Lots of noteworthy performances at the adidas Track Classic last week in Carson, Calif. Most of the major players who will appear at the U.S. Track Trials next month were there, as were some of the best from around the world, and several put in noteworthy performances. Note ex-Mizzou shot putter Christian Cantwell. He consistently has been at the top of his game this season.

Here’s the wrap-up and quotes, courtesy of USA Track and Field:

The third woman ever to clear the 16-foot barrier in the pole vault, Jenn Stuczynski, became the #2 performer all-time in that event Sunday at the 2008 adidas Track Classic at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Held under sunny skies with temperatures in the high 80s, the adidas Track Classic is the second event of USA Track & Field’s 2008 Visa Outdoor Championships Series.

A two-time USA Outdoor champion, Stuczynski cleared 4.90 meters/16 feet .75 inch in bettering her own American record of 4.88m/16 feet set on June 2, 2007 in New York City. Only Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia has soared higher in the history of the event. For her efforts, Stuczynski was named The Team USA Athlete of the Meet, presented by Visa.

April Steiner was the runner-up to Stuczynski with a clearance of 4.47m/14-8, with Jillian Schwartz third with a best of 4.47m/14-8. Olympic gold medalist and former world record holder Stacy Dragila was fourth, also clearing 4.47m/14-8.

Rowbury runs stunning time in women’s 1,500 meters

2005 Atlantic Coast Conference champion, 2006 NACAC champion and USA Indoor champion Shannon Rowbury won the women’s 1,500 meters in 4:01.06, which is the fastest time in the world this year by nearly four and a half seconds, and ranks her as the #5 U.S. performer of all-time. Rowbury returns to competition this season after recovering from a stress fracture in her hip last year that kept her competing from April until July.

2007 USA Outdoor runner-up Christin Wurth-Thomas finished second to Rowbury in 4:04.94 and Lisa Corrigan of Australia was third in 4:06.97.

Gay, Campbell-Brown win 100m races

The men’s 100 meters was a blistering affair that saw reigning world 100m and 200m champion Tyson Gay challenged by 2007 World Outdoor Championships 4×100m relay gold medalist Darvis Patton. The last 30 meters saw the two combatants even all the way to the finish with Gay just sneaking ahead of his rival in winning in 10.05 seconds. Patton was the runner-up in 10.06 with World Championships silver medalist Derrick Atkins of the Bahamas third in 10.16.

The most anticipated event in Carson was the women’s 100 meters featuring seven of the world’s top sprinters. The end of the race resembled the final at the 2007 World Outdoor Championships in Osaka, Japan, as Jamaican standout Veronica Campbell-Brown hit the finish line first in 11.14 seconds, with 2005 World Outdoor champion Lauryn Williams on her heels, placing second in 11.15. Jamaican Kerron Stewart was third in 11.16 seconds, with reigning World 200m champion Allyson Felix fourth in 11.21.

Gay wins 200 meters

Tyson Gay set out to win two events at the adidas Track Classic and he ended the event in style with his convincing victory in the men’s 200 meters. Gay got out fast and showed no mercy to the rest of the field in winning in 20.08 seconds, which equals the second-fastest time in the world this season. The third-fastest 200m runner of all-time, Xavier Carter, was the runner-up in 20.30 seconds, with 2007 World Outdoor Championships third-place finisher Rodney Martin third in 20.55.

Wariner wins 400 meters convincingly

World and Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner won the men’s 400 meters in the second fastest time in the world and the fastest time on American soil so far this season when he crossed the finish line first in 44.42 seconds. Canadian standout Tyler Christopher was the runner-up in 44.71 seconds, with Bahamian Chris Brown third in 44.94 and reigning World 400m hurdles champion Kerron Clement fourth in 45.10.

Women’s quartet dominates the world

The women’s 3,000 meters on Sunday will register prominently on the 2008 world outdoor list as the four top finishers posted the four fastest times in the world this season. Canadian standout Meagan Metcalfe won the contest in 8:51.97, followed by Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba, who finished as the runner-up in 8:53.72. 2007 USA Outdoor Championships 5,000m runner-up Jen Rhines was third in 8:56.26 and 2007 World Championships 10,000m bronze medalist Kara Goucher was fourth in 9:00.53.

Lagat wins again

Reigning World 1,500m and 5,000m champion Bernard Lagat took command coming off the final turn and won the men’s 1,500 meters in 3:35.14, which is the fastest outdoor time by an American this year. New Zealand standout Nick Willis finished close behind Lagat as the runner-up in 3:35.75, with Canadian Kevin Sullivan placing third in 3:35.78.

Hayes, Moore win high hurdles races

Reigning Olympic gold medalist Joanna Hayes faced a strong field in winning the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.64 seconds, which is the second-fastest time by an American this season. 2008 World Indoor silver medalist Candace Davis was the runner-up in 12.71 seconds, with 2004 NCAA Outdoor champ Nichole Denby finishing third in 12.72.

The men’s 110m hurdles was a hotly contested affair that came down to a close finish between Anwar Moore and Terrence Trammell. Moore, who ended the 2007 season ranked #4 in the world, won the race in 13.39 seconds, with two-time Olympic silver medalist Trammell the runner-up in 13.40. The hurdlers ran into a -1.3 meters per second headwind.

Cantwell, Rome win men’s throws

Two-time World Indoor champion and current world outdoor leader Christian Cantwell won the men’s shot put with a heave of 21.39 meters/70-2.25 on his fourth throw. Two-time Olympic silver medalist and 2005 World Outdoor champion Adam Nelson finished second with a best of 21.13m/69-4.

In the men’s discus, 2004 Olympian Jared Rome set a new meet record with his winning toss of 65.09 meters/213 feet 6 inches, which bettered the previous meet standard of 63.64m/208-9 he set in 2005. Two-time U.S. champion Ian Waltz was the runner-up with his best of 63.40m/208-0, with two-time national champion John Godina placing third with a toss of 61.85m/202-11.

Meet record for Donohue.

Another meet record was set by 2007 USA Outdoor Championships third place finisher and World Outdoor Championships team member Erin Donohue, who took command on the backstretch of the final lap and won the women’s 800 meters going away in 2 minutes, 2.04 seconds. Her performance is the second-fastest by an American this outdoor season. Other top American finishers included Kameisha Bennett-Martin (3rd-2:02.94) and Nicole Cook (4th-2:03.57).

Lee wins women’s 200 meters

2004 Olympian and 2005 World Outdoor Championships 4×100m relay champion Muna Lee won the women’s 200 meters in 22.30 seconds, which is the fastest time by an American this season. 2007 World Outdoor Championships 100m bronze medalist Carmelita Jeter was the runner-up in 22.47 seconds, with Marshevet Hooker placing third in 22.49.

Three’s a crowd in men’s 3,000m

Josh Rohatinsky, Galen Rupp and Jonathan Riley engaged in a terrific men’s 3,000m tussle that saw all three competitors with the lead during the bell lap. Rohatinsky, who had the lead with two laps remaining, held on to the top spot until he was passed with 300 meters to go when Riley surged past him for the lead. Riley came around the final turn just ahead of 2007 NCAA and USA 10,000m second place finisher Rupp, who sailed past Riley with 30 meters remaining and held on to finish first in the fastest clocking by an American this outdoor season and a new personal best time of 7 minutes 51.17 seconds. Riley was the runner-up in 7:51.40, with Rohatinsky third in 7:52.83.

Batman leaves no doubt

The suspense ended early in the men’s 400m hurdles as 2005 World champion Bershawn “Batman” Jackson took command with 300 meters to go and extended his lead throughout the race in winning in 48.94 seconds. Three-time Pac-10 champion and 2007 NCAA runner-up Brandon Johnson was the runner-up in 49.62 seconds, with 2006 NCAA champion Michael Tinsley third in 49.68.

Howard dominates women’s high jump

2005 World Outdoor silver medalist and 2006 USA Outdoor champion Chaunte Howard, who returned to competition this season after becoming a mother last year, won the women’s high jump on Sunday in convincing fashion. Howard cleared 1.98m/6 feet 6 inches to win the event, which is the best by an American this year. Mexico’s Rosemary Rifka was the runner-up with a best clearance of 1.92m/6-3.50.

Upshaw one-ups the competition

2004 Olympian and two-time USA Outdoor champion Grace Upshaw won the women’s long jump competition with a leap of 6.68 meters/21 feet 11 inches. Jamaica’s Patricia Sylvester was the runner-up with a best of 6.45m/21-2, with 2001 USA Outdoor champion Jenny Adams third with a jump of 6.39m/20-11.

The women’s 400 meters was won by Jamaican standout Novlene Williams, who won the race in 50.38 seconds. 2007 World Outdoor Championships relay gold medalist Mary Wineberg was the runner-up in 50.41 seconds, with Jamaican Shereefa Lloyd third in 50.93.

In the 100m “B” races, Bahamian Debbie Ferguson won the women’s race in 11.18 seconds, with Mechelle Lewis the runner-up in 11.23 and Alexis Joyce was the third-place finisher in 11.25. The men’s race was won by 2007 World Outdoor Championships 4×100m relay gold medalist Rodney Martin in 10.13, with Steve Mullings the runner-up in 10.20.

In events contested Saturday night, Brandon Shaw, who ended the 2007 ranked #9 last season, won the men’s 800 meters in 1 minute 47.51 seconds, with 2003 NCAA runner-up Sam Burley the runner-up 1:47.91. In the men’s 5,000 meters, Ethiopia’s Ali Abdosh won the hotly contested race in 13 minutes 08.64 seconds over his countryman Dejen Gebremeskel, who crossed the finish line in 13:08.96

adidas Track Classic - Athlete Quotes

2008 Adidas Track Classic, Carson, Calif.

Galen Rupp, Men’s 3,000m Run

I ran today just to continue to work on my speed. I think I’m going to run a 5,000 next week. This works well, I’ll get something shorter in. I’m still working on my kick. This is all preparation for the Olympic Trials. I like running in heat. I’ve always run well in hot conditions. It helps a lot to have Josh (Rohatinsky) there with me. When I get my teammates around, it’s just a great mental boost for me. My goal coming in was to improve, compete better. I’m still doing a ton of training.”

Erin Donohue, Women’s 800m

It was a pretty competitive field. I just wanted to hang in there for the first 400-500 meters and I was able to do that. It was a tough day with the heat and a little bit of wind, but I’m really happy to come out with the win. I’m in a good position. I already have the “A” standard in the 1500. Over the winter I’ve been working on the 800. I think I’ll be in a good position going into the Trials.

Shannon Rowbury, Women’s 1,500m

The faster the better. The better the competition the better the Americans will be. Last year I had a stress fracture in my hip so its taken a lot to get here. But this sets me up well for the next 2-3 monthes. My goal is still to make the team. I take nothing for granted. I want it so much, to make the team would just be amazing. I work for it every day.

Bershawn Jackson, Men’s 400mH

I feel really good. I’m happy. I’m more fit, my timing has been going pretty good. (With this race), I wanted to get my confidence back, I just wanted to win again. I wasn’t ever doubting myself, my rhythm was off, I was stutter stepping. Now I’ve got everything back.

Veronica Campbell, women’s 200m winner

I was hoping to run fast today. A win is a win and I’ll take it. I think I have a few little things to work on. I ‘m looking forward to competing in and preparing for Beijing. In competition like this, you just have to expect anything. I just maintained my focus and was able to execute.

Allyson Felix, women’s 200

I just had a rough week. My boyfriend’s father passed away. I got back from Doha and went to the funeral Tuesday. Just an emotional week, up and down. Bobby decided to pull me (from the 200). I was definitely a little disappointed. I would definitely like to be in that 200, but I just have to trust him. I would have liked for the week to be happier for the graduation, all my family was there. It was a really special moment.

Novlene Williams, Women’s 400m winner

The race was a little tough. It was really windy, but everyone else had the same conditions. I’m happy with the time. My training is going well, I’ll be alright for our Trials next month. Everybody is coming out with their A Game this year, the Olympic year. We compete against the same people a lot. They’re not hard to beat, we just have to be ready.

Bernard Lagat, Men’s 1,500m

My intentions were to come here and win the race. I didn’t even notice anything happened. I didn’t know there was someone who fell. I wanted to be the one to follow the pacemakers. I was careful not to swing wide. I wanted to run a smart race and be able to kick at the end. This is a very good measure of where my training is going.

Allen Johnson, Men’s 110m hurdles

I just didn’t have it today. I was expecting to run faster than I did. I’m disappointed with today but happy with where I am overall. I’ll be ready in July.

Anwar Moore, men’s 110m hurdles winner

The heat is ridiculous. After the time and the headwind, I’m okay. With no headwind, the time would have been faster. I’m happy, I’m pleased. I’m healthy and I’ll be ready for Prefontaine and the Trials.

Chaunte Howard, women’s high jump

God is good. I came out feeling good. We had great competition, Tisha Waller, Amy Acuff - lots of good people. Pretty much a tune up for the Olympic Trials. I was able to come out here and relax, I was able to come out and redeem myself on this track. It felt like the American record was in my feet. My training has been going well, I’ve been jumping well at practice. I feel like there’s a lot more I can do, so after this week, I’m going to shut it down and just focus on the Trials. Last year I just got really frustrated. There was such great competition last year, it made me very thirsty this year. I don’t take for granted any practice day. I want to be in the thick of things come the Olympics.

Jeremy Wariner, Men’s 400m

As I was warming up, I felt really good. We told everyone it would be a Sunday decision, so after I warmed up, I told everyone I was ready to go. I take every year the same,. I take every week and every day the same. This year I’m just fighting for what I want to do. I just need to stay healthy from here on out. I was a little timid to come out of the blocks. My first 150 would have been better had I not had this hamstring problem. Times will drop no matter what. I know that come Trials I’ll be able to run with everybody else. I’ve said it before, I run a lot better when I have rounds to run.

Jenn Stuczynski, women’s pole vault

I think I come into it expecting the worst. I’m pretty prepared technically. When it was warm out, it made me happy. The first one was too short. I got hit with a little bit of a headwind, the third one I let it go. It just didn’t work out this time, you have to have three good jumps at it. I came in with high expectations. We got 90 and we’ll build off that.

Muna Lee, Women’s 200m

I kind of didn’t get out hard. I was more worried about who was in the race with me, but I’m happy with win. It’s been a long time since I’ve ran (in a field this big). It was a PR (wind legal). Hopefully I’ll run another 21 this year. I just have to stay focused and not worry about everyone else.

Tyson Gay, 100 and 200m winner

I was slightly confused because of my time in the 100. I’ve been running pretty good in my practice. I actually felt better today in the 200 than I did in the 100. I’m just glad I came out today with two wins. I wasn’t unhappy, I just had to go back and check what I’d been working on. I have to make sure I warm up my body better. I was happy, I was relaxed. I saw Doc winning, so I started to relax. I just have to go back and make some minor adjustments with my blocks so I won’t shake so much. I should be pretty relaxed going into New York. I really believe I don’t have run fast times right now, I just have to win. It does a lot for my confidence. It was a pretty fun race. As you saw, Darvis and I were both leaning at the line.