Day 3 of the 2009 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships featured a full schedule of compelling finals. LaShawn Merritt claimed the national title at 400 meters and remained undefeated in 2009.

*** Click here to view photos from the 2009 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships – Day 3 (Saturday) ***

2004 Olympian and 2005 World Outdoor silver medalist Lashinda Demus won the 400 meter hurdles in 53.78, the fastest in the world this year and a new Hayward Field record.

Former Arizona State University Sun Devils Dwight Phillips and Kyle Alcorn earned spots on Team USA for the 2009 World Championships by placing on the podium in their respective events. Phillips, the 2004 Olympic champion in the long jump, claimed his fourth outdoor national title. Alcorn, the 2008 NCAA steeplechase champion, earned his first berth to the world championships, after placing 3rd in the 3,000 meter steeplechase final. Former Sun Devils Ryan Warrenburg and Aaron Aguayo also competed in Saturday’s steeplechase final.

2008 Olympic Trials champion and Olympic Games finalist Shannon Rowbury took the lead in the final 100 meters to claim her second 1,500 meter title at Hayward Field.

For its 2009 edition, organizers of the adidas Track Classic shifted the competition schedule from mid-afternoon to early evening, in order to take advantage of more favorable weather in the Los Angeles area for distance running, while retaining fast conditions for sprint events. The format change was a success, with impressive early season results in both the sprint and distance events.

*** Click here to view photos from the 2009 adidas Track Classic ***

2008 U.S. Olympic Trials champion Anna Willard ran the fastest women’s 3,000 meter steeplechase on American soil.

2008 Olympic 400 meter champion LaShawn Merritt stepped down half a lap to the 200 meters for the adidias Track Classic, and emerged with a convincing victory.

Athletes and fans returned from two rest days, as competition resumed on Day 5 of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field.

In the last event of the evening, Anna Willard set a new American Record in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Sanya Richards and LaShawn Merritt claimed the 400 meter dash titles.

*** Click here to view Day 5 photos from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field ***