Wilson prevails in exciting showdown with Goule, contributing to eight victories for Americans; McBride, Arop produce historic men’s 800 performance for Canada

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Ajee’ Wilson and Natoya Goule have plenty of history not only racing one another, but competing in Canada.

After their first career 800-meter showdown eight years ago at the IAAF World U-20 Championships in Moncton, New Brunswick, Wilson and Goule reunited Saturday in Canada for the first time since then, producing another thrilling race at the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships at University of Toronto’s Varsity Stadium.

LIVE WEBCAST | PHOTOS | INTERVIEWS

Wilson secured her first senior international gold medal for the U.S., clocking 1 minute, 57.52 to Goule’s 1:57.95. Cuba’s Rosemary Almanza Blanco (2:00.15) edged American Raevyn Rogers (2:00.75) for third.

Wilson, who improved to 4-2 in head-to-head matchups this year with Goule, was one of eight Americans to secured gold medals Saturday.

Katie Nageotte, who earned bronze in the women’s pole vault in 2015 in Costa Rica, equaled her outdoor personal-best 15-7 (4.75m) to not only win the title, but capture her first international medal for the U.S.
Cuba’s Yarisley Silva cleared 15-5 (4.70m) for silver and world leader Sandi Morris earned bronze with a 15-3 (4.65m) clearance.

Jenna Prandini prevailed for the Americans in the women’s 100 final in a wind-legal 10.96, with Jamaica’s Jonielle Smith taking second in 11.07 and Canada’s Crystal Emmanuel clocking 11.11 to secure bronze.

Keni Harrison achieved her first international gold medal for the U.S. in the 100 hurdles after winning the IAAF World Indoor title in the 60 hurdles in March in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Harrison, the world leader this year, ran 12.55 to pull away from Jamaica’s Danielle Williams (12.67) and Costa Rica’s Andrea Vargas Mena (12.91).

Canada celebrated a memorable finish in the men’s 800, securing gold and silver in any event for the first time in the country’s history at NACAC, with Brandon McBride (1:46.14) and Marco Arop (1:46.82) pulling away from Puerto Rico’s Wesley Vazquez (1:47.63) down the home stretch.

Hassan Mead (14:00.18) and Riley Masters (14:01.04) relied on their veteran experience to earn gold and silver for the Americans in the men’s 5,000, with former Syracuse standout Justyn Knight (14:01.77) taking third for Canada.

Marielle Hall (33:27.19) and Rochelle Kanuho (33:28.33) added gold and silver for the U.S. in the women’s 10,000, with Canada’s Rachel Cliff (33:30.16) grabbing the bronze.

After earning bronze in the women’s long jump in 2015, former Kentucky star Sha’Keela Saunders captured gold for the Americans with a first-round leap of 21-8 (6.60m), holding off a late rally by Alabama graduate Quanesha Burks, who earned silver for the U.S. with a fifth-round effort of 21-7.50 (6.59m).

Jamaica’s Tisanna Hickling took the bronze with a third-round mark of 20-11.25 (6.38m)

Jeron Robinson needed a third-attempt clearance at 7-4.50 (2.25m) to stay in the men’s high jump competition, but made 7-5.75 (2.28m) on his first attempt to achieve gold for the U.S.

Canada’s Michael Mason cleared 7-5.75 on his second try for silver, with fellow countryman Django Lovett and Donald Thomas of the Bahamas making the height on their third attempts to share bronze.

Mississippi State teammates Anderson Peters of Grenada and American Curtis Thompson took the top two spots in the men’s javelin throw. Peters produced a fifth-round effort of 261-4 (79.65m), with Thompson throwing 249-5 (76.02m) and Grenada’s Markim Felix grabbing bronze at 246-6 (75.14m).

Jamaica had an impressive day in the sprints and hurdles, with Tyquendo Tracey capturing the men’s 100 title in 11.03. Americans Kendal Williams (10.11) and Cameron Burrell (10.12) earned silver and bronze.

Stephenie-Ann McPherson won the women’s 400 for Jamaica in 51.15, with Canada’s Aiyanna Stiverne (52.00) and American Brionna Thomas (52.19) finishing second and third.

Hansle Parchment captured gold for Jamaica in the men’s 110 hurdles in 13.28, with American Aleec Harris (13.49) earning silver and Shane Brathwaite of Barbados capturing bronze in 13.52.

Jamaica earned two medals in the men’s 400, with Demish Gaye prevailing in 45.47 and Fitzroy Dunkley grabbing bronze 45.76. Costa Rica’s Nery Brenes Carden secured silver in 45.67.

Costa Rica’s Roberto Sawyers won the men’s hammer throw with a fifth-round effort of 239-4 (72.94m), with American Alex Young taking silver at 238-8 (72.75m) and Canada’s Adam Keenan earning bronze at 238-7 (72.72m).