Jeter, Blake win Jamaican sprint titles

 

KINGSTON, Jamaica  – US sprinter Carmelita Jeter ran the fastest time in the world this year to capture the 100-meter women's crown at the Jamaica International Invitational athletics meet.
Jeter on Saturday won in 10.86 seconds with Trinidad and Tobago's Kelly-Ann Baptiste second in 10.94 and Jamaican Sherone Simpson third in 11.07.

"Now I have to start putting my race together," Jeter said. "I am not in shape yet, but I am working to get there. Tonight's race was a very good one and I am very pleased with the time."
Yohan Blake, Usain Bolt's training partner, was also impressive in winning the men's 100m crown in a wind-aided 9.80 seconds with Antigua's Daniel Bailey second in 9.94 and American Mike Rodgers third in 9.96.
Jamaica's Blake was very happy with his performance, mostly the start.
"My start was my biggest problem last season," Blake said. "I got it right tonight and it showed in the fast time."
Jamaican sprinter Nickel Ashmeed won the 200 in 19.96, the fastest time in the world this year and a personal best. American Wallace Spearmon was third in 20.18 while Asafa Powell who limped home last in 21.40.
Shelly-Ann Fraser, the world and Olympic 100m champion, took the women's 200m in 22.10 ahead of two-time Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown.
"It's my first 200 of the season and it's the fastest I have ever ran," Fraser said. "I am feeling very good. I followed instructions.
"The field was very strong, and I decided I was going to run the first 100m very, very hard, and tell myself, catch me if you can, and I just ran and maintained my form."
Novlene Williams-Mills won the women's 400m in 50.71 ahead of fellow Jamaican Rosemarie White's 51.15 while American world champion Sanya Richards-Ross looked far from impressive, finishing fifth in 51.62.
Chris Brown of Bahamas won the men's 400m in 45.37 ahead of Renny Quow of Trinidad and Tobago by .06.
World and Olympic champion Melaine Walker took the women's 400m hurdles in 55.60 while American Justin Gaymon ran 48.58 for the men's title, beating world champion countryman Kerron Clement by .16.
"My opening performance was not great, but I was glad to come out here and finish anther race," Walker said.
Adam Nelson threw a meet record 21.24m to win the men?s shot put.