The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

With personal best performances in six of the seven individual events, Ken Mullings combined his points total to improve on his own Bahamas national record in the men’s heptathlon, while producing a world-leading performance.

Mullings, whose previous record was 5,933 points he established this same time last year in Champaign, Illinois, returned to the same spot to power past the 6,000-point mark with a new national record of 6,340 points. He highlighted the weekend performances that also saw sprinter Wanya McCoy ink his name in the men’s 60 metres, while Anthonique Strachan had a world leader in the women’s race.

“This one actually made me happy to know that all of my hard work has finally paid off,” said Mullings as he returned to the meet to duplicate the record-breaking feat.

“This felt perfect, like a dream come true. I’m now in the territory where I want to be. Scorewise, I’m showing that I’m making the improvement. And I did it with personal best performances in six out of the seven events. I wanted to do it in the pole vault, but I didn’t clear the height.”

On the first day of competition on Friday, Mullings won the 60m in 6.83 for 944 points, the long jump with 7.52m for 940 (1,884 points), shot put with 15.91m for 846 (2,730 points) and high jump with 2.14m for 934 (3,664 point).

Mullings came back on Saturday and completed the final three events, taking the 60m hurdles in 7.76 to increase his lead with 4,707 points, the pole vault with 5.95m for 895 (5,602 points) and was sixth in the 1,000m in 2:52.68 for 738 (6,340 points).

McCoy record feat

At the Razorback Invitational, McCoy, competing for the Florida Gators, was second in the men’s 200m in 20.46, erasing Grand Bahamian Demetrius Pinder’s previous national record of 20.50 that he set on February 3, 2012 at the New Mexico Classic in Albuquerque.

McCoy, now in his sophomore year, was beaten out at the tape by his Florida teammate Robert Gregory, a junior, who won in 20.40. Anthony Greenhow, junior at South Carolina, trailed McCoy in 20.60 for third.

Before he was done, McCoy, running a split of 46.48, teamed up with Reheem Hayles (46.13), Ashton Schwartzman (47.06) and Jevaughn Powell (46.14) to run the fastest collegiate time this year of 3:05.89.

Also at the meet, Florida’s junior Anthaya Charlton got seventh overall, but third in the collegiate segment of the women’s long jump with her leap of 20-8 (6.30m). Tara Davis-Woodhall took the title with 22-2 1/4 (6.76m).

Strachan leading lady

Outside of the United States, Strachan competed at the Athletics Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan’s Astana Indoor Meet where she took the women’s 60m in a world leading time of 7.21, holding off Poland’s Magdaleba Stefanovicz, who followed in 7.22.

Taylor was victorious

Back in the US at the Bob Pollock Meet at the Clemson University Indoor Track in Clemson, South Carolina, national record holder Charisma Taylor won the women’s triple jump with her leap of 44-2 3/4 (13.58m). Imani Oliver, also unattached, was second with 43-3 (13.48m).

Campbell surged

At the Jack Johnson Classic, Grand Bahamian Zion Campbell, competing for Iowa Central Community College, clocked 6.64 to win the men’s 60m. Brandon Carnes of Asics was second in 6.66.

Miller back

Wendell Miller, competing for the MVP Track and Field Club, won the men’s 200m in 21.55. He finished well ahead of his nearest rival Mazinho Barrett of UWI, who did 21.95.

Kemp soared

At the UND Open and Multi, Shyrone Kemp, the number one ranked jumper in division II, cleared 51-06 1/2 (16.71m) to win the men’s triple jump. He was over by almost two feet over his nearest rival Gee-ef Nkwonta of WOAC with 49-08 1/2 (15.15m).

Andrews double threat

At the PNC Lenny Lyles Track and Field, Antoine Andrews of Texas Tech won the men’s 60m hurdles in 7.66. Stephen Eloji of Mid Tennessee State was second in 7.70. Andrews had the fifth fastest qualifying time of 7.83.

To help with his speed, Andrews also ran in the preliminaries of the 60m where he had the fourth fastest qualifying time of 6.72. However, he did not contest the final.

Also at the meet, Shaun Miller Jr of Ohio State finished in a two-way tie for fourth place at 6-10 3/4 (2.10m) with Graayson Rolen of Indiana. Trey Allen of Lousiana won the event with 7-03 1/4 (2.22m).

Dean missed cuts

Karon Dean, competing for UTEP at the New Mexico Team Open, got fourth in his heat of the men’s 60m in 6.84, but he didn’t advance. He missed qualifying for the final of the 200m as well after he got second in his heat for 30th overall in the 200m in 21.84.