Pappas,Trotter win with pain

INDIANAPOLIS — Dee Dee Trotter and Tom Pappas didnt let nagging injuries slow them at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

The former University of Tennessee standouts joined Treniere Clement, who trains in Knoxville with Lady Vols coach J.J. Clark, as title winners on Saturday.

Trotter won the 400 in a world-leading time, Pappas claimed another decathlon title and Clement out-sprinted the field to win the 1,500.

Despite winning his record-tying fifth USA Outdoor decathlon title with 8,352 points, Pappas proved to be a tough man to please.

I honestly thought I would score more points, Pappas said. But under the circumstances, with a few nagging injuries, Ill take it.

Pappas has been dealing with plantar fasciitis and recently tweaked his groin.

Injuries, though, are nothing new to Pappas. He missed the entire 2005 season after surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder.

And his 2004 Olympic competition was cut short by a foot injury.

Physically, I know I have the ability to score more points than Ive ever scored, said Pappas, who was fifth at the 2000 Olympics. If I can just put a solid year of training together without any injuries, I can get back to the level I was at.

Thats what drives me more than anything.

Pappas won the 110-meter hurdles (14.12) and the discus (152 feet). He then threw 195-10 in the javelin, cleared 16-4¾ in the pole vault and ran the 1,500 in 4:59.

The 110 hurdles and vault — I was satisfied with, but everything else was kind of average, Pappas said.

Paul Terek was second with 8,064 points. Former Vol Chris Helwick was seventh with 7,714 points.

Trotter had been dealing with a hamstring injury that forced her out of the Prefontaine Classic on June 10.

After running a first-round heat on Thursday and the semifinals on Friday, Trotter said she wasnt sure how much more her body had left for the finals.

Her worries proved for naught, winning in a personal-best 49.64, against a field that featured American record holder Sanya Richards.

Trotters performance in the 400 is the fastest in the world this year.

And today felt like the worst day of all three warming up, Trotter said. I was thinking I just had to get through the day.

To have a PR today is just a blessing.

Richards, running in the lane next to Trotter, jumped to an early lead. Trotter, though, wasnt worried.

Im used to people passing me because Im not your get-out-and-go 200 runner, Trotter said. Every round Ive had someone come up and pass me. I just stay to myself, stay within my race and move at 200.

I was so tunnel vision I didnt even realize until the interview that (Richards) finished fourth.

Its the first USA Outdoor title for Trotter.

Clement used a familiar strategy to win her third-straight 1,500 title. She ran with the lead pack for the first 1,400 meters before sprinting to the win in 4:07.

My main focus is to be able to close with anyone in the world, said Clement, who noted the benefit of training with Hazel Clark. Shes top 10 in the 800. I know if I can run 800s with her, my speed will be there in my race.

While 4:07 won Clement a USA Outdoor title, she knows a time drop will be needed for the World Championships in August.

All of those women can go under four minutes, Clement said. Im slowly getting down to that four minute mark and I know I can get there (by August).

UT Results: Tennessee teammates Rubin Williams and Evander Wells advanced to the 200 semifinals.

Williams ran the third-fastest first-round time (20.83), while Wells ran 21.25. The 200 semifinals and finals are today.

Former Tennessee NCAA Indoor and Outdoor champion Tianna Madison was fifth in the long jump with a mark of 21-6¾. Grace Upshaw won the title with a jump of 22-12.

Madison still advances to the World Championships since she was the defending champion.

Ex-Vol Aries Merritt advanced in the 110-meter hurdles in 13.68.

Junior result: West High star Jackie Coward finished third in the 400 hurdles in 57.89.