Courtesy: USATF

An American record by a rising javelin star, the return of a hammer champion, exciting finals on the field and a semifinal message from a world record holder entertained 5,327 fans at the 2002 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Stanford University's Cobb Track and Angell Field.

Serene Ross had the performance of the day, setting her second American record in three weeks in the women's javelin. The 24-year-old Purdue University senior unleashed a fourth-round throw of 60.06/197-0 to beat her own American-record mark of 59.64m/227-10, which she set in winning the NCAA Championships May 30 in Baton Rouge, La.

"I was not expecting a record, but I felt another throw coming," said Ross. I felt I had to work for this record. . I think a world record is obtainable for the U.S. Two-hundred feet is my next goal."

Forty-year-old Lance Deal, retired since the 2000 Olympic Games, returned to serious training for the hammer throw in March. A few months' preparation was all he needed to succeed in making his ninth trip to the winner's podium at the U.S. Championships.

"Nowhere in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be back here at the national championships," said Deal, the 1996 Olympic silver medalist and a four-time Olympian. "I decided to go out and throw on a sunny day in December, and it filled up my heart. It was like visiting an old friend."

The sentimental favorite in the hammer entering the meet, Deal proved that he has the motivation to match fans' goodwill. He took the lead with his third-round throw of 74.49m/244-5, vaulting him ahead of runner- up John McEwen, the two-time U.S. indoor weight throw champion, who had a best of 74.18m/243-4. Deal's mark was the third-best throw by an American so far in 2002, behind two marks by 2001 U.S. outdoor champ Kevin McMahon. McMahon, who aggravated an injury suffered earlier this week on his first throw, finished third at Stanford with a best throw of 73.65m/241-8.

The men's long jump provided terrific drama and high-level competition, with 2001 U.S. champion Savante Stringfellow leading three men over 27 feet. Stringfellow's jump of 8.52m/27-11.5 was a hair shy of 28 feet and enough to defeat 2002 U.S. indoor champion Miguel Pate (8.45m/27-8.75). Dwight Phillips was third at 8.25m/27-1.0.

In the women's high jump, indoor champion Tisha Waller continued her strong comeback after a year off by winning with a U.S.-leading clearance of 1.96m/6-5. It was the fourth U.S. title for the American indoor record holder. Gwen Wentland was second at 1.93m/6-4, and 2001 champion Amy Acuff was third with 1.90m/6-2.75.

Terri Steer won her first U.S. outdoor title in the women's shot put with a throw of 19.20m/63-0, just .5 inch off her personal best, to defeat reigning champion Seilala Sua (18.51/60-8.75). The victory comes on the heels of Steer's 2002 U.S. indoor title and completes her recovery from a torn Achilles tendon injury suffered in 2001 at Stanford.

Arizona senior Brianna Glenn won her first U.S. senior title in the long jump with a distance of 6.46m/21-2.5. Indoor champion Grace Upshaw was second at 6.43m/21-1.25.

In Friday's lone track finals, two-time runner-up Jen Rhines won her first U.S. title in the women's 10,000m with a time of 31:57.38. Running steady laps of 75 to 77 seconds, Rhines grabbed the lead from the gun and proceeded to annihilate the field. Milena Glusac was second in a personal best of 32:15.09; Katie McGregor in third also set a PB at 32:17.49.

Meb Keflezighi, the 2000 Olympic Trials champion, returned to the site of his 2001 American record to win the men's 10,000m in 27:41.68. A last lap of 60.5 seconds pushed Keflezighi past 2001 U.S. champion Abdi Abdirahman (27:42.83). Alan Culpepper was third in 27:48.09.

2001 U.S. 100m champion Chryste Gaines ran a speedy time of 10.96 with a headwind of 2.6 mps to win the first semifinal heat of the women's 100m. Olympic champion and 2002 world leader Marion Jones answered with a 10.98 running into a 4.2 mps headwind, setting the stage for an electric final Saturday afternoon. In the first round, Jones ran 11.26 into a brisk headwind of 4.2 mps, with Gaines posting a time of 11.22 with a headwind of 2.6 mps.

The semifinals of the men's 100m brought together world champion and world record holder Maurice Greene against 2001 U.S. champion Tim Montgomery for the first time this year. Having the fastest seed time from the first round (10.17), Montgomery ran in lane 4 and Greene (first round 10.22) was in lane 5. Bursting from the blocks and moving clear of the field, Greene sent message for the final by winning in 9.99, looking behind and to his left, toward Montgomery, as he crossed the finish line. Montgomery was second in 10.09. The wind was virtually still.

Jon Drummond ran away with the other semifinal with a time of 10.09. Coby Miller was second at 10.21.

The top qualifiers in Friday's other preliminary rounds were Khadevis Robinson in the men's 800m (1:48.58), Eric Thomas in the men's 400m hurdles (49.48), Alvin Harrison in the men's 400m (45.15); Brian Berryhill in the men's 1,500m (3:42.60); and Ray Hughes in the men's 3,000m steeplechase (8:27.02).