Raymond Graham, Freelance Reporter

Simpson

SHERONE Simpson, slowly regaining her best form after an injury-plagued 2007, took second spot in the 100 metres at yesterday's Nike Prefontaine Track and Field Classic in Eugene, Oregon, yesterday.

The 2006 top-ranked female in both the 100 and 200 metres clocked 10.99 seconds, her best time this season. Simpson, who won the Berlin Golden League 200 metres a week ago, had the better once again of countrywoman Kerron Stewart, who was third in the same time. American Torri Edwards won in 10.94 as her compatriot, world 200m champion Allyson Felix, ended fourth in 11.09.

Third-place finishes

There were also third-place finishes for Shericka Williams in the 400m and Lacena Golding-Clarke in the 100m hurdles.

Competing in her second 400 metres race of the year, Shericka Williams, the former national champion, became Jamaica's top woman over the one lap event this season when she ran on strongly for the bronze in a season-best 50.34. World 400m bronze medallist Novlene Williams could only manage fourth in 50.92 as the American pair, Sanya Richards (50.10) and Mary Wineberg (50.32) seconds, took the top-two spots.

Golding-Clarke showed that she is in good form with the National Championships just around the corner as she got the better of Brigitte Foster-Hylton in the 100m hurdles. Her time was 12.65 while Foster finished at the back of the field in fifth position in 12.75.

Disqualified

The race, which saw world leader Demu Cherry of the United States being disqualified for false starting, was won by Joanna Hayes in a wind-aided 12.53. The wind reading was plus 3.1 metres per second.

Michael Frater was sixth in the men's 100m in 10.24. His MVP Track Club training partner, Trinidad and Tobago's Darrel Brown, won the event for the second year in a row in 10.07, just ahead of Americans Ivory Williams, 10.10 and 18-year-old Jeff Demps, third in 10.19.

Former World 200 metres silver medallist, Christopher Williams, could only manage seventh in the 200m in 20.74 as Americans Wallace Spearmon (20.14), Shawn Crawford (20.25) and Xavier Carter (20.29) took the top-three places.