Camarena-Williams, Rupp Set ARs; 5 World Leaders Turned in at USATF Classic

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Jillian Camarena-Williams and Galen Rupp set American records as five world-leading marks – including one in each round of the women’s 60 meters – were posted at Saturday’s USA Track & Field Classic.

The third stop of USATF’s 2012 Indoor Visa Championship Series, the USA Track & Field Classic will be broadcast from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Eastern Time Sunday on ESPN2.

JCW, Rupp roll
In the very first event of the night, Camarena-Williams picked up where she left off in 2011, breaking her own American record in the women’s shot put with her toss of 19.89m/65-3.75. USA Outdoor champion Michelle Carter was second with 19.09m/62-7.75. Defending U.S. indoor champion Ryan Whiting won the men’s shot with a mark of 21.43m/70-3.75, second-farthest throw in the world this year.

Rupp’s performance came near the end of the evening. In his first attempt at the distance, Rupp eyed Bernard Lagat’s 2-mile American mark of 8:10.07, set in 2011. Saturday night in Fayetteville, Rupp ran a well-paced race, striding behind pacemaker Craig Miller for nine laps. The final 1,400 meters were a solo effort, and a 28.86 last lap propelled Rupp to a record time of 8:09.72. (Lagat on Saturday broke Rupp's 5,000m American record, running 13:07.15 at the Millrose Games.)

Scorching Hollister Mile
The Geoff Hollister men’s mile lived up to the excellence of the race’s namesake, with six men running under the 2012 world-leading time. World Outdoor silver medalist Silas Kiplagat chalked up his second win in the 2012 Indoor Visa Championship Series, edging out Kenyan countryman Caleb Ndiku with a time of 3:52.63. Ndiku was just a whisker behind in 3:52.66, followed by Daniel Kipchirchir Komen (3:53.93), American Russell Brown (3:54.08), Amine Laalou of Morocco (3:54.49) and New Balance Indoor Grand Prix winner Ciaran O’Lionard of Ireland (3:54.76). All six eclipsed the previous 2012 world-leading time of 3:55.09. Jeff See (3:55.79) and Leo Manzano (3:57.92) brought the full field in under 3:58.

In the first running event on the track, World Outdoor champion Kirani James won the men’s 400 in 45.19 to post a 2012 world-leading mark, with Calvin Smith second in 45.73.

Tianna Madison ran a world leader in the first round of the 60 meters with her personal-best time of 7.05, while Allyson Felix ran a personal-best time of 7.10 in taking second in heat 2. In the final, Madison improved upon her own world leader, winning in 7.02 to defeat defending world champion Veronica Campbell-Brown (7.08) and Christine Ahoure of the Ivory Coast (7.09)

In the men’s 60 meters, Lerone Clarke of Jamaica ran a world-leading time of 6.52, followed by Justin Gatlin in second and Trell Kimmons in third, both in 6.57.

U.S. Open winner Brenda Martinez had a lead of close to 10 meters in the women’s 1,500m but was kicked down in the last lap as Siham Hilali (4:09.36) and Btissam Lakhouad (4:09.72) of Morocco overcome her to finish first and second. Martinez was third in 4:09.96, just off her outdoor personal best of 4:09.52.

Ginnie Crawford got out to a fast start in the women’s 60m hurdles, holding off Olympic gold medalist Dawn Harper’s strong finish. Crawford clocked 7.97 to Harper’s 8.03.

2011 USA indoor and outdoor champion Janay DeLoach topped a great field in the women’s long jump with a best jump of 6.83m/22-5. Bianca Stuart was second at 6.79m/22-3.5, with reigning world indoor and outdoor gold medalist Brittney Reese third with 6.65/21-10.

For more on the Visa Championship Series, including links to results, visit www.visachampionshipseries.com.