Paralympic athlete Blake Leeper produced the best performance to highlight Friday’s (11 May) Bermuda Invitational held at the National Sports Center in Hamilton, Bermuda.
American Blake finished fast and strong to take the men’s 400m in 45.21. Brycen Spratling, who led into final 50 metres, was relegated to second in 45.22s.
“The crowd got into it. They pushed me down that last 100m,” said Blake.
“This is the beginning for me, so I hope I get faster. My goal this year is to go 44 seconds,” said Blake, who promised more is in store.
Mike Berry, 46.11s and Dontavius, 46.35s completed the top four places for the Americans.
Winston George of Guyana ran 46.54s for fifth while Lalonde Gordon of Trinidad and Tobago ended sixth in 46.56s.
Jessica Beard completes the 200/400m double at Bermuda Invitational
American Jessica Beard won the women’s 200m in 23.37s ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s Semoy Hackett, 23.50s.
Beard, who expressed delight in an interview about her performance, returned later to take the one-lap event in 51.31s, this time, beating fellow American Jasmine Blocker, 52.56s.
Jeff Demps won the men’s 100m dash in 10.26s. Jason Rodgers of St. Kitts and Nevis finished second in 10.48 and Jamaican Everton Clarke, third in 10.49.
Javianne Oliver of USA was the winner of the women’s 100m. She ran 11.36 to beat Hackett, 11.50 and Candyce McGrone, also of USA, 11.58s.
YanCarlos Martinnez of Dominican Republic took the main prize in the men’s 200m with a time of 20.89. Second, went to Marcus Chambers of the USA in 21.06.
The women’s 100m hurdles went to Bridgette Owens of the USA in 13.21, just ahead of compatriot Mackenzie Hill, 13.29s.
Johnathan Cabral of Canada won the men’s high hurdles in 13.57 over Deuce Carter of Jamaica, 13.77s.
Caribbean athletes shine in the field at Bermuda Invitational
Andwuelle Wright of Trinidad and Tobago won a very close men’s long jump contest, 7.74m over Daniel Bramble of Great Britain, 7.73m
Jamaican Ashinia Miller, 20.93m beat Americans Garrett, 20.41m and Josh Freeman, 19.66, in the men’s shot put.
Full results of the Bermuda Invitational can be found at this link