Rhasidat Adeleke led a University of Texas clean sweep of the 400m medals at the Big 12 Championships Sunday at the John Jacobs Track and Field Complex in Norman, Oklahoma
All eyes were on the 20 year old Irish girl to break the 50 seconds barrier for the second time in under one month but could not fulfil expectations.
Adeleke however ensured she mounted the podium as the Big 12 Championships champion (50.58) after finishing third (50.70) last year at the Terry and Linda Fuller T&F Complex in Lubbock, Texas.
She also broke the 51.24 facility record set by Jessica Beard of Texas A&M University in 2009.
Adeleke had earlier helped University of Texas’ 4x100m relay team to set a new 41.89 collegiate in storming to victory at the championships.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s former World U20 400m champion, Imaobong Nse Uko came in fifth in 52.13.
The Nigerian also came in seventh (23.64) in the 200m event while her fellow country woman, Rosemary Chukwuma did not start the race.
Saint Lucia’s Julieen Alfred won the race in 22.28 to successfully complete a sprint double after running a wind legal 10.84 to win the 100m event.
Chukwuma was fifth in that race in 11.21.
Former Nigeria star, Ezinne Abba ran an 11.04 lifetime best to place third in the race.
sportsnow.com.ng
