Two national records were set this week as Saint Lucian athletes achieved podium finishes on the US collegiate track and field circuit. Notable performances came from hurdler Khailan Vitalis and hammer thrower Lauralyn Clifford.
At the 98th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in Austin, Clemson University junior transfer Khailan Vitalis advanced to the men’s 110-metre hurdles final with a ninth-place time of 13.82 seconds, improving on his previous best of 13.83 seconds from last year’s Jo Meaker Classic and Multi. In the final, he clipped a hurdle and did not finish. Vitalis now holds the 13th fastest time among Commonwealth Games athletes this year.
Lauralyn Clifford, a University of Texas San Antonio senior transfer, competed at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin and extended her national record to 58.57m (192′ 2″), finishing fifth. Clifford leads the women’s hammer throw standings in the American Conference and is within one metre of the UTSA school record. She also ranks in the top 25 among Commonwealth Games countries.
Miguel Charlery and Kereser Augustin each secured first-place finishes at separate meets. At the All-American meet hosted by East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania, Charlery won the men’s 100m in 10.81 seconds and the 200m in 21.74 seconds. Augustin claimed the women’s 400m for Washburn University in 56.44 seconds and placed 13th in the 100m in 12.61 seconds at the 18th Annual David Suenram Gorilla Classic.
NCAA Division I All-American high jumper Jenneil Jacobie overcame an ankle injury to clear 1.76m (5′ 9.25″) and secure second place for East Texas A&M University at the Bobcat Invitational. Natalie Albert placed third for Memphis with a throw of 56.57m at the Joey Hanes Invite.
OTHER RESULTS
Michael Joseph 45.53 (5th) men’s 400m LSU Battle on the Bayou
Asa Francis 3:59.56 (24th) men’s 1500m George Mason Dalton Ebanks Invite
Rayshawn Harris 2:02.18 (61st) men’s 800m George Mason Dalton Ebanks Invite
Shamael Durand 41.40m (23rd) men’s discus throw Bobcat Invite
Shamael Durand 12.68m (9th) men’s shot put Bobcat Invite
Cagini Pilgrim 22.01 (6th) men’s 200m Joey Haines Invite
Ishmael Durand 22.57 (39th) men’s 200m Bobcat Invite
Cagini Pilgrim 10.87 (4th) men’s 100m Joey Haines Invite
Narlia Albert 28.07 (23rd) women’s 200m Ursinus Springfest
Jola Felix 25.92 (15th) women’s 200m Central Methodist Invite
Naomi London 11.32 (11th) women’s 100m Texas Relays
Mya Hippolyte 12.09 (4th) women’s 100m ISU Pacesetter Invite
Carleen Lionel 12.47 (22nd) women’s 100m Sam Howell Invitational
Jola Felix 12.62 (12th) women’s 100m Central Methodist Invite
Jasmine Stiede 4:47.7 (5th) women’s 1500m Friends Invitational
Joy Edward 13.74m women’s shot put Golden Eagle Invite
Joy Edward 52.58m women’s hammer throw Golden Eagle Invite
Joy Edward 34.68m women’s discus throw Golden Eagle Invite
Nebia Montrope 2:34.25 (15th) women’s 800m Cougar Distance Carnival
(TF)
