MODESTO, Calif. — Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner won the 400 meters in 44.84 seconds Saturday in the Modesto Relays.
"My goal is to dominate this race just like Michael (Johnson) did," said Wariner, referring to the former Olympic champion who now serves as Wariner's agent. "I want (other runners) to think that they're coming after me but they're not going to get me."
Wariner's college teammate, Darold Williamson, was second in 45.91 seconds, and Mitch Potter was third in 46.26.
In April, Wariner clocked a 44.12 in the 400 to establish the fastest mark in the world this year. The 22-year-old two-time Olympic gold medalist had a shot at lowering that time in Modesto but, couldn't overcome a slow start and a strong wind coming off the final turn.
"On this track, (with) this wind, that's exceptional," said Wariner's coach, Clyde Hart. "He didn't get a good start. He told me he stood up coming out and that slowed him a bit. But I definitely think Jeremy is positioning himself for big things."
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Toby Stevenson, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist, won the pole vault at 18 feet, 10 inches.
Jenny Adams clocked the fastest time by an American woman this year in the 100 hurdles, finishing in 12.68 seconds.
Adams' time also is the second-fastest in the world to Jamaica's Brigitte Foster-Hylton (12.65).
"I am so excited," Adams said. "I just wanted to come out and focus on some technical things and that's what I did."
Former Olympic sprint champion Maurice Greene did not run in either the 100 or 200, but anchored the USA-White 400 relay team that placed second.
The 31-year-old Greene, who was hampered by a hamstring injury last year, is taking it slowly this year and has not ruled out trying to make a run at the 2008 Olympics.
"That's always in the picture, Greene said. "I'm taking my time this year because I want to be faster later in the year.
Gatlin wins 100 at Osaka Grand Prix
OSAKA, Japan — World and Olympic champion Justin Gatlin won the 100 meters at the Osaka Grand Prix on Saturday, clocking a time of 9.95 seconds in his first individual race of the season.
Gatlin, who won here last year with a time of 10.15, finished well ahead of fellow American Marcus Brunson, who had a time of 10.14. Japan's Shingo Suetsugu was third in 10.28.
"This is a good start to the season," Gatlin said. "I wanted to go sub-10, and to do that in my first meet sets a good tone for breaking the world record."
Gatlin has said one of his goals this season will be to break Jamaican Asafa Powell's world record of 9.77.
American Allyson Felix successfully defended her title in the women's 100 meters with a time of 11.11. Compatriot Stephanie Durst was second .05 seconds back, followed by LaVerne Jones of the Virgin Islands, who clocked a time of 11.29.
American Bershawn Jackson won the men's 400 meter hurdles with a time of 47.60 seconds. Periklis Iakovakis of Greece was second .22 second back, followed by Japan's Kenji Narisako in 47.93.
"The track was very fast and I didn't expect to run that fast so early in the season," said Jackson, who came from behind to edge Iakovakis. "In the past I would have panicked when I was behind but I didn't."
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