KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a competitive second heat of the 4x400m at the IAAF World Championships in London, Stephenie-Ann McPherson anchored the Jamaican team to win in a season’s best of 3:23.64 ahead of Nigeria (3:25.40) and Germany (3:26.24).

The other three on the Jamaican team were Anastasia Le-Roy, Anneisha Mclaughlin-Whilby and Chrisann Gordon.

Poland (3:26.47) and France (3:27.59), who were fourth and fifth, both qualified on time.

In the first heat, the Americans took command right from the start, opening up a winning margin of 20-25 metres ahead of Britain, as Natasha Hastings anchored the team to a world-lead of 3:21.66.

Britain was second in 3:24.74, while Botswana set a national record of 3:26.90 to claim the third automatic qualifying spot.

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s men team of Peter Matthews, Steven Gayle, Jamari Rose

and Rusheen Mcdonald, who ran in heat one, finished fourth and were not fast enough to qualify as one of two fast losers.

In fact, the top five finishers in the second heat were all faster than the first heat winners. The United States progressed in a world-lead of 2:59.23 ahead of Trinidad & Tobago (2:59.35) while a trio of Borlees helped Belgium into the final with 2:59.47.

The British team dropped back to fourth but still qualified on time with 3:00.10 along with France (3:00.92).

The top three in heat one were Spain (3:01.72), Poland (3:01.78) and Cuba (3:01.88).