Walker wins U.S. pole vault title
University High graduate and former Washington Huskies standout Brad Walker won his second consecutive U.S. men’s indoor pole vault title with a leap of 18 feet, 10 1/4 inches.
Jeff Hartwig finished second at 18-8 1/4 .
Walker cleared his first three jumps before failing to clear 19-4. Hartwig went for the win on his last attempt, but failed to clear 19-0 1/2 .
“I had a little bit of a slower start to the season,” Walker said. “I think it’s starting to come around and peak at the right time.”
Toby Stevenson, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist, finished third.
Walker, the defending U.S. outdoor champion, won silver at last summer’s world outdoor championships, but has yet to win a world championship. He is ranked No. 1 in the world and will be the favorite in Moscow.
Reese Hoffa emerged from a talented field that included a pair of Olympic medalists to win his first shot put title at the U.S. Indoor Track & Field Championships in Boston, with a throw of 70-10 3/4 .
Jillian Camarena won the women’s shot put with a mark of 63-2 1/4 . Kristin Heaston also qualified for worlds (59-10 1/4 ).
Tim Seaman broke the American record in the men’s 5,000 race walk en route to winning his ninth national title in the event. Seaman’s time of 19 minutes, 15.88 seconds surpassed the previous record of 19:18.40 set by Tim Lewis in 1987.
Auto racing
Johnson ready
Jimmie Johnson is certainly off to a great start after winning the Daytona 500 last week and qualifying third for today’s Auto Club 500 at California Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
He’s done it without crew chief Chad Knauss, who was suspended for the first four races for violations.
“I’m just trying to be around for the guys and keep the spirits up, keep positive energy rolling,” Johnson said.
Johnson will start behind Kurt Busch and Greg Biffle.
•A gamble by Carl Edwards on fresh tires late in the NASCAR Busch Series race at California Speedway fell short, allowing Roush Racing teammate Greg Biffle to run off to an easy victory.
Biffle passed former teammate Jeff Burton for the lead with 10 laps to go in the Stater Brothers 300. Biffle then drove away to a 2.256-second – half a straightaway – win over Ryan Newman.
Baseball
Pedro tests toe
New York Mets ace Pedro Martinez took another step in rehabilitating his sore toe, throwing from a slope about a foot in front of the pitcher’s mound.
Martinez feels confident his toe will not delay his start with the Mets this year.
•Washington pitcher Brian Lawrence has a torn right shoulder and will be sidelined until the All-Star break.
•Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez will not play for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, saying he’s not yet ready to play all out.
Miscellany
Haas in title match
Tommy Haas defeated Julien Benneteau 6-3, 6-1 in the semifinals of the Regions Morgan Keegan tennis championships in Memphis, Tenn. Haas will play for the title today against Robin Soderling, a 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (5) winner over Kristof Vliegen of Belgium.
•Justine Henin-Hardenne beat Maria Sharapova 7-5, 6-2 to win the Dubai Open tennis tournament.
•Lawyer Ron moved a step closer to the Kentucky Derby with his fourth straight win, leading wire-to-wire in a three-quarter length victory over Steppenwolfer in Oaklawn Park’s $250,000 Southwest Stakes in Hot Springs, Ark.