It seems somewhat fitting that the 2006 USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships would end as it began, with a rain delay. The dreary conditions did not slow down the competitors. After the meet resumed, several world leading times fell in rapid succession.

Preliminary images from the 2006 USATF Outdoor Championships — Sunday

Lisa Galaviz, a standout runner at both Centennial High School and ASU, captured her first national championship, with a victory in the 3000 meter steeplechase.

Day 4 of the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships was punctuated by thrilling photo finishes in the men’s 400 and 400 meter hurdle races, as well as a dominating performance by Sanya Richards in the women’s 400 meters.

Preliminary images from the 2006 USATF Outdoor Championships — Saturday

Marion Jones and Justin Gatlin grabbed the headlines, for their wins in the 100 meters. The schedule for Day 3 of the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships was lengthy, due to the scheduling of make-up races from Day 2. All three rounds of the 100 meters, which normally take place over two days, were compressed into one.

Distance events dominated the evening schedule, where both the men’s and women’s 5,000 and 10,000 meter races were contested. Tucson resident Bernard Lagat, competing in his first USA championship after becoming an American citizen, sprinted away from a loaded field in the final straightaway to win the 5000 meters.

Images from the 2006 USATF Outdoor Championships — Friday (updated 7/8/06)

Severe weather forced a schedule delay and an early end to Day 2 of the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships. In both the mid-afternoon and early evening, fans and athletes evacuated the Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium, on the campus of Indiana University / Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI), and headed for adjacent buildings and parking structures, as high winds and heavy rain battered the city.

Among the athletes with Arizona connections competing on Thursday, former Brophy Prep standout Alex Mason, now competing for Georgetown University, placed second in the junior men’s 3000 meter steeplechase.

Images from the 2006 USATF Outdoor Championships — Thursday (updated 7/8/06)

ASU’s Jacquelyn Johnson won her second NCAA heptathlon title at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, CA. The Sun Devil women’s team stood on the podium in fourth place, to complete a podium trifecta this academic year, by taking home team trophies in cross country (4th), indoor track and field (3rd), and outdoor track and field (4th).

Johnson is shown below handing off in the 4×400 relay at the 2006 Baldy Castillo Invitational…

Congratulations to Victoria Jackson of the ASU women’s Track and Field team for capturing the national championship in the 10,000 meter run at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, CA. Fellow Sun Devil Amy Hastings, the NCAA indoor 5000 meter champion, placed 4th.

Jackson is shown below sharpening her speed at the 2006 ASU Invitational…