Sprinters Run Into the Spotlight

Two-time world female athlete of the year Marion Jones and world champion sprinters Maurice Green and Ato Boldon are among the featured participants in today’s invitational portion of the Mt. SAC Relays at Mt. San Antonio College.

Jones, the world leader in 1998 at 100 and 200 meters, will compete in the 400 meters, an event she ran only once last year. That was also at Mt. SAC, and Jones won the event in 50.36 seconds, the second-fastest time recorded by an American female in 1998.

Greene and Boldon, the reigning world champions at 100 and 200 meters, will compete in their respective specialties. Last year at Mt. SAC, Boldon came close the 100-meter record of 9.84 with a 9.86, but is entered only in the 200 today.

Other top athletes expected to participate include:

* Two-time world shotput champion John Godina, competing in the shot and discus.

* Olympic gold medalists Quincy Watts and Steve Lewis competing at 400 meters.

* Inger Miller, member of the United States’ Olympic champion women’s 400-meter relay team, competing at 200 meters.

* Olympic gold medalist and six-time Mt. SAC champion Balazs Kiss in the hammer throw.

* Former U.S. record-holder Lawrence Johnson and 1997 world bronze medalist Dean Starkey in the men’s pole vault.

* U.S. record-holder Stacy Dragila and NCAA record-holder Melissa Price in the women’s pole vault.

* Top-ranked U.S. women’s shotputter Connie Price-Smith.

* NCAA champion and 1996 Olympian Amy Acuff in the women’s high jump.

Field events in the invitational division are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., with the first invitational running event set for 1 p.m.