Many of America's finest track and field athletes will compete Saturday
at the 2006 DecaNation at Charlety Stadium in Paris, France.Created and hosted by the French Athletics Federation in 2005, the
event provides a simple, concentrated formula that features national
teams from around the world.
Ten events will be contested for both men and women, with one event
specialist from each nation competing in each event - 100m, 400m,
1500m, 110m Hurdles, 3000m Steeplechase, High Jump, Pole Vault,
Long Jump, Shot Put and Hammer Throw. The winner of each individual
event will earn 9 points for his or her team, with 7 points for second, 6 for
third, and down to 1 point for eighth.
Last year the host French squad won the men's competition with 63
points, followed by the runner-up team from Russia (56 points), Poland
(3rd-51 points) and Team USA (4th-50 & points). Team USA's
women's squad also placed fourth, tallying 52 & points. Russia
won the women's competition with 71 points, followed by Poland (2nd-
59 points) and France (3rd-57 points).
Team USA's men's squad will consist of: 100m: Kaaron Conwright;
400m: Jamel Ashley; 1500m: Gabe Jennings; 3,000m steeplechase:
Steve Slattery; 110m hurdles: Ryan Wilson; High Jump: Jesse Williams;
Pole Vault: Jonathan Takashi; Long Jump: Trevell Quinley; Shot Put:
Reese Hoffa; Hammer Throw: A.G. Kruger.
Members of Team USA's women's squad are: 100m: Brianna Glenn;
400m DeeDee Trotter; 1,500m: Sarah Schwald; 3,000m Steeplechase:
Lisa Galaviz; 100m hurdles: Jenny Adams; High Jump: Amy Acuff; Pole
Vault: Becky Holiday; Long Jump: Tianna Madison; Shot Put: Jillian
Camarena; Hammer Throw: Erin Gilreath.
The men's head coach is Steve Simmons and Joy Margerum is the
women's head coach. The team manager is Rich Torrellas and the
trainer is Ralph Reiff.
For more information on Team USA at the 2006 DecaNation in Paris,
visit www.usatf.org.