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Hoffa breaks Pan Am record in shot; Hill wins discus
8-5-2003

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – Led by the record-setting performance of Reese Hoffa (Athens, Ga.), the United States earned two gold medals during the first day of track and field competition in the Pan American Games at Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Stadium Tuesday night.

Hoffa, who was third in the shot put at the 2003 USA Outdoor Championships, set a Pan American Games record in that event with a personal best throw of 20.95 meters/68 feet 8.75 inches to break the previous mark of 67-4 by C.J. Hunter of the United States in the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plaza, Argentina.

Reigning USA outdoor champion Aretha Hill (Opelika, Ala.) earned the second gold medal for the American team by winning the women’s discus at 63.30m/207-8 on her fourth attempt. It marked the sixth straight Pan American Games in which the U.S. has secured a medal in the women’s discus competition. American record holder Suzy Powell (Modesto, Calif.) was in second place heading into the finals at 196-10 but finished fourth overall.

Stephen Moore (Plainview, Texas), who finished fourth in the 2003 USA Outdoor Championships, held the first-day lead in the decathlon with 4,196 points. Moore won the first two events of the day – the 100 and long jump – and then climaxed the evening by winning the 400 in 48.16 seconds.

Kip Janvrin (Warrensburg, Mo.), who competed in the 2000 Olympics and won the decathlon in the 1995 Pan American Games, failed to clear the opening height in the high jump and withdrew from competition.

Tameisha King (Mableton, Ga.) placed fifth in the long jump (19-11.75), while U.S. teammate Rose Richmond (St. Petersburg, Fla.) was sixth at 19-8.75.

The United States enjoyed success in the semifinal qualifying rounds of the 100, 400 hurdles, advancing all eight athletes into the finals of those events.

2000 Olympian Eric Thomas (Houston, Texas), who was ranked seventh in the world in the 2002, posted the fastest qualifying time in the men’s 400 hurdles of 48.91 to set up a Wednesday showdown with Dominican Republic national hero Felix Sanchez, the reigning world champion, who won heat one in 48.99.

Joanna Hayes (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Brenda Taylor (Chula Vista, Calif.) each won their heats in the semifinal round of the women’s 400 hurdles. Hayes, who finished fifth in the 1999 Pan American Games, posted the fastest qualifying time of 55.64 while running in the first heat. Taylor, the 2001 NCAA 400 hurdle champion from Harvard, won heat two in 55.76.

Floyd Thompson (Santa Monica, Calif.) had the fastest qualifying time in the men’s 800 in 1:48.86 to win heat two of the semifinal round. Jesse Strutzel (Huntington Beach, Calif.) won heat one in 1:49.58. 2000 Olympian Hazel Clark (Gainsville, Fla.) won the second semifinal heat of the women’s 800 in 2:03.54

Angela Williams (Ontario, Calif.), who won two silver medals at the 1999 Pan American Games, won heat three of the semifinal round of the women’s 100 in 11.59. Lauryn Williams (Miami, Fla.) won the first heat in 11.53.

Mickey Grimes Ontario, Calif.) won the first semifinal heat of the men’s 100 in 10.20, and teammate Marcelle Scales (Franklin, Tenn.) won the second semifinal heat in 10.33.

Seth Hejny (Grand Junction, Colo.) was ninth in the men’s 5,000 in 14:50.33. For more information and results from the Pan Am Games, visit the Pan Am Games link at www.usatf.org

TEAM USA QUOTES Men's Shot put Finals

Reese Hoffa, Athens, Ga., Gold Medalist, New Pan Am Games Record-holder "I thought I'd throw well but wasn't sure I'd get a PR (personal best) but I guess when you're ready, you're ready. The fans here are awesome. They don't even know who I am and they were cheering for me."

"The conditions were very good, but when you PR everything's great."

Women's Discus Finals

Aretha Hill, Opelika, Ala., Gold Medalist, 63.30 meters "It felt pretty good to put on a USA uniform and represent well. I was grateful for the opportunity and I'm excited about the result. Now I'm looking forward to the Worlds. I've been consistently around 63.3 this year."

"Suzy (Powell) and I have competed since high school and then in college. We've become friends over the years and we're competitors too. That doesn't happen very often."

Suzy Powell, Modesto, Calif. – 4th Place Finish – 60.00 meters "My first three throws were good but we had a tailspin. The wins changed then and I couldn't take advantage of a good head wind. I had a good situation and didn't come through with it.

"It is definitely a good wake-up call for the World Championships next month. I just need to continue to compete and train. We've got a great group of throwers on our team. Aretha represented us well and is taking home the gold."

Women's 400 meter hurdles Semifinals

Heat 1: Joanna Hayes (Los Angeles, Calif.), advances to finals (1st in Heat) "The air seems thick. I train in the humidity when I train in the summer in St. Louis but this just seems thicker. During the race it was okay but after I finished it hit me."

"The track's ok, it's a little soft. I'd like it to be a little faster so I can get a good time but it's ok."

Heat 2: Brenda Taylor (Chula Vista, Calif.), advances to finals (1st in Heat - 55.77)

"I felt very good and under control. I did want I wanted to do, finish first in my heat. I was lucky being in the back. I was able to see what I needed to do down the stretch."

On two USA first-place finishes in the 2 heats: "This is awesome. This means we will get the fast lanes and front lane, which are good spots. I just want to see as much red, white and blue there is possible up on the medal stand."

Men's 400 meter hurdles Semifinals

Heat 1: Regan Nichols ( Houston, Texas, advances to finals --2nd in heat– 50.01) "I only found out 20 minutes beforehand that I was being entered so in that sense I did okay. I felt a little fatigued though, leg wise. I don't know, maybe I warmed up too long. I had to change on the sixth or seventh hurdle. I had to downshift a whole lot to make my step. I think this weather (heat and humidity) is an advantage for me. This is a lot like Houston. It could be a disadvantage for some people, but I like it." On coping with loud chants and cheers for local favorite Felix Sanchez: "When the gun goes off, you don't hear anything. The only time you really notice the crowd is before and after the race."

Heat 2: Eric Thomas (Houston, Texas, advances to finals – 1st in heat – 48.92) "It felt good out there tonight. I wanted to get out of the first three hurdles and be aggressive in the curves. I thought I was able to bring it pretty good tonight and tomorrow I'm going to drop the hammer and see what happens."

"It's great to be in the finals along with Regan. We need that, we need as many (Americans) in the finals as we can get. I know tomorrow we are going see what we can do to contain Felix (Sanchez)."

Women's 100 meter Semifinals

Heat 1: Lauryn Williams (Miami, Fla., advances to finals – 1st in heat) "There were a lot of distractions with the hold-up and the race starting late but I'm happy to get into the finals for tomorrow. All the officials were speaking in Spanish and pointing in every direction, so I didn't know what was going on for a while. I was still able to get the job done. It wasn't a great performance but I can't complain. I get to move on and get a chance in the finals for tomorrow."

Heat 2: Angela Williams (Ontario, Calif., advances to finals – 1st in heat) "It felt pretty good out there tonight on the track. I'm glad the first round was cancelled in the morning. It gave me more time to rest and I was able to run a pretty good race this evening. Now I'll just go back tonight, look at some video, see if I can improve on anything and be ready for tomorrow."

"Today was a good day. It was good to feel the track and adjust to the atmosphere. I'm ready for the gold. I want it for myself and also for my teammates (4x400). I came close in 1999 and I'm back more mature and stronger."

" I knew Lauryn would race well. There was no doubt. She has done a great job and is the future of U.S. Track & Field. Tomorrow we're ready for a 1-2 finish for the USA."

Men's 100 meter Semifinals

Heat 1: Mickey Grimes (Ontario, Calif., advances to finals – 1st in heat) "I had a bad start but I was able to make it up. It was good to get a personal best earlier in the day (10.08) and I'm saving some for tomorrow. I wasn't too worried about the other competitors, I just ran my race and I'm in the finals."

"Tomorrow is the main key and is my focus. It is a dream come true to compete in this event at the Pan Am Games. I'm happy and tonight I'll just go home, eat, pray and come out and finish it tomorrow."

Heat 2: Marcelle Scales (Franklin, Tenn., advances to finals – 1st in heat ) "I did better tonight just because I won the heat but I still feel sluggish. I been running competitively since January and I guess it has started to wear on me. There's not much I do about between tonight and tomorrow except pray."

Women's 800 meters Semifinals Heat 1: Lauren Simmons (Princeton, N.J.,) "This experience has been amazing and I'm going to take a lot from it. I'm a little disappointed with how I did today, but regardless I'm happy to have had the opportunity to race here. I didn't know I was coming until a week ago but I'm glad I had the chance." "I couldn't get a rhythm and I just wasn't running my best race. I was out of touch and it was hard to make up time."

Heat 2: Hazel Clark, Gainesville, Fla., advances to finals – 1st in heat) "I came through too slow but it was okay. The idea is to reach the finals and I've done that. These Games are important to me because I have not been pleased with my year. I've been trying to come back from an injury and I just have to be patient with it. I'm just trying to be positive and move forward so I can be place for the Olympics next year."

Men's 800 meters Semifinals

Heat 1: Jesse Strutzel (Huntington Beach, Calif.) "I felt pretty good out there tonight and I had plenty of time to warm up. I am now going to get prepared for the finals. I know I have a very good shot at winning a gold at these Games."

"I need to race a tactical race tomorrow to win. I just want to come into this event and be sharp while I am on the track and everything else should fall into place."

Heat 2: Floyd Thompson (Santa Monica, Calif.) "I was a little tight tonight, but happy I finished first in the heat. The weather was pretty good and the atmosphere is great. This is a great track."

"I need a great race tomorrow to win. This could be my last chance to qualify for the World Championships. If I can run a 1:46.00 flat, I can get in."

Men's 5000 meters finals

Seth Hejny (Grand Junction, Colo.) "The conditions out here were tough tonight. It was really hot and they had us warm up for 2 hours. I was pretty tired and just could not focus on the race. I am not in my top shape right now and I am sorry things did not work out. I was great being here and really have enjoyed being a part of this team."

Men's Decathlon

Stephen Moore, Plainview, Texas (leader of decathlon after 5 events—finished first in the 100 meters, the high jump and the 400 meters and second in the long jump):

Today was okay but I should have had more points. I fouled on my first two longs jumps, the second just barely went I went over 25 feet. So I had backup a foot and a half on my last jump. Then I drew a bad lane for the 400 (lane 1) and the curves are so tough. I've run a second faster the last two meets I've been in (timed in 48.16). And my shot putt was three feet short of what I have been. My 100 was the second fastest time (10.75) I've had all year so I was pleased with my start, though.

On urging crowd support as he cleared 2.10 meters in the high jump: "I tried to fed off their 400 guy (Felix Sanchez of DR who stirred up the crowd while the high jump was going on). It helped me."

About the unusual five-hour layoff between morning and evening sessions: "The layoff didn't bother me. I just went back and took a nap. When could have had only one session because we have only seven competitors but it worked fine for me.

Kip Janvrin (Warrensburg, Mo.) won decathlon at 1995 Pan American Games, withdrew from decathlon after no heighting in the fourth event, the high jump.

"We finished the long jump around 10:30 a.m. and then we resumed competition at 5:30 p.m. It just doesn't make any sense to drag this event that long when we only had seven competitors. Then it took us 45 minutes to get here fighting traffic."

"It is difficult at my age to sit down and then get back up after waiting so long in between events. It just wasn't clicking. I wish I could have sneaked over the high jump because I thought I had a good chance to earn a medal. But this dog had his day. I'll be cheering Steve (Moore) onto the gold tomorrow."

DAY 1 EVENING RESULTS

FINALS

Men’s 5,000 – 1. Hudson DeSouza, Brazil, 13:50.71; 2. Jose David Galvan, Mexico, 13:52.92; 3. Marilson Dos Santos, Brazil, 13:56.90; 4. Alejandro Saurez, Mexico, 13:58.19; 5. Mauricio Diaz, Chile, 13:58.85; 6. Fredd Gonzalez, Venezuela, 14:21.53; 7. William Naranjo, Colombia, 14:25.70; 8. Patrick Fuller, Belize, 14:39.23; 8. ; 9. Seth Hejny, USA (Grand Junction, Colo.), 14:50.33; 10. Jesus Ramirez, Dominican Republic, 15:55.17; Jose Garcia, Guatemala, did not finish.

Women’s Discus – 1. Aretha Hill, USA (Opelika, Ala.), 207-8 (63.30); 2. Fernandez, Cuba, 201-0 (61.26); 3. Ferrales, Cuba, 196-11 (60.03); 4. Suzy Powell, USA (Modesto, Calif.), 196-10 (60.00); 5. Adriano, Brazil, 192-11 (58.80); 6. Castro, Colombia, 182-6 (55.65); 7. Mercedes, Dominican Republic, 145-10 (44.46).

Women’s Long Jump - 1. A Falaiye, Canada, 21-1 1/4 (6.43); 2. Edwards, Bahamas, 21-0 ½ (6.41); 3. Savigne, Cuba, 21-0 (6.40);4. Spencer, Domoinican Republic, 20-8 ½ (6.31); 5. Tameisha King, USA, (Mableton, Ga.), 19-11 ¾ (6.09); 6. Rose Richmond, USA (St. Petersburg, Fla.), 19-8 ¾ (6.01); 7. M. Falconi, Uruguay, 19-4 ¼ (5.90); 8. Saunders, Bahamas, 19-4 ¼ (5.90); 9. Scott, Jamaica, 18-10 ¾ (5.76); 10. Flores, Belize, 16-0 ¾ (4.90).

Men’s Shot Put – 1. Reese Hoffa, USA (Athens, Ga.), 68-8 ¾ (20.95) (Pan American Games record – old mark 67-4 by CJ Hunter, United States, 1995); 2. Verni, Chile, 66-1 (20.14); 3. Brad Snyder, Canada, 65-11 ½ (20.10); 4. Dan Taylor USA (Middlefield, Ohio), 64-7 ¼ (19.69); 5. Paunie, Cuba, 63-4 ¾ (19.32); 6. Medina, Venezuela, 62-11 ½ (19.19); 7. Rodrigquez, Colombia, 59-7 (18.16); 8. Stone, Trinidad & Tobago, 57-11 (17.65); 9. Guzman, Mexico 57-3 ¼ (17.39); 10. Scott, Jamaica, 55-10 1/4 (17.02); 11. Ventura, Domincan Republic 54-3 ¼ (16.54); 12. Pena, Dominican Republic 49-5 (15.06)

Women’s 400 Hurdles Semifinal Heat One – 1. Joanna Hayes, USA (Los Angeles, Calif.), 55.64; 2. Andrea Blackett, Barbados, 55.97; 4. Lucimar Teodoro, Brazil, 56.33; 5. Yudalis Diaz, Cuba, 57.92; 6. Jazmin Rodriguez, Dominican Republic, 58.42.

Women’s 400 Hurdles Semifinal Heat Two – 1. Brenda Taylor, USA (Chula Vista, Calif.), 55.76; 2. Daimy Figueroa, Cuba, 55.77; 3. Yvonne Harrison, Puerto Rico, 55.79; 4. Allison Beckford, Jamaica, 56.85; 5. Princesa Oliveros, Colombia, 57.44; 6. Peria Dos-Santos, Brazil, 1:00.28

Men’s 400 Hurdles Semifinal Heat One – 1. Felix Sanchez, Dominican Republic, 48.99; 2. Regan Nichols, USA (Houston, Texas), 50.01; 3. Eronildes Araujo, Brazil, 50.21; 4. Oscar Juanz, Mexico, 50.31; 5. Sergio Hierrezuelo, Cuba, 50.37; 6. Michael Aguilar, Biz, 51.55; 7. Demarius Cash, Bahamas, 53.54; 8. Jonni Lowe, Honduras, 54.40.

Men’s 400 Hurdles Semifinal Heat Two – 1. Eric Thomas, USA (Houston, Texas), 48.91; 2. Dean Griffiths, Jamaica, 49.08; 3. Adam Kunkel, Canada, 50.00; 4. Miguel Garcia, 50.89; 5. Douglas Lynes, Bahamas, 51.12; 6. Shane Charles, Grenada, 51.15; 7. Cric Fitz-Allen, Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesm 51.83.

Men’s 100 Semifinal Heat One – 1. Mickey Grimes, USA (Ontario, Calif.), 10.20; 2. E. Ribeiro, Brazil, 10.39; 3. M. Frater, Jamaica, 10.39; 4. N. Alexander, Trinidad and Tobago, 10.42; 5. J. Pita, Cuba, 10.56; 6. J. Harper, Trinidad & Tobago, 10.63; 7. R. Blanco, Guatemala, 10.64; 8. B. Swan, Grenada, 10.79.

Men’s 100 Semifinal Heat Two – 1. Marcelle Scales, USA (Franklin, Tenn.), 10.33; 2. J. Mascarenhas Jr., Brazil, 10.57; 3. A. Henry, Canada, 10.60; 4. S. Morant, Jamaica, 10.61; 5. A. Reyes, Cuba, 10.61; 6. C. Martina, Netherlands Antilles, 10.62; 7. D. Delaney, Saint Kitts and Nevis, 10.74; 8. D. Bailey, Antigua and Barbuda, 10.74.

Women’s 800 Semifinal Heat One - 1. Adriana Munoz, Cuba, 2:03.65; 2. Letitia Vriesde, Suriname, 2:03.77; 3., Neisha Bernard, Grenada, 2:04.22; 4. Kenia Sinclair, Jamaica, 2:10.51; 5. Lauren Simmons, USA (Princeton, N.J.), 2:12.17

Women’s 800 Semifinal Heat Two – 1. Hazel Clark, USA (Gainsville, Fla.), 2:03.54; 2. Christiane Ritz, Brazil, 2:04.09; 3. Marian Burnette, Guyana, 2:04.17; 5. Yanelis Lara, Cuba, 2:04.20; 6. Gabriela Medina, Mexico, 2:10.69.

Women’s 800 Semifinal Heat Three – 1. Luciana Mendes, Brazil, 2:04.28; 2. Sheena Gooding, Barbados, 2:04.77; 3. Melissa DeLeon, Trinidad & Tobago, 2:05.06; 4. Sandra Moya, Puerto Rico, 2:05.52; 5. Tamkia Williams, Bermuda, 2:06.16; 6. Rosibell Garcia, Colombia, 2:08.08.

Men’s 800 Semfinal Heat One – 1. Jesse Strutzel USA (Huntington Beach, Calif.), 1:49.58; 2. Osmar Dos Santos, Brazil, 1:49.63; 3. Achraf Tadili, Trinidad & Tobago, 1:49.78; 5. Marvin Watts, Jamaica, 1:50.18.

Men’s 800 Semifinal Heat Two – 1. Floyd Thompson, USA (Santa Monica, Calif.) 1:48.86; 2. Ricardo Etheridge, Puerto Rico, 1:48.90; 3. Fabiano Pecanha, Brazil, 1:49.34; 4. Jemaine Myers, Jamaica, 1:50.57; 5. Cristian Matute, Ecuador, 1:50.88; 6. Jean Destine, Haiti, 1:51.20. Women’s 100 Semifinal Heat One – 1. Lauryn Williams, USA, (Miami, Fla.), 11.53; 2. Lilliana Allen, Mexico, 11.62; 3. Digna Murillo, Colombia, 11.74; 4. Misleydys Lazo, Cuba, 11.90; 5. Valma Bass, Virgin Islands, 12.15; 6. Marleny, Dominican Republic, 12.30.

Women’s 100 Semifinal Heat Two – 1. Virgen Benavides, Cuba, 11.40; 2. Tamika Clarke, Bahamas, 11.54; 3. Fana Ashby, Trinidad & Tobago, 11.56; 4. Heather Samuel, Antigua and Barbuda, 11.78; 5. Maria Carrion, Dominican Republic, 11.90; 6. Danielle Silejar, Haiti, 12.84.

Women’s 100 Semifinal Heat Three – 1. Angela Williams, USA (Ontario, Calif.), 11.59; 2. Savatheda Fynes, Bahamas, 11.67; 3. Judith Kitson, Jamaica, 11.71; 4. Kelly Baptiste, Trinidad & Tobago, 11.83; 5. Melisa Murillo, Colombia, 11.84.

Decathlon Shot Put – 1. Luiggy Llanos, Puerto Rico, 47-11 ¾, (14.62) 766 points; 2. Kip Janvrin, USA, (Warrensburg, Mo.), 46-2, (14.07), 733 points; 3. Yonelvis Aguila, Cuba, 45-2 ¼, (13.77), 714 points; 4. Santiago Lorenzo, Argentina, 44-6 ¼, (13.57), 702 points; 5. Enrique Aguirre, Argentina, 44-4, (13.51), 698 points; 6. Octavious Gillespie, Guatemala, 40-6 ¼, (12.35), 628 points; 7. Stephen Moore, USA, (Plainview, Texas), 38-9 ¾, (11.83), 596 points.

Decathlon High Jump – Stephen Moore, USA (Plainview, Texas), 6-10 ¾ (2.10), 896 points; 2. Yonelvis Aguila, Cuba, 6-7 (2.01), 813 points; 3. Enrique Aguirre, Argentina, 6-6 (1.98) 785 points, and Octavious Gillespie, Guatemala, 6-6 (1.98), 785 points; 5. Luiggy Llanos, Puerto Rico, 6-1 ¼ (1.86), 679 points; 6. Santiago Lorenzo, Argentina, 6-0 (1.83) 653 points; Kip Janvrin USA (Warrensburg, Mo.) no height

Decathlon 400 – 1. Stephen Moore, USA (Plainview, Texas), 48.16, 901 points; 2. Santiago Lorenzo, Argentina, 49.94, 817 points; 3. Enrique Argentina, 50.20, 805 points; 4. Yonelvis Aguila, Cuba, 50.24, 804 points; 5. Luiggy Llanos, Puerto Rico, 50.27, 802 points.

Decathlon Standings After Five Events – 1. Stephen Moore, USA (Plainview, Texas) 4196 points; 2. Luiggy Llanos, Puerto Rico, 4030 points; 3. Yonelvis Aguila,Cuba, 3,984 points; 4. Enrique Aguirre, Argentina, 3,949 points; 5. Santiago Lorenzo, Argentina, 3,753 points.

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