IRVINE, CALIF., June 24, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ASICS Track & Field athletes were fierce competitors these past few days at the USA Track & Field event at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, IA. Despite the challenging weather the athletes persevered with great performances.
Alysia Montaño qualified with ease for the 800 meters finals. During the final on Sunday, June 23, 2013 she came out of the blocks strong, built a big lead and captured the win. She set a new stadium record, and posted the 5th fastest time in the world with a time of 1:58.67. Montaño is the first woman in history to win four consecutive national titles in the event. This was her first competition wearing ASICS head to toe and she dominated every round of competition throughout this event.
Two-time Olympian Sharon Day secured her second national heptathlon title with a lifetime-best performance on Friday, June 21, 2013. Day set new personal records in the 200 at 24.02, long jump at 20 feet, 2.5 inches, javelin at 47.38m/155-5 and 800 at 2:12.12. Day's final score of 6,550 makes her the No. 5 U.S. performer of all-time.
Becky Holliday, pole vaulter placed 3rd at the USA Track & Field Championships, jumping 4.55 earning a ticket to compete in Moscow.
Next stop for Day, Montaño and Holliday is the Outdoor Track & Field World Championship event in Moscow, Russia.
The American Record holder in javelin throw, Kara Patterson placed 3rd at the 2013 USA Track & Field Championships. This is her first competition since receiving ACL surgery early this fall. Paterson's last competition was at the 2012 London Summer Olympics.
After several attempts in discus, this is Russ Winger's first time taking the podium. He placed 2nd in the men's discus final and secured an opportunity to chase the standard next month to earn a ticket to compete in the Outdoor Track & Field World Championships in Moscow.
Triple Jumper, Amanda Smock placed 3rd in USA Track & Field Championship and will head to Europe to chase the standard for an opportunity to compete in Moscow.
"The ASICS team had amazing performances despite difficult competition conditions, said ASICS America Athlete Manager, Annie Adams. "I am extremely proud of all of our athletes and excited for the team heading to Moscow to represent Team USA and ASICS."
Photos of ASICS Track & Field athletes competing at USA Outdoor Track & Field World
Championships are available on ASICS America's Facebook.
About ASICS
Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, meaning "A Sound Mind in a Sound Body," is an old Latin phrase from which ASICS is derived and the fundamental platform on which the brand still stands. The company was founded more than 60 years ago by Kihachiro Onitsuka and is now a leading designer and manufacturer of performance athletic shoes, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.asics.com.
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A photo accompanying this release is available at:
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=19528
CONTACT:Melinda Hutcheon
(949) 266-7029
melindah@asicsamerica.com
Noelle Novoa
(949) 521-2866
noellen@asicsamerica.com
