Laquan Nairn gets win, Charlton 4th

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

In their preparation for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Track and Field Championships this week, Commonwealth Games champion and silver medallists Laquan Nairn and Devynne Charlton turned in some credible performances over the weekend.

Competing in two separate Wanda Diamond League meets, Nairn picked up a victory in the men’s long jump in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Friday, while Charlton had to settle for fourth place in the women’s 100 metre hurdles in Stockholm, Sweden, yesterday. The duo were the only two Bahamians who competed in the two meets heading into the World

Championships in Budapest, Hungary, from August 16-27.

The 27-year-old Chalton, the Bahamian national record holder at 12.46 seconds, has already surpassed the qualifying standard of 12.78 for Budapest.

She clocked 12.85 on Sunday as she trailed world record holder Tobi Amusan of Nigeria, who won in 12.52.

Sarah Levin of Ireland was second in a personal best of 12.73, while Pia Skrzszowska of Poland was third in 12.78.

Meanwhile, the 26-yearold Nairn topped the field in Lausanne with a season’s best leap of 26-feet, 7 1/4inches or 8.11 metres on his third attempt. He’s now pegged in the top 30 in the world.

“I’ve been preparing for this competition for two

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The 26-year-old Ledecky posted the sixth-fastest time in history, finishing in 15 minutes, 29.64 seconds — more than 28 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Katie Grimes.

Ledecky qualified for the Americans in all four events she competed in this week, but announced she would not compete in the 200 free later this month in Fukuoka, Japan.

“I just really enjoyed it last year, being able to focus on the mile,” said Ledecky, whose 19 golds at worlds are the women’s record. “I’m still training for the 200 to throw down on that relay.”

Caleb Dressel did not make the team.

He failed to qualify for the “A” final in his fourth and final event of the week, the men’s 50 free.

Dressel, who won five gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics, had not competed at a high-level meet since withdrawing suddenly at last year’s world championships in Budapest, Hungary, because of health reasons.

Dressel was tied for 22nd with a time of 22.72 seconds in his preliminary heat but acknowledged he was satisfied with the results after his long layoff. He didn’t finish higher than third in any event.

“I’m doing good right now, very indifferent about my results,” he said.

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