Ruddock, Henry, James Impressive at Texas A&M Challenge

Three members of the Caribbean Tracklife pre-season watch list posted impressive performances at the Texas A&M Challenge over the weekend.

Texas A&M’s Natasha Ruddock of Jamaica continues to display fine form this season by capturing the 60m hurdles in a brisk 8.18 secs. University of Alabama’s Jamaican native Kim Laing was second in a personal best 8.30 followed by Ruddock’s teammate Vashti Thomas (8.43) in third.  Ruddock, formerly of St Jago High School and Essex County College (NJ), posted a season best 8.06 secs in the 60m hurdles last week at the same venue.

The US Virgin Island’s Tabarie Henry, representing Texas A&M, captured the men’s 400m in 46.14 secs ahead of teammate Byran Miller 46.47 secs. Chantel Malone of the University of Texas and the British Virgin Island captured the women’s 400m in 54.27 secs.

Grenada’s Kirani James, the 17-year-old freshman sensation from the University of Alabama, competing in his first 200m, posted an impressive 20.94 secs for second place behind winner Texas A&M’s Curtis Mitchell (20.80). Texas A&M’s Gerald Phiri was third in 21.23 secs.

Other Meet:

At the Boston University Valentine Invitational in Massachusetts, Jamaica had a 1-2-3 finish in the 400m with Edino Steele winning the event in 46.54 secs, followed by Essex County College’s Riker Hylton (46.70) and Sanjay Ayre (47.02).

Guyana’s Aliann Pompey took 1st place in the women’s 400m in 52.40 secs and was 2nd in the 200m in 23.69. 
                                                                                                             -O’Neil A. Reid