The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

MOSCOW, Russia: Fourth best in the world in the women's 200 metres.

That's the result for Shaunae Miller as she crossed the finish line Friday night in her debut in a senior global final at the 14th IAAF World Championships at the Luzhniki Grand Sports Complex.

Her time 22.74 seconds.

Miller, who made history as only the second 19-year-old to compete in a half-lap final, the other being American Allyson Felix, who in 2005 at the 10th World's in Helsinki, Finland, went on to win the gold.

Felix didn't have much success this time. In fact, she went down with an injury coming around the curve and had to be assisted off the track.

Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce went on to cement her spot as one of the most outstanding female performers at the meet, adding the half-lap title to the one she achieved on Monday night in the prestigious straightaway race.

Fraser-Pryce ran away from the pack and was pinned with the gold in 22.17. Both Murielle Ahoure from the Ivory Coast and Blessing Okagbare from Nigeria were clocked in the same time, but were awarded the silver and bronze respectively.

While Felix never made it to the finish line, Miller had to use her long 6-feet, 1-inch frame to power back from last place coming off the curve to pass the remaining two Americans in the field for the fourth place.

Not where you would want to finish just outside of getting on the podium, but Miller said she will accept it.

The rest of the pack saw Jeneba Tarmoh take fifth in 22.78, ChaRonda Williams in sixth in 22.81 and Marilya Ryemyen from Ukraine seventh in 22.84.

For her effort, Miller will pocket $15,000 in cash prize to help boost her confidence as she get ready to go full time on the pro circuit after she decided to forego the remaining three years of eligibility at the University of Georgia where she was coached by George Cleare, the head coach for the Bahamas team here.

In case you're wondering, Fraser-Pryce earned $60,000 for her victory, while Ahoure got $30,000 and Okagbare received $20,000.

Miller will now prepare to run on the women's 4 x 100 relay team that should comprise of Cache Armbrister, Anthonique Strachan and Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie when they run on Sunday, along with the men's 4 x 100 team of Jamial Rolle, Warren Fraser, Shavez Hart and Adrian Griffith as the championships come to a close.

The Bahamas is still looking for its first medal.