Orogot runs windy 19.60secs, Lyles wins Olympic Development 200m at Tom Jones Memorial Invitational

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (April 14) – Lead: Tarsis Orogot of Alabama and Noah Lyles were the standout performers at the 2023 Tom Jones Memorial Invitational, with Orogot recording an impressive time in the collegiate 200m event and Lyles winning the Olympic Development race.

Orogot records third-fastest collegiate 200m time in all-conditions

Alabama’s Tarsis Orogot recorded an impressive wind-assisted time of 19.60 seconds in the collegiate 200m event at the 2023 Tom Jones Memorial Invitational, placing him third on the list of the fastest collegiate 200m times ever recorded. Orogot was dominant in the event, finishing ahead of his rivals with the help of a positive 2.9 m/s following wind. According to ustfccca.org, only Kenny Bednarek and Andre De Grasse have run faster than Orogot as collegians.

Lyles triumphs in Olympic Development race

Two-time world champion Noah Lyles won the Olympic Development race at the 2023 Tom Jones Memorial Invitational with a time of 20.16 (-1.2 m/s). Lyles faced stiff competition in the race, but managed to pull away from his rivals, with Eric Harrison of Trinidad and Tobago finishing second in 20.75 and Briton Jona Efoloko finishing third in 20.87.

Two other collegiate sprinters also recorded impressive times in the event, with Robert Gregory of Florida finishing second with a time of 19.78 secs and Cameron Miller of Louisville posting a time of 19.93 secs to finish third overall.

Julien Alfred sets world-leading time in women’s event

The women’s race at the 2023 Tom Jones Memorial Invitational was also electrying. Earlier in the meet, Texas sprinter Julien Alfred continue her outstanding form in 2023, as she picked up from where she left off during the indoor season when setting a world-leading time of 21.91 secs (1.8 m/s) in the women’s 200m event. The winning time places her second on the list of the fastest collegiate 200m times ever recorded and setting a new national record.

Jefferson beats Thompson Herah in women’s Olympic Development race

USA’s Melissa Jefferson finished with a time of 23.02 secs in the women’s 200m Olympic Development race, defeating Jamaica’s two-time Olympic champion Elaine Thompson Herah, who faded into second place with 23.23 secs.