Known, Unknown to Battle at Carson

Stepping out today alongside Marion Jones and Maurice Greene in front of an anticipated crowd of 10,000 at the Home Depot Center will be a masked shotputter and a helmeted pole vaulter.

No, they are not hiding from federal investigators in the BALCO case. The extra gear is part of the show for Reese Hoffa, a.k.a. “The Still Unknown Shotputter,” and Toby Stevenson, a.k.a. “Dark Helmet,” both competing in the second annual Home Depot Track and Field Invitational, which begins today at noon.

Hoffa broke out the mask at last year’s inaugural Invitational, where he took second place while then known, simply, as “The Unknown Shotputter.” Stevenson, who wears a protective helmet while pole vaulting, will join U.S.-record holder Jeff Hartwig, 2000 Olympic champion Nick Hysong and 2001 world champion Dmitri Markov of Australia in a field that features seven vaulters who have cleared 19 feet.

Jones, continuing her competitive comeback after giving birth in 2003, will participate in two events, the women’s 100-meter sprint and long jump. Scheduled to compete against Jones in the 100 are five-time Olympian Merlene Ottey of Jamaica, 2000 Olympic bronze medalist Tayna Lawrence and four-time NCAA champion Angela Williams.

Jones began her outdoor season with a disappointing fourth-place finish at 200 meters at Mt. San Antonio College. Two weeks ago in Kingston, Jamaica, Jones entered the 100 and the long jump and won them both -- running 11.04 and long-jumping 22 feet 1 1/2 inches.

“Overall, I think I’m right where I should be,” Jones said at Sunday’s U.S. Olympic media summit in New York.

Former world-record holder Greene is entered in the men’s 100-meter sprint. Greene, who won this event at last year’s Invitational with a time of 9.94 seconds, owns the two fastest legal times in the world this year -- 10.02 and 10.04.

He will be joined on the track by world 200-meter silver medalist Darvis Patton, 2000 Olympian Coby Miller and Terrance Trammell, who is also entered in the men’s 110-meter hurdles. Trammell agreed to double today when Shawn Crawford and Justin Gatlin withdrew from the 100.

Along with Trammell, silver medalist at the 2000 Olympics, the men’s 110-meter hurdles field includes two-time Olympic medalist Mark Crear and Larry Wade, who placed fourth at the 2003 world championships.

The women’s 100-meter hurdles will feature a pair of world champions -- Gail Devers, who won the title in 1993, 1995 and 1999, and Canada’s Perdita Felicien, who won gold at the 2003 world championships.

A strong men’s shotput field is highlighted by three-time world champion John Godina, 2000 Olympic silver medalist Adam Nelson and 2004 world indoor champion Christian Cantwell.

The women’s pole vault field includes three athletes who have cleared 15 feet -- 2000 Olympian Kellie Suttle, Mary Sauer and 20-year-old Chelsea Johnson.

Times staff writer Helene Elliott contributed to this report.

*

The Facts

* What: Second annual Home Depot Track and Field Invitational.

* When: Today; opening ceremony begins at noon.

* TV: Channel 4, beginning at 1 p.m.

* Where: Home Depot Center, Carson.

* Scheduled participants: U.S. track stars Marion Jones, Maurice Greene, Gail Devers and John Godina.