Track & Field 2k21: NATFL Debuts with Olympic Talent

On Friday, August 13, the North American Track and Field League had its first ever meet at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. Three teams representing as many cities did battle, as professionals competed on a hot summer afternoon.

Maggie Barrie, 25, of the Detroit Turbines won the 200 meters at 23.89, ahead of Grace Claxton, 27, of the New York Quicksteppers who finished at 24.10. Both athletes competed in the Olympics, Barrie represented Sierra Leon at this year's games as she competed in the 100 meters. Claxton competed at the Olympics five years ago in the 400-meter hurdles.

The victorious Barrie appeared to be running the 200 meters with the most ease. "It was so much fun," she said. "I love running the 200, it's not my main event so anytime I can do an off-event it's just super fun and relaxed and it helps me work on my speed."

Women's 200 Meters

Maggie Barrie, Detroit Turbines, 23.89

Grace Claxton, New York Quicksteppers, 24.10

Gabrielle Farquharson, New York Quicksteppers, 24.12

Deonca Bookman, Chicago Blazing Storm, 24.25

Felicia Edwards, Chicago Blazing Storm, 26.39

The other women's event that took place was a long jump competition between Detroit's Melanie Winters and Cambree Harbaugh of Chicago. New York's Gabrielle Farquharson was scheduled to compete but decided not to participate in the event.

Winters and Harbaugh happen to be training partners, so there was no grudge between the two jumpers. Both could be seen supporting each other throughout the competition. "We're always supportive," Winters said. "It's not so much competition between us, it's just trying to bring the best out of each other." Harbaugh added, "We're just trying to PR and have some good jumps."

Winters won with a mark of 6.30, while Harbaugh jumped 5.98. Winters was a 2016 NCAA long jump champion at Baldwin Wallace, which is a Division III institution in Ohio. Harbaugh won a long jump championship at the 2018 Mountain West indoor championship meet, when she competed for San Jose State.

Women's Long Jump

Melanie Winters, Detroit Turbines, 6.30

Cambree Harbaugh, Chicago Blazing Storm, 5.98

Gabrielle Farquharson, New York Quicksteppers, DNS

The men competed in the 100 meters which was won by Akeem Sirleaf of the Chicago Blazing Storm. His time of 10.68, placed him ahead of runner-up New York's Jonathan Sawyer's finish of 10.82. Sirleaf won an NCAA championship with his North Carolina A&T teammates in the 1,600-meter relay in June.

Sawyer also made an appearance at this year's NCAA championship meet as he competed in the preliminary rounds of the 400 meters and 1,600-meter relay. He won the 400 meters in the Southland Conference. Sawyer was happy to run in his first professional meet. "This type of meet provides an opportunity for us who didn't get super big contract," he said. "I ran super fast but I didn't get [any calls] but this is a way to be compensated in track without a big sponsorship."

Men's 100 Meters

Akeem Sirleaf, Chicago Blazing Storm, 10.68

Jonathan Sawyer, New York Quicksteppers, 10.82

Zaza Wellington, Detroit Turbines, 10.91

William Polley, Detroit Turbines, 11.02

Quintaveon Poole, Detroit Turbines, 11.10

Kinard Rolle, New York Quicksteppers, False Start

Men's 200 Meters

Akeem Sirleaf, Chicago Blazing Storm, 20.95

Jonathan Sawyer, New York Quicksteppers, 21.65

Williams Polley, Detroit Turbines, 21.93

Kinard Rolle, New York Quicksteppers, 22.38

Donald Ross, New York Quicksteppers, 22.78

Men's 110-Meter Hurdles

Nicholas Anderson, Chicago Blazing Storm, 14.03

ZaZa Wellington, Detroit Turbines, 14.24

Men's Mile

John Lewis, Detroit Turbines, 4:07.64

Nathan Holley, New York Quicksteppers, DNS

1,600-Meter Mixed Relay

New York Quicksteppers, 3:20.96

Chicago Blazing Storm, 3:21.50

Detroit Turbines, DNF