by Alfonz Juck
DeAnna Price, hammer throw, photo by PhotoRun.netPrice 76.27 WL, young Taylor beats Merritt
KINGSTON (JAM, May 19): Not sprints but women hammer throw brought World leading mark of Jamaican Invitational (IAAF World Challenge) on a wet track after some rain. US DeAnna Price improved to 76.27 what is also second best ever by an American. Women sprints gave the crowds home wins. Elaine Thompson in 11.06 (-0.3) over 100 m and Shericka Jackson 22.55 (+0.4) in the 200 m beating Blessing Okagbare 22.66 and 400 m World champion Phyllis Francis 22.76. Also women 400 m hurdles were an home affair for Janieve Russell 54.26 over Ashley Spencer 55.23. In flat 400 m US runners Jessica Beard 50.52 life-time best and Jaide Stepter 50.72 PB beat home Stephanie-Ann McPherson 50.82. In 100 m hurdles Jasmine Stowers 12.83 (-0.3) over 400mHurdles World champion Kori Carter 12.87. Men 100 m had Ronnie Baker as winner in 10.00 (+2.0) over Michael Rodgers 10.04 and Tyquendo Tracey as top Jamaican 10.14. Sensational 200 m win for youngster Christopher Taylor 20.49 (0.0) over LaShawn Merritt and Anaso Jobodwana, both 20.70. Another Jamaican win in the 400 m by Demish Gaye 45.08 over Javon Francis 45.35 and Grenada´s Bralon Taplin 45.41 with European leader Matthew Hudson-Smith fourth 45.70. TJ Holmes clocked 48.67 to win the 400 m hurdles over Shawn Rowe 49.12 and Olympic winner Kerron Clement 49.37. Distance races winners were Puertoricans Ryan Sanchez 1:46.60 (800 m) and Alfredo Santana 8:01.52 (3000 m) with US Stephanie Brown 4:12.81 (1500 m). Olympic finalist Esa Brume from Nigeria leaped to excellent 682 (+0.2) just 1 cm shy of her PB over Shakeela Saunders 665 (+0.1) and Jamaican Tissanna Hickling 660 (+0.1). Jamal Wilson of Bahamas cleared 228 to win the high jump, Omar Craddock got 16.59 (+1.0) in triple and Jeneva Stevens with 18.17 beat Commonwealth Games winner Jamaican Danniel Thomas-Dodd 17.96 in shot.
DeAnna Price, photo by PhotoRun.net
