Terrence Jones and Kion Benjamin both booked their spots in the semi-finals of the Men’s 100m at the 2023 NCAA Championships scheduled for June 7-10 at the Mike A. Myers Stadium in Texas.

The pair advanced from the quarterfinals held on day three of the NCAA West Regionals in Sacramento on Friday.

Jones, the Bahamian Texas Tech junior, produced a time of 9.93, just .2 seconds slower than his personal best and national record-equaling 9.91 done earlier this season, to advance to the semis second-fastest from the West region. The 20-year-old also ran 20.21 to advance in the 200m.

Benjamin, the Trinidadian Minnesota Junior and reigning Big 10 100m champion, set a new personal best of 10.11 to advance. His countryman and Minnesota teammate, Carlon Hosten, ran 20.49 to advance in the 200m.

In the 400m, St. Lucian Kansas Junior Michael Joseph, advanced with 45.23

Jamaican Arkansas Junior Phillip Lemonious ran 13.45 to progress in the 110m hurdles. Joining him in Texas will be Bahamian Texas Tech freshman Antoine Andrews (13.74).

In the field, world leader and world junior record holder, Jaydon Hibbert, produced 16.81m to advance in the triple jump alongside teammates and countrymen Ryan Brown (16.25m) and Carey McLeod (15.88m).

Hibbert, still only 18, famously jumped an absurd 17.87m at the SEC Outdoor Championships on May 13, setting a new world lead, collegiate record and world under-20 record in the process.

Roje Stona (65.54m) and Ralford Mullings (61.74m), both of Arkansas, advanced in the discus. Stona also threw 19.89m to advance in the shot put.

On Wednesday, the Arkansas pair of Wayne Pinnock and Carey McLeod jumped 8.05m and 7.80m, respectively, to advance in the long jump. The Jamaican pair were the top two finishers at the SEC Outdoor Championships.

Meanwhile on the women’s side, their countrywoman, Texas sophomore Ackelia Smith, jumped 6.69m to lead all qualifiers. Nebraska’s Velecia Williams (6.37m) also advanced.

Smith is fresh off a personal best 7.08m, the furthest legal jump in the world this year, to win at the Big 12 Championships earlier in May.

At the Eastern Regionals in Jacksonville, Florida’s Jevaughn Powell (46.68), and North Carolina A&T’s Shemar Chambers (46.89) both made it through in the 400m.

In the sprint hurdles, Caymanian Tennessee senior Rasheem Brown ran 13.45 to advance alongside Jamaican Syracuse junior Jaheem Hayles (13.67).

Defending Jamaican national champion Navasky Anderson of Mississippi State (1:49.43) and Tarees Rhoden of Clemson (1:49.70) both made it through in the 800m.

Noted international sports attorney Dr. Emir Crowne believes the charge laid by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) against Jamaican quarter-miler Christopher Taylor is a case of over-reach.

The 23-year-old Olympic 400m finalist has been charged by the Athletics Integrity Unit with violating Article 2.3 of the World Anti-Doping Agency Code, which states: "Evading, Refusing or Failing to Submit to Sample Collection. The Evading Sample collection, or without compelling justification, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection after notification as authorized in applicable anti-doping rules.”

Taylor now faces a possible maximum penalty of a four-year ban from the sport.

According to reports, in November 2022, doping control officers (DCO’s) turned up at Taylor’s residence in Kingston to find that he was not there. When they called him, he informed them he was at the Norman Manley International Airport awaiting a flight to the United States that had been booked on his behalf.

The DCO’s turned up at the airport but Taylor was unable to produce a urine sample before his flight’s scheduled departure. He took the flight and as a consequence was deemed to have evaded the test.

However, according to Dr Crowne, the Canada-based Trinidadian attorney, the case against Taylor should not have been classified as such in the first place.

“Based on what’s in the public domain, I think, with all due respect, this is an over-reach by the anti-doping authorities. It’s a clear over-reach, quite frankly. The type of conduct envisioned by evasion and refusal and so on, is not the type of conduct at play here,” Dr Crowne opined.

“Here you have someone, who through failures of whereabouts information was boarding a plane. It’s not like he had power over the flight, power to stop the flight. Quite frankly, this should have been a whereabouts violation. This should not be an evasion or refusal allegation.”

Dr Crowne contends that the anti-doping authorities have to take some responsibility when athletes’ careers and reputations are in their hands.

“Here you have a young, black male Jamaican athlete and his career is on the line for what I genuinely believe is an over-reach by the anti-doping authorities. This is a whereabouts failure, at best,” he said.

“It’s not a refusal or evasion to board a scheduled flight that you had booked, That’s easily verifiable.

“I honestly hope that he gets the best outcome because the authorities have over-reached in this matter.”

Dr Crowne has successfully represented several Caribbean athletes in anti-doping matters over the past few years including Jamaica’s Briana Williams as well as quarter-miler Ryker Hylton.

He also represented 2019 World 400m champion Salwa Eid Naser in her whereabouts violation case in 2020.

Defending national champions Lyssons Primary of St Thomas, surged to a sizeable 24-point lead after 22 finals entering the final day of the INSPORTS/Devon Biscuits Primary School Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Lyssons, the Eastern champions, amassed 110 points to be well clear of Central winners Spanish Town Primary of St Catherine in second on 86 points. Naggo Head and Greater Portmore also of St Catherine are third and fourth with 84 and 77 points, respectively.

St Andrew’s Harbour View Primary rounds out the top five with 57 points.

On a day when news broke that Jamaican star Christopher Taylor faces a possible ban from the sport, 11-year-old Daniel Glaves of Red Hills Road Primary equalled his 300m record of 41.81 set in 2011. Mercado Williams of Naggo Head Primary was second in 42.62 ahead of Chidane Gayle of Lyssons in 43.63.

It was one of two records set on the day as Sanique Watt of John Mills broke the Girls High Jump with a leap of 1.49m in an exciting showdown with Afharia Anderson of Spanish Town, who was second with 1.47m. Zodieon Baker of Lyssons was third with 1.45m.

Lyssons got off to a brilliant start copping 16 points in the first final of the day, the girls’ Cricket Ball Throw courtesy of Taheisha Brown (44.50m) and Aliyhana Alford (43.35m) who were first and second respectively. Jada Adlam of Harbour View was third with 41.22m.

The much-anticipated clash in the Boys Class One 100m between Jevaney Findlay of Spanish Town and Omeco Henclewood of Holy Rosary failed to materialize as Henclewood was disqualified for a false start.

In his absence, Findlay destroyed the field clocking 12.12 (-1.7 m/s) and was just outside the record of 11.90 held by Roje Fearon of St Francis since 2010.  Jahvado Samuels of Barracks Road was second in 12.86 with Ishmael Wilkins of Howard Cooke Primary third in 12.93. 

St Patrick’s Danelia Clarke won the Girls Class One 100m in 12.90 (-1.3m/s). Rihanna Scott of Rock Hall Primary was second in 12.97 with Half-Way Tree’s Chelseann Samuels third in 12.98 in a close and exciting race.

Eric Edwards of Barracks Road won the Boys Class One 400m in 58.02 ahead of Malrick Thomas of Spanish Town with 58.23. Khieme Campbell of St. Catherine finished third in 58.71.

 Wayde van Niekerk, the reigning world record holder in the Men's 400m, is eagerly preparing for his appearance at the Racers Grand Prix set to take place at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday, June 3, 2023.

The South African sprinter has faced an arduous journey to regain full fitness following a devastating knee injury in 2017, just a year after his remarkable Olympic triumph. Throughout his recovery, van Niekerk has relied on the expertise of his Jamaican therapist, an important contributor to his rehabilitation process.

“I’m extremely excited, this is one of my highlights for a while now. I love the culture, I love the country, I love the people, and I mean you guys are genuine track lovers,” van Niekerk declared.

Expressing his deep admiration for Jamaica, van Niekerk revealed his love for the country's track and field culture, referring to it as the "Mecca of track and field.” He praised Jamaicans' genuine passion, knowledge, and unwavering support for the sport, recognizing their unparalleled contributions to the world of athletics.

Van Niekerk feels honoured to be able to compete in a country that has produced several track and field legends. He expressed his excitement about the opportunity to leave his mark on Jamaican soil, paying tribute to the great athletes who have emerged from the nation.

“If you look at the amazing athletes that have come through in track and field, and being able to, not just honour the greats that have come out of Jamaica, but also to put my feet into Jamaican soil and compete there and leave my mark behind in such a country that I respect when it comes to track and field, it's exciting for me.”

The Racers Grand Prix holds significant importance for van Niekerk, serving as a vital part of his preparation for the upcoming World Championships. “I'm in a stage now where I need to build my confidence, to get back to winning ways and that's where my mentality is at. I’m looking forward to the positives that lay ahead of me, and I’m hoping to use Jamaica as one of my positive stepping stones, moving forward for the major competitions that do await us, and also use it as a positive step forward,” he remarked. 

Recognizing the passionate support that Jamaican fans bring to track and field, van Niekerk is eager to utilize their energy and enthusiasm to his advantage. He believes that competing in an environment that embraces and loves the sport will provide him with a positive atmosphere to achieve outstanding results.

With his eyes set on the podium at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, van Niekerk hopes that a successful performance at the Racers Grand Prix will help set the stage for a triumphant return to the top-tier of the 400m event.

Jamaican 400m runner Christopher Taylor is facing a lengthy absence from the track after being charged by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for violating the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) Anti-Doping Code Article 2.3, as reported by the Jamaica Observer and independently verified by SportsMax.TV.

Article 2.3 states: "Evading, Refusing or Failing to Submit to Sample Collection. The Evading Sample collection, or without compelling justification, refusing or failing to submit to Sample collection after notification as authorised in applicable anti-doping rules."

The Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association and the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission have, reportedly, already been notified by the AIU.

The Olympic and World Championship finalist now faces a minimum two-year ban from the sport per World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Anti-Doping rule 10.3.1 which states: "For violations of Article 2.3 or Article 2.5, the period of Ineligibility shall be four years unless, in the case of failing to submit to Sample collection, the Athlete can establish that the commission of the anti-doping rule violation was not intentional (as defined in Article 10.2.3), in which case the period of Ineligibility shall be two years."

The 23-year-old hasn’t competed since August 30^th of last year. His personal best, 44.63, was achieved earlier in that month to win at the NACAC Championships in Freeport.

Arthur Wint is one of the most legendary figures in Jamaican history.

At the 1948 London Olympics, Wint, born on May 25, 1920, became the first Jamaican to ever win an Olympic gold medal when he finished on top in the 400m, ahead of pre-race favourite and then-world record holder, countryman Herb McKinley. That was after a silver medal-winning performance in the 800m.

Wint, who died in 1992 at the age of 72, also won a pair of medals at the Helsinki Olympics four years after his exploits in London.

He would’ve been 103 years old on Thursday and, fittingly, that was the day chosen for the official launch of the children’s book “Arthur Loves to Run,” written by one of Wint’s three daughters, Colleen Wint-Bond.

The launch was held at the headquarters of the Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association.

“I want to share the Olympic message of excellence and perseverance. I also want to encourage children to be friendly with other people, even if they are your competitors and to be kind and respect each other,” Wint-Bond told SportsMax.TV when asked about the message she wants people to receive when reading the book.

“When you’re competing, there are so many things that can go wrong and because one thing goes wrong doesn’t mean that you have to stop. Not everybody is made out to be a footballer or singer or whatever, but to feel the passion of what they want to do and to persevere with that. I also want to encourage the adults to support the children and to encourage them. It might not last a lifetime but the encouragement is important because that’s where some of their self-worth is rooted,” she added.

Wint-Bond also hopes the book will educate young minds on the history of her father’s passion for sport.

“Wherever he was in his life, until he couldn’t do it anymore, he loved to run. When he was training to be a pilot and he went to Canada, he ran and won races there while learning to ice skate. He enjoyed sport and, so, continue doing what your passion is and keep at it,” she said.

Illustration for the book was done by Patrick Meikle, an experience he described as “educational.”

“The process was a very slow but collaborative one between myself and Colleen. We did funnel a lot of our process with real life references and, as she mentioned, a lot of videos, images and history,” he said.

“I think my goal in supporting this effort was to best represent the appeal I found in her father because in this process I got to learn about the man and the child, Arthur Wint, not just the superstar that we know him to be,” Meikle added.

In addition to his exploits on the track, Wint was a successful doctor and pilot.

Wint-Bond says his experiences in those professions will form the backdrop for a pair of books in the future, completing a trilogy.

“Arthur Loves to Run” can be purchased on Amazon and is available in Jamaica at Kozy Korner Books N More.

Tyrice Taylor, Rushana Dwyer and DeSean Boyce were among the winners at the 2023 National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Outdoor Championships that concluded at the New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, New Mexico on Saturday.

Representing Indian Hills Community College, Taylor, the former Enid Bennett High School student- athlete, ran 1:46.934 to defeat Kimar Farquharson of South Plains Junior College, who crossed the line in 1:47.25.

Former Calabar High School runner, Rivaldo Marshall, Taylor’s teammate at Indian Hills was third in 1:48.095.

Dwyer, a freshman at South Plains won the Women’s 800m in 2:10.63 ahead of Mesa’s Taylor Jacobs (2:11.92) and Letlhigonolo Magoro of New Mexico who was third in 2:11.99.

Meanwhile, Barbadian and Western Texas freshman Boyce won the Men’s 400m in a smart 44.85 while outpacing Iowa Western sophomore Tahj Hamm, the former Holmwood Technical High School runner, who nabbed second place in 45.42.

New Mexico’s Aymane El Haddaoui was third in 45.59.

Interestingly, South Plain’s Gregory Prince and Jeremy Bembridge were sixth and seventh in 45.85 and 45.95, respectively.

Iowa Western’s Jayden Brown finished second in the 400m hurdles in 51.13 losing out to Eysias Banks o Glendale who ran 51.05 to take gold in a close finish.

South Plains’ Caio Almeida was third in 51.24.

South Plains, with an all-Jamaica team of Evaldo Whitehorn, Bembridge, Prince and Farquharson won the 4x400m relay in 3:03.31. Indian Hills grabbed the silver medal in 3:03.96 with Meridian ‘A’ finishing third in 3:07.19.

South Plains’ Women’s team of Safhia Hinds, Success Umukoro, Leticia Quingostas and Dwyer won the 4x400m relay in impressing fashion clocking 3:35.72. New Mexico ‘A’ 3:39.11 and Cloud County ‘A’ 3:40.20, were second and third, respectively.

Olympic 400m champion Steven Gardiner laid down the gauntlet for the world’s quarter-milers on Sunday when he won his season opener in impressive fashion at the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix.

The Bahamian, who was unable to defend his world title in Oregon last year because of foot injury, showed that he was back to his best, winning in in 44.42, the third fastest time in the world this year. No other competitor was close as compatriot Alonzo Russell was almost a second behind in 45.24.

Jamaica’s Javon Francis ran a season-best 45.81 for fourth with compatriot Demish Gaye fifth in 45.92.

Puerto Rico’s Gabby Scott won the 400m in 51.65 with the USA’s Courtney Okolo making a late move to snatch second in 52.23 ahead of Jamaica’s Candace McLeod who was third in 52.30.

The 100m races delivered in the expected excitement.

Christian Coleman took advantage of a bullet start to win the 100m final in a windy 9.78 (3.8 m/s). Noah Lyles surged late to get by Ackeem Blake to finish second in 9.80 with the Jamaican Blake taking third in 9.87.

Kadrian Goldson won the Men’s B final in a wind-aided 9.96 (3.8m/s) ahead of compatriot Michael Campbell 10.11 with the USA’s Chris Royster third in 10.21.

The Women’s 100m was also a thrilling affair won by the USA’s Tamari Davis in 10.91 with Jamaica’s Sashalee Forbes running a lifetime best of 10.98 for second place. Celera Barnes of the USA ran a season-best of 11.01 for third place.

Kemba Nelson was fifth in a season-best 11.14.

Shannon Ray won the Women’s ‘B’ final in 11.04 (2.7m/s) over Ashley Henderson (11.12) and Jamaica’s Remona Burchell (11.15). Jonielle Smith (11.18).

Earlier, Andrenette Knight set the tone for Caribbean athletes when she won the 400m hurdles in 54.90s in what was a Jamaican 1-3-4.

Knight, 26, who’s time was a season best, took the lead from the USAs Anna Cockrell at the sixth hurdle and never relinquished it holding off a late challenge from Cassandra Tate of the USA who finished in 55.06.

Shian Salmon ran a season-best 55.56 for third place with Rhonda Whyte fourth in the same time. Salmon got third by virtue of stopping the clock at 55.551 to Whyte’s 55.556.

Jasmine Camacho-Quinn won the 100m hurdles in 12.17 aided by a 3.5m/s wind. Finishing second was Jamaica’s Danielle Williams, who clocked 12.38 while the USA’s Tonea Marshall third in 12.39. Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper was fourth in 12.47.

Jamal Britt of the USA won the 110m hurdles in 12.99 (4.0 m/s). Eric Edwards finished second in 13.07 with Freddie Crittenden third in 13.13 in a USA 1-2-3. Tyler Mason (13.30) and Damion Thomas (13.38) were fourth and fifth, respectively.

First-year pro, Abby Steiner outclassed the field to win the 200m in 22.06 holding off Bahamian Anthonique Strachan (22.34) was second while Mackenzie Dunmore was third in 22.50. Jamaica’s Ashanti Moore was fourth in 22.78.

 In a dramatic conclusion to the Women’s long jump, Tara Davis-Woodhall leaped out to a wind-aided 7.11m to win over rival Quanesha Burks, whose 7.04m had in her the lead until Davis-Woodhall’s final jump.

Ruth Osoro of Nigeria jumped a personal best 6.82m for third place.

Will Claye won the triple jump with 17.45m over compatriot Donald Scott, who’s effort of 17.06m was the same as Jamaica’s Jordan Scott but was better on the countback.

A Jamaican women’s team of Remona Burchell, Ashanti Moore, Sashalee Forbes and Jonielle Smith won the 4x100m relay in 42.80 in a blanket finish with USA Red (42.83) and USA Blue (42.87).

The USA’s Men’s team of Christian Coleman, Kendall Williams, Josephus Lyles and Terrance Laird won the men’s sprint relay in 38.21 over USA Blue (38.81) and Jamaica – Damion Thomas, Kadrian Goldson, Jevaughn Whyte and Michael Campbell – was third in 39.51.

Sir Mo Farah said he and his family were “sucking it all in” after he continued his farewell with an eighth-placed finish in the Great Manchester Run 10K, the penultimate race of his career.

Britain’s greatest distance runner posted a time of 29 minutes and 11 seconds as he took part in the event for the first time since winning it in 2018.

Farah, who came ninth in last month’s London Marathon, is now set to conclude his glittering career with September’s Great North Run, the race he won for six successive years from 2014 to 2019.

The four-time Olympic and six-time world champion, 40, said: “Today wasn’t an easy race, the race was full of good athletes, but I gave it my all and again had great support.

“When I was coming back the last 2k, honestly – it was amazing support I got from the crowd, all the way through.

“I will miss it, because I love doing what I did over the years and I will the miss the crowd, the support. My mind wants to do it but my body can’t quite do it, and obviously you’ve got to call it a day.

“But I’m also looking forward to retiring, spending time with my kids and hopefully still be involved in the sport and see what I can do.

“We’re just enjoying it. I’m with my kids, and they took part in the mini race as well. So as a family we’re having a good time, enjoying it, sucking it all in.”

Farah said of the Great North Run: “I’m looking forward to that because I’ve taken part in so many, won it six times, and I want to close, for my retirement, there, because of the people, the support.

“I promised Brendan Foster ‘one day you’ll see me crossing that bridge in the lead’, and I’ve done that six times – and hopefully one more time maybe.”

Regarding the future beyond that, he added: “I’d love to be involved in the sport because that’s all I know and I just love to see youngsters (with) a hurdle in their way and thinking they can do it.

“I started off early on in my career young, not knowing anything, and then over the years you learn and I feel like what I’ve learned throughout the years (I want to be) giving back to the sport and the younger generation.

“Obviously I’ve been talking to a lot of people who are still involved in the sport. I’m passionate about the sport, I love athletics and I love the people who achieve a lot, like Jake Wightman and Laura Muir, and there’s a lot of youngsters coming through.

“Seeing them, it does motivate me, it does make me feel like ‘wow’. And again, when you see that, you’re like – ‘what can I do?’

“It almost gives you the next wave of energy of going ‘there’s something I can do’, and it’s just finding that right role, and hopefully in not too long.”

The men’s elite race was won by Italy’s Eyob Faniel, who was 44 seconds faster than Farah and four seconds ahead of second-placed Briton Marc Scott.

Kenya’s Hellen Obiri retained the elite women’s title, clocking a time of 31 minutes 14 seconds.

Oblique Seville ran a season-best 100m and Shericka Jackson, an impressive 200m season-opener at the May 20 All Comers Meet at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday.

The 2022 World Championships 100m finalist, who ran a wind-legal 9.95 at the Miramar Invitational on April 8, sped to a 9.94 clocking while shutting down over the last 15-metres to win the time trial.

Rohan Watson, whose previous best this season, was 10.32, shaved a massive 0.20s to be second overall after winning his section in 10.12.

Veteran sprinter Yohan Blake, the second-fastest man of all time, and who was second in Seville’s section in 10.15, was third overall.

The Women’s 100m provided a thrilling encounter between Olympic relay gold medallist Briana Williams, returning from a hamstring injury and Carifta U20 champion Alana Reid.

Williams exploded from the blocks and held a seemingly comfortable lead over Reid, who stormed back late to win in 11.16 over the 2018 World U20 champion, who ran a season-best 11.20.

Tia Clayton was third in 11.36.

The 200m races were no less entertaining as reigning world champion Shericka Jackson, in her first 200m of the season, cruised to victory in 22.25.

In her wake was Olympic 400m finalist Stephenie-Ann McPherson who ran 23.38 and Germany’s Tatiana Pinto, who was third in 23.74.

Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes was in a class of his own in the 200m, winning in a season-best 20.18.

Jazeel Murphy, who won Section six of seven, was second overall with a time of 20.76. Nigel Ellis finished second to Murphy, was third overall in 20.80.

Stacey-Ann Williams showed her class in the 400m winning in 51.43 while repelling the early challenge of Ashley Williams, who finished second in 52.11.

Shana Kaye Anderson was third overall in 54.27.

Olympic 400m hurdles bronze medallist Kaliese Carter, who at 36, is making a comeback, ran a season-best 54.64 for fourth place.

In the field, Traves Smikle won the discus throw with 66.05m.

Kai Chang was second with his best throw of 62.78m.

Racquil Broderick threw 57.17m for third place.

In the high jump, Christoff Bryan cleared 2.20m for the win over Lushane Wilson 2.15m and Raymond Richards, who cleared 2.10m.

Sir Mo Farah’s farewell continued as he finished eighth in the Great Manchester Run 10K on Sunday, the penultimate race of his career.

Britain’s greatest distance runner posted a time of 29 minutes and 11 seconds as he took part in the event for the first time since winning it in 2018.

Farah had previously been in action at the London Marathon last month, finishing ninth.

And following his exploits on Sunday, the 40-year-old is now set to retire after featuring in September’s Great North Run.

Farah’s glittering career has seen him claim double Olympic gold over 5,000m and 10,000m at both London 2012 and Rio 2016, as well as six world titles.

Cejhae Greene and Leah Anderson were among the winners at Friday’s Track Night NYC meet at the Icahn Stadium in New York.

Antigua's Greene ran 10.23 to win the 100m, equaling his season’s best done a week earlier at the NACAC New Life Invitational in Freeport. Italy’s Diego Pettorossi was second in 10.28 while Miciah Harris was third in 10.29.

The men's 200m was won by Trinidadian Puma representative Eric Harrison in 20.55 ahead of Harris (20.56) and Jae'len Means (20.93).

Anderson, who is American-born but representing Jamaica, won the women’s equivalent in 23.37 ahead of Madeline Price (23.91) and Caira Pettway (24.00).

British-born Jamaica representative Adelle Tracey ran 2:02.03 for second in the women’s 800m behind American Ajee Wilson (2:01.28) while Allie Wilson ran 2:02.46 for third.

Jamaican Barton County sophomore Brandon Lloyd set a new junior collegiate record to win the men’s discus at the NJCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships at New Mexico Junior College on Friday.

The 21-year-old fouled his first attempt then threw 55.91m in round two before unleashing a record-breaking 65.32m throw in the third round, his only throw over 60m on the day.

Two other Jamaicans, Coffeyville’s Trevor Gunzell and Barton County’s Christopher Young, were second and third with throws of 61.23m and 59.68m, respectively.

Highland’s Dayjahney Hibbert cleared 1.73m for third in the women’s high jump behind Iowa Western’s Miracle Ailes (1.82m) and Cloud County’s Vanessa Mercera (1.76m).

On the track, Grenadian Butler sophomore Nazzio John, a World Under-20 100m finalist in Nairobi in 2021, ran 10.06, aided by a 3.7 m/s wind, to be the second fastest qualifier to the men’s 100m final.

New Mexico’s Kimarlie Stewart ran 10.11 with a 2.4 m/s wind to also progress to the final set for Saturday.

Bahamian Fort Scott sophomore Damazvia Dames was the second fastest qualifier in the women’s 200m with 23.10 while Guyanese Hinds sophomore Brianna Charles ran 23.35 to also advance.

The Caribbean also had three men progress to the final of the 110m hurdles in the form of Dishaun Lamb of South Plains (13.94), Iowa Western’s Rahyme Christian (14.02) and New Mexico’s Che Saunders (14.09).

The women’s 100m hurdles saw Barton County’s Danae Nembhard (13.59) and Kay-Lagay Clarke (13.93) as well as Jody Ann Dixon of Hinds (14.23) advance.

Moving on to the two-lap event, Kimar Farquharson of South Plains led all qualifiers to the final with a 1:50.02 effort in his preliminary.

The Indian Hills pair of Tyrice Taylor (1:51.06) and Rivaldo Marshall (1:51.29) will also be in the final.

On the women’s side, Rushana Dwyer of South Plains ran 2:14.65 to advance second fastest.

Fedrick Dacres threw a season’s best 68.57m to win the men’s discus at the 2023 Tucson Elite Classic on Thursday.

The 2019 World Championship silver medalist had three throws over 67m (67.84m, 68.27, 68.57) that exceeded the 2023 World Championships qualifying standard of 67.20m and makes him the third Jamaican behind Roje Stona and Traves Smikle to achieve the standard this season.

Samoa's Alex Rose, who has thrown over 70m this season, finished in second place with 66.91m with Sam Mattis throwing 64.64m to snag third place.

It was a welcome performance from Dacres, who delivered his best performance with the disc since he threw 69.67m at Excelsior High School in Kingston in February 2020.

The 29-year-old Dacres, the 2018 Commonwealth Games, NACAC and Diamond League champion, who boasts a personal best of 70.78m, a national record, has been hampered by injury and have undergone surgeries on his knees and wrist in the past few years.

Thursday’s performance makes him the sixth-best thrower in the world this year supplanting his training partner and friend, Smike, whose achieved his personal best of 68.14m in Kingston in February and just behind Stona, whose personal best effort of 68.64m came on May 13 in Baton Rouge.

The mark was also more than two metres better than his previous season-best of 66.32m in February.

Arkansas superstar freshman Jaydon Hibbert has been named as the US Track and Field and Cross- Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Male National Athlete of the Week.

The 18-year-old Jamaican demolished the World U20 record as well as the collegiate outdoor record in the triple jump this past weekend at the SEC Outdoor Championships when he produced a wind-legal 17.87m on his second attempt.

That added nearly one foot to the previous collegiate record of 17.57m, set by Keith Connor of SMU back in 1982.

Hibbert is now the holder of both the indoor and outdoor collegiate triple jump records. He shattered the collegiate indoor record in a winning effort at the NCAA Indoor Championships back in March when he jumped 17.54m.