Williams named Athlete of the Week – US Track & Field – NEWS

INDIANAPOLIS – 2005 women's 100m world champion Lauryn Williams has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after winning two events Sunday at the Aviva British Grand Prix in Gateshead, England.

    Running in rainy, sloppy conditions, Williams defeated reigning Olympic champion Shelly Ann Fraser of Jamaica in the 100 meters with her time of 11.24 seconds, with Fraser the runner-up in 11.29. Williams also won the 200 meters in 22.65 seconds, finishing in front of runner-up Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie of the Bahamas, who crossed the line in 22.73 seconds.

    Other U.S. winners at Gateshead included Tyson Gay in the men's 200 meters (20.26 seconds), Bernard Lagat (1,000m – 2:16.18), Aries Merritt (110m hurdles – 13.39), Brad Walker (pole vault – 5.72 meters/18 feet 9.25 inches) and Miguel Pate (long jump – 8.04 meters/26-4.25).

    Now in its seventh year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.

    2008 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 8, Cheryl Foody; January 16, Nick Vena; January 22, Chanelle Price; January 29, Antwon Hicks; February 5, Adam Nelson; February 12, Lolo Jones; February 19, Adam Nelson; February 27, Michael Rodgers; March 3, Thomas Morgan; March 11, Bryan Clay; March 18, Bianca Knight; March 25, Phil Raschker; April 1, Orville Rogers; April 8, Lisa Koll; April 15, Ryan Hall, April 22, Deena Kastor; April 29, Leo Manzano; May 6, Shalane Flanagan; May 13, Bonnie Richardson; May 20, Jenn Stuczynski; May 27, Chanelle Price; June 3, German Fernandez; June 10, Brad Walker; June 18, Jenny Barringer; July 11, Jenn Stuczynski; July 16, Walter Henning; July 23, Jenny Barringer; July 29 Phyllis Francis; August 13, Franklin "Bud" Held; August 20, Stephanie Brown Trafton; August 26, Bryan Clay; September 2, Lauryn Williams.

    BEST MARKS WEEK ENDING AUGUST 31

    MEN

    100 – 9.99 Walter Dix (Nike) – Zurich, SUI 8/29200 – 20.26 Tyson Gay (adidas) – Gateshead, GBR 8/31400 – 43.82 Jeremy Wariner (adidas) – Zurich, SUI 8/291000 – 2:16.18 Bernard Lagat (Nike) – Gateshead, GBR 8/313000 – 7:47.17 Matt Tegenkamp (Nike) – Gateshead, GBR 8/31110H – 12.98 David Oliver (Nike) – Zurich, SUI 8/29400H – 48.07 Angelo Taylor (Nike) – Zurich, SUI 8/29HJ – 2.24/7-4.25 Jesse Williams (Nike) – Gateshead, GBR 8/31PV – 5.72/18-9.25 Brad Walker (Nike) – Gateshead, GBR 8/31LJ – 8.04/26-4.5 Miguel Pate (Nike) – Gateshead, GBR 8/31TJ – 16.22/53-2.75 Brandon Roulhac (Shore AC) – Gateshead, GBR 8/31DT – 61.07/200-4 Ian Waltz (Nike) – Padua, ITA 8/30

    WOMEN

    100 – 11.24 Lauryn Williams (Nike) – Gateshead, GBR 8/31200 – 22.37 Allyson Felix (adidas) – Zurich, SUI 8/29400 – 49.74 Sanya Richards (Nike) – Zurich, SUI 8/29 U.S. leader800 – 2:01.01 Alice Schmidt (adidas) – Gateshead, GBR 8/311500 – 4:11.57 Erin Donohue (Nike) – Gateshead, GBR 8/313000 – 8:59.96 Amy Mortimer (Reebok) – Gateshead, GBR 8/31100H – 12.56 Lolo Jones (Asics) – Zurich, SUI 8/29400H – 57.23 Christine Spence (Nike) – Gateshead, GBR 8/31HJ – 1.98/6-6 Chaunte Howard (Nike) – Zurich, SUI 8/29PV – 4.75/15-7 Jenn Stuczynski (adidas) – Zurich, SUI 8/29

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