Soviet Women Falter On and Off Track

It was advertised as a meet within a meet, the U.S. women vs. the Soviet women Saturday at the Mt. SAC Relays. But most of the Soviets were there in body only, and one of those who might have been more mentally and physically fit could not even make that claim, as the U.S. women dominated.

Despite the presence of a gold medalist and silver medalist from the 1988 Summer Olympics and a silver medalist from the 1983 World Championships, the Soviets won only one of the six events in the 39-25 loss.

Danette Young was the leading scorer for the United States by winning the 200 meters and finishing second in the 100 meters, although she was credited with first-place points for both races. Athletes from several countries competed, but points were awarded only to the Soviets and Americans designated for the dual meet.

There were supposed to be two of each in all six events, but the Soviets lost a 1,500-meter runner, Ludmilla Rogacheva, when she was unable to attain a visa from the U.S. government to enter the country.

While the other Soviet women were competing in their first outdoor event, having finally outlasted the winter at home, Rogacheva, who won the 1,500 meters at the indoor World Championships last month, has been training in Mexico and figured to be sharp.

Soviet Coach Valeri Kalashnov said he did not know the reason Rogacheva was denied a visa.

“She is not a Communist or anything,” he said.

Left with a team that seemed more focused on an upcoming shopping trip, Kalshasnov shrugged and said, “Our results were not beautiful.”

The only upset scored by a Soviet came in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles, when Vera Ordina beat her teammate, Tatiana Ledovuskaya, who was ranked No. 1 in the world in 1990 and finished second in the 1988 Summer Olympics.

The United States had one-two finishes in the 200 meters with Young and Celina Mondie-Milner and the 400 meters with Tasha Downing and Wendy Watson. In the 400, Soviet Olympic champion Olga Bryzgina was third.

Julie Jenkins, ranked No. 1 in the United States last year, won the 800 meters in 2:01.56, but she signed fewer autographs afterward than Suzy Favor, who finished fourth. Favor, a nine-time NCAA champion, figures to have a bright future, but she seemed less intent at the finish Saturday on winning than on beating rival PattiSue Plummer, who was fifth.