American Trayvon Bromell will square off against Jamaican Yohan Blake in the men’s 100 metres dash at the inaugural North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) New Life Invitational.
Bromell, who leads the world this year with a 9.88 seconds run, is tipped for Saturday’s short sprint title at the World Athletics Continental Tour – Silver meet, to be held at the Ansin Sports Complex, Miramar, Florida, USA.
Blake, the 2011 100m world champion, would be hoping to challenge the in-form Bromell for the top spot. Among the other key contenders are American Christopher Belcher and St Kitts and Nevis sprinter Jason Rogers. Trinidad and Tobago’s 2008 Olympic 100m silver medallist Richard Thompson is on the comeback trail and will test himself in Saturday’s century.
Thompson is also expected to feature on one of two Trinidad and Tobago teams entered in the men’s 4x100m relay. Jamaica, Bahamas, Antigua & Barbuda and Guyana are also listed for sprint relay action. Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago will try to improve on the times that currently have them in qualifying spots for the Tokyo Olympics.
Among the entrants in the men’s 400m event is 2008 Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt. The American quarter-miler will be challenged by Trinidad and Tobago’s Deon Lendore and Jamaican Akeem Bloomfield.
Jamaica’s reigning Commonwealth Games champion Fedrick Dacres will seek revenge on Samoa’s Alex Rose in a mouth-watering men’s discus clash. On May 22, in Arizona, Rose produced a 67.48 metres national record throw to capture the USA Track & Field (USATF) Throws Fest crown, forcing Dacres (65.20m) into second spot.
Marquis Dendy of the United States would fancy his chances of topping the men’s long jump field. Among his challengers will be Trinidad and Tobago’s Andwuelle Wright.
Canadian Marco Arop is the favourite in the men’s 800m event. Jamaican Kemar Mowatt and Americans Quincy Hall, Kenny Selmon and Amere Lattin will be in the hunt in the men’s 400m hurdles. And on current form, Jamaican Rasheed Broadbell is the man to beat in the men’s 110m hurdles.
Reigning Olympic champions, Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica and Americans Dalilah Muhammad and Tianna Bartoletta are among the female stars on the entry list.
Some 200 athletes from 27 countries are expected to be on show at the NACAC New Life Invitational. Saturday’s meet starts at 2 pm (Eastern Daylight Time).
Edwin Allen second in Champions of America girls’ 4x800m as Union Catholic sets National Record
Edwin Allen had to settle for second position in the Championships of America high school girls’ 4x800m, as they were soundly beaten by New Jersey-based favourites Union Catholic in the final on day two of the 128th Penn Relays at the Franklin Field in Philadelphia on Friday.
Not only did Union Catholic defend their title, but the team of Jimmiea King, Peyton Hollis, Sophia Thompson, and Paige Sheppard did so in emphatic fashion, clocking a National Record of 8:41.20. They lowered the previous mark of 8:43.12 set in 2008 by Roosevelt.
Edwin Allen’s quartet of Tanesia Gardiner, Monique Stewart, Kevongaye Fowler, and Rickeisha Simms, gave a credible effort in second at 8:50.76, while Virginia-based South Lakes (8:50.8), were third.
The other Jamaican schools, Holmwood Technical (8:58.94) and Alphansus Davis (9:13.83), placed fifth and ninth respectively.
Hydel wins third Championship of America 4x400m title in a row at Penn Relays
Hydel High successfully defended their Championship of America 4x400m title on day two of the 128th Penn Relays at the Franklin Field in Philadelphia on Friday.
The quartet of Alliah Baker, Jody-Ann Daley, Nastassia Fletcher and Abigail Campbell combined to run 3:34.78 to win ahead of Bullis School (3:35.17) and Union Catholic (3:41.75).
Hydel captain Alliah Baker reacted to her second gold medal of the meet.
“I am not shocked but I’m very excited. This is my last year and I’m very happy to finish my last year with two gold medals,” she said.
Hydel have now won this event three straight times and five times in the last six years.
Hydel successfully defends High School Girls Championships of America 4x100m title
Hydel High successfully defended their High School Girls Championships of America 4x100m relay title, as Jamaican schools swept the podium on day two of the 128th Penn Relays at the Franklin Field in Philadelphia on Friday.
The team comprising Shemonique Hazel, Alliah Baker, Shania Myers and Jody-Ann Daley, clocked 44.71s in victory, as they fended off the challenge of Edwin Allen’s quartet Trezeguet Taylor, Theianna-Lee Terrelonge, Renecia Edwards and Jounee Armstrong of Edwin Allen, who clocked 44.96s. St Jago's team of Briana Campbell, Adora Campbell, Bryana Davidson and Quanna Walker, placed third in 45.14s.
Hydel’s captain Baker beamed with delight at the feat.
“We came out here to win and we executed we always say that we are one team, we are here for each other and so we just came out and delivered. We were confident, so we just told each other to stay calm and trust God,” she said shortly after the race.
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