Merritt wins 400-meter title, remains undefeated

EUGENE, Ore - 2008 Olympic gold medalist LaShawn Merritt remained unbeaten this outdoor season, winning the Gatorade Men's U.S. 400m title Saturday at the 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field. The final event of the 2009 USATF Outdoor Visa Championship Series, the USA Outdoor Championships conclude Sunday in Eugene. The #1 ranked quarter-miler in the world, LaShawn Merritt was in control of the race from start to finish as he captured his second-consecutive national men's 400m title in 44.50 seconds. Merritt's performance matches his world-leading time originally set on May 1 at Baie Mahault, France The 2007 World Outdoor Championships silver medalist, Merritt will be joined in Berlin by runner-up Gil Roberts of Texas Tech, who finished the race in 44.93, and 2008 Olympic Games silver medalist and 2007 World Outdoor 400m hurdles champion Kerron Clement, who was third in 45.14. They will be joined by reigning World Outdoor champion Jeremy Wariner at the World Outdoor Championships in Berlin.