US Olympians Prep At Mt. Sac Relays For London Games

WALNUT, Calif. (AP) -- Being out of action last season only pushed Jeremy Wariner to reclaim a spot among the world's best in the 400 meters.

He took another positive step in that direction, even if he fell just shy at the finish line.

Wariner ran his fastest 400 meters of the season Saturday but was beaten in his marquee event by Martyn Rooney of Britain at the Mt. SAC Relays. Rooney was timed in 44.92 seconds and Wariner in 44.96.

"I'm more motivated than I have been in past years," Wariner said. "I feel good on the track."

With the London Olympics a few months away, Wariner was among a handful of headliners in attendance. Fellow U.S. Olympians Walter Dix, Allyson Felix and Lauryn Williams also had strong showings at the 54th edition of one of the largest meets in the nation.

Wariner has been using a ramped up early-season schedule to work himself back into shape following a disappointing 2011, when a toe injury forced him to miss the world championships. Now healthy, he says he is about a week behind schedule in his training but anticipates catching up quickly.

The three-time Olympic gold medalist displayed his signature form under a sweltering sun against a strong crop of competitors. He set a steady pace for the first 200 meters but slowed on the final turn and was edged down the stretch by Rooney.

Wariner was pleased with his improved result from his previous mark of 45.64 two weeks ago at the Texas State Invitational. He will continue with the heavy workload ahead of June's U.S. Olympic trials, where he hopes to qualify for a third Summer Games.

"It's my first meet with competition, so for me to come out here and run the way I did, almost win, is a good, positive note," he said. "I've been training great these past few weeks, and it's starting to pay off. I need to continue working and not give up on myself."

Felix, a southern California native, returned to the track she has run on since being a teenager. She made a brief cameo as she anchored the Kersee All-Stars team of Ginnie Crawford, Jeneba Tarmoh and Dawn Harperto a win in the 400 relay in a time of 42.87.

Felix was able to overcome a poor baton exchange to make up ground on the straightaway in impressive fashion.

"I felt like once I got rolling it was fine," Felix said. "I wish we could have got the exchange a little better. But it happens."

The crowd-favorite then happily obliged the numerous post-race photo and autograph requests from her adoring fans

"It's really cool," said Felix, the reigning Olympic champion in the 1,600 relay. "I remember competing here when I was in high school, so that's why I always like to come back."

After settling for bronze medals in both the 100 and 200 in Beijing, Dix is gearing up for repeat performances in London. He put together a good effort in his race.

The former Florida State star shrugged off a slow start to win the 100 in 9.85. The wind-aided time is the world's fastest mark this year. Yet the more relaxed Dix is focusing less on results and more on staying in the moment.

"The last few years I've been focused on getting that gold medal and I ended up with bronze and silver (at the worlds)," Dix said. "So I'm not focused on that anymore. I'm just trying to be happy and run fast."

Williams had a good performance in her signature race, running to first place in the 100 in 11.17. The 2004 Athens silver medalist later attempted to win for a second time but had to settle for fourth in the 200.

Other noteworthy results:

-- Four-time long jump world champion Brittney Reese broke the meet mark with a jump of 23 feet, 4.5 inches. Carol Lewis had set the record of 22-10.5 in 1984.

-- Jason Richardson, the reigning 110 hurdles world champ, ran 13.20 to break the meet mark of 13.22, set by Larry Wade in 1999.

--Former world champion Michelle Perry captured the 100 hurdles in 12.70.