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U.S. Track and Field Championships: Tyson Gay advances in 100

Tyson Gay, left, leads Keith Ricks during a first-round heat of the men's 100 meters at the U.S. track and field championships. (Associated Press)
Pat Graham Associated Press
Tyson Gay, left, leads Keith Ricks during a first-round heat of the men's 100 meters at the U.S. track and field championships. (Associated Press)

EUGENE, Ore. – Tyson Gay took a big gulp of water as he glanced to his left and then back to his right before stepping into the starting block.

He hardly recognizes any of these sprinters anymore. The game changed that much while he was gone.

Gay overcame his nerves, just not his training partner, in advancing through the first round of the 100 meters at the U.S. championships on a hot and humid Thursday night.

The 32-year-old Gay was second in his heat behind Remontay McClain, one of the new faces to burst on the scene. McClain finished in 9.82 seconds to hold off Gay, who’s still rounding back into shape after returning last summer from a one-year suspension for doping.

“It was weird – maybe weird is not the right word – going against the group of guys I’m running with now,” Gay said. “When I went into the back, I saw all these new faces. It’s just different, man. I’m trying to get used to new faces.

“It’s a different era for me.”

He knows McClain well enough, being his training partner and all. Gay will soon get to know Trayvon Bromell well, too, since the up-and- coming sprinter from Baylor keeps flying down the track. Bromell posted the second fastest time of the night.

Taking all the action in from the sideline was Justin Gatlin, who’s saving his energy for the 200 since he already has an automatic bye into the world championships in the 100 courtesy of his Diamond League title last season.

Gay wasn’t sure how he would be treated in light of his doping offense. He received a one-year ban that started June 23, 2013, for testing positive for steroid precursor DHEA – a penalty that was reduced after he provided information that led to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s case against his former coach, Jon Drummond. Carmelita Jeter had the top time in the women’s 100, finishing in 10.87 seconds, which was just barely ahead of Jasmine Todd. Jeter is working her way back from a quadriceps injury. Asked how she was feeling as she sped out of the mixed zone, Jeter simply said, “Good. Feeling good.”