by Alfonz Juck
Mondo Duplantis, photo by PhotoRun.netLavillenie, Barber and Duplantis (WJR) 592
AUSTIN (USA, Mar 31): The 91st Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays last day was highlighted by top pole vault competitions. Renaud Lavillenie with Shawn Barber and young Mondo Duplantis all cleared World leading 592. Tie for first for Lavillenie and Barber, Duplantis was third on count back. For Duplantis also World U20 record, Barber just 1 cm below his Canadian outdoor record. All three attempted 602. World lead also in women pole vault by Jenn Suhr with 483. Behind her 18 years old Swede Lisa Gunnarsson improved to 460 (national U20 record and ties third best ever in the category), third Alexis Jacobus 455. In men B competition also superb 580 PB´s by Chris Nilsen and Devin King. More World leads in women relays. LSU clocked 42.66 in the 4×100 m and USA Red 3:26.16 in the 4×400 m ahead of USA Blue 3:27.32. The Texas A&M women pulled away with Sammy Watson on the anchor leg. Watson split 2:05.60 as the Aggies produced a meet, facility and school record time of 8:29.25 in claiming their first title in 4×800 m. In men relays Houston posted 38.92 over LSU also 38.92, in the 4×400 m Texas AM 3:02.74. Jeron Robinson cleared World lead 231 in high jump, Jarvis Gotch leaped to windy 820 (+2.4) in the long jump ahead of Charles Brown 816 (+2.6). Serena Brown improved Bahamian discus record to 60.39. Sprints were wind-aided. But still top quality 10.72 (+2.7) by Blessing Okagbare ahead of Mikiah Brisco 10.99, in another race Aleia Hobbs 10.86 (+3.7) over Kortnei Johnson 10.98. In the 200 m Gabrielle Thomas 22.13 (+4.6) and hurdles 12.64 (+3.3) by Jamaican Rushelle Burton. The only lucky was US indoor record holder Elijah Hall who clocked his outdoor PB 20.11 (+1.6) in the 200 m over Dedric Dukes 20.27. In the 100 m Cameron Burrell 10.01 (+4.1) and Christian Lyon 10.00 (+3.6), in the hurdles Jamaican Damion Thomas 13.43 (+3.6).
