FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas, (Jan 30) — Georgia sprinter Adaejah Hodge opened her 2026 campaign in commanding fashion on Friday, claiming the women’s 200 meters at the Razorback Invitational in a world-leading 22.53 seconds.
The 19-year-old sophomore matched the meet record and surpassed the previous world best of 22.56 set earlier this season by American Tiriah Kelley. Running out of lane five, Hodge closed the stagger on Shenese Walker of Florida State early in the race before the halfway mark, then powered away for a decisive win.
Read More: Briton Isabelle Boffey Runs World-Leading 1:57.43 at John Thomas Terrier Classic: Results
Walker held on for second in 22.96, while Texas freshman Elise Cooper took third overall with 23.13 after winning the second section. Other section winners included Alexis Brown (23.15) and Zaya Akins (23.28) of South Carolina, Florida’s Sydney Sutton (23.40), and Maya Love of South Carolina (23.44).
Hodge, representing the British Virgin Islands, rose to prominence with a World U18 best of 22.33 seconds in 2023 and captured the 200m title at the 2024 World Junior Championships, adding a silver medal in the 100m.
In the men’s 200m, Florida’s Wanya McCoy prevailed with 20.50 seconds, edging South Carolina’s Tyson Williams (20.56), who won his section, and LSU’s Jaiden Reid (20.62), who was the runner-up to the Gator in his heat.
The Razorback Invitational continues Saturday morning with a full slate of collegiate events.
