Caribbean athletes Shadae Lawrence and Shane Brathwaite scored victories in the discus and sprint hurdles, at Saturday’s USATF Sprint Summit in Prairie View, Texas, where several of their regional compatriots also received podium finishes.
Lawrence, whose twin sister Shardia was sixth in the triple jump, sealed her third victory of the season with a throw of 57.76m in the discus. The Jamaican, who has already reached Olympic standard through her 63.75m effort in Florida on March 20, took the lead with her third throw of the competition.
However, Rachel Dincoff of the USA came close to taking the lead back with her final throw of 57.72, which was good enough to close in the silver medal.
Kelsey Card, also from the USA, was third with her best throw of 55.50m.
Barbadian Brathwaite, meanwhile, was a comfortable winner in the 110m hurdles win in 13.82.
Ryan Fontenot of USA was more than 0.10 behind, finishing second at 14.00. Haiti’s Jeff Julmis picked up the last podium spot when he crossed in 14.50.
In the Women’s 400m, Jamaican’s Chrisann Gordon-Powell opened her season with a 52.47 as she finished second to Jessica Beard of the USA who took the win at 52.38. Jaide Stepter Baynes was third at 52.54.
Shian Salmon also had a runner-up finish in the 400m hurdles. The 2018 U20 World silver medalist clocked 56.90 while finishing behind Ashley Spencer of the USA who crossed first at 56.36.
Gianna Woodruff of Panama was third in 57.22. Trinidad and Tobago’s McKnight Sparkle were fourth at 57.40.
The men’s 100m was won by Emmanuel Matadi of Liberia in 10.29s. He caught off Isiah Young from USA who clocked 10.35. Mario Burke of Barbados had a best season 10.51 for third while Jamaica’s Odean Skeen, who returns to competition after recovering from a series of injuries was fourth in 10.55 (Sportsmax)