Mitton Throws Two Season's Bests Prior To Departing For Commonwealth Games In Scotland

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Kim Spir Photo

RESULTS/VIDEOS

BURNABY, B.C. -- Sarah Mitton broke her own meet record at The Jerome Classic on Tuesday. And then she broke it again. And again. 

Canada's best female shot-putter ultimately won with a season-best 20.66m (67-9) in the fifth round, spurred on by an enthusiastic group of spectators lining the edge of the sector sitting a few feet from the ring on a warm evening at Swangard Stadium. 

Mitton, who also broke the meet record in Edmonton on Sunday when she threw 20.20m, opened on Tuesday with 19.85m and then surpassed 20 meters on four consecutive throws: 20.21m, 20.13m, 20.45m and 20.66m. He final attempt was a foul. 

"Honestly, the atmosphere here tonight was really good," Mitton said. "I'm starting to find a competitive groove. My season started off really well in China, then took a little turn, it was consistent but really not hitting the shot as well as I hoped."

Mitton will soon depart for Glasgow, Scotland to compete in the Commonwealth Games, which begin July 23. 

Many of the athletes competing Tuesday will embark for somewhere else soon -- be it European meets, Commonwealth Games, the USATF Junior Olympics, World U20s, or elsewhere. 

Allon Clay, still wearing a Penn State jersey as he seeks to to turn pro, won the 800 meters with a second strong performance in three days. He followed the pacing of college teammate Niko Schultz and won easily in 1:44.51. 

"I wish I had a little more competition at the end but I can't complain iwth 1:44," Clay said.

Clay, who represents Japan, is headed to a meet in Belgium. Schultz, a Puerto Rican, is focused on the CAC Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Aug. 6.

Boh Ritchie of New Zealand dove at the line to pull out a close victory in the women's 800 meters, in 2:02.46, just ahead of Lauren Tolbert (2:02.51) and Rin Kubo of Japan (2:02.57). 

In the men's 1,500 meters, Canadian Jonathan Podbielski won what turned out to be a kicker's race in 3:38.57, just ahead of Tomas Palfrey of Australia (and Oregon), in 3:39.13. 

Palfrey, who has one more year at Oregon, faces a 15-hour flight home to Sydney on Wednesday. 

Maggie Smith of Canada won the women's 1,500 meters in 4:10.74. 

Hammer thrower Rowan Hamilton, who is a new father as of six days ago, fit in another competition in the midst of a busy week and threw 73.87m (242-4) for a victory. 

Jamaican thrower Nakoya Clunis won the women's hammer with 71.15m (233-5). 

Tyler Johnson of Nigeria won the men's 400 meters in 45.53 seconds. 

Canadian Grace Konrad pulled away from Ella Clayton on the homestretch to win the women's 400 in 52.35 seconds. 

Jamar Marshall Jr. won a second straight 110-meter hurdles race in Canada, with 13.33 seconds. On Sunday in Edmonton, he ran 13.12w. 

Michelle Harrison won the women's 100 hurdles in 13.19. 

Shakur Williams from Jamaica won the men's 100 meters in 10.32 and Chante Clinkscale won the women's 100 in 11.61.

William Williams won the men's long jump with 7.59m (24-11).