Courtesy: USATF

On the strength of four second-place finishes Saturday night, Team USA's men had its finest World Cup showing in 13 years, placing second at the 9th IAAF World Cup in Athletics. The U.S. women, led by World Cup champion Gail Devers, were fourth.

It was the best finish by the American men since they won the World Cup in 1989, having placed fifth in 1992, sixth in 1994 and fifth in 1998.

Africa defended its men's team title with 134 points. Team USA was second with 119, Europe third with 115 and the Americas fourth with 111. In women's competition, Russia won with 126 points, beating Europe (123), the Americas (110) and Team USA (105). Team points among the nine teams competing were earned in each individual event with nine points for first, down to one for ninth.

For the American men, silver was the order of the day. Walter Davis came through on his last jump with a mark of 17.23m/56-6.5, which moved him past Christian Olsson of Europe into second place in the triple jump. A beaming Jonathan Edwards of Great Britain won the event with a best of 17.34m/56-10.75.

Allen Johnson seized an early lead before being overtaken by Anier Garcia of the Americas in the 110m hurdles, running 13.45 to place second behind Garcia's 13.10.

Jeff Hartwig and the rest of the pole vault field did battle with other competitors as well as a strong wind, finishing second in 5.70m/18-8.5 behind winner Okkert Brits of Africa (5.75m/18-10.5)

The men's 4x400m relay team of James Carter, Leonard Byrd, Godfrey Herring and Antonio Pettigrew ran to second place in a time of 2:59.21. Pettigrew, a former world champion running in the final race of his career, was nipped at the line by Michael Blackwood of the Americas. The Americas team of Felix Sanchez, Alleyne Francique, Michael McDonald and Blackwood ran 2:59.19 for the win.

David Krummenaker capped off the finest season by an American distance runner in years by placing third in the men's 800m in 1:45.14. Spaniard Manuel Antonio Reina won the race in a national- and World Cup record of 1:43.83.

Anthony Famiglietti turned in a strong performance in the 3,000m steeplechase, seizing a big early lead in pursuit of the American record. He eventually succumbed to the field and finished fourth in 8:32.72; Wilson Boit Kipketer of Africa won in 8:25.34.

Ramon Clay struggled with his lane 2 draw in the 200m and was fourth (20.32). Francis Obikwelu of Europe won the race in 20.18.

Adam Setliff was sixth in the discus (61.52m/201-10) behind Robert Fazekas of Europe (71.25/233-9). Bolota Asmeron was eighth in the men's 3,000m (8:10.66) behind Craig Mottram of Oceana (7:41.37); and Chris Clever placed ninth in the javelin with a throw of 65.73m/215-7 behind Sergey Makarov of Europe (86.44/283-7).

In women's competition, Devers overpowered the field and finished one of her finest seasons, leading the 100m hurdles from start to finish and breaking the tape in 12.65 seconds. Bridgette Foster of the Americas was well back in second in 12.82.

The 4x400m relay team of Michelle Collins, Crystal Cox, Suziann Reid and Monique Hennagan earned the women's only runner-up finish of the night, running 3:24.67. The U.S. had a very slight lead entering the last leg, but Hennagan's strong effort couldn't hold off world #1 Ana Guevara of the Americas, who led her team of Sandie Richards, Daimi Pernia and Christine Amertil to the win in 3:23.53.

Tisha Waller had a fine performance in the high jump, clearing a season best 1.96m/6-5 to finish fourth behind Hestrie Cloete of Africa (2.02m/6-7.5). Anna Norgren couldn't recover from a foul on her first throw and placed fourth in the hammer with a throw of 65.94m/216-4. Regina Jacobs (4:10.78) was fourth in the women's 1,500m in a race that saw winner Ayhan Sureyya of Europe (4:02.57) take an 11-second lead on the rest of the field within the first two laps of the race.

Teri Steer was fifth in the shot put with a throw of 18.63m/61- 1.5. Irina Korzhanenko of Russia won the event at 20.20m/66-3.25.

Kelli White finished seventh in the 200m (23.51) behind winner Debbie Ferguson of the Americas (22.49). Colette Liss placed ninth in the women's 5000m in 15:59 and Brianna Glenn suffered with two fouls and was ninth in the long jump (5.91/19-4.75).

Team USA quotes - 2002 World Cup

Gail Devers, 1st, women's 100m hurdles (12.65): "I don't know what the wind was doing, and my form showed it. This is my first World Cup, and to come out with a victory, I'm really pleased. After yesterday (2nd in the 4x100 relay) I wanted to redeem myself and get some points for the team. I'm pleased with my season. It's my first year coaching myself. I made a couple of mistakes, but I learned to listen by my body. I'll be better next year. I think I learned a lot about myself and about hurdling."

Walter Davis, 2nd, men's triple jump (17.05m/55-1.25): "It was a good day, being with the wind coming on and off. Going into the last jump, I thought I have nothing to lose; it's the last meet of the season. It's been a good year."

Jeff Hartwig, 2nd, men's pole vault: "It was crazy out there (with the wind). This is the first time we've had a big tailwind all season. It was really strong and really swirling. Brits had some time off in Africa. He was strong and the rest of us were weak. When I came in (entered the competition), only three guys were left. (The weather) has been the story of the pole vault all year - we've never had good conditions. My main goal at the start of the year was to return to the consistency I haven't had in a few years, and I think I did that. I'm excited to get ready for next year."

Monique Hennagan, 2nd, women's 4x400m relay (3:24.67, anchor leg): "It was a good race. I wasn't afraid (of Guevara), I was just going to go out there and try to hold her off. I think we did a great job."

Antonio Pettigrew, 2nd, men's 4x400m relay (2:59.21, anchor leg): "I should have won it, but I didn't. Our guys ran well; I just couldn't win the race. I started my move too soon. I hate to lose the last race I am running."

Allen Johnson, 2nd, men's 110m hurdles (13.45): "It's (the race) been the story of my season - a great beginning and terrible ending. I honestly don't know what happened. All year I've had a good four or five hurdles, then in the last five hurdles I fall apart."

David Krummenaker, 3rd, men's 800m (1:45.14): "I'm happy to get a medal. Hopefully I'll improve on that in years to come. I'm pretty happy about the way things ended up. A bronze medal is pretty good. It's been a dream season for me . I think the guy from Brazil took it out quick, and nobody really expected that. (Nils) Schumann, (Andre) Bucher and I were slow to cover the move on the last lap. You can't let guys get that gap."

Tisha Waller, 4th, women's high jump (1.96/6-5): "I'm really pleased. I jumped 6-5, which is my season best. I've been teaching since August 1, so it was good to see my training hold up and to jump a season best in my last meet of the year."

Anthony Famiglietti, 4th, men's steeplechase (8:32.72): "They kind of figured out my plan early. I was hoping they'd wait a little longer to cover the ground. My plan was to go out and try to get the American record, and if it didn't happen I'd still be able to get third or fourth. I'm really fit, I knew I was ready. I felt great and it was the pace I wanted."

Ramon Clay, 4th, men's 200m (20.32): "It was rough running in lane 2, but you have to take what you're given. Mentally, I was prepared to go out and do what I needed to do. In general, I really felt good."

Anna Norgren Mahon, 4th, women's hammer (65.94m/216-4): "It was my worst meet of the year by about a meter - it wasn't a good day. I fouled on my first throw, which screwed me up."

Teri Steer, 5th, women's shot put (18.63m/61-1.5): "I felt good. I needed more competitions this year - I've thrown but once since nationals. It was good to be up there with the top 4 ranked women in the world."

Colette Liss, 9th, women's 5,000m (15:59.44): "I ran a PR in London on August 25, and I've had really great workouts. I got out there and just tightened up. They went out in 62 (seconds for the first 400m), which is 1500m pace for me. I just wanted to be in the race. I'm really happy I got the experience because I really need it."

For complete results from the 2002 World Cup, visit www.iaaf.org.