DES MOINES, Iowa (CMC) — Shereefa Lloyd had the best performance from among the Caribbean athletes that took part in the Drake Relays yesterday.

The 28-year-old from Jamaica clocked 51.84 seconds to win the women’s 400 metres at Drake Stadium.

Kineke Alexander of St Vincent & the Grenadines finished fourth in 53.09 secs behind Americans Angee Henry (51.89) and Mary Wineberg (53.01).

Five Caribbean athletes — headed by Trinidad & Tobago’s 2009 Sportsman-of-the-Year Renny Quow and British Virgin Islands sprinter Tahesia Harrigan — took home silver medals from the meet.

Quow, the 2009 World Championships 400m bronze medallist, clocked 45.69 to finish behind two-time American World Indoor mile relay champion Greg Nixon (45.08).

Harrigan had to settle for second, as American Lashauntea Moore set a Drake Relays record on her way to running the fastest women’s time in the World this year of 11.13 seconds in the women’s 100 dash.

Jamaica national champion Isa Phillips was the defending Drake Relays men’s 400 hurdles champion, but he placed second in 49.47.

2009 World Championship silver medallist Javier Culson from Puerto Rico posted the second fastest outdoor time in the World this year to win in 48.67.

Guyanese Adam Harris finished a commendable second in 20.77 in the men’s 200, which four-time World Championships medallist Wallace Spearmon of the United States won in 20.20.

The men’s high jump was such a competitive affair that the top four finishers all cleared 2.21 metres. Bahamian Trevor Barry was one of three athletes that tied for second, and American Keith Moffat was adjudged the winner for the least number of jumps.

In the women’s version, Lavern Spencer of St Lucia cleared 1.90 metres to finish third behind Chaunte Lowe, who posted the World’s top outdoor mark in the women’s high jump so far this year at 1.96 and set a Drake Relays record while defending her title, and fellow American Deidre Mullen.

In the college/university section, Jamaican Kimour Bruce ran the anchor leg, and compatriot Dwain Bryden ran the bend to help Lincoln University (Missouri) win the men’s 4×400 relay in a time of 40.13 secs.

The Drake Relays has grown to become one of the largest and most important track & field meets in the United States, attracting top university and professional talent alike.