Grange sets indoor shot put PB

Former Holmwood Technical High School standout Gleneve Grange smashed her indoor shot put personal best in South Bend, Indiana, on Saturday. Now a senior at Florida State University (FSU), Grange spun her shot out to 17.24m at the Alex Wilson Invitational. It was a happy return to a venue where she feels right at home.

The 23-year-old Jamaican destroyed her previous indoor best of 16.54m, which was set in the same place last year. The 2017 World Championship competitor showed consistency at a new level with puts of 17.23m and 17.19m. Her form augurs well for the NCAA Indoor Championships, which occurs on March 9 and 10, as her performance on Saturday inched close to her outdoor best of 17.29m.

It was a good day for student athletes coached by retired Jamaican Olympian Dorian Scott, as Grange's American teammate, Austin Droogsma shot 20.10m in the men's event. "Coach Scott's group was on fire today," FSU head coach Bob Braman said. "Gleneve and Austin were in peak form," he gushed. "They really made a national-level statement."

NOTABLE FRESHMAN YEAR

Grange was not the only Jamaican to record a win on the US indoor circuit at the weekend. Janeek Brown continued her notable freshman year at the University of Arkansas with a 60m hurdles win. The former Wolmer's Girls' School star triumphed in 8.15 seconds at the Arkansas Twilight in Fayetville, where Clive Pullen, the 2016 Olympian, won the triple jump by clearing 16.55m.

Stevon Crooks and Damion Thomas took the shot put and the 60m hurdles at the LSU Twilight one day earlier. Crooks, who emerged as a quality thrower at Petersfield High School, launched his implement 16.85m to win for South Eastern Louisiana University. Thomas won his race in 7.90 seconds. The Florida-based former Carifta hurdles champion now attends Louisiana State University.