FLORIDA, United States — Kimar Farquharson sent a message that he could be a force to be reckoned with later this season after he won the men’s 800m on Saturday’s finals day of the Tom Jones Invitational held at the University of Florida track and field complex.

Running 1:46.69s, Farquharson, who was representing Texas A&M University, beat a quality field that included four top Jamaicans who will all be seeking a spot on the Jamaican team to the Olympic Games in Paris in July/August.

National record holder Navasky Anderson, who has already qualified for the Olympics, was second in 1:46.76 seconds in his first race of the season. Tareese Rhoden of Clemson University was third with 1:46.82 seconds while Tyrese Reid of Mississippi State University was seventh overall in 1:47.67 seconds.

NCAA Indoor champion Rivaldo Marshall of the University of Iowa was down to run but did not show up.

Meanwhile, Kelly-Ann Beckford of the University of Houston lowered her outdoor personal best and school outdoor record to 2:00.70 seconds as she placed third in the women’s 800m.

National U-20 record holder, Alana Reid ran a season’s best 11.09 seconds (1.2m/s) for fifth place in the women’s 100m Olympic Development race, Kemba Nelson was seventh in her season opener in 11.15 seconds (1.2m/s) while Kashieka Cameron ran 11.38 seconds (1.6m/s) and Yanique Dale- 11.41 seconds (1.1m/s).

Shenese Walker of Florida State University ran a personal best 11.23 (1.6m/s) in the women’s 100m event.

Ryiem Forde was seventh in the men’s 100m Olympic Development with 10.12 seconds (1.7m/s), Brian Levell ran a personal best 10.16 seconds (0.1m/s) Andre Ewers ran 10.19 seconds and Andre Bent 10.34 seconds.

World Championships finalist Lamara Distin of Texas A&M University was second in the women’s high jump, clearing 1.92m in her first outdoor meet of the season.

Nickisha Pryce of the University of Arkansas picked up where she left off last year, as she opened her 400m outdoor season with a personal best of 50.13 seconds, under the 50.21 seconds she ran at the Jamaican national championships last year.

Onieka McAnuff of the University of Kentucky ran 53.19 seconds and Joanne Reid of Arkansas ran 53.78 seconds.

In the women’s Olympic Development race, World Championships relay medallist Stacey Williams was second overall with 50.71 seconds, on her outdoors debut over the distance.

Charokee Young ran 51.59 seconds, Rushell Clayton- 51.81 seconds, Andrenette Knight- 52.02 seconds and Junelle Bromfield – 52.64 seconds.

World Championships relay medallist JeVaughn Powell of the University of Florida was fourth in the men’s 400m invitational in 45.21 seconds, his teammate Reheem Hayles ran 45.83 seconds, Demar Francis of Baylor University ran 46.00 seconds and Shaemar Uter of Texas Tech ran 46.21 seconds.

Ackera Nugent, former World U20 champion and finalist at the World Championships last year was fourth in the 100m hurdles in 12.52 seconds (0.8m/s), just ahead of World Championships gold medallist Danielle Williams – 12.57 seconds.

Danae Nembhard of the University of Auburn lowered her personal best twice in the women’s 100m hurdles Invitational, running 12.96 seconds (1.1m/s) in the finals after she had run 13.00 seconds (1.5m/s) in the semi-finals earlier.

Marie Forbes threw a Clemson University program record 58.31m for second in the Women’s Discus Throw Invite, beating her previous best of 56.93m she set in 2023.

Luke Brown improved his own University of Kentucky men’s outdoor triple jump record when he paced fourth with 16.48m (-2.0m/s) after he had jumped 16.40m a week earlier.

Kai Change from the University of Florida men’s discus throw record holder was fourth in the men’s discus throw Invite with 59.88m while Daniel Cope of Clemson had a season’s best 61.58m in the men’s hammer throw.