GODINA FEATURED AS L.A. TRACK MEET RETURNS.Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer Shot putter John Godina John Carl Godina (born May 31, 1972 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma) is an American shot putter, whose record includes three World Championship wins and two Olympic medals. He also competes in discus. is the only marquee name in the L.A. Invitational track meet Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Sports Arena. But after a one-year hiatus spurred by Sunkist dropping its corporate sponsorship, meet organizers - and local track enthusiasts - are happy to have a major meet at all. The event featuring world-class athletes, collegiate standouts and high school stars, celebrates its 38th year. Past headliners have included Wilma Rudolph Wilma Glodean Rudolph (June 23, 1940 – November 12, 1994) was an American athlete, and in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy, she became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field during a single Olympic Games, despite running on a sprained , Rafer Johnson Rafer Lewis Johnson (born August 18, 1935) is a former American decathlete. Johnson was born in Hillsboro, Texas, but moved to Kingsburg, California at age 9. In high school, he played on the school's football, baseball and basketball teams. , Bob Seagren Robert ("Bob") Seagren (born October 17, 1946) was an American pole vaulter, the 1968 Olympic champion. A native of Pomona, California, Bob Seagren was one of the world's top pole vaulters in the late 1960s and early 1970s. , Jim Ryun, Carl Lewis, Bob Hayes Robert Lee ("Bullet Bob") Hayes (December 20, 1942 – September 18, 2002) was an American track and field athlete and American football player. He was a two-sport athlete in college where he excelled in both track and college football at Florida A&M University. , Evelyn Ashford Evelyn Ashford (born April 15, 1957 in Shreveport, Louisiana) is an American athlete, the 1984 Olympic champion in the 100 m. Arguably the greatest female sprinter ever, with a career that spanned an unprecedented five Olympic Games. , and Jackie Joyner-Kersee. A series of new sponsors, spearheaded by the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission, have stepped forward to make the meet happen once more. ``It was a disappointment not having the meet last year,'' said Godina, formerly of UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX . ``I think rumors that track and field is dead are greatly exaggerated. People want to see great performances.'' Godina, a two-time world champion and Olympic silver medalist, is aiming at the world indoor record of 74-4-1/4. His best is 72-2. ``We're excited to have the event back again,'' said L.A. Sports & Entertainment Commission president Kathryn S. Schloessman. ``It's such a major event, we're looking forward to it.'' Five-time Olympian Johnny Gray, a 37-year-old half-miler, is also scheduled. Gray, an Agoura Hills resident, has won a dozen times at this event but is wary of his young contemporaries. ``If I slip, I'll get stripped,'' he said, pointing to top challenger Al Royster, a teammate at the Santa Monica track club. An intriguing 50-meter race features UCLA football players Jim McElroy and Damian Allen. ``I'm going to beat Jim,'' Allen said. Tyree Washington, ranked No. 2 in the world in the 400 meters (behind Michael Johnson), is a strong favorite in the 500. ``I fear nobody, including Michael Johnson,'' Washington said. ``My goal is to break the world record.'' UCLA pole vaulter Scott Slover, whose 18-7 mark led the NCAA NCAA abbr. National Collegiate Athletic Association in 1997, will also make an appearance. Although world-class competition begins at 7 p.m., fans might want to check in early. At 5:55 a prep ``football 50'' sprint will feature Notre Dame High's Justin Fargas, Muir's Sultan McCullough, Alemeny's Miguel Fletcher and Tustin's DeShaun Foster. All are highly recruited running backs. |
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