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BSP-07
ATHLETICS-USA
Prandini powers to victory in 200m at US Nationals
CHICAGO, June 25, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – American sprinter Jenna Prandini didn’t
let a rain delay slow her down as she stormed to a dominant win in the
women’s 200 metre final at the US Track and Field championships on Sunday
Prandini clocked a 22.62 seconds into the headwind to beat reigning world
400 metre champion Phyllis Francis at the Drake University Stadium in Des
Moines, Iowa.
Francis finished in 22.83 while Kyra Jefferson was third in 22.89.
“I felt really good during the race,” said Prandini. “I am happy the
thunder and the weather let up. I just focused on my lane and ran a good
solid race and I am really excited.”
The event was delayed for three hours on Sunday afternoon because of
stormy weather. When the competition resumed it did so with a revised
schedule which saw Prandini’s race start a half hour after the athletes
returned to the track.
Shelby Houlihan claimed her second US title of the weekend and seventh in
her career with a win in the women’s 5,000m race.
Houlihan won the 1,500 Saturday and became the second runner to win the
1,500 and 5,000 in the same US Outdoor Nationals, joining Regina Jacobs who
accomplished the feat in 1999 and 2000.
Houlihan clocked a 15:31.03 to defeat runner-up Rachel Schneider who
finished in 15:32.71. Karissa Schweizer, who led for part of the race,
finished third.
On the men’s side, Olympic bronze medallist Clayton Murphy ran a final lap
of 51.97 to hold off Isaiah Harris and Erik Sowinski for 800m title with a
time of 1:46.50.
Sprinter Ameer Webb beat a weak field in the men’s 200m to retain his
title with a time of 20.47.
Michael Norman, who won two golds at the 2016 World Junior Track and Field
Championships, pulled out of the event before the final.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0922 hrs