Walter Davis USATF Athlete Of The Week (3/14)

(USATF release)

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Davis named Athlete of the Week
INDIANAPOLIS - Walter Davis has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after winning the men's triple jump on Sunday at the 2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Moscow.

The reigning World Outdoor men's triple jump champion, Davis won the indoor crown with his first jump in the final, a personal best of 17.73 meters/58 feet 2 inches. Davis believed he scored well on his first attempt in the final and was surprised to learn that it had only been recorded as a leap of 17.42m/57-2. Davis questioned the result and during the third round the mark was changed to the winning figure of 17.73m/58-2.

Other notable performances at the 2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships include Brad Walker, the 2005 World Outdoor Championships silver medalist, who overcame an injury to win the men's pole vault with a seasonal best clearance of 5.80m/19-0.50. 2006 men's Visa Championship Series winner Terrence Trammell became the first double medalist at the world indoor track and field championships with his bronze medal finish in the 60m (6.54) on Friday followed by his 60m hurdles indoor crown (7.43) on Saturday. Reigning U.S. and Visa Championship Series champion Lisa Barber and 2005 World 100m champion Lauryn Williams had a tremendous battle in the women's 60m final, with both finishing in the world-leading time of 7.01 seconds. The 2004 World Indoor silver medalist Reese Hoffa captured gold in the shot put when he unleashed a massive world-leading and personal best heave of 22.11m/72-6.5. Hoffa's throw ranks #8 on the all-time indoor list and makes him the fourth-best performer all-time. Leonard Scott, who dominated the 60m this season, posting a gold medal winning and world-leading time of 6.50 seconds.

Elsewhere, Team USA emerged victorious in three of Saturday's four team races at the second annual North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Cross Country Championships at the National Triathlon Center in Clermont, Florida. Kauren Tarver of Wrightwood, Calif., led Team USA's junior women's squad to its second consecutive NACAC title with her third place finish over the 4-kilometer course, running 14:41. The junior men's squad followed the lead of their female counterparts with a decisive 22-34 win in their competition over second place Canada. Team USA made it three for three in winning in the open women's team race over second place Canada 22-34.

In the college ranks, Xavier Carter of LSU ran a world leader in the 400 at the NCAA Championships, finishing in 45.28.

Now in its sixth year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.

2006 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 3, Walt Henning; January 10, Amandi Rhett; January 17, Kevin Eastler; January 24, Marisa Hanson; January 31, Me'Lisa Barber; February 7, Reese Hoffa; February 14, Wallace Spearmon; February 21, Ryan Hall; February 28, Terrence Trammell; Ryan Harlan, March 7; Walter Davis, March 14.