Jackson's wait is over for a national title to call his own.

Byline: Steve Mims The Register-Guard

The record books show that Bershawn Jackson was the U.S. champion in the 400-meter hurdles in 2003, but now the man known as "Batman" feels as if he has his first true national title.

Jackson won the 400 hurdles in a time of 48.17 seconds during the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials on Sunday afternoon at Hayward Field. Jackson was declared the 2003 champion after he finished second and winner Eric Thomas was later stripped of the title for failing a drug test. Jackson was the national runner-up in 2005 and 2006 and finished fourth in the 2004 Olympic Trials.

"My first time winning the U.S. title," Jackson said. "I won in 2003, but it was by default. I always took second every year, so it is a blessing to be the U.S. champion. I'm happy to be on the Olympic team. It is something I've dreamed of my whole life, and it came true."

Kerron Clement was the runner-up in 48.36, and Angelo Taylor finished third to earn the final berth in the Olympics.

Jackson said he struggled with the wind for the second day in a row, but persevered to finish first. He trailed Clement and Taylor at the start.

"I got out pretty strong, but the wind was a big factor, and Kerron and Angelo are such powerful guys it is hard to keep up with them in the first half of the race," Jackson said. "I wanted to keep my composure, keep within striking distance and come on strong. That is always my game plan, to come home strong off the turn and be in striking distance to win the race."

Jackson said he knew he did not want to try to keep up with the leaders at the start.

"I didn't go out slow, it's just that some other guys were going so fast," Jackson said. "If I go out hard, I wouldn't have anything to come home with. I wanted to stay relaxed and give it all I have in the last 100."

Jackson moved into the lead at the ninth hurdle and sped to the finish.

"The race was to do whatever it takes," Jackson said. "I left it all on the track. If I wouldn't have made the team, I wouldn't have been upset. I gave it all I had."

Clement, who has the fastest time by an American this year at 47.79, agreed that the conditions were tough.

"It was kind of windy on the backstretch, but I didn't let it affect me," Clement said. "I'm glad I made the team. That's what matters."

Taylor, the 2000 Olympic champion, surged at the end to finish third in 48.42, barely earning the third spot ahead of Justin Gaymon (48.46).

"It wasn't a pretty race, I think I hit the second or third hurdle, and that threw me off big time," Taylor said. "I had to fight my way back into the race a bit. I used more energy than I wanted to. Coming off the 10th hurdle, I was in fifth place, so I had to dig deep just to make the team. That zapped me for the 400."

Taylor was hoping to make the Olympic team in the 400 meters as well, but did not finish his quarterfinal heat in that event due to fatigue. Taylor had about 25 minutes between the hurdles and 400 race.

"There wasn't enough time between races," Taylor said. "I did it last year at a Grand Prix final and had 65 minutes between races, and I did it earlier this year with just a little over an hour and ran fine. I just didn't have enough time today."