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By Anthony Foster in Edmonton, Canada
Simone Facey won the sprint double at the Track Town Classic here in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Sunday.
The former Vere Technical High School star sprinter, took the women’s 100m in 11.10 seconds, ahead of fellow Jamaican, Sherone Simpson 11.17 and Khamica Bingham (CAN) 11.18. After the win, she said, “I wish it was 10 point, but I am still grateful.
Another Jamaican, Samantha Henry-Robinson was 6th in 11.31 while Jamaican-born American Olympic 400m champion Sanya Richards-Ross ended 5th in 11.28.
In the women’s 200m, which went off earlier, Facey was fast out of the blocks and led comfortably into the homestretch. Shalonda Solomon (USA), despite closing the gap, wasn't able to get there. Good win for Facey in 22.55, just ahead of Solomon 22.56
“Really good time. Season best for me, so I am happy for that,” said Facey after the run.
Nesta Carter was the only other Jamaican winner. He led from start to finish to top the men’s 100m in 10.08 ahead of Beejay Lee (USA) 10.14 and Justyn Warner (CAN) 10.17.
Bahamian Leevan Sands, who is jumping back into form this season, topped the men’s triple jump with 16.68m. Jamaican Damon Mclean was 4th with 16.11m
Earlier, Richards-Ross, who was matching stride for stride with Jessica Beard (USA) on the backstretch, pulled away at the 280m mark, to win the women's 400m in 50.47. Beard faded to 51.03 for second place.
“I felt good today,” said Richards-Ross while adding “I really wanted to run sub-50, but there was a little head wind on the backstretch, so I did not want to push it.” Anastasia Le-Roy finishing 3rd in 52.02 and Patricia Hall, 5th in 52.77, carried the Jamaican flag.
LaShawn Merritt (USA), in the men’s one lap, dominated from the sound of the gun. He covered the entire field from the backstretch, though Grenadian Bralon Taplin tried to keep pace. In the end, Merritt went across the line in 44.36 ahead of Taplin 45.28.
Merritt said: “It was a good race. I wanted to come here and run fast, but unfortunately I missed the record (44.30 he set in 2014).”
Americans Aldrich Bailey 45.36 and former World and Olympic champion, Jeremy Wariner 45.42 ended 3rd and 4th respectively.
Wallace Spearmon of United States fought gallantly to dismiss Miguel Francis of Antigua, winning the men’s 200m in 20.21. Francis was second in 20.41 and Rasheed Dwyer of Jamaica, 3rd in 20.46.
The Lennox Graham-coached, Shermaine Williams did 13.00, which gave her 3rd place in the women’s 100m hurdles, won by Jackie Coward of United States in 12.88 ahead of fellow American Ginnie Crawford 12.95.
Tyler Mason (JAM) 13.60 finished 4th in the men’s 110m hurdles. The winner was decathlon world record holder, Ashton Eaton (USA) 13.38 ahead of Kevin Craddock (USA) 13.53 and Sekou Kaba (CAN) 13.57.
Jamaica’s Beijing WC Trials’ second place finisher, Shevon Stoddart, challenged her former South Carolina University teammate, Tiffany Williams strongly in the first half of the women’s 400m hurdles. However, the USA girl pulled away in the final 100m to take victory in 54.33 to Stoddart’s 55.62.
Jamaican Kimarra McDonald, still in search of the World Championships qualifying mark, finished 6th in 2:04.02 behind 800m winner Maggie Vessey (USA) 2:00.16 and Fiona Benson (CAN) 2:00.55.
