World Championships 400m hurdles bronze medallist Josanne Lucas won the women’s 400m hurdles at the Star Athletic Invite at the National Training Centre in Clearmont, Florida, on Saturday. Lucas crossed the line in 55.92 and got under the Olympic B qualifying standard of 56.65.  The national record holder is now one of two national athletes to notch the B standard in the women’s one lap hurdles race. Janiel Bellille clocked 55.91 at the Texas Relays in March earlier this year and 55.80 in 2011. The two are set to clash at this year’s Sagicor Open Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on June 23-24 for a spot on the Olympic team for the London Games. The “A” standard for the event is 55.30.

Lucas has already attained the B standard in the sprint hurdles (13.15) with a 13.10 clocking in Auburn, USA in April. Aleesha Barber was fifth in the finals in 13.18 seconds. Marc Burns was runner up in the men’s 100m finals in 10.19 with Rondel Sorillo taking the fourth spot (10.28). Former World Championships 100m silver medallist, Derrick Adkins (Bahamas), raced to gold in 10.09. Burns was also the second fastest in the heats in 10.32. Mickel Thomas was third in the men’s 100m hurdles finals in a Olympic A standard  time of 13.51, just 0.03 seconds off his best time of 13.48 seconds achieved at the Texas Relays.

Kamaria Durant (Simplex) sped to victory in the women’s B race at the OECS Invitational Championships at the Silver Jubilee Stadium, Bird Rock, St Kitts/Nevis on Sunday. Durant crossed the line in 11.72 ahead of Sherine Wells (Grenada) 11.74 and the T&T/Concorde duo of Lisa Wickham (11.82) and Shun-Shuna Mason (11.83). Virgil Hodge (St Kitts/Nevi) took the “A” race in 11.39 ahead of another T&T/Concorde lass Ayanna Hutchinson (11.58). Janelle Redhead (Grenada) 11.78 and Aaliyah Telesford (T&T/Pt Fortin New Jets) 12.04 took the third and fourth places respectively. Durant was also second in the women’s 200m (23.54) behind Redhead. The 2008 World Junior bronze medallist won in 23.21 (Olympic B Standard).

-Clayton Clarke

Source: www.guardian.co.tt