By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer 
American Gail Devers (left) clears the final hurdle ahead of Jamaicans Lacena Golding-Clarke (centre) and Vonette Dixon on her way to victory in the women's 100m hurdles at Friday night's Jamaica International Invitational track and field meet at the National Stadium. Devers won in a year's best time of 12.50 seconds. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
THE JAMAICA Inter-national Invitational track and field meet held at the National Stadium on Friday night produced the year's first double outdoor winner, American super star Marion Jones.
Jones, a five-time Olympic Games medallist first captured the 100m title in 11.04, the second fastest time of the year behind American Lauryn Williams (11.01) and ahead of Jamaica's Sherone Simpson (11.11).
About two hours later, Jones, a bronze medallist in the long jump at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, won the International Invitational's long jump with the year's leading leap of 6.73 metres.
Maria Mutola of Mozambique and Jamaica's Davian Clarke also showed good early season form.
More than 17,000 spectators, dominated by a full grandstand, gave up their biggest cheer of the night when Clarke came into the straight of the 400m in front.
In his season opener, Clarke stopped the clock in 45.50 seconds, beating the US's Derek Brew (45.96) and fellow countryman Michael McDonald (46.06). Other Jamaicans, Jermaine Gonzales (46.44) and Mellard Brown (47.26) finished fifth and sixth respectively.
In the women's event, the US dominated with Jearl Miles-Clark (51.50), Monique Hennagan (51.64) and Kia Davis (52.31) finishing in the top three positions.
Former Jamaica national champion Sandie Richards (52.47), Ronetta Smith (52.67), Holmwood's schoolgirl Sonita Sutherland (53.49), Sheryl Morgan (54.19) and Davita Prendergast (55.00) were the Jamaicans in the race.
MUTOLA WINS
In the women's 800m, Olympic and World Champion Mutola led from start to finish to win in 2:00.38. American Hazel Clark, who kept Mutola in stride up to the final 100m before she was forced back, finished second in 2:01.46 and Jamaica's Michelle Ballentine rounded out the top three (2:01.86).
Zach Whitmarsh of the US (1:47.11) ran a very good final 100m to beat Kenyan Simon Kimata (1:47.19) on the line in the men's 800m. Jamaica's Evon Allen (1:48.06) and Marvin Watts (1:50.16), who led for the first lap, finished third and fourth respectively.
There were no surprises in the women's 100m hurdles. American Gail Devers got off to a good start and blew away the field to win in a world leading 12.50 seconds. Also producing season and personal best times were Jamaica's Delloreen Ennis-London (12.69) and Lacena Golding-Clarke (12.69) respectively.
Gail Devers, 37, a three-time former World Champion said she was happy with the victory.
"This is my first race (this season). This is earlier than I would normally run, but I am glad I got it out of the way," Devers said. "The first one is always a tough one. Now I have to go back and train and see where I am from there."
Devers said the competition from the Jamaicans was good.
"The Jamaicans have always been great. I have always had great competition from them. I know I have to be on my game and I cannot make any mistakes. Lacena ran a great race so I need to go home, look at the tape and get back on my programme."
In the men's 110m hurdles, Ron Bramlett of the US (13.58) won ahead of former national record holder Chris Pinnock (13.60) and fellow American Ryan Wilson (13.65). Other Jamaicans, Decosmo Wright (13.75), Sheldon Leith (14.15) and Bryan Haye (14.64) finished out of medal contention.
National champion Danny McFarlane (48.93), Kemel Thompson (48.95), Dinsdale Morgan (49.78) and Neil Gardener (49.84) all finished behind winner Labronze Garnett of the US who did 48.76 in the men's 400m hurdles.
BIG LEAP
Jamaican-born Mark Boswell, now representing Canada, won the men's long jump with a leap of 2.27m. Matt Hemmingway of the US was second with 2.24m. Eliud Njubi of Kenya won the men's 1500m in 3:41.10 ahead of the US's Seneca Lassiter (3:41.66). The men's long jump went to World Champion Savante Stringfellow of the US with a leap of 7.81.
In the 200m, America's Coby Miller and Cayman Island's Sydonie Mothersill topped their respective fields. In the women's section, Mothersill won in 22.94 ahead of Wylleshia Myrick of US (23.01) and Peta-Gaye Dowdie (23.12).
Jamaica's Chris Williams finished second in the men's race behind Miller.
