Beckford wins high jump at US meet

High jumper Romaine Beckford cleared 2.20 metres to capture the men's high jump at the Ed Murphey Classic in Memphis, Tennessee, yesterday as Jamaicans continued their preparations for the Paris Olympics.

Vernon Turner of the United States was second in the event with 2.15m with Shaunie Miller Jr of the Bahamas, third with 2.15m. Jamaica's Christoff Bryan was fourth with a best of of 2.10m.

Chanice Porter was a second-place finisher in the women's long jump. She produced a distance of 6.50m, as Ruth Usoro of Nigeria won with 6.70m.

National men's 200m champion Bryan Levell will be one of several Jamaicans who will be in action on today's second day of the American Track League meet. Levell, who was also fourth in the men's 100m at the national championships, will contest this event at the meet along with compatriots Kadrian Goldson, Yohan Blake and Nigel Ellis.

Orlando Bennett who finished a very close second in the men's 110m hurdles final in 13.18 seconds at national championships will contest the event today along with Damion Thomas, Lafranz Campbell and Odario Phillips while Tarees Rhoden will contest the 800m.

Ackera Nugent.the national 100m hurdles champion and record holder will also be in action at the meet. Nugent, who won the national title in 12.28 seconds, will contest the women's 100m where she will be joined by, Joneille Smith and Shockoria Wallace.

Danielle Williams, another Olympic Games-bound athlete who was second in the women's 100m hurdles at the national championships, will be the only Jamaican in the event at today's meet.