By Anthony Foster in Bermuda
American Mike Rodgers was the star of the inaugural Bermuda Invitational Permit Meet on Friday evening at the National Sports Centre.
Rodgers, a member of the USA 4×100-metre team that beat Jamaica at the World Relays in 2015, won the sprint double.
The 31-year-old sprinter secured the gold medal in the men’s 100 metres with an easy victory. He pulled away from the field at the half way point to take victory in 10.14 seconds.
Michael Frater, Jamaica’s 2005 World Championships silver medallist, finished second in 10.30 seconds.
American Albert Huntley and Oshane Bailey of Jamaica finished third and fourth respectively with identical time of 10.40.
Rodgers returned less than two hours later to secure the sprint double with a comfortable victory in the men’s 200 metres. Although he was slow off the curve, Rodgers proved a cut above rivals to take the victory in 20.84 seconds.
Homeboy Tray Houston finished second in 21.09 to the delight of the crowd, while Nathon Allen of Jamaica was third in 21.27.
In the women’s 100 metres, the USA secured a one-two finish. Dominique Booker took victory in 11.64, while Cierra White clocked 11.68 for second place. Bahamian Cache Armbrister finished third in 11.84.
The 400-metre events belonged to Jamaica.
Javon Francis, who was neck and neck with American Calvin Smith on the backstretch and trailed in the homestretch, pulled away in the last 25 metres to win the men’s 400 metres in 46.27.
Smith edged out Latoya Williams of USA for second place. Smith clocked 46.51 to Williams’ 46.52.
Earlier, James took the women’s 400 metres in 53.56. The Jamaican trailed Dawnalee Loney by some three metres in the homestretch before gaining the ascendancy in the last 15 metres to pull away for the victory. Loney was second in 53.68 and Sade Sealy of Barbados finished third in 54.67.
In the women’s 800 metres, Trinidad and Tobago’s Alena Brooks gave up what appeared to be an unassailable lead and was beaten by USA’s Anna Willard, who made up some 20 metres to win in 2:09.22
Brooks clocked 2:09.40 for second place, while Megan Morgan of the USA was third in 2:09.54
The men’s 800 metres went to Wesley Vazquez of Puerto Rico in 1:48.83 ahead of Jamaican Jowayne Hibbert, 1:51.12, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Jamal James. 1:51.32.
USVI’s Eddie Lovett won the men’s 110-metre hurdles in 13.50 ahead of Jamaican Deuce Carter 13.54.
Leah Nugent of USA was the women’s 400-metre hurdles winner in 57.84 ahead of Jamaica’s Rushell Clayton 59.29 and Ese Okoro of Great Britain 59.56. Jamaican Nickeisha Wilson was fourth in 59.62
Tynita Butts of the USA was the top female high jumper. She cleared of 1.80 metres, the same mark as second place finisher Emma Kimoto.
Jamaican Saniel Atkinson-Grier cleared 1.75 metres for third place.
Also in the field, Michael Hartfield of USA won the men’s long jump, thanks to his first attempt of 7.95 metres.
Local hero Tyrone Smith finished second with a leap of 7.78 metres, while Jamaican Demar Forbes ended third with 7.74 metres.
