Mixed results for Jamaicans at Tom Jones Invitational
Published:Sunday | April 16, 2023 | 1:42 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
YESTERDAY’S FINAL day of the Tom Jones Invitational Meet in Gainsville, Florida, saw strong performances from the Jamaican contingent, as well as athletes making their season debuts with mixed results.
In the women’s 100m, Kiara Grant clocked a personal best 10.99 seconds, becoming the 22nd Jamaican to run below sub-11 in the event. Her time was also the fastest in the field, which included World 100m hurdles champion and world record holder, Tobi Amusan, as well as 2013 World Championship silver medallist Murielle Ahoure-Demps.
The men’s 100m saw Elite Performance’s Sachin Dennis win his heat in 10.11, with his clubmate Nigel Ellis finishing fourth in 10.23. But it was reigning World 200m champion Noah Lyles who followed up his 200 win on Friday with victory in the 100m, clocking 9.95, who had the fastest time among the field. Jordan Forte ran under protest as he was ruled to have false-started in his heat.
In the women’s 100m hurdles, Kerica Hill’s first hurdle event as a professional began with a third-place finish in her preliminary heat in a wind-assisted time of 12.68, and ended with a fifth-place finish in the final, clocking 12.86.
Her countrywoman, former World champion Danielle Williams, was fourth in 12.74. The final was won by America’s Nia Ali in 12.53. Amusan was second in 12.59.
In the men’s 110m hurdles, World champion Grant Holloway won the first meeting between himself and Commonwealth Games champion Rasheed Broadbell, clocking a world-leading time of 13.03 in their preliminary heat. Broadbell was second in 13.12. Holloway would win the final in 13.05 while Broadbell did not finish the race.
PERSONAL BEST FOR WILLIAMS
Stacey Ann Williams opened her season well, clocking a new personal best of 50.12 to win her women’s 400m heat, ahead of Aliyah Abrams, second in 50.77, and Brittany Brown, third in 51.15.
Williams’ national teammate Junelle Bromfield was fourth in 51.85. Natoya Goule opened her season with a second-place finish in her 400m heat, clocking 52.82, a race that would be won by Talor Manson.
In the men’s 400, Jaheel Hyde finished second in his heat, clocking 46.35, with the victory going to Trevor Bassit in 45.25.
World Championship 200m bronze medallist Erriyon Knighton won his heat in 46.15.
In the field on Friday, 2019 World Championship silver medallist Danniel Thomas Dodd claimed victory in the women’s shot put invitational with a mark of 19.52m. Her national teammate, Lloydricia Cameron, did not start the event.