Wariner, Greene use Texas Relays to prep for worlds

AUSTIN, Texas — Jeremy Wariner and Maurice Greene are cranking up their outdoor track seasons with similar goals for 2005: to win world championships.

Wariner, the Olympic gold medalist in the 400 meters, and Greene, the former world record holder in the 100, both had easy runs while anchoring winning relay teams during the invitational events at the 78th annual Texas Relays, one of first major outdoor meets of the year.

“I felt comfortable,” Wariner said after cruising around the track in a smooth 45.3 seconds in the final leg of the 1,600-meter relay to carry his USA Red team to an easy win.

“I’m trying to win a world championship,” said Wariner, who said he also hopes to break Michael Johnson’s world record of 43.18 in the 400 by 2006 — if he can’t do it this year.

The world championships are in Helsinki, Finland in August.

Wariner won Olympic gold in a personal-best 44-flat and said he’s determined to drop his times into the 43s. After that, who knows what titles he could win and what records could fall?

“Breaking a world record is a long process,” Wariner said.

For Greene, Saturday was an anniversary appearance.

Ten years ago, he burst onto the track scene when he upset Carl Lewis in the 100 at this event.