TheFinalSprint.com - Track & Field, Marathons, Racing News, Training Advice, Elite Athlete Blogs, Interviews, Podcasts, Videos and More! - TheFinalSprint.com is the Premier Destination for Track & Field, Marathon, Cross Country, Olympic and Road Racing Enthusiasts.

TFS to Expand Writing Staff and Internship Program

Whether you are a seasoned veteran, an aspiring journalist, or even just a knowledgeable fan looking for a profitable hobby, we want to hear from you! Click here to apply today!

Record-holder Stuczynski to compete at Reebok Grand Prix

Posted May 24th, 2007 at 10:10 AM by Martha Jones

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

Jenn Stuczynski, who on Sunday ended the 11-year reign of Stacy Dragila as American Record-holder in the women’ pole vault, will compete at the Reebok Grand Prix on June 2, organizers announced this week. Among her rivals in New York will be Dragila, on the comeback trail after missing last season with an injury.

Also added to the lineup are Torri Edwards (100-meter dash), Michelle Perry (100-meter hurdles), Kenia Sinclair (1500 meters), Novlene Williams (400 meters), Kenneth Ferguson (400-meter hurdles) and Long Island native Anthony Famiglietti (5,000 meters). All are coming off big wins in Sunday’s adidas Track Classic, as are the previously announced Allyson Felix and Tyson Gay. Gay’s scorching time of 9.79, had it not been just over the allowable tailwind limits, would have tied the American Record.

In her huge L.A. win, the 25-year-old Stuczynski vaulted 4.84 meters/15 feet, 10.5 inches, surpassing Dragila’s U.S. mark of 4.83m/15-10, set in 2004. Ranked #1 in the U.S. and #6 in the world for 2006, Stuczynski is the reigning U.S. Champion both indoors and outdoors and is poised for stardom heading toward the 2008 Olympics.

Edwards, the 2003 World Champion, turned in a torrid 10.90 personal best on Sunday in defeating a 100-meter field that included 2004 Olympic triple medalist Veronica Campbell of Jamaica (2nd in 10.91) and 2006 World Indoor 60m Champion Lisa Barber (3rd in 10.95). Those are the three fastest times in the world this year. Campbell and Barber will also compete here, making for a top 100-meter field. Perry, the 2005 World Champion in the hurdles, also turned in a world leader with a 12.58 victory.

A popular hometown favorite, Famiglietti attended Patchogue-Medford High School on Long Island and now lives and trains in Manhattan. He is a 2004 Olympian in the steeplechase and is the U.S. 8-kilometer road race champion, a title he won in Central Park on May 18 in a race hosted by the New York Road Runners.

The third-annual Reebok Grand Prix will begin at 5 p.m. June 2 at state-of-the-art Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island. It is the third stop of USA Track & Field’s Visa Championship Series. Tickets, at $20, $30 and $40, are available by calling 1-877-TIX-TRAC. USATF welcomes you to pay with your Visa. For more information and event updates, visit the event website at www.ReebokGrandPrix.com