The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

DONALD Thomas, fresh off his disappointing fourth place finish at the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia, soared to victory in the men's high jump at the War Eagle Invitational.

On a weekend that featured some of the participants and others who didn't make the trip for one reason or the other, Thomas soared 2.31 metres or 7-feet, 7-inches to claim the victory at Auburn University.

During the Commonwealth Games, Thomas could only muster a best of 2.27m (7-5 1/4) to miss getting on the podium.

Brandon Starc of Australia won the gold with 2.32m (7-7 1/4) over Thomas' teammate Jamal Wilson, who did 2.30m (7-6 1/2). Django Lovett of Canada got the bronze with 2.30m (7-6 1/2) as well.

Also at the meet, Xavier Coakley, now a junior at Auburn, got second in the men's 110m hurdles in a time of 14.03 seconds. The race was won by Gabriel Constantino of Brazil in 13.59.

Coakley qualified for the final in 14.15 for the second fastest time behind Constantino's top time of 13.63.

Brown's heave

At the Michael Johnson Invitational at Baylor University, Texas A&M sophomore Serena Brown threw 14.21m or 46-7 1/2 on her sixth and final toss for sixth place in the women's shot put invite.

She also had marks of 13.43m (44-0 3/4) in the first attempt, 13.98m (45-10 1/2) on the second, 13.87m (45-6 1/4) on the third, 12.76m (41-10 1/2) on the fourth and 14.10m (46-3 1/4) on the fifth.

Elena Bruckner, a sophomore at Texas, was the winner with 16.54m (54-3 1/4).

And Arkansas' sophomore LaQuan Nairn came in eighth in the men's long jump with his best of 7.00m (22-11 3/4) on his third attempt. His series of jumps included 6.80m (22-3 3/4), 5.14m (16-10 1/2), 4.00m (13-1 1/2), a pass and 4.96m (16-3 1/4).

Gaither leads in Grenada

In the Grenada Invitational at the Kirani James in St George's, sprinter TyNia Gaither, who bypassed the Commonwealth Games as she recovered from an injury, had the best showing as she finished third in the women's 200m in 23.62. The event was won by American Torie Bowie in 22.75 with Mariely Sanchez from the Dominican Republic coming in second in 23.60.

Alonzo Russell, coming of his sensational anchor leg that propelled the Bahamas to the silver medal in the men's 4 x 400m relay in the Gold Coast, was fifth in the 400m in 46.25.

Bralon Taplin delighted the home crowd by winning the race in 45.29. Luguelin Santos of the Dominican Republic was second in 45.66.

And Leevan 'Superman' Sands, still disappointed that he was not given the chance to compete at the Commonwealth Games, participated in the men's long jump where he got sixth with a leap of 7.30m (23-11 1/2)on his third attempt.

He also did 5.45m (17-10 3/4) on his fourth attempt, but fouled his first two and passed on the his two.

American Mike Hartfield won with a leap of 8.02m (26-3 3/4) on his second attempt, while Lester Lescay of Cuba got second with 7.95m (26-1) on his second as well.

Culmer soared in long jump

At the Kansas Relays, Nebraska's junior Kaiwan Culmer clinched second place in the men's long jump with his best distance of 7.14m (23-5 1/4) on his fourth attempt.

He also had marks of 6.31m (20-8 1/2); 7.07m (23-2 1/2); foul and a pair of passes as he finished behind Kansas' senior Barden Adams, who did 7.49m (24-7) on his first attempt.

Rolle on a roll

At the Tom Botts Invitational, Taryn Rolle, a senior at Drake, got third place in the women's triple jump with her best of 12.13m (39-09 3/4) on her sixth and finish jump. She had other marks of 11.75m (38-6 3/4), 11.22m (36-9 3/4), 11.64m (38-2 1/4), two fouls and 12.13m (39-9 3/4).

Jamilah James, a freshman at Missouri State, won with 12.29m (40-04) and Daijha Heron, a senior at Missouri State, was second with 12.19m (40-00).