Nelson, Roswell finish on podiums in LA

World Championships 2022 4x100-metre relay silver medallist Kemba Nelson and 2023 Big 12 Outdoor National Collegiate Athletics Association  Division One 100m hurdles gold medallist, Demisha Roswell, were the only Jamaicans to finish in the top three at Saturday's Los Angeles Track Fest meet inside Drake Stadium at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Competing in the women's 100 metres final, Nelson was involved in a very close finish with American Tamari Davis as both athletes clocked 11.08 seconds, with the latter given the win. Jacious Sears of the United States finished third in 11.09. Another Jamaican in the final, Lavanya Williams, placed fourth in 11.19, while Briana Williams was seventh in 11.34. Teenager Theianna Lee Terrelonge was ninth in a modest 11.47s.

In the men's event, both Jamaicans, Ackeem Blake and Deandre Daley, failed to fire, with the latter ending seventh in 10.47. Pre-race favourite, Blake, finished at the back in ninth in 11.55, apparently suffering from an injury. 

Blake went into the final with the fastest time, clocking 9.99 to win his preliminary round. World number two this season, Max Thomas of the United States, won in 10.12 ahead of Pjai Austin, second in 10.19, and Sam Blaskowski, third in 10.21.

Competing in the women's 100m hurdles, Roswell ended third in 12.73, while Tokyo World Championships representative Amoi Brown was fourth in 12.81. Former world record holder Kendra Harrison of the United States won in 12.53, finishing ahead of compatriot Alysha Johnson, second in 12.55.

Candice McLeod finished eighth in the women's 400 metres in 54.37 seconds. The event was won by Lear Bailey of the United States in 51.41. Bailey finished ahead of Shamier Little, 51.53s. Lafranz Campbell’s 13.67 seconds was only good enough for eighth in the men's 110m hurdles.