Americans post top qualifiers at 2008 IAAF World Indoors in Valencia

VALENCIA, Spain – Nine American athletes advanced through the qualifying rounds in their respective events Friday morning on the first day of competition at the 2008 IAAF World Indoor Track & Field Championships.

With his first and only throw of the qualifying round in the men's shot put, reigning World Indoor and Outdoor champion Reese Hoffa (Athens, Ga.) advanced to the final with his competition-leading heave of 21.49 meters/70 feet 6.25 inches, his best throw of the 2008 season. 2004 World Indoor champion Christian Cantwell (Columbia, Mo.) also automatically qualified for the final with his throw of 20.91m/68-7.25.

2007 U.S. Indoor champion Andra Manson (Austin, Texas) and #8 world-ranked Jesse Williams (Eugene, Ore.) will move on to the final in the men's high jump. Both cleared 2.27m/7-5.25.

Three-time U.S. Indoor champion Jonathon Riley (Fitchburg, Wisc.) ran a strong race in the men's 3,000 meters, finishing sixth in his heat in 7 minutes 59.22 seconds to advance to the final. Two-time NCAA 5,000m champion Chris Solinsky (Madison, Wisc.) was seventh in heat one in 8:06.29 and did not advance.

Two-time World Indoor medalist Angela Williams (Ontario, Calif.) wants the world to know she is back. Winning her heat in 7.29 seconds, Williams automatically advanced to next round of the women's 60m. Joining her will be 2008 U.S. 60m runner-up Alexis Joyce (Denver, Co.), who advanced on time after placing fifth in her heat in 7.50.

On the men's side, 2008 U.S. Indoor champion Michael Rodgers, (Round Rock, Texas) ran the fastest time of the morning, 6.62, to qualify for tonight's semi-finals. 2007 World Outdoor 4x100m gold medalist Leroy Dixon (Los Angeles, Calif.) won his heat in 6.64 and also advanced.

The final of the women's 3,000m will be without an American athlete as two-time Olympian Jen Rhines (Mammoth Lakes, Calif.) finished eighth in heat 1 in 9:03.66 and Julie Culley (Arlington, Va.) finished eighth in heat 2 in 9:04.45.

In the field, two-time U.S. Indoor and Outdoor champion Shani Marks (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) jumped 13.33m/43-8.75 in the women's triple jump qualifying and did not advance. In the men's long jump, two-time U.S. Indoor champion Trevell Quinley (Chula Vista, Calif.) leaped 7.60m/24-11.25, and 2004 Olympic silver medalist John Moffitt had a best mark of 7.17m/23-6.25. Neither made the final.

Fans can watch Team USA online via live, daily Webcast at www.wcsn.com.

For more information on Team USA at the World Indoor Championships, visit https://www.usatf.org/events/2008/IAAFWorldIndoorChampionships/.

ATHLETE QUOTES

Jen Rhines – women's 3,000m qualifying

"My race was not that good. I was sick last week and haven't fully recovered yet."

Julie Culley – women's 3,000m qualifying

"At USA's I was relaxed and here I was tight from about 1,200m in. It's disappointing, but this was my first USA team and it has been an awesome ride."

Chris Solinsky – men's 3,000m qualifying

"The race set up perfectly. But in the last 200m I had nothing left. I made sudden moves instead of gradual. I thought that I could roll that last 200 and it wasn't there. I'm disappointed. I really had high hopes coming in."

Shani Marks – women's triple jump qualifying

"It was horrible. I couldn't get in to my rhythm. On one of my jumps my leg collapsed and another was a foul. It just wasn't there."

Jonathan Riley – men's 3,000m qualifying

"I was really fresh and had some bounce in my legs. It was a fast pace but not challenging. With 400m to go I looked at the board and there was a gap (between me and the group behind me) so I relaxed and held my pace. I'm not thinking about the final yet. I have to recover first.

Jesse Williams – men's high jump qualifying

"I got to the final. It's going to be a good competition."

Angela Williams – women's 60m qualifying

"I'm finally back. I'm healthy and feeling good. This track is great, really fast."

Michael Rodgers – men's 60m qualifying

"I just chilled and wanted to make it through the rounds. This is the fastest (Indoor) track I've ever been on. It's a great honor represent my country and I'm happy to be here."

Trevell Quinley – men's long jump qualifying

Even if I would have made the final, I wouldn't be able to jump tomorrow. I never loosened up today. Now I'm just focusing on making the team for Beijing.

Vicky Oddi
Communications Coordinator
Vicky.Oddi@usatf.org