Bracy, Bartoletta defend 60m national titles

Sprinters Marvin Bracy and Tianna Bartoletta successfully defended their crowns by winning the 60 meter events on the final day of the USA Track and Field Indoor Championships.
Bracy took advantage of an early stumble by Ryan Bailey to win in a time of 6.55 seconds on Sunday. Joe Morris (6.57) finished second and Clayton Vaughn placed third in 6.60.
Bartoletta claimed her second consecutive national title with a time of 7.08 seconds. Her time was the second fastest in the world and the fastest by an American over the first two months of 2015.
"To come here with a great field and win, especially to repeat my national title, it's a great accomplishment," Bracy said.
Bartoletta said she gained inspiration from her ill father.
"My dad has been in hospital. He taught me the last few weeks what it means to fight. At the end of the day, you have got to know what is in you," she said.
Demi Payne claimed her first national title by clearing 4.55 meters to win the pole vault. World record holder Jenn Suhr was forced to withdraw after two attempts at 4.60 meters. Suhr injured her heel in a recent swimming mishap but had hoped it would be well enough to allow her to compete.
"I really wanted to compete but it didn't work out," Suhr said. "My training was going well but this is a stupid injury. You expect to get hurt pole vaulting not in the swimming pool. I just have to take time to recover."
Michelle Carter earned her third national title by winning the shot put with a world leading toss of 19.45 meters.
Chaunte Lowe dominated the women's high jump with a leap of 1.88 meters to beat runner-up and five-time Olympian Amy Acuff, who cleared 1.82 meters. Acuff is attempting a comeback after three years away from the sport.
Matthew Centrowitz won the mile in a pedestrian time of four minutes, 01.40 seconds. His time was almost 12 seconds slower than the US record of 3:49.89 set by Bernard Lagat in 2005.
There was just one US record set on Sunday in the little run 600 meters and none in the marquee sprint events. The American men's 60m hurdle record (7.36) has stood since 1987 and the women's 60m sprint record (6.95) since 1993.
Jasmin Stowers won the women's 60m hurdles in 7.84 seconds and Aleec Harris claimed the men's crown with a time of 7.51 seconds.
Source: AFP