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• Oakley runs personal best 22.60 to win 200m title at Big 12 Championships; Texas sweeps men’s and women’s titles

  Jamaican Texas sophomore Dejanea Oakley claimed her maiden Big 12 Outdoor title with gold in the women’s 200m at the Clyde Hart Track and Field Stadium in Waco, Texas on Saturday.

  Oakley, who was the fastest qualifier from Thursday’s heats with 23.00, won comfortably on Saturday with a personal best 22.60, bettering her previous mark of 22.73 done at the Texas Invitational on April 26 this year.

  TCU’s Iyana Gray was second in 22.81 while Texas’s Kenondra Davis was third in 22.82, just ahead of teammate Kevona Davis who ran 22.84 in fourth.

  Kevon Davis went one better in the 100m with 11.32 to finish behind TCU’s Gray (11.24) and Texas Tech’s Rosemary Chukwuma (11.12).

  Jamaican Baylor University senior Demar Francis was also a standout performer on Saturday.

  First, he ran 45.44 to win the 400m title ahead of Oklahoma’s Richard Johnson (45.45) and Texas’s Logan Popelka (45.62) before returning to get third in the 200m final with a personal best 20.38.

  Houston’s Shaun Maswanganyi won that race in 20.10 followed by Texas’s Nolton Shelvin (20.22).

  Francis was also a part of Baylor’s 4x400m quartet who ran 3:03.49 to finish as runners-up to Texas Tech (3:03.09). Jamaican Shaemar Uter was a member of Texas Tech’s winning team.

  Jamaican Houston senior Kelly-Ann Beckford ran 2:01.33 for second in the women’s 800m behind Oklahoma State’s Gabija Galvydyte (2:00.42). Texas’s Olivia Howell was third in 2:02.23.

  The men’s 110m hurdles saw Bahamian Texas Tech sophomore Antoine Andrews run 13.63 for second behind Houston’s De’Vion Wilson who did 13.35 to take top spot. Texas Tech’s DeVontae Ford ran 13.67 in third.

  In the field, Texas junior and Jamaican World Championship representative Ackelia Smith produced 13.92m to win the women’s triple jump ahead of Texas Tech’s Anne-Suzanna Fosther-Katta (13.62m) and Baylor’s Koi Johnson (13.44m).

  Texas’s Trinidadian junior Kelsey Daniel produced 16.04m for silver in the men’s triple jump behind Oklahoma’s Brandon Green Jr who did 16.52m. Texas Tech’s Stacy Brown Jr jumped 15.78m for third.

  At the end of proceedings, Texas were crowned champions of both the men’s and women’s categories.

  Texas scored 134 points in the men’s section, 19 ahead of Texas Tech in second and 54 ahead of Iowa State in third.

  The women were more dominant, securing 150 points compared to 98 from BYU and 96.5 from Texas Tech.

• 'At home' Ta Lou Smith runs impressive 10.91 opener at Jamaica Athletics Invitational: Forte and Hibbert also shine at inaugural meet in Kingston

  In an entertaining night of track and field at the National Stadium in Kingston, Marie Jose Ta Lou Smith stole the show with a scintillating victory in the women's 100m at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational. The Ivorian sprinter, clocking an impressive 10.91, electrified the crowd of over 16,000 spectators, setting the stage for a remarkable season ahead.

  Ta Lou Smith, visibly moved by the enthusiastic reception from the Jamaican fans, expressed her deep appreciation for the warm welcome and the incredible atmosphere. "It was incredible. I feel like it was at home," she remarked after her race. "I have never really felt like that, only in France, but here is really amazing. I have to come back to Jamaica."

  The 10.91 season opener provided a peek into Ta Lou Smith's early form and her determination heading into the Olympic year. "10.91 for the opening of the season, I was feeling really good," she shared. "I am going to watch back the race with my coach and see what I did well."

  Krystal Sloley finished second with a time of 11.09, demonstrating strong competition in the women's 100m event. Kemba Nelson secured third place with a time of 11.12, rounding out a podium filled with promising talent.

  Beyond the competition, Ta Lou Smith also savored her time in Jamaica, relishing not just the athletic experience but also the warm camaraderie with local athletes, especially Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, whom she considers a sister. "From the first time I stepped outside the airport I was like this is really feeling like home," she shared. "Coming here and seeing all the people, the atmosphere was great. It was amazing."

  

  Marlon Reid photo: Forte and Blake battling to the line on Saturday.

  Meanwhile, in the men's 100m final, Julian Forte and Ackeem Blake engaged in a thrilling duel. Forte claimed victory by a narrow margin, both clocking season-best times of 10.02. Brandon Hickling from the USA secured third place with a time of 10.09, while Jamaica's Kadrian Goldson finished closely behind with a time of 10.10, rounding out the top four.

  

  Marlon Reid photo: Jaydon Hibbert soared out to a winning mark of 17.57m

  In the field events, young talent Jaydon Hibbert made a mark in the triple jump, continuing his impressive form from the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix. Hibbert's leap of 17.57m from 12 steps highlighted his potential, exciting the crowd and promising more to come in the season ahead.

  Hibbert's impressive performance was complemented by Jordan Scott, another Jamaican athlete, who secured second place with a jump of 16.84m. O’Brien Wasome completed the top three with a jump of 16.62m, showcasing Jamaica's depth in the triple jump event.

   

   

   

   

• Ricketts opens season with 14.50m to win triple jump at Jamaica Athletics Invitational

  Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts provided her home fans with a solid performance to win the women’s triple jump at the inaugural Jamaica Athletics Invitational at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday.

  The two-time World Championships silver medallist produced a best jump of 14.50m on her first attempt that proved to be enough to win in the end.

  American Jasmine Moore had a best jump of 14.28m for second while Dominican World Indoor Champion Thea Lafond jumped 14.22m in the sixth and final round to clinch third.

  “I feel exceptional. I usually get started with my season much earlier but this year we decided to get a few things corrected before coming into competition,” Ricketts said following the competition.

  “Competing with world class athletes who have been doing well indoors as well really pushed me and gave me a good implication of where I’m at this season,” she added.

  The 2022 Commonwealth Champion also spoke on competing in Jamaica.

  “It’s always a pleasure to compete in Kingston. Usually, I try to do a meet here before going overseas to compete in the Diamond League. The crowd has warmed up to the jumps because of how well I’ve been doing overseas over the years. I’m always grateful for the support,” she said.