Alfred shines at New Balance Grand Prix in Boston

BOSTON, Massachusetts (CMC):

Olympic 100 metres champion Julian Alfred of St Lucia put in an early season master class performance yesterday at the New Balance Grand Prix in Boston.

Alfred stole the spotlight in the women’s 300m and claimed victory in a new St Lucian national record of 36.16 seconds.

The St Lucian dominated from the gun, clocking splits of 11.83 at 100m and 23.18 at 200m before powering to the finish line.

Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, who finished second in a personal best of 36.87, was left trailing in her wake. France’s Emma Montoya rounded out the podium in third with a time of 38.37.

On the men’s side, Bahamian sprinter Terrence Jones showcased his speed in the 60m dash, securing second place with a season’s best of 6.57 seconds. Jones was only outpaced by American world champion Noah Lyles, who blazed to victory in 6.52. PJ Austin of the United States claimed third in 6.60, and Italy’s Marcell Jacobs, a former Olympic 100m champion, had to settle for fourth in 6.63.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards also made his mark in the men’s 400m, finishing third in 46.49 seconds. Richards stayed competitive through the race, splitting 21.12 at 200m, but was ultimately overtaken by Americans Quincy Wilson and Will Sumner, who set personal bests of 45.66 and 46.27 seconds, respectively, to take the top two spots.

In the men’s high jump, Jamaica’s Romaine Beckford delivered a strong performance, clearing 2.19m to finish second on countback. He shared the same height as winner Vernon Turner of the United States and third-place finisher Luis Castro Rivera of Puerto Rico, who also achieved a season’s best.

Bahamian hurdler Devynne Charlton continued the Caribbean’s strong showing, clocking a season’s best of 7.85 seconds in the women’s 60m hurdles to secure third place. Charlton was narrowly edged out by Americans Masai Russell (7.80) and Grace Stark (7.81), who took first and second, respectively. Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent finished just off the podium in fourth with a time of 7.92.