Bledman leads the world

Keston Bledman bolted to the top of the 2015 world performance list when he scorched the track in 10.01 seconds for a convincing victory in the Tom Jones Memorial men’s 100 metres dash, in Florida, USA, on Friday.

The Trinidad and Tobago track star finished well ahead of his closest challenger, American Marvin Bracy securing second spot in 10.11.

Two Saturdays ago, also in Florida, Bledman ran his first 100m race for the season, clocking a wind-assisted 9.97 seconds. He returned to the track later in the day for victory in the final in a windy 9.94.

On Friday, the wind cooperated with Bledman, and he produced the sixth fastest legal time of his career.

Another T&T sprinter, Richard “Torpedo” Thompson is third on the 2015 world performance list at 10.04, behind Bledman (10.01) and American Trayvon Bromell (10.02).

Kelly-Ann Baptiste dived under 11 seconds in her first 100m outing since the completion of a 21-month doping ban, in January.

Baptiste won the Tom Jones Memorial women’s century in 10.98 seconds, the clocking earning her fourth spot on the 2015 world performance list. Jamaican Elaine Thompson and American Jenna Prandini are joint-first at 10.92, while third spot is occupied by another T&T sprinter, Michelle-Lee Ahye, who clocked 10.97 seconds on April 2.

At the Penn Relays, in Pennsylvania, St Augustine Secondary student Portious Warren seized silver in the high school girls’ shot put championship. The 2015 Carifta Games under-20 champion threw the iron ball 14.69 metres.

Coppin State University’s Deandra Daniel finished sixth in the college women’s high jump with a 1.74m clearance. Steve Waithe was eighth in the college men’s triple jump, the Pennsylvania State University student disturbing the sand at 15.41m.

Andre Marcano clocked 10.95 seconds for ninth spot in the Olympic Development men’s 100m dash. Toco Secondary’s Terrel Paul was 15th in the high school boys’ triple jump with a 13.54m effort.

St Benedict’s College student, Iley Bruce was 22nd in the high school boys’ 3,000m in nine minutes, 36.71 seconds. And Temple University’s Kiersten LaRoche produced a wind-aided 5.07m jump to finish 48th in the college women’s long jump.

Bishop’s High School, Tobago students, Ako Hislop, Akanni Hislop, Aaron Lewis and Dwight St Hillaire teamed up for eighth spot in the high school boys’ 4x100m small schools event in 42.48 seconds.

Queen’s Royal College emerged as the best of the T&T schools in the high school boys’ 4x400m event, Jesse Frederick, Keivonne Alexander, Elijah Smith and Jacob St Clair teaming up for fourth spot in their section in 3:21.96.

St Francois Girls College was the most impressive of the T&T schools in the high school girls’ 4x100m event. Jeneil Morris, Kadesha Prescott, Jeminise Parris and Thyla-Marie Scott teamed up for 24th spot overall in the large schools category in 49.80 seconds.

In the high school girls’ 4x400m, the Bishop Anstey High School combination of Kafi Ottley, Deleth Charles, Je’Risa James and Jeunice Maxime returned a time of 4:04.11 to finish fourth in their section.

Deon Lendore anchored his university, Texas A&M to silver in the college men’s 4x400m championship of America in 3:04.99. He also anchored Texas A&M to silver in the college men’s 4x100m championship of America in 39.56 seconds.

In the masters men’s 65 and older 100m dash, Terrance Skinner finished third in 13.87 seconds. And in the masters men’s 55 and older 100m, Wayne Marcano was fifth in 13.10.

University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) finished 26th in the college men’s 4x200m in 1:29.65, 33rd in the college men’s sprint medley (3:41.15), 37th in the college women’s 4x200m (1:43.66), and 49th in the college men’s 4x400m (3:25.50).

At the Drake Relays, in Iowa, Arizona State University junior Jamol James finished 10th in the men’s long jump with a 7.25m leap. And Baylor University senior, Dannielle Davis was 22nd overall in the women’s 100m hurdles in 14.61 seconds.