Williams among winners at UWI Invitational

KINGSTON, Jamaica,  CMC – Olympic and World Championship 400-metre silver medallist Shericka Williams registered a 200-metre victory Saturday as several of the island’s elite athletes appeared at the early season UWI Gatorade Invitational.

In landing the Olympic Development half-lap event, Williams sped to a 23.25 clocking, while world sprint stars including Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson appeared in 400-metre races.

Williams outran former CARIFTA Games champion Schillonie Calvert (23.97) to secure her 200-metre win.

Powell, the former 100-metre world record holder, captured his heat of the 400 metres in 47.56 seconds as he accelerated in the homestretch away from his rivals, including former national 400-metre champion Lancford Spence.

Jermaine Gonzalez produced the quickest quarter-mile time, landing heat three in 46.37 seconds.

Rosemarie Whyte, an Olympic 1600-metre relay bronze medallist in Beijing, won the women’s 400 metres in 52.19, chased by Nadia Cunningham (53.92).

Simpson, the Olympic 100-metre silver medallist in Beijing, was third in 54.43 to complete a sweep in the event for MVP Track Club athletes.
Anneisha McLaughlin won the collegiate 400 in 53.50.