Abigail Schaaffe was a standout once again winning her last 600m for the season in a new personal best time and then ran her fastest ever split on the 4x400m relay team as the University of Minnesota’s women topped the Big 10 Championships at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio.
In January, Schaaffe ran 1:30.99 to win at the Larry Wieczorek Invitational at the University of Iowa. The time was a top-six all-time performance for UM.
She declared then that she was targeting a time below 1:30 at the Big 10 championships but not even she could have predicted how far below she would have gone.
After posting a time of 1:30.05 in the preliminaries on Thursday, the second-fastest time of the round behind the 1:29.21 set by her teammate Val Larson, Schaaffe floored it in the finals on Saturday to win in 1:27.96.
“I was amazed that I went in with the second-fastest time from the prelims and have pulled off such a big personal best, which makes me fourth in my school history,” she told Sportsmax.TV.
“I had no idea I would ever run that fast. I was looking at a 1:28-low but my coach back home predicted that I was going to run that time so he was not surprised, I guess.”
Larson finished second in 1:28.67 with Claire Pitcher of Iowa in 1:29.96.
She would team up with Jayla Campbell, Janielle Josephs and Larson to win the 4x400m relay in 3:35.51. Iowa copped silver in 3:37.92 while Purdue was third in 3:39.51.
Schaaffe ran the anchor in 52.5, her fastest ever relay split.
“It was great. I didn’t even know that I ran that fast because it was like an hour after the 600,” she said.
At the NCAA National Championships, Schaaffe will only run the 4x400 relay and is looking forward to an event switch when she goes outdoors later this year.
“I have always been interested in the 400m hurdles because that is one of my events, too, but I would take on the 400m any day,” she said. “But I’m thinking the 400mh outdoors that is what I really want to do.”
Earlier, Rikkoi Brathwaite of the British Virgin Islands won the 60m dash in 6.55. Waseem Williams of Purdue was second in 6.66, the same time as his teammate Marcellus Moore.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Olympic gold medalist Thea LaFond-Gadson to be honoured by University of Maryland
Olympic gold medalist Thea LaFond-Gadson, a 2015 graduate of the University of Maryland, will be honoured during the university’s football game against Northwestern on Friday night at SECU Stadium. LaFond-Gadson, who made history this summer by winning Dominica’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in the triple jump at the 2024 Paris Olympics, will be recognized on the field during the first quarter of the game.
LaFond-Gadson’s return to the University of Maryland is part of a broader celebration of her outstanding achievements. In addition to Friday’s honour, she will also serve as one of the grand marshals for the university’s Homecoming celebrations on October 18 and 19. Joining her as co-grand marshal is Alyssa Thomas, a 2014 graduate and basketball star who helped Team USA capture its eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal in women's basketball.
The honorary grand marshal role is a prestigious position reintroduced to homecoming for the first time in over a decade. LaFond-Gadson and Thomas will lead homecoming activities during the week of festivities, which culminates with Maryland’s football game against USC on October 19.
While LaFond-Gadson will be celebrated for her athletic prowess and for bringing pride to her home country of Dominica, Thomas will be further recognized with induction into the University of Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame that weekend.
Thea LaFond-Gadson’s incredible journey from collegiate athlete to Olympic champion exemplifies the values of hard work, determination, and resilience. Her return to the University of Maryland to be honored by her alma mater serves as an inspiration to current students, alumni, and the entire community.
Ashoka Road to be renamed Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive in honour of sprint legend
Ashoka Road in Waterhouse, Kingston, is set to be renamed Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive in recognition of the track and field legend's incredible contributions to athletics and her community. The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) approved the renaming during its council meeting on Tuesday, October 8, held at the Marcus Garvey Council Chamber in downtown Kingston.
The Jamaica Information Service (JIS) reported that Councillor Byron Clarke, who represents the Waterhouse Division, brought the resolution to the council, emphasizing that Fraser-Pryce’s achievements, both on and off the track, have had a transformative impact not only on Jamaica but also on the world stage.
Born and raised on Ashoka Road, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has become one of the most decorated athletes in history, boasting 10 World Championship titles and eight Olympic medals. She remains the only sprinter, male or female, to win five world titles in the 100 metres (2009, 2013, 2015, 2019, and 2022), a testament to her remarkable longevity and dominance in the sport.
Councillor Clarke praised Fraser-Pryce as an exemplary role model, noting her commitment to uplifting the Waterhouse community and her broader contributions through her charitable initiatives, including the Pocket Rocket Foundation. The foundation provides scholarships and grants to young athletes, helping to shape the next generation of Jamaican talent.
"Shelly-Ann is more than deserving of this honour," Councillor Clarke stated. "Her determination, commitment, resilience, and willingness to serve her country and community have made her a beacon of hope. Her true value transcends her accomplishments on the track, as she embodies the spirit of hard work, purpose, and passion for her country."
Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, echoed these sentiments and highlighted that further celebrations of Fraser-Pryce’s legacy are in the works. "Plans are under way to celebrate her incredible achievements," Mayor Swaby shared. He added that discussions have already begun with members of the Civic Committee, her alma mater Wolmer's Girls' School, and representatives from the Pocket Rocket Foundation.
The renaming of Ashoka Road as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive not only celebrates her record-breaking career but also honors her as a symbol of pride for Waterhouse and Jamaica. The new street name will serve as a constant reminder of what can be achieved through perseverance, resilience, and a commitment to excellence.
This recognition is expected to inspire future generations, particularly young athletes, as Fraser-Pryce continues to uplift her community and inspire her country with her tireless efforts both on and off the track.
Yohan Blake honoured with Keys to the Region as he launches Butcher's Barrel Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale
World-renowned Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake, the 2011 World 100m champion and double Olympic silver medalist, was awarded the prestigious Key to the Region on Wednesday, October 8, during the grand opening of his new restaurant, Butcher's Barrel, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Despite the looming threat of Hurricane Milton barreling toward the state, the event was a celebratory moment for Blake, who was honoured by city officials and members of South Florida’s Caribbean community for his outstanding contributions to both athletics and entrepreneurship.
The recognition ceremony, led by Tamarac Commissioner Marlon D. Bolton, saw the 34-year-old Blake receive the Keys to the Region, joining an esteemed list of previous honourees, including dancehall artist Spice, TV personality Miss Kitty, and reggae artist Ky-Mani Marley. Vice Mayor Alexandra Davis of Miramar and other local officials from the Caribbean diaspora were present to celebrate Blake’s new venture and his achievements as an athlete.
In an emotional speech, Blake expressed his deep gratitude, reflecting on his journey as one of the fastest men in history over the 100m and 200m distances.
"This brings tears to my eyes to recognize this moment. I have worked 20-odd years tirelessly, creating so much history around the world being one of the fastest men in the 100 and 200 plus the 4x100m, it is not an easy feat," Blake said. "To do something like this, just a simple award to recognize what we have been doing—I just want to thank you for this. It means a lot to me, from the bottom of my heart."
Blake’s illustrious career includes winning gold at the 2011 World Athletics Championships in the 100m, where he became the youngest 100m world champion ever, and earning silver medals in the 100m and 200m at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, behind the legendary Usain Bolt. His personal bests of 9.75 seconds in the 100m and 19.44 seconds in the 200m remain the fastest times ever recorded to place second in Olympic history.
(Alexandra Davis Instagram)
Miramar Vice Mayor Alexandra Davis and Jamaican Olympian Yohan Blake at the launch of his Butcher's Barrel restaurant in Ft Lauderdale on Tuesday.
The Key to the Region initiative, developed in collaboration with Caribbean elected officials, honours individuals who have made significant contributions to the community through excellence in their respective fields. Blake, who has continuously supported charitable initiatives, particularly in Jamaica, now adds the entrepreneurial launch of Butcher’s Barrel to his list of achievements.
The Butcher’s Barrel restaurant in Oakland Park, Fort Lauderdale, is Blake’s latest venture, as he looks to expand his brand beyond the track. The launch attracted local leaders, including Lauderhill Commissioner Denise D. Grant, Sunrise Commissioner Mark Douglas, and Vice Mayor Alexandra Davis, who shared her pride in the Jamaican sprinter on social media.
"At the Butcher’s Barrel in Oakland Park as Yohan Blake opened his restaurant and received the Keys to the Region from local elected Caribbean officials," Davis wrote on Instagram. "Yohan is a Jamaican sprinter who won gold at the 2011 World Championships as the youngest 100m world champion ever, and silver in the 2012 Olympic Games. We wish him well in his new endeavor!"
As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, Blake's success and recognition offer a bright moment of celebration and hope amid the challenging circumstances. His determination on and off the track continues to inspire many, and the opening of his restaurant marks a new chapter in his multifaceted career.
Blake’s legacy as a sprinter is solidified, but with the Butcher's Barrel, he is proving that his ambitions go far beyond athletics, bringing his passion and dedication to new ventures in the business world.
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