Impressive 400m run by Simpson

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Beijing Olympics 100-metre silver medallist, Sherone Simpson, displayed outstanding early season form to top the women's 400 metres at the Queen's/Grace Jackson Invitational Meet at the National Stadium yesterday.

Simpson clocked a near personal best 51.42 seconds to win her heat, a time which put her well ahead of her rivals in the time finals. The MVP athlete's best over the distance is 51.25, a time she set five months before getting silver over 100m in Beijing.

Anneisha McLaughlin, also of MVP, clocked 51.89 for second in the heat won by Simpson, while the third-best time was returned by national 400m hurdler Nickiesha Wilson of Racers Track Club who clocked 53.94.

MVP's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the 2008 Olympic and 2009 World 100-metre champion, won her heat in a relatively slow 55.72 but said she was comfortable with the pace of her season so far.

"I think it was okay but I think that I could have done a lot better," said Fraser-Pryce, who won Olympic gold in 10.78 in 2008 and gold at the 2009 World Championships in a national record 10.73.

"My season has been going well so far and so I am just looking to stay healthy and to work as hard as I can to achieve my goals for the remainder of the season," she added.

Women's 200 metre

Melaine Walker, the 2008 Olympic and 2009 World 400 metres champion, had a close early battle with MVP teammate Sherika Williams in their 200m heat before the latter pulled away to win in 23.12, a good time for this early in the season. Walker was second in 23.46 and Shereefa Lloyd was third in (23.65).

Walker, who won the 400m hurdles silver medal at last year's World Championships, in Daegu South Korea, said she was very delighted with the execution of her race.

"I am very pleased and I am also excited because it's a long time since I have done any sprints and so I did well today in my 200m race," said Walker.

Michael Frater, a finalist in the men's 100m Beijing and a relay gold medallist at the same Games, ran 21.54 for third in heat one of the men's 200m behind the winner Edino Steel of Racers Track Club (21.23). Rusheen McDonald of (UTech) finished third in 21.53.

Allodin Fothergill of Racers Track Club sped to a best time of 47.00 seconds in the men's 400 metres to emerge the overall winner. Other leading times were returned by Palacio Castillo of the High Performance Centre (48.80) and national sprinter Dexter Lee of Swept Track Club (49.30).

Rayan Lawrence of MVP clocked 1:54.00, to win the men's 800m ahead of Michael Mason of Sprint Tech (1:55.58) and Melard Brown of Swept Track Club (1:55.86).