Cantwell, Stuczynski shine at California Relays – US Track & Field NEWS

Christian Cantwell and Jenn Stuczynski posted world leading marks in winning their respective events Saturday at the 67th California Invitational Relays in Modesto, Calif.

A two-time World Indoor men's shot put gold medalist and 2007 Indoor Visa Series Champion, Cantwell unleashed a world leading throw of 21.76 meters/71 feet 4.75 inches to win the men's shot put.

Cantwell, who is slated to compete Sunday at the adidas Track Classic in Carson, Calif., took full advantage of competing on a plywood surface. "It was slippery at first," he told the IAAF website. "I slipped about 8 cm on my first throw. But then I knew the right adjustment to make. I really like throwing on plywood. I'm heavy, and many times a concrete ring will have too rough a surface for me to get speed. On plywood, I can slide much better. And it's easier on the joints."

2008 World Indoor Championships silver medalist and American outdoor record holder Jenn Stuczynski again demonstrated her dominance in the women's pole vault with her 2008 world best clearance of 4.70 meters/15 feet 5 inches. It was her first attempt of the day taken after the other competitors had exited the competition. Stuczynski then had the bar raised to an American record 4.90m/16-0.75 but failed to clear in three attempts.

This marked the first time that Stuczynski had ever started a competition at that height. "Normally, I like to start at about 4.50 (14-9)," she said. "But with the heat, I knew I didn't have a lot of jumps in me. I started running out of steam at the end, but I thought I could get 4.90. I had jumped it in warm ups." Stuczynski, who owns the top two clearances in the world this year, is slated to compete Sunday at the adidas Track Classic and at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York on June 8.

On the track, 2005 World 100m women's champion Lauryn Williams was victorious in that event in 11.18 seconds defeating two-time 100m hurdles World champion Michelle Perry, who started well and had the lead midway through the race before a cramp kept her from challenging the rest of the way. Later that afternoon, Williams completed her double with a win in the 200 meters in 22.85 seconds. Williams said that her intention is to dabble some in the 200m, believing it will make her stronger in her primary event, the 100 meters.

2008 World Indoor Championships 60m fourth-placer Mike Rodgers continued his impressive 2008 campaign with the fastest wind-legal performance in the men's 100m with his personal best time of 10.06.

World Indoor 60m hurdles silver medalist Candice Davis equaled her 100m hurdles personal best with her win in 12.80 seconds. Two-time U.S. heptathlon champion Hyleas Fountain ran a sub-13 for the second time this season in equaling her 12.98 posted in Berkeley two weeks ago. The men's 110m hurdles was won by Anwar Moore, who won this event for the second year in a row in a wind aided (+2.1) 13.32 seconds.

Also on the track, four-time USA Outdoor champion and 2004 Olympian Khadevis Robinson was victorious in the men's 800 meters leading throughout the contest and crossing the finish line in 1:47.32.

For more information on the 2008 California Invitational Relays from Modesto, including the complete results, visit: https://www.modestorelays.org/Entries/2008Results/tabid/78/Default.aspx

Tom Surber
Media Information Manager
Tom.Surber@usatf.org