The 2024 inaugural Edwin Moses Legends Meet was held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at the Edwin Moses Track on the campus of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Apart from Edwin Moses, several legends were in attendance. These included the Americans Gwen Torrance, Yolanda “Gail” Devers and the Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown. By all indications, the meet was a resounding success. The Edwin Moses Legends Meet is promoted by the Puma American Track League and Paul Doyle. Edwin Moses has signed a one-year license for the use of his name. The Meet featured the sensational performance by Sydney MacLaughlin-Levrone in the women’s 400m hurdles where she posted a world-leading 52.70 seconds. Other winners included Tamara Clark (100m), Kendra Harrison (100m hurdles) and Christopher Bailey (400m). Below are some of the highlights from the Meet.
MacLaughlin-Levrone sizzles in Women’s 400m Hurdles Final
There was much anticipation of Sydney McLaughlin-Levorne opening her season in the 400m hurdles. After throwing down a fast 22.07 in the 200m a week prior, McLaughlin-Levorne returned to lay down the gauntlet in the 400m hurdles, posting a World Lead of 52.70. MacLaughlin-Levrone, the world-record holder in the event (51.90) ran a controlled race before decimated the field in the last 150m. Michelle Smith of the US Virgin Island was second in a distant 55.96, while Grace Claxton of Puerto Rico was third in 56.26. The field was rounded-out by Alanah Yukich of Australia in 56.62, Sage Walker of Canada in 56.94, Daniela Rojas Gutierrez of Costa Rica in 57.27 and Ashley Spencer of the USA in 1:02.84.
Bahamian Smith-Hall goes sub-49 in Men’s 400m Hurdles race
Shakeem Hall-Smith of the Bahamas won the men’s 400m hurdles final in 48.79, while Khallifah Rosser and Alrich Bailer Jr. were second and third, respectively, in 48.99 and 49.19. The field was rounded-out by James Smith of the USA in 49.40, Cory Poole of the USA in 49.71, Rilwan Alowonle of Nigeria in 50.52 and Jacques Guillaume of the USA in 52.33
Austin and Clark take the Sprint titles
Pjai Austin of the USA posted 10.03, to win the men’s 100m final, ahead of his countryman Ronnie Baker, who stopped the clock in 10.15 and Jelani Walker of Jamaica, who was third in 10.19. The field was rounded-out by Duan Asemota of Canada in 10.20, Rikkoi Brathwaite of the British Virgin Island in 10.21, Cejhae Greene of Antigua in 10.29, Elijah Hall of the USA in 10.34 and Matthew Boling of the USA in 10.38.
Tamara Clark of the USA won the women’s 100m final in 11.04, while her countrywomen Celera Barnes and Morolake Akinosun were second and third, respectively, posting times of 11.08 and 11.14. The field was rounded-out by Audrey Leduc of Canada in 11.17, Favour Ofili of Nigeria in 11.20, English Gardener of the USA in 11.24, Javianne Oliver of the USA in 11:40 and Maia McCoy of Liberia in 11.41.
US dominates the Men’s 200m, Canada’s Leduc best Clark in Women’s equivalent
There were seven USA entrants and one entrant from Great Britain. The first seven places were taken by US athletes. Terrance Liard won the men’s 200m final in 20.30, while Christian Miller was second in 20.54 and Matthew Boling was third in 20.58. The field was rounded-out by Elijah Hall in 20.62, Jeremiah Curry in 20.77, David Dunlap in 20.78, Elijah Morrow in 20.88 and Michael Ohioze of Great Britain in 20.99.
Audrey Leduc of Canada won the women’s 200m in 22.36, while Tamara Clark of the USA was second in 22.39 and Kennedy Flannel of the USA was third in 23.13. The field was rounded-out by Na’Asha Robinson of the USA in 23.34, Camille Rutherford of the Bahamas in 23.45, Samantha Gonzales of the USA in 23.46, Printassia Johnson of the Bahamas in 23.53 and Halle Hazzard of Grenada in 24.62.
Bailey and Hayes victorious in the quarter mile
Christopher Bailey of the USA won the men’s 400m final in 44.42, while his countryman Jacory Patterson and Brian Faust were second and third, respectively, in 45.19 and 45.30. The field was rounded-out by Alonzo Russell of the Bahamas in 46.14, Wilbert London of the USA in 46.16, Dubem Nwachukwu of Nigeria in 46.69 and Kasaum James of the USA in 47.00.
Quanera Hayes of the USA and Kendall Ellis of the USA were first and second, respectively in the women’s 400m final, posting 50.88 and 51.05, while Paola Moran of Mexico was third in 51.30. The field was rounded-out by Talitha Diggs of the USA in 51.64, Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain in 51.70, Bailey Lear and Courtney Okolo of the USA in 52.38 and 52.58, respectively.
Lopez and Maloney triumphant in the 2-lap event.
Jesus Tonatiu Lopez of Mexico won the men’s 800m final in 1:45.79, while Alex Amankwa of Ghana was second in 1:46.18 and Quamel Prince of Guyana was third in 1:146.23. The field was rounded-out by Abraham Alvarado of the USA in 1:46.47, Sam Ellis of the USA in 1:47.07, Luciano Fiore of the USA in 1:47.17, Shane Stretch of the USA in 1:47.44, Josh Hoey of the USA in 1:47.72 and Navasky Anderson of Jamaica in 1:48.61. Will Summer of the USA did not finish the race.
Shafiqua Maloney of St. Vincent won the women’s 800m in 1:59.31, while the Americans Kate Grace, Olivia Baker, Kendra Coleman, and Kate Mitchell posted 2:00.68, 2:01.06, 2:01.56 and 2:01.83 for second, third, fourth and fifth, respectively. The field was rounded-out by Aurora Rynda of Canada in 2:02.27, Presley Weems of the USA in 2:03.89, Charlene Lipsey of the USA in 2:05.00, Hannah Segrave of Great Britain in 2:05.10, Ajee’ Wilson of the USA in 2:06.13. Chrisann Gordon-Powell of Jamaica and Sadi Henderson of the USA did not finish.
Prakel and Maclean best in the 1500m
Samuel Prakel of the USA won the men’s 1500m final in 3:35.73, while his countrymen Johnathan Reniewicki and John Gregorek posted 3:35.90 and 3:35.99 for second and third, respectively. The field was rounded-out by Kieran Tuntivate of Thailand in 3:36.22, Casey Comber of the USA in 3:36.35, Amon Kemboi of Kenya in 3:36.36, Kasey Knevelbaard of the USA in 3:37.26, Joshua Thompson of the USA in 3:37.38, Jack Salisbury of the USA in 3:38.42, Adrian Ryan of the USA in 3:45.12, Amos Bartelsmeyer of Germany in 3:45.62 and Nick Dahl of the USA in 3:50.91. Robert Heppenstall of Canada did not finish the race.
Heather Maclean of the USA posted 4:02.64, to win the women’s 1500m final, while Lucia Stafford of Canada was second in 4:02.65 and Addison Wiley of the USA was third in 4:02.78. The field was rounded-out by Joselyn Daniely Brea of Venezuela in 4:05.78, Dorcas Ewoi of Kenya in 4:06.08, Angel Piccirillo of the USA in 4:08.82, Micaela Degenero of the USA in 4:11.36, Danielle Aragon of the USA in 4:14.32, Laurie Barton of the USA in 4:14.59, Carina Vilioen of South Africa in 4:15.57, Stephanie Brokaw of the USA in 4:21.62 and Isabella Thornton-Bott of Australia in 4:37.93. Molly Sughroue of the USA did not finish the race.
Kendra Harrison led American sweep in Women’s 100m Hurdles
The top four positions were taken by the Americans. Kendra Harrison posted 12.60, to win the women’s 100m hurdles “A” final, while Michelle Atherley was second in 12.63, Christina Clemons was third in 12.65 and Paula Salmon was fourth in 12.92. The field was rounded-out by Demisha Roswell of Jamaica in 12.95, Kaylah Robinson of the USA in 13.04 and Paola Vazquez of Puerto Rico in 13.28.
Cunningham wins Women’s High Jump
The top four placings were taken by the USA. Vashti Cunningham (1.90m), Zarriea Willis (1.81m), Mercedeez Francis (1.81m) and Jamari Drake (1.81m), respectively, were first, second, third and fourth. The field was rounded-out by Kimberly Williamson of Jamaica (1.81m), Sanaa Barnes of the USA (1.78m), Anna Hall of the USA (1.75m) and Jelema Rowe of the USA (1.65m).
Grimes wins Men’s Long Jump Final
The men’s long jump final was an all-American event. Isaac Grimes won the event, cutting the sands in 8.00m, while Damarcus Simpson was second in 7.98m and Kyle Garland was third in 7.73m. The field was rounded-out by Cameron Crump in 7.32m and James Carter in 7.25m.
Flynn leaps to victory in Women’s Long Jump Final
Tiffany Flynn of the USA won the women’s long jump, cutting the sands in 6.71m, while Aha’keela Saunders, also of the USA, was second with a jump of 6.53m and Tyra Gittens of Trinidad and Tobago was third with 6.51m. The field was rounded-out by Chanice Porter of Jamaica with 6.37m and Sydney Conley of the USA with 6.00m.
Henley Taylor (Sensenya Ben Nyah)
Freelance Sportswriter & Analyst
Sydney MacLaughlin-Levrone picture courtesy of Source Athletics
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