Skip to main content

Fayetteville

Chris Taylor, Omar McLeod open indoor seasons in Arkansas on Sunday

Taylor is among a number of Jamaicans including Omar McLeod, Tyquendo Tracey and Senoj-Jay Givans, set to compete at the meet as they begin preparations for the Olympic Games in Tokyo from July 23 to August 8.

Taylor, 20, a Jamaican high-school phenomenon at Calabar High School, is the lone Jamaican in the field that includes World Championship 400m bronze medalist finalist Fred Kerley and Olympic and World Championship relay gold medalist Kyle Clemons.

According to Doyle, McLeod, Taylor’s training partner at Tumbleweed Track Club in Florida, Givans and Tracey will race over 60m.

Doyle said the start sheets for the meet are still being finalized.

Julien Alfred wins 60m, sets national 200m record at Razorback Invitational

The University of Texas sophomore set a Caribbean U20 record in the 200m and ran another fast time in winning the 60m dash in yet another outstanding outing this indoor season.

The 18-year-old St. Lucian sprint queen clocked 23.08s over 200m on Friday night that was good enough for second behind Thelma Davis of Louisiana State University who clocked a world-leading 22.96s for the win.

The St Lucian’s time broke her own national record of 23.50 set in January.

Alfred’s teammate at the University of Texas Simon Kennedy ran 23.44 for third.

On Saturday, Alfred went one better in the 60m dash, winning in 7.15s.

Briana Duncan of Oregon was second in 7.21 while Semira Killebrew of Florida was third in 7.29s.

“I’m pleased with my performance on the weekend,” she told Sportsmax.TV on Sunday.

“I wanted to go faster in both events but I’m satisfied nevertheless. What matters most right now is that I’m healthy.”

The young St. Lucian has also been experiencing a healthy boost in confidence.

“Setting records has definitely boosted my confidence,” she said. “I’m stronger than I was last season. Last year I started school in January and missed out on fall training, so I wasn’t as strong as I am now.”