Beckford dips below two minutes, Fowler produces personal best at Under Armour

Jamaica's Kelly-Ann Beckford and Kevongaye Fowler outdid themselves in their respective 800 metres events at Saturday's Under Armour Track and Field Nationals at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Competing in the Pro National women's two-lap event, Beckford, the national champion in the event, went under two minutes for the first time in her career, winning impressively in 1:58.88 ahead of Victoria Bossong of New Balance, who was second in 1:59.51, with McKenzie Kevaughn of the United States third in 2:00.81.

It was a massive improvement for Beckford, whose previous best was 2:00.17 done in Freeport, Bahamas, at the 2025 NACAC Championships, where she finished third for the bronze medal.

Edwin Allen High schoolgirl Fowler, who won the event in Class Two at this year's ISSA Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships, was at her supreme best, finishing second in a lifetime best 2:05.74, lowering her previous best of 2:07.64. She finished behind Kaitlyn Estep, who won in 2:04.78, with Ava Kavanaugh of the US, third in 2:06.01.

In the event, Fowler turned back several members of the IMG Academy team that won the High School Championships of America 4x800m title at this year's Penn Relays in Philadelphia.

Coach of Fowler, Michael Dyke, who was in Florida over the weekend to witness the meet, was proud of Fowler's achievement.

"I think it was a great experience for Kevongaye, competing against some of the USA's top 800-metre girls and placing second with a huge personal best, and I am happy for her," said Dyke.

Dyke thinks she could have gone much faster.

"I think, however, it was a poorly executed race, and she could have gone much faster, but this shows her true potential because once she learns how to better organise and distribute her effort over the two laps, I am confident she can break the national junior record," said Dyke, who thinks more opportunities like this should be given to young middle-distance athletes locally to compete against the best.

Two other Jamaicans were in action at the meet. National senior record holder in the men's 800 metres, Navasky Anderson, finished second in the Pro Professional men's event in 1:44.56, just behind winner Wes Ferguson of the United States, who won in 1:44.41, with Handal Roban of St Vincent third in 1:45.08.

Edwin Allen schoolboy Joel Morgan, who won the event in Class One at this year's ISSA Boys and Girls' Championships, had to settle for eighth in the boys’ event, clocking 1:50.59. Joshua Sharpe won in 1:47.22 ahead of Nicholas Ferguson, second in 1:48.54, and Ryan Georgesson, third in 1:48.61.