Jones Withdraws; Kids Take Over

With Marion Jones out of the meet, the spotlight turned to the young stars at the U.S. track and field championships.

Jones withdrew from the 200 meters just before the preliminaries because of tired legs, settling for the 100-meter title she won the previous night. But Kerron Clement, Sanya Richards, Ginnie Powell and Chaunte Howard all were impressive winners Saturday. None is older than 22.

Clement, 20, chased down reigning world champion Bershawn Jackson at the finish to win the 400 hurdles in 47.39 seconds and retain his title. Jackson was second in 47.48. They were the two fastest times in the world this year.

Richards blew away the field to win the women’s 400 in a world-leading 49.27 seconds. The 21-year-old runner, aiming for Valerie Brisco’s American record of 48.83, has the three fastest times in the world this year.

“I definitely think it’s attainable,” she said of the record. “I think when I have only one round on a really good day, I’m definitely going to try for it and I know it’s going to happen.”

Powell, who set a collegiate record in winning the NCAA title for USC two weeks ago, held off Damu Cherry in the 100 hurdles to win her first U.S. title in 12.63. Cherry, back this season after a two-year suspension for testing positive for steroids, was second in 12.64.

“It feels good to have a win in my first meet as a professional,” Powell said. “Everything’s been going really, really well. I don’t know what else to ask for.”

Howard, 22, won her first U.S. high jump title with a personal-best 6 feet 7 inches, then celebrated with a back flip in front of the crowd.

Jones wasn’t the only big name to withdraw. Ailing world champion Bryan Clay pulled out of the decathlon after failing to clear a height in the pole vault.

That cleared the way for Tom Pappas, the 2003 world champion, to win his fourth U.S. title with 8,319 points.

“This is more frustrating than disappointing,” Clay said.

Jeremy Wariner, world and Olympic champion in the 400, moved down to the 200 for this meet. In his absence, Andrew Rock edged Lashawn Merritt to win the 400 in 44.45 seconds.

Wariner was the fastest qualifier in the 200 preliminaries in 20.28 seconds.

In the women’s 400-meter hurdle prelims, Lashinda Demus ran the fastest time in the world this year at 53.50.