Gatlin wins 200 with fastest time ever at U.S. championships

EUGENE – Moments after crossing the finish line, Justin Gatlin pointed at the clock to make sure everyone noticed what he just did.

Gatlin breezed to the 200-meter title at the U.S. championships in a meet-record 19.57 seconds Sunday.

“I wanted to go out and make a statement and that’s what I did today,” Gatlin said.

In the women’s 200, Oregon standout Jenna Prandini won in 22.20. Candyce McGrone was second and Jeneba Tarmoh third.

Gatlin shattered his previous best of 19.68, which he set last July in Monaco and then matched last month here at Hayward Field. Tyson Gay, the 100 winner who skipped the 200, set the previous meet record of 19.62 in 2007.

And just so you know: Michael Johnson has the American record (19.32) and Usain Bolt the world record (19.19).

Gatlin is now set up for a showdown in both events with Bolt in Beijing this summer.

There were several touching moments at nationals on the final day, such as Chaunte Lowe giving her U.S. flag to a veteran after she won the high jump.

Then there’s Alysia Montano, who ran the 800 at nationals last summer 7 1/2 months pregnant and finished in 2:32.13. On Sunday, she carried 10-month-old Linnea in her arms after winning the event in 1:59.15.

“My greatest accomplishment was sharing an amazing moment with my daughter (last year),” Montano said.

Other things to know on the last day of nationals:

Neon bright: Wearing a bright yellow bow in her hair, Texas A&M’s Shamier Little became the first to win the 400 hurdles nationals and NCAA championships in the same season since Sheena Johnson (UCLA) in 2004.

Third place: Galen Rupp caped off a tumultuous week by taking third in the 5,000, less than a second behind winner Ryan Hill. Rupp won the 10,000 on Thursday amid allegations that coach Alberto Salazar encouraged him and others to skirt anti-doping rules. Former Washington State star Bernard Lagat was 10th.

Around the track: 110 hurdler David Oliver overcame a slow start to win the event. … Olympic gold medalist Jennifer Suhr won the pole vault by clearing 15 feet, 9 3/4 inches. … Barbara Nwaba edged Sharon Day-Monroe by 42 points for the heptathlon crown.