TT-born Clement sets SEC record

Defending NCAA national champions’ Kerron Clement of Florida and Tyson Gay of Arkansas put their reputations on the line over the weekend at Vanderbilt at the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Clement, who won an NCAA crown last year in the 400-metre hurdles, delivered a blistering time of 48.29 on Sunday — the fastest in the nation this year, his personal best and a new SEC record.

"I’m the biggest target right now, so I’ve got to stay focused and do what I’ve got to do," said Clement, a native of Trinidad who became an American citizen last year. "I was pleased with my time."

Clement capped the weekend by running the final leg to help Florida win the 4x400 relay in the final men’s event of the night.

Gay, a Lexington, Ky, product, entered the SEC Championships after capturing NCAA crowns a year ago in the 100 and 200-metre runs.

But Gay was dethroned Sunday, as Mississippi State’s Steve Mullings won the 100 metres in 10.15 and LSU’s Xavier Carter, also a member of the Tiger football squad, claimed the 200 metres in 20.6.

Gay knew he would be a marked man once he arrived in Nashville.

"At the beginning of the race, they announce that you are the defending champion," he said. "People start gunning for you after that. I had some tough competition. I knew I would. I have to give all respect to my competition."

Mullings, a native of Jamaica, overwhelmed the field with a quick start in the 100.

"Steve Mullings got out pretty well," Gay said. "I started pressing, trying to catch him. Once you do that, the race is over.