Briana Williams Smashes 100m Records With 10.94


Northeast (FL) High School junior Briana Williams smashed the national high school, world U18 and Jamaican U20 records in the 100m when she clocked a 10.94 to finish third at the Jamaica Senior Championships Friday night in Kingston.

The former record of 10.98 was set in 2015 by Candace Hill at Brooks PR.

"I actually competed with a fever today," Williams said. "I'm getting sick, so I will seek a medical exemption for the 200m and chase a top-3 Jamaican time between now and Worlds to try to get a 200m spot as well. I won't compete in the 2019 National Championships any further. On to Doha!" 

Related Video: Behind Briana Williams 100m National Record Pursuit

Williams, the No. 1 ranked athlete in the MileSplit50 girls rankings, finished behind Elaine Thompson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the last two Olympic champions in the 100m. Williams and Fraser-Pryce each clocked a world-leading 10.73 with Thompson getting winning the photo finish by .003. All three women earned spots on Jamaica's team for the World Championships in September in Doha, Qatar.

Prior to this meet, Williams had competed just four times this outdoor season. She lowered her personal best to 11.02 at the Great Southwest Track & Field Classic on June 8. Williams eased into the semifinals running 11.20 into a headwind before advancing out of the semifinals with an 11.01, which lowered her National Junior Record by a tick.

Williams, 17, is now tied with Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain for the No. 4 time in the world this season. She will also attempt to make Jamaica's 200m squad later this weekend.



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