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May 12, 2005
For Immediate Release
RED-HOT MERRITT TAKES ON OLYMPIC MEDALISTS
Eugene, Oregon--Precocious LaShawn Merritt, the man with the fastest time in the world so far this year, will face 2004 Olympic silver medalist Otis Harris and bronze medalist Derrick Brew in the Prefontaine Classic Grand Prix 400 meters at Hayward Field on June 4th. Still just 18, Merritt last weekend in Jamaica became the world’s fastest ever for his age with his scintillating 44.66 win. Harris, at age 22, and Brew, an "ancient" 27, were world-ranked No. 2 & 3 respectively last year by Track & Field News magazine.
While he is still a teenager, Merritt is not exactly inexperienced on the world stage. Last year as a high school senior, the Portsmouth, VA native was the outstanding performer at the World Junior Championships as he brought home three golds, winning the 400 and running on a pair of World Junior Record-setting relays. As a frosh at East Carolina University this past winter, he became the first athlete since the immortal Michael Johnson to break 45-seconds indoors (44.93). Merritt turned professional shortly after that performance, and has continued his upward surge, recording his big win in Jamaica over another Pre Classic entrant, Olympic 4x4 gold medalist Andrew Rock (44.75).
As with virtually every event in this year's 31st edition of the Prefontaine Classic, the field is replete with athletes ranked in the top 10 in the world by Track & Field News. In addition to Harris and Brew, the No. 4 ranked athlete, Alleyne Francique of Grenada, No. 5 Michael Blackwood of Jamaica, and No. 6 Brandon Simpson of Jamaica will compete. That's five out of last year's top 10 in the world!
The addition of the Olympic and World Championships medalists in the men's 400 brings the total number of medalists participating in the Pre Classic to 19, after just five announced events. It is anticipated that there will be more Olympic and WC medalists competing in this year's Prefontaine Classic than at any other meet ever contested in the United States, with the exception of the three Olympic Games held on American soil.
Tickets for the Prefontaine Classic are on sale from 1-800-WEBFOOT, online at www.goducks.com <http://www.goducks.com/> , and in person at the Casanova Center ticket office.
400 METERS (MEN)
LaShawn Merritt
Otis Harris
Derrick Brew
Michael Blackwood (Jamaica)
Brandon Simpson (Jamaica)
Alleyne Francique (Grenada)
Andrew Rock
For Immediate Release
RED-HOT MERRITT TAKES ON OLYMPIC MEDALISTS
Eugene, Oregon--Precocious LaShawn Merritt, the man with the fastest time in the world so far this year, will face 2004 Olympic silver medalist Otis Harris and bronze medalist Derrick Brew in the Prefontaine Classic Grand Prix 400 meters at Hayward Field on June 4th. Still just 18, Merritt last weekend in Jamaica became the world’s fastest ever for his age with his scintillating 44.66 win. Harris, at age 22, and Brew, an "ancient" 27, were world-ranked No. 2 & 3 respectively last year by Track & Field News magazine.
While he is still a teenager, Merritt is not exactly inexperienced on the world stage. Last year as a high school senior, the Portsmouth, VA native was the outstanding performer at the World Junior Championships as he brought home three golds, winning the 400 and running on a pair of World Junior Record-setting relays. As a frosh at East Carolina University this past winter, he became the first athlete since the immortal Michael Johnson to break 45-seconds indoors (44.93). Merritt turned professional shortly after that performance, and has continued his upward surge, recording his big win in Jamaica over another Pre Classic entrant, Olympic 4x4 gold medalist Andrew Rock (44.75).
As with virtually every event in this year's 31st edition of the Prefontaine Classic, the field is replete with athletes ranked in the top 10 in the world by Track & Field News. In addition to Harris and Brew, the No. 4 ranked athlete, Alleyne Francique of Grenada, No. 5 Michael Blackwood of Jamaica, and No. 6 Brandon Simpson of Jamaica will compete. That's five out of last year's top 10 in the world!
The addition of the Olympic and World Championships medalists in the men's 400 brings the total number of medalists participating in the Pre Classic to 19, after just five announced events. It is anticipated that there will be more Olympic and WC medalists competing in this year's Prefontaine Classic than at any other meet ever contested in the United States, with the exception of the three Olympic Games held on American soil.
Tickets for the Prefontaine Classic are on sale from 1-800-WEBFOOT, online at www.goducks.com <http://www.goducks.com/> , and in person at the Casanova Center ticket office.
400 METERS (MEN)
LaShawn Merritt
Otis Harris
Derrick Brew
Michael Blackwood (Jamaica)
Brandon Simpson (Jamaica)
Alleyne Francique (Grenada)
Andrew Rock
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