Empire takes title in dramatic finale

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

The New York Empire saved its best for last Thursday, winning the second annual TrackTown Summer Series team title at Icahn Stadium.

Although New York didn't win the mixed 4x400-meter relay to conclude the meet, edged by the Portland Pulse in dramatic fashion, the Empire had enough of a cushion to secure the championship with 200.5 points.

Portland, which won the 4x400 in 3 minutes, 13.88 seconds ahead of New York in 3:13.94, was second overall with 196.5 points. The Philadelphia Force placed third with 189 points and last year's champion San Francisco Surge had 180 points.

Johnny Gregorek not only secured the victory for New York by winning the men's 1,500 meters in 3:35.0, but led four individuals under the IAAF World Championship standard, including runner-up Robby Andrews of San Francisco (3:35.25).

Andrews won the USATF Outdoor title June 24, but hadn't dipped below the standard of 3:36.0 to compete Aug. 4-13 in London until Thursday. Philadelphia's Ben Blankenship (3:35.29) and Craig Engels (3:35.95) were also under the standard.

New York opened the meet by sweeping the 5-kilometer road races, with Tommy Curtin winning the men's competition in 14:11.90 and Kim Conley prevailing in the women's event in 16:07.80.

Mike Rodgers and Jeff Demps went 1-2 for New York in the men's 100-meter dash in 10.15 and 10.25, with Queen Harrison repeating her victory in the 100-meter hurdles from the opening meet at Stanford, clocking 12.75.

Stephanie Garcia won the women's 3,000 for the second time in five days, clocking 8:52.74, leading a New York sweep with Nicole Tully taking second in 8:54.28. The women benefited from the pacing of a mixed race, with Portland finishing first and second in the men's competition with Paul Chelimo (7:47.96) and Lopez Lomong (7:48.77).

Dutch standout Sanne Verstegen also captured her second victory in eight days for New York in the 800 by clocking 2:00.22.

San Francisco dominated the field events, with Quanesha Burks winning the women's long jump with a mark of 22-5 (6.83m), Omar Craddock capturing the men's triple jump at 54-1 (16.48m), and Erik Kynard and Inika McPherson sweeping the men's and women's high jump by clearing 7-6.5 (2.30m) and 6-2.75 (1.90m), respectively.

Gwen Berry and Colin Dunbar-Hatton won the mixed hammer throw for Portland at 482-8 (147.11m), with Michelle Carter and Ryan Whiting securing victory in the mixed shot put for Philadelphia at 129-6 (39.49m).