Davis II, Mc Knight earn NCAA silver

Both junior athletes received silver in their respective events. Contesting the Men’s 60m hurdles, Davis II (Texas A&M) finished in runner-up position in a time of 7.59 seconds.

He crossed the line ahead of third placed Clemson athlete Spencer Adams (7.60s) and Florida’s winner, Eddie Lovett (7.50s). Lovett’s golden performance saw him wipe away the previous meet record of 7.51s set by Aries Merritt back in 2006. In the preliminary round, Davis advanced with the fifth fastest time (7.679s).

Arkansas sprinter McKnight then teamed up with her school’s Women’s 4x400m squad to claim silver. The 22-year-old, along with Gwendolyn Flowers, Martine Borge and Regina George stopped the clock in 3:30.35. They defeated bronze medallists Texas (3:30.63) and went down to a strong Oregon (3:30.22) team.

Earlier in the day, McKnight finished seventh in the Women’s 400m. She got to the line in 52.52s. In the qualifier stages, she advanced with the eighth fastest time (52.85s).

Meanwhile, what was expected to be a runaway victory for Texas A&M athlete Deon Lendore in the Men’s 400m event, saw the youngster finish in a distant sixth place on Saturday night. Lendore, who presently holds the world’s fastest indoor time (45.15s) for the season, clocked a slow 46.10s.

In the preliminary round, Lendore ironically finished with the fastest time of 45.36s. The Texas A&M sophomore was billed as favourite for this event, but was unable to produce another one of his several golden performances of the season. However, Lendore’s 45.15s showing two weeks ago still stands as a new TT indoor and Texas A&M record. Additionally, Hilenn James contested the Women’s shot put and held on to seventh place.

The Georgia State University junior threw a personal best distance of 17.03m.

In the Women’s 60m, Portland State University athlete Gerrone Black grabbed eighth spot in heat two and finished 15th overall. She clocked 7.40s.

At the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships on Saturday, national sprinter Reyare Thomas missed out on medalling in the Women’s 200m after finishing fourth in 23.51s. On Friday, the Abilene Christian University student finished with first (23.82s) in heat five, advancing fourth fastest.

Thomas also contested the 60m dash but was forced to settle for fifth in 7.45s. Her qualifying run saw her finish second (7.47s) in heat three and eighth overall.

At the same meet, St Augustine College student Jameel Walcott finished sixth (54.50s) in heat one of Men’s 800m event to claim 15th overall.