TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 03: Bronze medal winner Gabrielle Thomas celebrates after the Women's 200m ... [+]
All eyes were on the professional superstars from Team International, which consisted of Rashidat Adeleke, Dina Asher-Smith, Julien Alfred and Lanae-Tava Thomas. These women pulled together to run a world best of 1:27.05 in the 4x200-meter relay. Although this is better than the official world record run by the USA in 2000, it cannot be considered a world record since each of these women represents a different country.
Several hours later, Team International won the 4x400-meter relay in 3:25.31. This race was electric during the final leg. Olympian Asher-Smith had her eyes locked on world 4x400-meter relay champion Britton Wilson, who was running for the Captain Athletics team. Although Wilson had at least a 15-meter gap between her competitors, Asher-Smith dug deep to bring home a close victory for Team International.
Team International's relay success is unsurprising since three of the four women were part of the dominate University of Texas 4x100-meter relay team last season. Speed in a relay is essential, but team chemistry is what makes the talent flow together effortlessly. Their chemistry has been building for years and will only continue to grow.
World Champion and Olympian Gabby Thomas was also on the record-breaking list this weekend at Texas Relays. Although Thomas' main focus was on the 200-meter dash, she held her own well in the 100-meter dash and won in 10.88 seconds. After her victory in the event, Thomas went on to win the 200-meter dash in a meet record and world-leading time of 20.08 seconds.
Gainesville Elite Runs Meet Record And World Lead; 16-Year-Old Quincy Wilson Qualifies For U.S. Olympic Trials
The Texas Relays was not the only major meet of the weekend. In Gainsville, Florida, the University of Florida hosted the Florida Relays. Similar to the Texas Relays, the Florida Relays had competitors from all levels, such as high school, college and professional.
The most significant professional accomplishment from the meet came from the Gainesville Elite 4x100-meter relay team. Athletes Grant Holloway, PJ Austin, Erriyon Knighton and Joseph Fauhnbulleh ran 37.67 seconds in the relay. This time is currently ranked number 1 in the world and is also a meet and facility record. Their time would have placed fourth at the World Athletics Outdoor Championships last season.
Their success speaks volumes about the depth of the USA 4x100-meter relay pool. If they make the team, three of the four men will compete for the U.S. during the Olympics. Holloway and Knighton have been professionals for several years but have never been named to an Olympic or world relay team. They have shown more than enough individual success, and having this relay experience will be great for their relay pool consideration. Austin is in his first professional season and has the potential to make the relay pool as well.
As expected in a relay meet, the relays produced more stellar performances. The Bullis girl’s 4x400-meter relay teams broke the long-standing high school national record. The young ladies, Payton Payne, Kennedy Brown, Sydney Sutton and Morgan Rothwell, ran 3:35.23. The previous record of 3:35.49 was set 20 years ago, in 2004, by Long Beach Poly. Their teammate, 16-year-old Quincy Wilson, also put up fast times. Wilson ran 45.19 which is the currently the fastest time in the U.S. and is the U.S. Olympic Trials Qulifying Standard.
The collegiate athletes did not disappoint either. The most eye-catching performance came from the South Carolina freshman star, Jameesia Ford. Running anchor leg for the Gamecocks, Ford split 49.3 seconds to solidify her teams victory. Ford is the reigning indoor 200-meter NCAA national champion. Her ability to sprint well in the short events and maintain her strength in the longer sprint events shows that she has the potential to compete well at this summer's U.S. Olympic Trials.
Down in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, LSU hosted a meet that led to fast performances. Nigeria's Favour Ofili won the women's 100-meter dash in a wind-aided time of 10.85 seconds. Close behind her was the reigning 60-meter NCAA national champion, Brianna Lyston, in 10.87 seconds. Ole Miss' Mackenzie Long and LSU's Thelma Davies also dipped under 11 seconds, running 10.89 and 10.98 respectively.
