The meet will be broadcast on Sunday, February 26, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. (Eastern) on ESPN.
Tickets are still available for purchase through UNM. Details are available at www.ItsATrip.org/track.
Loaded fields once again
The USA Indoor Championships will feature some of the top track and field names in the world. Numerous past world champions, Olympic medalists and recent American record holders will be on hand for the two days in Albuquerque.
This indoor season the track and field has seen four American records fall.
Jenn Suhr bettered her existing American record in the pole vault February 4 at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix. Also the American outdoor record holder in the event, Suhr’s new personal best of 4.88m/16-0 gives her the best vault in the world this year.
Jillian Camarena-Williams also broke her own American record in the women’s shot put at the USATF Classic February 11 in Fayetteville, Ark. It was a record she initially set last year at the USA Indoor Championships. Also the American outdoor record holder, she will be looking to improve on her personal best of 19.89m/65-3.75 and to repeat at USA Indoor champion in Albuquerque.
Next it was Bernard Lagat in regaining his American indoor mark in the 5,000m with a time of 13:07.15 at the 105th Millrose Games in New York. The mark came at a good time for Lagat as he turns his attention to another USA Indoor title in the 3,000m and looks to defend in World Indoor title in the same event.
Galen Rupp broke the American record in the 2 mile at the USA Track & Field Classic in Fayetteville, Arkansas, running 8:09.72. Rupp battled Lagat last year in Albuquerque in the men’s 3,000m.
The men’s and women’s hurdles events will be just as fast with American outdoor record holder David Oliver and American indoor record holder Lolo Jones running the 60m hurdles. Jones is also the two-time defending World Indoor champion in the event.
Visa Championships Series
The USA Indoor Championships will mark the fourth and final stop in the annual indoor Visa Championship Series (VCS) competition for 2012. Close races for both men and women to be called VCS champion will be determined in Albuquerque.
On the men’s side, 60-meter hurdler Terrence Trammell and shot put thrower Adam Nelson are in a tie for the lead with 1,197 points and shot putter Ryan Whiting trails closely behind with 1,190. On the women’s side, Suhr, with 1,217 points, currently holds an advantage over Jones (1,173) and 400m sprinter DeeDee Trotter (1,161).
The Visa Championship Series has included the U.S. Open at Madison Square Garden, the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, the USATF Classic and the USA Indoor Championships. Athletes are awarded points for each of their performances during the series, and the male and female athletes with the top individual performances during the Visa Championship Series will receive a $25,000 bonus. More information of the Visa Championship Series can be found at http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2012/VCS/Home.aspx.
Win with Integrity
USA Track & Field will make a presence within local schools while in Albuquerque with its Win With Integrity program. Designed to place elite athletes into schools to promote a healthy lifestyle and an involvement with sports, Win With Integrity will travel to Nuestros Valores Charter High School at 10:30 a.m. and Southwest Learning Centers at 1 p.m. on Friday, February 24.
Press conference
USA Track & Field will host a press conference beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the Sage Room of the Hyatt Regency in Albuquerque on Friday, February 24. More details regarding the specifics for the press conference will be announced next week.
Last minute credentials
Anyone seeking last minute media credentials for access into the USA Indoor Championships contact Jared Slinde at jared.slinde@usatf.org.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, February 25
4:30 p.m. W 60mH 1st round
4:40 p.m. M 35# wt. throw final
4:50 p.m. M 60mH 1st round
5:00 p.m. M triple jump final
5:10 p.m. W 60m 1st round
5:15 p.m. W pole vault final
5:30 p.m. M 60m 1st round
5:52 p.m. M 3000m RW final
6:15 p.m. C Ceremony
6:30 p.m. W 800m 1st round
6:40 p.m. M high jump final
6:45 p.m. W 20# wt. throw final
6:50 p.m. M 800m 1st round
6:50 p.m. W triple jump final
7:10 p.m. W 400m 1st round
7:30 p.m. M 400m 1st round
7:50 p.m. W 3000m final
8:05 p.m. M 3000m final
8:15 p.m. Session Ends
Sunday, February 26th
12:00 n. W 60mH semi finals
12:10 p.m. M long jump final
12:15 p.m. M 60mH semi finals
12:20 p.m. W shot put final
12:30 p.m. W 60m semi finals
12:45 p.m. M 60m semi finals
1:05 p.m. W 800m – masters exhibition
1:10 p.m. M pole vault final
1:15 p.m. M 800m – masters exhibition
1:25 p.m. W 3000m RW final
1:50 p.m. C Ceremony
1:45 p.m. W high jump final
2:15 p.m. W long jump final
2:15 p.m. M 800m final
2:20 p.m. M shot put final
2:25 p.m. W 400m - race 1 final
2:35 p.m. W 400m - race 2 final
2:45 p.m. M 1500m final
2:55 p.m. M 400m - race 1 final
3:05 p.m. M 400m - race 2 final
3:15 p.m. W 800m final
3:25 p.m. W 1500m final
3:37 p.m. W 60m final
3:46 p.m. M 60m final
3:55 p.m. M 60mH final
4:05 p.m. W 60mH final
4:07 p.m. Championship Ends
4:10 p.m. VISA Series Awards