The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Triple jumper Leevan "Superman" Sands and high jumper Donald Thomas continue to prove why they will be forces to reckon with at the London Olympics in August.

The duo struck gold in their respective events as they led a field of five Bahamians - long jumper Bianca 'BB' Stuart and sprinters Sheniqua 'Q' Ferguson and Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie - in the Jamaica International Invitational at the national stadium in Kingston on Saturday night.

While Leevan 'Superman' Sands cleared 16.33 meters or 53 feet, 7-inches to win the men's triple jump over Great Britain's Larry Achike (16.26m or 53-4 1/4)) and Haiti's Samyr Laine (16.19m or 53-1 1/2)), Grand Bahamian native Thomas took the men's high jump with a leap of 2.27m or 7-5 1/4. American Jamie Neito got second with 2.24m (7-4 /4) and Dottin Henderson of Barbados was third with 2.15m (7-0 1/2).

"I came with a little injury but I will be okay," Sands said. "I was just trying to get through this meet until I can get treatment for my leg. I just was thankful to make it through because of how my leg was feeling. The plan today was to take three jumps but I got two jumps in. I came in with a minor injury and won so that's all that matters right now."

Although he pulled off the victory, Sands said he's just using the meets as a part of his training regimen right now. He intends to head to the Cayman Islands today where he will do another two jumps to continue his training.

"The competition was okay. We had a lot of headwind running down the runway so after the third round, I said it didn't make sense to take the last jump and risk hurting my leg more," he said. "So I was just going with the flow of the competition. I am not worried about anything. It is still early and I know I will be ready for trials and the (Olympic) Games."

In other events for the Bahamas, long jumper Bianca Stuart trailed American Brittney Reese, who took the title with 6.56m (21-6 1/4). Stuart came through in 6.46m (21-2 1/2) just ahead of Jamaican Jovanee Jarrett, who did 6.41m (21-0 1/2).

On the track, Sheniqua 'Q' Ferguson had the best showing with her fourth place in the women's 200 meters in 22.86 seconds.

American Bianca Knight won in 22.49. Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was second in 22.53 and American Shalondo Solomon got third in 22.82.

Also, veteran Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, still running the 100m in speed training for her 200m, was seventh in the women's century in 11.26. American Carmelita Jeter won the race in a meet record of 10.81.

Kelly-Ann Baptiste of Trinidad & Tobago was second in 10.86 and Jamaican Kerron Stewart, a training partner of Ferguson in Auburn, was third in 11.98.

Ferguson-McKenzie beat out Jamaican Sherone Simpson, who ran 11.28.