by Alfonz Juck
Mondo Duplantis, photo by PhotoRun.netMondo Duplantis 590 WJR
AUSTIN (USA, Apr 1): Final day of Texas Relays was highlighted by superb World U20 record in pole vault by Sweden´s Armand Duplantis who cleared 590 in the pole vault, also early season World lead. He will be still junior in 2018. He went over the record in third attempt. Behind him World champion Shawn Barber 550. In open competition German Torben Laidig 570 PB. 2012 Olympic winner Jenn Suhr won the women competition with 473 (tried at 481) ahead of Megan Clark 460. When comparing the relays with Florida, men 4×100 m also fast 38.17 by Track Wired Elite (L. Collins, B. Robinson, Salaam, Rodgers) beating USA Blue 38.87 and USA Red 38.90 and Axis Athletics 38.98. Texas AM won the 4×400 m in 3:01.74. On the women side Texas AM clocked 42.82 ahead of LSU 42.86, in the invitational section Track Station got 43.40. In the 4×200 m LSU 1:20.82 and Track Wired Elite 1:20.87 (J. Lawson, M. Washington, Salaam, O. McLeod). Women Texas AM achieved 1:29.89. More luck with winds for female sprinters, Morolake Akinosun equaled World lead 11.10 (+1.0) 100 m win, Kortnei Johnson confirmed good shape with 11.19 (+1.0) in another section. In the hurdles Tobi Amusan of Nigeria 12.72 (-0.3) beating Jamaican Rushelle Burton 12.80 PB. Only Natasha Hasting´s 22.78 200 m was aided by +3.5. Close to his first sub 10 was 2014 World Junior Champion Kendal Williams with 9.99 (+2.1) over Just´n Thymes 10.09. In Invitational section LeShon Collins 10.00 (+2.7). Wallace Spearmon won the 200 m in 20.54 (+3.3) and Shane Brathwaite hurdles 13.58 (+1.2). In jumps Trey Culver cleared 224 in high jump and Charles Brown leaped to 814 PB (+1.6) in long jump.
