Fountain churns out world's best.

Byline: Adam Jude The Register-Guard

After leading almost everything else for two days, Hyleas Fountain led the victory lap around Hayward Field, and it seemed she handed out enough high fives to match every one of her 6,667 points.

Coming off a record-setting first day in the heptathlon, Fountain continued at a sizzling pace early Saturday and rolled to the gold medal at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials with the best performance in the world this year.

"I've been waiting a long time for this to happen, and now I'm overwhelmed about it," she said. "This is a dream come true. ... I never thought I'd have the leading score in the world. It's amazing."

Jacquelyn Johnson and Diana Pickler also qualified for the U.S. Olympic team, with Pickler needing every split second in the 800 meters to hold off Virginia Johnson for the final berth to Beijing.

Fountain, 27, of Dayton, Ohio, added two more personal bests in three events Saturday to give her five PRs in the seven-event competition.

Fourth at the 2004 Trials, Fountain won U.S. titles in 2005 and 2007, and overcame a series of leg injuries last year and a light competitive schedule leading up to the Trials.

"All being healthy. Finally I'm healthy, and that's half the battle," she said.

Fountain again said she was on a "high" Saturday, a carry-over from her record-setting performance to open the Trials on Friday, when she ran to victory in the 100-meter hurdles in 12.65 seconds, a time that broke three of Jackie Joyner-Kersee's American records.

She added victories (and PRs) Saturday in the long jump (22 feet, 7 inches) and the javelin (158-0), all while trying to maintain her composure.

"I knew I had to calm myself down," she said. "I tend to get excited. Who wouldn't be so excited about doing such a great job?"

Fountain finished last among the 13 runners in the 800, but she had the title all but wrapped up entering that race.

Her javelin mark was better than almost half the field in the actual women's javelin qualifying earlier Saturday, and she's so strong in the long jump that she hopes to qualify for Beijing in that event as well.

Jacquelyn Johnson, 23, who completed her Arizona State career earlier this month by becoming the first four-time NCAA heptathlon champion, placed second in the long jump and javelin Saturday to establish a PR with 6,347 points.

"It's nice to know I made the Olympic team. That's a great thing," she said. "Whether it's first, second or third, it's an honor to be on the Olympic team."

The final event, the 800, provided compelling drama with Pickler needing to finish no less than 1.5 seconds after Virginia Johnson. Pickler, 24, a Washington State graduate, ran right behind Johnson for the entire race.

"I was extremely overwhelmed after the javelin," Pickler said. "It hasn't been my forte racing the 800 to beat somebody out, but I knew I was capable of it. It took me a little bit to convince myself, but I just stuck on her like glue."

Virginia Johnson won her heat in 2 minutes, 15.88 seconds, but Pickler finished in 2:16.59 and edged Johnson by a mere 10 points to claim third place with a PR of 5,257 points.