BOSTON, United States — There were two Jamaican winners on Saturday’s final day of the NCAA Division 1 Indoor track and field championships at The TRACK at New Balance in Massachusetts.

Rivaldo Marshall of University of Iowa won the men’s 800m his first time competing in the event while Romaine Beckford of University of Arkansas retained the men’s high jump title.

National record holder Lamara Distin of Texas A&M University lost her high jump crown, however, in an epic battle with Arkansas’ Rachel Glenn who equalled her college record of 2.00m.

Marshall, who transferred from Indian Hills Community College at the end of last year, had led the qualifiers on Friday. He took charge of the men’s 800m on the last lap and ran away from the field to win in 1:46.96 minutes.

“I am excited just to come out here and trust the preparation that we put in. This is great,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “Once I went to the front I told myself: ‘They will not be catching me again.’ ”

Beckford cleared a personal best-equalling and NCAA-leading 2.27m to beat a strong field, and after making one failed attempt at the Olympic qualifying mark of 2.33m, called it a day.

Beckford, who had won the event last year while competing for University of South Florida, became the first Arkansas winner of the event since 1998.

He was not at his fluent best, with one failure at 2.21m and only clearing 2.27m on the third attempt. He later told reporters he felt a slight discomfort so he and his coach decided to end the competition.

“We have bigger and better things to come,” Beckford promised.

Former St George’s College football player Zayne Palomino of University of Southern Mississippi was tied for fifth with 2.18m.

Distin was beaten in the women’s event, after back-to-back wins previously. She cleared 1.97m as Arkansas’ Glenn, who’s personal best coming into the championships was 1.94m, achieved 2.00m on her first attempt. Glenn equalled the Jamaican’s college record and broke the meet record 1.98m which was set by Destinee Hooker of Texas in 2009.

Distin, who had beaten Glenn at the South-Eastern Conference (SEC) two weeks ago, said she was satisfied.

“It was not my best day but I did okay,” she said. Distin also noted that her becoming the first woman to jump 2.00m at the NCAA level had inspired others to go after the mark.

“When I did it, I know others would start believing they can do it as well so I am not surprised that it took 2.00m to win today,” she also said.

Roschell Clayton of Villanova equalled her personal-best 1.88m to finish sixth in her first NCAA finals event.

Tarees Rhoden of Clemson, who led the first half of the race, faded to fifth in 1:47.79.

NCAA leader Luke Brown of University of Kentucky was second in the men’s triple jump with a best mark of 16.73m, just behind the winner Russell Robinson (17.76m) of University of Miami.

Terol Wilson of University of Nebraska was 13th with 15.43m.

Roje Stona of University of Arkansas threw a personal-best and programme record 20.48m for second in the men’s shot put, beating his previous best of 19.94m set in late February.

Courtney Lawrence of Clemson was ninth with a best of 18.94m; Kai Chang of University of Florida was 10th with 18.78m; and Warren Barrett of Liberty University was 16th with 17.98m.

JeVaughn Powell of University of Florida was fourth in the men’s 400m, running 45.59 seconds, while Shaemae Uter of Texas Tech was sixth in 45.94.

Travis Williams of University of Southern California placed fifth in the men’s 60m, running 6.64, while Jaheem Hayles of Syracuse was sixth in the men’s 60m hurdles in 7.73.

Williams told the Observer he had picked up a groin injury and was “running on one leg”.