Jackson Sees Return to Championship Form

Bershawn Jackson finished fourth in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials, failing to make the Athens Games, then won a world championship the next year.

He didn't qualify for the finals at last summer's world championships. So can he turn disappointment to triumph again and follow that up with Olympic gold in 2008?

Jackson likes the direction he's headed after winning the men's 600-yard run at the 101st Millrose Games on Friday night at Madison Square Garden. Jackson edged three-time defending U.S. outdoor 800 champ Khadevis Robinson by 0.19 seconds.

''I feel like the champion I was in '05,'' Jackson said. ''It's going to be a great year.''

Last year wasn't so great. Jackson spent most of 2007 battling hamstring and groin injuries.

The indoor season is time for many runners to hone various skills by racing in other events than their specialties. Kara Goucher, who last summer became the first American woman to earn a world championship medal in the 10,000 meters when she placed third, entered the mile to work on her finishing speed.

She remembers what U.S. distance running great Lynn Jennings told her: When Jennings was running her best 10,000 times, she was sometimes competing in the mile and 1,500 meters.

Goucher got the experience she wanted by holding off Sara Hall to win by 0.08 seconds.

''It proves I can kick,'' she said, smiling.

It also proved she's recovered from minor knee surgery the week before Christmas to repair cartilage damage.

Lashinda Demus is making a different kind of comeback. The 2005 world championship silver medalist in the 400-meter hurdles gave birth to twin boys in June.

She won the women's 600-yard run for her first victory since then.

Two-time Olympic silver medalist Adam Nelson set a record for the meet in the Garden in winning the shot put at 72 feet, 5 inches. Christian Cantwell, who finished second, set the previous mark of 71-9½ last year.

American record-holder Jenn Stuczynski was upset in the women's pole vault by Jillian Schwartz, who has finished second at the U.S. championships three times each indoors and outdoors. Both cleared 15-2¼, but Schwartz had fewer misses. The height was a personal best for her.

Carmelita Jeter, the world championship bronze medalist in the 100 meters, beat Miki Barber by 0.01 seconds in the women's 60.