Hyde, Salmon lead 400m hurdles semis
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Olympic Games semi-finalist Jaheel Hyde and Shiann Salmon led their respective 400m hurdles semi-finals as they seek to book their places on the Jamaican team to the World Championships next month.
Hyde ran 49.54 seconds to lead the qualifiers in the men’s 400m event.
Salmon ran a personal best 54.10 seconds in the women’s race.
Hyde was aggressive in his heat, going out hard to claim the top spot. World Championships finalist Kemar Mowatt, who was the only other runner under 50.00 seconds, clocked 49.99 seconds to get the second spot.
Shawn Rowe ran 50.08 seconds, Malik James-King- 50.15 seconds, Andre Clarke- 50.42 seconds and Marvin Williams-50.65 seconds, also qualified for the final.
World Championships semi-finalist Salmon saved her best for the Trials as she ran a well-paced race, beating her previous 54.43 seconds set a month ago in Puerto Rico.
Janieve Russell clocked 55.04 seconds, Andrenette Knight -54.55 seconds and Kimisha Chambers-56.03 seconds were also impressive.
Rushell Clayton, the bronze medalist from Doha in 2019, also did enough to advance, running 54.67 seconds.
Meanwhile, Navasky Anderson, who broke the 45-year-old national record just under three weeks ago, ran 1:48.24 seconds to lead the qualifiers for Sunday’s final of the men’s 800m, running from the front to control his heat.
Tarees Rhoden of Clemson University ran 1:48.42 seconds while Jamaica College schoolboy J’Voughnn Blake gutted out a brave 1:48.61 seconds, despite showing signs of not being well.
The start of his heat was held up as he had to be given fluids and after the race, he had to be helped off the track to the medical area.
Also advancing were defending champion Chevonne Hall in 1:49.08 seconds, Dugion Blackman – 1:48.78 seconds and Kimar Farquharson- 1:49.07seconds.