First prep “Dream” athletes set for adidas Grand Prix
Verzbicas, Meyers, Bracy lead the way for Dream Mile, new Dream 100
NEW YORK CITY (April 1, 2011)—Three of the #1 high school athletes in the country are among the first six prep stars confirmed to compete in the Dream Mile and Dream 100 at the adidas Grand Prix on June 11, meet organizers and adidas have announced.
In its seventh year as one of the premier track-and-field events in the world, the adidas Grand Prix, at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island, is the sixth stop on the international Samsung Diamond League circuit. To date, four superstar athletes ranked #1 in the world last year in their respective events – Blanka Vlašić, Tyson Gay, Jeremy Wariner and Jessica Ennis – are set to compete, with more announcements expected soon. Tickets are now available at the event website, www.adidasgrandprix.com, or by calling 1-877-TIX-TRAC.
Returning to defend his Boys’ Dream Mile title will be Lukas Verzbicas (Orland Park, Ill.), whose time of 4:04.38 in last year’s victory led the nation for 2010. One of the most promising high school athletes in a decade, Verzbicas is a two-time Foot Locker Cross Country Champion and already in 2011 won three national titles indoors, breaking the national 5000-meter record. He is also a competitive triathlete at the international level.
Verzbicas will be joined by Jantzen Oshier (Mission Viejo, Calif.), whose winning time of 4:07.78 at the adidas Meet of Champions is impressive for this early in the outdoor season and ranks as the fastest in the U.S. so far. The adidas Meet of Champions served as the first qualifying meet in the adidas Golden Spikes series.
In the Girls’ Dream Mile, Maddie Meyers (Seattle, Wash.) also returns to defend her title. Her winning time of 4:41.93 was the fastest in the U.S. last year. Alli Billmeyer (Torrey Pines, Calif.) won the adidas Meet of Champions mile in 4:50.53, also the fastest in the nation so far thisseason. Her 4:45.06 for 1600 meters last year ranked her #4 in the country.
Making its debut this year at the adidas Grand Prix will be the Boys’ Dream 100 and the Girls’ Dream 100, and the first boys to be confirmed are two of the most exciting young American sprinters competing this season.
Marvin Bracy (Orlando, Fla.), the 2010 Florida State Champion at 100 meters, 200 meters and the 4x100-meter relay, posted the fastest 100-meter time in the U.S. last year with his wind-aided 10.19 seconds (2.8w). He was named the Orlando Sentinel’s All-Central Florida Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Bracy will be challenged by Remontay McClain (Covina, Calif.), winner of the adidas Meet of Champions. The defending California State Champion at 100 meters and 200 meters, McClain’s top time of 10.35 seconds was the #2 wind-legal 100 meters in the country for 2010.
The first competitors for the Girls’ Dream 100 will be announced in the near future.
Fields for the Dream Mile and Dream 100 will be drawn from the winners of three qualifying meets in the adidas Golden Stripes series, as well as from at-large bids. The first meet, the adidas Meet of Champions, was held on March 26 in Azusa, Calif. Next up is the Kansas Relays in Lawrence, Kan., April 20-23, followed by the Golden South Classic in Orlando, Fla., May 27-28. In addition to the opportunity to compete in a world-class international track meet, athletes in the Dream Mile and Dream 100 will also have the chance to receive coaching from mile legend Jim Ryun and Olympic 100 meter gold medalist Maurice Greene.
All of the latest news, photos and additional information on the adidas Grand Prix can be found at www.adidasgrandprix.com, the event’s pages on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/
The application deadline is Wednesday, June 1. Note the new, earlier start time this year: the adidas Grand Prix, part of the Visa Championship Series, will begin at 1 p.m. on June 11.
For even more coverage on the Dream Mile and Dream 100, visit www.adidasgoldenstripes.com.
About Icahn Stadium
Icahn Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility on Randall’s Island featuring a 400-meter Mondo track and covered seating for spectators, is the premier outdoor track-and-field venue in New York City. It was built by the Randall’s Island Sports Foundation (RISF) in partnership with New York City Department of Parks. The facility is programmed, operated and maintained by RISF.