Proving one’s gender isn’t always so easy. Aside from the obvious physical signs, chromosomes usually determine whether a person is male or female. Males are born with XY chromosomes while females have two X chromosomes.

A day after winning her first 800-meter world title amid a gender-test controversy, the father of South African teenager Caster Semenya dismissed speculation his daughter is not a woman.

BERLIN - Sanya Richards shook off years of disappointment yesterday with her first major title in the 400 meters, pumping her fist after crossing the line at the world championships. Her main rival, Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu of Britain, was back in fifth. And for Shericka Williams of Jamaica, it was silver again. “I finally got it right,“ Richards said. “It means the world to me.“

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.—Justin Oliver held on for second place as the anchor in the 1,600-meter relay, giving Texas A&M the men’s team title at the NCAA track and field championships yesterday. Texas A&M also won the women’s title, becoming the first school since 1990 to win both outdoor championships. Virginia Tech’s Kristi Castlin earned a second-place finish in the 100 hurdles with a time of 13.15 while Hampton’s Francena McCorory crossed the finish line at 50.58, earning third place in the 400.

COLLEGES NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
(at Fayetteville, Ark.)
(All races are finals;
distances in meters)
  YESTERDAY
MEN
200
1, Charles Clark, Florida State, 20.55 seconds. 2, Rondel Sorrillo, Kentucky, 20.70. 3, Marcus Rowland, Auburn, 20.82. 4, Gerald Phiri, Texas A&M, 20.83. 5, Gavin Smellie, Western Kentucky, 20.96. 6, Chris Dykes, Texas A&M, 21.05.

State college athletes to watch at this week’s NCAA Track & FieldChampionships at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark.:

When she learned she was pregnant, Verniece Johnson was about to begin her senior year at Louisa County High School. “I was terrified,“ she said. “I thought my world had just ended.“ She was not certain she would finish high school. She dared not think about attending college and competing in track and field. On May 16, she received her undergraduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. She majored in marketing and had minors in economics and African-American studies.

With victories in seven events and solid team depth, St. Christopher’s won the Virginia Prep League track and field championship in convincing fashion yesterday. The Saints, who last took the outdoor title in 1987, amassed 179 points to finish well ahead of runner-up Fork Union (113). Collegiate (82) placed third and Woodberry Forest (71) fourth.

Senior Sarah Bowman held off a late charge by Georgetown’s Maggie Infield for winning time of 11 minutes, 2.11 seconds to edge Georgetown, which finished in 11:02.85. Villanova was third in 11:13.69.

The biggest upset in ACC sports this season had to be Virginia sharing the conference track and field championship with Florida State. Consider that FSU has owned the national collegiate track scene for some time, the Seminoles have stringed together three national championships and five consecutive ACC titles. Now consider Virginia.

Wednesday’s results Prince George 83, Matoaca 49 Long jump— Peirson (PG) 16-7; triple jump — Singleton (M) 34-6½ ; high jump— Barron (PG) 5-2; shot put— Moore (PG) 33-0; discus — Moore (PG) 100-2. 3,200-meter relay— Prince George (Walden, Marshall, Kongi, Tomlin) 11:44; 100 hurdles — Singleton (M) 16.7; 100— Saunders (PG) 12.9; 1,600— Tomlin (PG) 5:33.8; 400 relay— Prince George (n/r) 52.7; 400— Peirson (PG) 58.0; 300 hurdles— Singleton (M) 45.6; 800— Tomlin (PG) 2:32.1; 200— Scott (PG) 26.8; 3,200 — Brock (M) 13:03.7; 1,600 relay— Prince George (Peirson, Govans, Walden, Scott) 4:08.6.

Wednesday’s results Matoaca 67, Prince George 65 Long jump— Benitez (M) 21-6; triple jump — Benitez (M) 41-5; high jump— Yates (PG) 6-2 ; shot put— Johnson (PG) 44-11¾ ; discus — Lewis (PG) 46-10½. 3,200-meter relay— Prince George (Arakalian, Rodriguez, Ford, Mitchell) 8:48.6; 110 hur dles— Harris (M) 14.7; 100— Shook (M) 11.5; 1,600— Mitchell (PG) 4:56.3; 400 relay— Matoaca (Benitez, Harris, Edwards, Shook) 44.2; 400— Coleman (M) 54.7; 300 hurdles— Harris (M) 41.7; 800— Arakalian (PG) 2:09.2; 200— Benitez (M) 23.5; 3,200— Rodriguez (PG) 10:44.8; 1,600 relay— Prince George (Arakalian, Mitchell, Ford, Yates) 3:34.6.

St. Christopher’s, Collegiate win track championships St. Christopher’s won the Prep League indoor track and field championship, and Collegiate captured the League of Independent Schools title in meets held yesterday at St. Christopher’s Andrew Jackson Bolling Fieldhouse. The Saints, who last claimed the indoor league crown in 1996, were victorious in 10 events, scored in all 15 and amassed 191 points.

On the strength of victories in seven of 15 events, host St. Christopher’s won the boys division of the third annual Virginia Independent Schools indoor track and field championships yesterday in the Andrew Jackson Bolling Fieldhouse. The Saints, who placed in 14 events, amassed 145 points. Fork Union, the two-time defending champion, was second with 112.

Thomas Dale’s Kristen Greene tossed the shot 39-2, the longest in Virginia this indoor season. Considering her U.S. Army connections, it’s no surprise Kristen Greene specializes in something resembling a cannonball. Minus any gunpowder, Thomas Dale High School’s junior shot putter generally blows away the competition. Her victorious 39-2 toss Dec. 27 at the Boo Williams Sportsplex in Newport News is the longest in Virginia this indoor season.