Track and Field : Phillips Still Has One Hurdle Left

Even though he was rated No. 1 in the world last year by Track & Field News in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles, Andre Phillips believes he is underrated.

Instead of being recognized as the best in the event, he realizes that his 1985 ranking distinguishes him in the public’s perception only as the best of the rest.

He also realizes that the only way to change that perception is to beat the man who is considered the best, Edwin Moses.

“The only thing left for me to prove to the media and the people in track and the fans in general is that I can break the world record or beat Edwin or both at the same time,” Phillips said.

Promoter Al Franken would like Phillips to have that opportunity at the UCLA Pepsi Invitational May 17 at Drake Stadium. Franken has offered to pay $10,000 to the winner of the 400-meter intermediate hurdles at UCLA if Moses competes.

No matter which hurdler finished first, Franken is well aware that he would be the winner even before the race began.

Since Moses didn’t compete last year because of a knee injury, his comeback no doubt would attract a great deal of media attention, particularly if it appeared that his 109-race winning streak was in jeopardy. To a promoter, that translates to free advertising, which translates to ticket sales. A race between Moses and Phillips might also contribute to Franken’s efforts to get national television coverage for the meet.

The hype didn’t stop with the $10,000 offer.

During a question-and-answer session with Phillips during a track writers’ luncheon Monday, Franken tried to bait the hurdler into accusing Moses of avoiding him.

But Phillips wouldn’t cooperate.

He made such a charge last summer, only to recant later.

“Edwin has never ducked me,” Phillips said Monday. “He’s given me plenty of opportunities to run against him.”

The difference this year, Phillips said, is that he finally is capable of winning.

“I’m sure Edwin is going to come back strong,” Phillips said. “But I think I’ll be just as strong and even faster than last year.”

Phillips ran under 48 seconds three times last summer, including a best of 47.67 in winning the national championship. Moses’ world record is 47.02.

“I read that Edwin said he is ready to go under 47,” Phillips said. “I’ll tell you what. When he’s ready to go under 47, I’ll be right there with him. I was ready last year. I’ll be even more ready this year.”

The intermediate hurdles remain his first priority, but Phillips also has been training for the decathlon.

Competing in 7 of the 10 events at Occidental College last weekend, he was the leader after the first day with winning performances in the 100 meters, 10.68 seconds; shotput, 45 feet 4 inches, and 400 meters, 46.11. Naturally, he also finished first in the high hurdles, at 13.97, the next afternoon. But he chose not to participate in the javelin, the pole vault and the discus.

“Somebody asked me the other day if I’m serious about this,” Phillips said. “No, I’m not serious. I’m out on the track 12 hours a day having lunch. Of course I’m serious. But I’m not going to neglect the hurdles.”

The discipline that is troubling him the most is the discus.

“I have to stand-throw the discus,” he said. “When I start spinning around, I get dizzy.”

Track Notes

Meet coordinator Dan Shrum said that Carl Lewis has committed to run the 100 meters at the Mt. SAC Relays April 27. Shrum said he also has commitments from Evelyn Ashford in the 100 meters and Billy Olson in the pole vault. . . . Al Franken, promoter of the UCLA Pepsi Invitational, said that Lewis has not committed to compete in that meet May 17. “He wants ’84 and ’85 prices in 1986,” Franken said. . . . While USC’s men are competing against Washington State, Arizona, San Diego State, Oregon State, Iowa and Drake in a relay meet Saturday, Long Beach City College and Pasadena College will compete in a dual meet. All of the action is scheduled for Cromwell Field. Long Beach City College also will use the occasion as a reunion for its track and field athletes since 1928. . . . USC also is sponsoring the first annual Trojan 10K April 20 in Playa del Rey. Proceeds will go to the John Tracy Clinic and the USC men’s and women’s track teams.

The Los Angeles Marathon was considered a success, particularly considering that it was a first-time effort by the organizers, but there were complaints about the length of time it took to determine the results. Twenty-four hours after the race, organizers still were unable to provide the number of participants and many of the times. . . . Zola Budd, who won the world cross-country championship last Sunday in Switzerland, told the London Daily Express that she would rather not have competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics. “If I had done things my way, I would have come (to England) in a far quieter fashion, hopefully been accepted and then gone for selection in the Commonwealth Games and European Championships this year,” she said.

Heptathlete Jackie Joyner, former UCLA basketball and track athlete, married the UCLA women’s track coach, Bob Kersee, Jan. 11. She since has broken the American indoor record in the long jump twice. “Let’s think positive,” she said during the indoor season. “Getting married will make me a better athlete. It’s just been hard because Bobby is dominant on the track, and now I have to listen to him 24 hours a day.” But she said they don’t take their work home with them. “If we have a bad practice, and we have to talk, we do it right there on the track and leave it there,” she said. “Once we get home, it’s no more track.” . . . When Kersee learned of Franken’s $10,000 offer to the winner of the intermediate hurdles at the Pepsi meet if Edwin Moses enters, the UCLA coach said he would go back into training. “Moses is 30; I’m 32,” Kersee said. “I’ve still got a little bit left in my legs, and I definitely need the money.”