Four Americans Win in Zurich; Three claim Diamond League Titles

8/29/2013

INDIANAPOLIS - Reigning world champions David Oliver and LaShawn Merritt carried their momentum from Moscow to the penultimate Diamond League meet in Zurich today, as world silver medalists Nick Symmonds and Ryan Whiting stepped to the top of podium to win gold as well.

Oliver (Orlando, Fla.) led the way for an American sweep in the men’s 110m hurdles. Oliver and Ryan Wilson (Los Angeles, Calif.) repeated their gold and silver performances from Moscow as Oliver crossed the line in 13.12, with Wilson close behind in 13.24. 2011 World Champion Jason Richardson (Los Angeles, Calif.) took third in 13.26.

Recently crowned world champion LaShawn Merritt (Suffolk, Va.) went head-to-head with Olympic champion Kirani James of Grenada and took the win for the second time in a row. Merritt took the win by two-tenths of a second as he crossed the line in 44.13, to James’ 44.32.

Nick Symmonds (Springfield, Ore.) maintained the lead throughout the men’s 800m race, running just behind the pacer through 600m. Symmonds looked comfortable as he crossed the line first in 1:43.56.

On Wednesday night, Ryan Whiting (Port Matilda, Pa.) won the men’s shot put competition held outside of the stadium and featured inside a train station. Whiting led the series from the very first throw, with his best mark of 22.03m/72--3.5. It was a night of consistency for Whiting, as he recorded four throws farther than Germany’s second-place David Storl’s best mark of 21.19m/69-6.25.

The U.S. women’s 4x100m relay team of Barbara Pierre (Knightdale, N.C.), Alexandria Anderson (Austin, Texas), Tiffany Townsend (Clermont, Fla.) and Charonda Williams (Clermont, Fla.) took the win in a meet record of 41.67. Jamaica was second in 41.78, while Ukraine finished third in 42.71.

With only one meet remaining in the Diamond League series, Merritt and Oliver secured their spots as the 2013 Diamond League Champions of their respective events. Justin Gatlin’s (Orlando, Fla.) third place finish in the men’s 100m also secured his series win.

U.S. Results in Zurich
1st, David Oliver, men’s 110m hurdles, 13.12
1st, LaShawn Merritt, men’s 400m, 44.13
1st, Nick Symmonds, men’s 800m, 1:43.56
1st, Ryan Whiting, men’s shot put, 22.03m/72-3.5
2nd, Ryan Wilson, men’s 110m hurdles, 13.24
Ryan Wilson (Columbus Academy, Columbus, OH 1996; Westerville North HS, Westerville, OH 1999; USC 2003)
3rd, Jason Richardson, men’s 110m hurdles, 13.26
3rd, Justin Gatlin, men’s 100m, 9.96
3rd, Michelle Carter, women’s shot put, 19.88m/65-2.75
4th, Alysia Montano, women’s 800m, 2:00.35
Alysia (Johnson) Montano (Canyon HS, Canyon Country 2004; California 2008)
4th, Charonda Williams, women’s 200m, 22.84
Charonda Williams (Samuel L. Gompers Continuation HS, Richmond 2005; Laney CC, Oakland 2007; Arizona State 2009)
4th, Duane Solomon, men’s 800m, 1:44.49
Duane Solomon (Cabrillo HS, Lompoc 2003; USC 2008)
5th, Tia Brooks, women’s shot put, 18.20m/59-8.5
5th, Mary Saxer, women’s pole vault, 4.52m/14-10
5th, Mike Rodgers, men’s 100m, 10.00
5th, Ajee Wilson, women’s 800m, 2:00.35
6th, Aries Merritt, men’s 110m hurdles, 13.34
7th, Cory Martin, men’s shot put, 20.18m/66-2.5
7th, Brittney Reese, women’s long jump,
7th, Jenny Simpson, women’s 5,000m, 14:56.26 (PR)
8th, Christian Cantwell, men’s shot put, 20.13m/66-0.5
8th, Dwight Phillips, men’s long jump, 7.53m/24-8.5
8th, Dalilah Muhammad, women’s 400m hurdles, 56.15
Dalilah Muhammad (Benjamin Cardozo HS, Bayside, Queens, NY 2008; USC 2012)
9th, Brandon Johnson, men’s 800m, 1:47.95
Brandon Johnson (West Orange Stark HS, West Orange, TX 2003; UCLA 2007)
9th, Walter Dix, men’s 100m, 10.07
10th, Molly Huddle, women’s 5,000m, 14:58.15
12th, Chelsea Reilly, women’s 5,000m, 15:10.14 (PR)
Chelsea Reilly (Davis HS 2007; California 2012)
12th, Matthew Centrowitz, men’s 1500m, 3:36.70
14th, Leo Manzano, men’s 1500m, 3:37.94



Katie Branham
Marketing & Communications Manager
USA Track & Field
317.713.4672
e-mail