KINGSTON, Jamaica — The long-awaited return to the track of Jamaican prodigy Brianna Lyston happened on Saturday as she finished second in the 60m dash at the New Balance Indoor meet in Boston, USA, on her pro debut.

Lyston clocked 7.11 seconds for the runner-up spot to British star Dina Asher-Smith, who won in 7.08. Leah Bertrand of Trinidad and Tobago was third, some distance back in 7.32 seconds.

The 21-year-old Lyston had not raced since last March after she announced her decision to forgo her remaining NCAA eligibility at Louisiana State University (LSU) to turn professional while signing a sponsorship deal with Adidas.

Lyston, along with her high school rivals Tina and Tia Clayton, are expected to take over the mantle of Jamaican sprinting from the retired Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson and Shericka Jackson.

She first gained international attention at age 12 by setting a world age-group record in the 200m (23.72s) while representing St Jago High before switching to Hydel High.

She has personal bests of 7.03 over 60m, 10.91 for the 100m and 22.31 for the 200m, all established in 2024.

Lyston is currently being coached by veteran Launce Brauman at Pure Athletics in Florida.

During her time at LSU, Lyston established herself as one of the fastest sprinters in collegiate history, winning the 2024 NCAA Indoor 60m title in 7.03 seconds, which at the time was the second-fastest in collegiate history and a school record.

She secured multiple Southeastern Conference (SEC) individual titles, including the 2024 outdoor 100m (10.91s) and the 2024 indoor 60m. Lyston is a six-time USTFCCCA First Team All-American.

She won the 200m gold medal at the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia.