Cruz Control: Brazilian Begins 800 Comeback With a Victory

Joaquim Cruz, the Brazilian who has run the second-fastest 800 meters ever, left even his competition a little star-struck at the UC San Diego Open Invitational at the Alex G. Spanos Track Saturday.

Cruz was a little surprised by all the attention--the photographs, the autographs, the constant reminder over the loud speaker that Cruz has been one of the fastest runners in the world.

Cruz, who hadn’t competed in the 800 since February 1989, won the event in 1:49.14. Brazilian teammate Gilmar Santos was second (1:50.89), and Matt Large of the San Diego Track Club ran 1:51.54 for third.

When Cruz, who won the 800 gold medal at the 1984 Olympics and the silver in 1988, was asked by a competitor for his autograph, Cruz questioned him.

“But you were leading in the race,” Cruz said in broken English. “You want me to sign this?”

The meet, which attracted teams from France, Sweden, Australia, Canada, Brazil and Great Britain, included a few other world-class athletes who used it in different ways.

Robson DaSilva of Brazil, the two-time world champion in the 200 meters, won the 400 meters in 47.2. He is recovering from a torn ligament and easing back into competition.

Phillippe Collet, ranked fifth in the world in the pole vault--he recently defeated world-record holder Sergey Bubka by vaulting 19-6 in an indoor meet--has been in San Diego training with his French teammates and decided to stay and compete “for fun.” He won at 17-8 3/4.

Last year, Cruz underwent surgery on his left Achilles’ tendon. A month later, he had a staph infection and had to have another operation. He was able to train after a month and a half.

Cruz began Saturday’s race in the lead but was then challenged by Westmont’s Scott Caldwell and dropped into second. With 250 meters to go, Cruz regained the lead and went on to win.

“The time for now is great,” Cruz said. “When you have an operation, you are anxious to race again. 1:49 is good for this time of year considering what has happened in the past. I felt great.”

Cruz, who lived in Eugene, Ore., for eight years before moving to San Diego a year ago, attends Point Loma Nazarene College and trains at either the UCSD track or at San Diego State.

“I’ve been working out very hard,” Cruz said. “It’s important to compete early in the season to get your rhythm and pace back. Racing is the only way to see how good of shape you are in.”

Cruz was going to run in the 1,600 relay, but because of a delay in the meet, he had to leave to finish up a couple of papers for classes Monday.

Collet didn’t begin vaulting until 17- 3/4, and only Sweden’s Peter Widen remained. Widen passed at 17- 3/4 and then missed at 17-4 3/4.

Collet cleared 17- 3/4 on his third try, passed 17-4 3/4 and made 17-8 3/4 on his second attempt. Collet then attempted 18-4 but missed.

“When I tried 18-4, I said ‘You can do it for sure,’ ” Collet said. “I don’t think it’s bad. It’s very hard to come from indoor six weeks ago.

“This was only for fun. I did not prepare. We stayed to compete because we wanted to say thanks for letting us train here.”