Hot Times in Many Ways

Some like it hot, and Jeremy Wariner, Joanna Hayes, Veronica Campbell, Bershawn Jackson and Allyson Felix added sizzle to an already scorching Sunday afternoon by recording world-leading times at the Adidas Track Classic in Carson.

Shotputter John Godina set a personal best with a world-leading throw of 72 feet 10 inches, three other athletes recorded U.S.-leading marks and another tied the best time by a U.S. athlete this season, lifting the level of the competition above the thermometer.

The crowd, announced at a near-capacity 10,723 despite a large vacant section in the bleachers, enjoyed a series of dramatic competitions on a sunny day softened by a rare whisper of wind. For most athletes, the weather was just fine at the Home Depot Center, also the site of the U.S. championships next month.

“It was 97 degrees back home. This was actually breezy for me,” said Texan Jeremy Wariner, whose 44.53-second performance in the 400 meters was evidence that his Olympic gold at Athens was no fluke.

Saying he “prayed for the best down the homestretch,” Wariner edged Andrew Rock (44.86), his teammate on the triumphant U.S. 1,600 relay team, and Brandon Simpson of Jamaica (45.25). Olympic silver medalist Otis Harris was ninth in 46.78, and Olympic bronze medalist Derrick Brew withdrew.

“I’m the Olympic gold medalist, and people are coming on my back to beat me,” Wariner said. “I can’t say I’m in an elite class by myself. I’ve had only one good year.”

Hayes, a UCLA alumna, won the 100 hurdles in 12.64 seconds. The Olympic champion held off fellow alum Michelle Perry (12.70), with 2003 world champion Perdita Felicien of Canada close behind at 12.71.

“I felt them coming, but I had to keep my composure,” Hayes said. “Last year, no one saw me coming. This year I have the target on me.”

Campbell, a Jamaican who attended college in Arkansas and lives there, won the 100 in 10.96 seconds, ahead of Muna Lee’s 11.20 and Angela Daigle’s 11.24. Campbell beat the previous world-leading time of 11.03, set two weeks ago by compatriot Sherone Simpson.

At Athens, Campbell won bronze in the 100 and gold in the 200 and the 400 relay, earning pop star-like fame at home. “It’s overwhelming,” she said. But she hasn’t let success lull her into complacency. “This is the first season I improved early,” she said. “Last year I ran 10.91 at the end of September. It’s good to run 10.96 at the end of May.”

Jackson, of Raleigh, N.C., watched the Athens Games on TV after finishing fourth in the 400 hurdles at the Olympic trials. He gained some consolation Sunday with a personal-best time of 47.62, ninth-fastest in U.S. history.

“I’m 5-7, but I have the soul of a 6-4 person,” he said. “I’ve got the heart of a giant.... I’ve always had it in me. It was about time I put it all together.”

Felix ran a smooth, strong 200 to win in 22.14. Olympic 100 silver medalist Lauryn Williams was second in 22.27, and Latasha Colander was third in 22.39. All three beat the previous world-leading time of 22.52 Colander had run on April 16.

“I’m definitely pleased with my time. It’s great to be at this time, this time of year,” Felix said. “I’ve been working on my strategy and it went well, but I still have a lot to work on.”

Her schoolwork, however, is done for now. Although she turned pro after graduating from Los Angeles Baptist High, she took a full course load at USC and recently finished her sophomore year. “I’m glad I have that out of the way and I can focus on my season,” she said.

Godina’s throw erased by seven inches the personal best he set in 1999. Also a UCLA alumnus, he trains in Arizona with his college roommate, Dave Dumble. But he credited Pilates lessons from his wife, Kendra, for keeping him injury-free. “It’s the same technique. I’m just healthy,” he said.

The three American-leading performances Sunday were Kenta Bell’s leap of 56-1 in the triple jump, Bernard Lagat’s 3:34.34 in the men’s 1,500 and Shayne Culpepper’s 4:07.08 in the women’s 1,500. Leonard Scott tied an American-best by winning the 100 in 10.03 seconds, the same time Maurice Greene recorded April 30 in Martinique. Greene was fourth on Sunday in 10.32, behind Scott, 110 hurdles winner Terrence Trammell and Jason Smoots.

Two false starts unnerved the 100 field, and Greene also said his blocks didn’t stick in the ground when the gun sounded, hampering his start. “When nationals come, I’m going to have my own set of blocks,” he said.

William Peterson, managing director of the Home Depot Center, said the day was a success even though attendance fell short of last year’s 11,255.

“We’re expecting good crowds for the U.S. championships, and this is a great advertisement for that,” he said. “This is a big event for us, and we’re going to continue to be involved in track and field.”

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Frances Santin of Woodland Hills and the Santa Monica Track Club fainted after the women’s 1,500, her dehydration complicated by the lack of an inhaler to quickly treat her asthma.

The former 400-meter hurdler and 800-meter runner was treated with oxygen and ice and was alert when she was taken off the grounds for treatment.

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Fast crowd

Six athletes set 2005 world-leading marks at the Adidas Track Classic on Sunday in Carson:

*--* MEN

*--*

* Jeremy Wariner (400) ...44.53

* Bershawn Jackson (400 hurdles)...47.62

* John Godina (shotput )...72-10

*--* WOMEN

*--*

* Joanna Hayes (100 hurdles) ...12.64

* Veronica Campbell (100)...10.96

* Allyson Felix (200)...22.14