Spearmon chases Johnson's Drake 200 record

Wallace Spearmon is going in cold at the Drake Relays.

"I have no idea what to expect whatsoever," said the 25-year old 200-meter contestant. "I'm going in with a clean slate, nothing on the table. The glass is completely empty."

That being said, Spearmon does have something on his mind - Michael Johnson's meet record of 20.05 seconds.

The American indoor record holder in the 200 and a 2008 Olympian, Spearmon has been ranked among the top four in the world for the last five years in that event.

He ran the fourth-fastest time in the world in 2009 - 19.85 seconds.

"It's still early in the season," Spearmon said. "I'm not saying I'm going to run an amazing time. It's going to be a reality check, to see if I need some more work to do."

It's also a chance to scout out the surroundings before returning in June for the national championships.

"I'm going to try to get a feel for the track, the crowd, the area," he said.

Spearmon is one of 39 confirmed Olympians who will compete at Drake next week, and Relays director Brian Brown expects that number to reach 50 by the time the meet begins next Thursday.

The current pool of 39 includes 12 former medalists, headlined by gold-medalists Bernard Williams - who will join Spearmon in the 200 - as well as Mary Wineberg (women's 400) and Stephanie Brown-Trafton (women's discus).

Brown would love to see Spearmon break Johnson's record. He'd be even happier to see Spearmon talk buddy Usain Bolt into coming to Drake someday.

Bolt will compete at the Penn Relays next week.

"We've been in touch (with Bolt), and they've been positive conversations," Brown said.

"I think if Wallace has a great experience, that will help. (Bolt is) not here this year, but we'll continue to pursue him."