sowell ---- who set a new American record (7.15) at the Forum in 1989 ---- heads the field for the women’s 60 meter dash. She’ll be dueling Canada’s Angela Bailey and Gail Devers--Roberts (USA). Sowell will also run 200 meters against the likes of Jamaica’s Grace Jackson, holder of the meet record of 23.20.

Kenya’s Bill Konchellah, who is in mid--season form, is part of a fast Mobil men’s 800 meter field that also features American record--holder Ocky Clark, Jose Luis Barbosa (Brazil), Stanley Redwine (USA) and Sammy Kirop (Kenya), a recent gold medal--winner at the Commonwealth Games.

Romania’s Doina Melinte, holder of the women’s indoor mile record, will race at 800 meters against Delisa Walton--Floyd (USA), Teena Colebrook (Great Britain) and Sweden’s Maria Akraka.

Canada’s Angela Chalmers, who pocketed two gold medals at the recent Commonwealth Games in New Zealand, leads a women’s mile field that includes: Vetalana Kitova (USSR), Viorica Ghican (Romania), Diana Richburg (USA), Margareta Kasig (Romania) and Debbie Bowker (Canada).

Other key athletes and matchups include:

Men’s 60--meter hurdles: Greg Foster (USA), Tony Li (China), Tony Dees and Cletus Clark (USA) and Ike Mbadghua (Nigeria).

Pole vault: Kory Tarpenning, Earl Bell, Tim Bright and David Kenworthy of the U.S.

Women’s 400 meters: Sandra Farmer--Patrick, Lillie Leatherwood and Diane Dixon of the U.S.

Women’s 60--meters hurdles: Jackie Joyner--Kersee (USA), Lynda Tolbert (USA), Arnita Epps (USA), Ime Akpan (Nigeria).

Tickets to the 31st annual Times/Eagle Indoor Games ($20, $17, $10, $6) are now on sale at the Great Western Forum box office and Ticketmaster outlets throughout Southern California.