Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

Bernard Lagat

Bernard Lagat is USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week.

A two-time Olympic medalist and the 2007 double Worlds champion, Lagat won an unprecedented eighth Wannamaker Mile title Friday night in New York’s Madison Square Garden, site of the 103rd Millrose Games.

Lagat, timed in 3:56.34, came into the meet sharing the lead in Wanamaker titles with Irishman Eamonn Coghlin.

Best American marks for the week ending Jan. 31, compiled by USATF.

MEN
60 meters — 6.59   Casey LaCour (unattached), Houston, Jan. 30
200 — 20.69 Curtis Mitchell (Texas A&M), College Station, TX, Jan. 30
400 – 46.48     Calvin Smith (Florida), College Station, Texas, Jan. 30
800 — 1:47.98  Cas Loxsom (Penn State), State College, Pa., Jan. 30
Mile — 3:55.75*o Chris Solinsky (Nike), Seattle, Jan. 30
3,000 — 7:51.48*o Galen Rupp (Nike), Seattle, Jan. 30
5,000 — 13:40.79  David Jankowski (Zap Fitness) Boston, Jan. 30
60 hurdles–7.49 Terrence Trammell (Trackstar Appeal), N.Y., Jan. 29
High jump — 7-7 1/4  Dusty Jonas (Nike), Trinec, Czech Rep., Jan. 26
Pole vault–18-4 1/2 Mark Hollis (ua), Derek Miles (Nike), NY, Jan. 29
Long jump–26-2 3/4 Trevell Quinley (HPC Elite) Albuquerque, Jan. 30
Triple jump–53-2 1/4 Brandon Roulhac (HPC E) Glasgow, Scot., Jan. 30
Shot put — 72-0 1/4  Christian Cantwell (Nike), New York, Jan. 29
Weight throw — 77-4  Jake Freeman (IBAC), New York, Jan. 29
Heptathlon — 6,256  Ashton Eaton (Ore.), College Station, Jan. 30 COLLEGIATE RECORD
*o — denotes oversized track.

WOMEN
60 — 7.19  Carmelita Jeter (Nike), Glasgow, Scotland, Jan. 30
200 — 23.16  Shavon Greaves (Penn St.), State College, Pa., Jan. 30
400 — 52.05  Allyson Felix (adidas), Albuquerque, Jan. 30
500–1:08.70 Shana Cox (adidas), State College, Jan. 30 U.S. RECORD
800 — 2:03.77  Erin Donohue (Nike), Boston, Jan. 30
Mile — 4:31.50  Sara Hall (Asics), New York, Jan. 29
3,000 — 8:58.45*o  Amy Hastings (adidas), Seattle, Jan. 30
5,000 – 15:20.05  Molly Huddle (Saucony), Seattle, Jan. 29
60 hurdles — 7.90  Lolo Jones (Asics), Karlsruhe, Germany, Jan. 31
High jump — 6-4 1/4  Chaunte Howard (Nike), Glasgow, Scot., Jan. 30
Pole vault — 14-9 1/2  Chelsea Johnson (Nike), New York, Jan. 29
Long jump — 21-11  Hyleas Fountain (Nike), State College, Jan. 29
Triple jump – 44-10 3/4  Amanda Smock (unatt.), Mankato, MN, Jan. 30
Shot put — 57-0  Sarah Stevens (unattached), Flagstaff, Ariz., Jan. 30
Weight throw — 79-4 3/4  Amber Campbell (Nike), New York, Jan. 29
Pentathlon — 4,731  Hyleas Fountain (Nike), State College, Jan. 29

For more information on USATF, visit usatf.org

Tracking Team USA at the Winter Olympic Games

Opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympic Games at Vancouver are little more than a week away, Feb. 12.

A couple of tips on where, in addition to kentucky.com, to look for the latest news.

1. Register on Teamusa.org to access late-breaking news and updates involving Team USA, courtesy of the United States Olympic Committee.

2. If you’ve grown accustomed to reading my reports, well … my 11th Olympics will mark my first as a freelance writer. I’ll be taking vacation time from this web site. However, you can still follow me on my newly launched personal web site: www.site.monkeyalarm.com.

Even though Kentucky isn’t often associated with the Winter Olympics, there will be plenty of Bluegrass connections in Vancouver. (More on that topic later.)

Reed writes again: Celebrating Freedom Hall

Billy Reed's latest work.

Former Herald-Leader sports columnist Billy Reed is the author of a new book: Celebrating 54 Years at Freedom Hall.

Published by Butler Books of Louisville, the work retails for $29.95. Reed will be on hand to sign copies of the book at every University of Louisville men’s and women’s basketball game for the rest of the season.

Reed says the book is heavy on basketball, including chapters on U of L, Kentucky, six NCAA Final Fours, the Kentucky Colonels, high school all-star games and the State High School Sweet Sixteen. Other topics include the World Championship Horse Show, National Tractor Pull, boxing (Muhammad Ali’s first fights), concerts, the Mason-Dixon (track and field) Games and family entertainment.