TF2K22: Pyles Wins Long Jump

Ohio State senior Alexus Pyles jumped a career best 6.14 to win the long jump competition at the Jesse Owens Classic on the first day, April 22.

The two-day meet hosted by Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio, was a busy affair for the multi-event athlete. Alexus also finished second in the 100-meter hurdles at 13.24, fourth in the javelin throw at 32.13, 10th in the 200 meters at 24.45 and 13th in the shot put at 9.12. In the long jump and 100-meter hurdles, Alexus competed in fields that included her younger sister Cierra.

Cierra had a busy weekend as well finishing second in the triple jump at 12.75 and third in the long jump (5.83) as well as the 100-meter hurdles (13.40).

Alexus has had a successful season in the long jump so far. She started the outdoor season with a second place finish at the Raleigh Relays before scoring a win at the Gamecock Invitational. At the Jesse Owens Classic, Alexus was the only jumper to score a mark over six meters. Ball State's Charity Griffith was close at 5.96.

This was Alexus' third Jesse Owens Classic appearance. Her first was in 2017, followed by a second in 2018. Since then she has battled injuries and in 2020, the season was canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coastal Carolina's Melissa Jefferson Keeps Rolling

After winning the NCAA 60-meters championship during indoor season, Melissa Jefferson of Coastal Carolina earned a win in the 100 meters while setting a personal best time in the 200 meters at the U of SC Open. Jefferson won the 100 meters at 11.08 topping a field of 74 competitors. Jayla Jamison of South Carolina was second at 11.26 and Clemson's Kiara Grant was third at 11.28.

In the 200 meters Jefferson ran her career best time of 22.46 as she was the runner-up to track and field legend and seven-time Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix who won the race at 22.40. Jefferson and Felix were the only competitors of the field of 77 who finished the race under 23 seconds.

Virginia's Mia Barnett on Top of the NCAA in 1,500 Meters

Mia Barnett finished the 1,500 meters with a time of 4:11.32 at the Virginia Challenge on April 22. The Virginia freshman finished the race second just behind Nike pro Michaela Meyer who won at 4:11.03. Meyer was an NCAA champ in the 800 meters last season. While Barnett is number one in the NCAA in the 1,500 meters she has yet to win an open race as a collegiate athlete.

This was the first second place finish in an open race for Barnett during her rookie season. She qualified for the NCAA Championships during indoor season where she competed in the mile and distance medley relay.

Coppin State's Latifa Ali Shines at Morgan State Meet

Latifa Ali recorded personal best times with a win in the 100 meters at 11.59 and a runner-up placing in the 200 meters at 23.55 at the Morgan State Legacy Track & Field Meet, April 23. Ali currently ranks second in both the 100 and 200 meters in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. During the indoor season Ali won the conference championship in the 200 meters, while taking silver medal finishes in the 60 meters and 1,600 meter relay.

In the 100 meters at the Morgan State Legacy Track & Field Meet, Ali edged out Jessika Gbai of Howard who ran a time of 11.61. In the 200 meters Gbai topped Ali with her winning time of 23.25. Ali's first 100 meters win of the outdoor season at the Aggie Invitational where she won with a time of 11.67.