Williams to open season at Tom Jones Invitational in Florida
TWO-TIME World Athletics Championships gold medallist Danielle Williams will open her outdoor season today when she competes in the 100m hurdles Olympic Development race on the second day of the Tom Jones Memorial at University of Florida.
Williams, who won World Championships gold medals in Beijing, China, in 2015 and again last year in Budapest, Hungary, is yet to make her first Olympic Games team and will hope to start the season well.
Ackera Nugent, a finalist in Budapest last year, and Crystal Morrison are the other Jamaicans who are down to take part in the event.
Giano Roberts and Lafranz Campbell are down for the 110m hurdles Olympic Development event where they will face three-time world champion Grant Holloway of the USA.
Also today, national record holder Navasky Anderson will contest the men’s 800m against several Jamaicans who will have their eyes on a spot on the team to the Olympics.
Tyrese Reid of Mississippi State, the fastest Jamaican over the distance outdoors this year with 1:45.76s, just ahead of NCAA Indoor champion Rivaldo Marshall of the University of Iowa, 1:45.88 minutes, Kimar Farquharson of Texas A&M and Tarees Rhoden of Clemson, are all down to run in the same race.
Kelly-ann Beckford of the University of Houston will contest the women’s 800m along with Jessica Mclean and Kayan Green of Clemson while Kai Chang, who broke the University of Florida discus record with a personal best 61.65m last week, will be back in action.
Brianna Lyston of Louisiana State University was third in the women’s 200m Invitational in a wind-aided 22.46s (3.1m/s) yesterday. Aalliyah Francis of the University of South Carolina ran 22.82s and Ockera Myrie of Clemson ran 23.26s.
Hurdler Rosealee Cooper of Mississippi State won the women’s 200m in 23.60 (1.9m/s) while Nia Robinson of University of Arkansas was eighth in the women’s long jump invitational with 6.27m (1.1m/s) women’s 100m.