July 13, 2009
Athens, Greece - Competing in the stadium that hosted the 2004 Summer Olympics, former Texas A&M NCAA Champion Fabrice Lapierre claimed another long jump victory on the European circuit with a come-from-behind effort in the sixth and final round of the Athens Grand Prix.
Only sporting a best of 19-8.25 from the first three rounds, Lapierre went into the final round in eighth place. Hitting a mark of 27-0.5 (8.24) in round six propelled Lapierre past Greek jumper Louis Tsatoumas, who had led the competition with a 26-11.25 (8.21) effort.
In quotes provided by meet organizers Lapierre noted: "I'm very satisfied with my performance. The crowd's support was fantastic. I'm getting prepared for Berlin where I hope I can win a medal. I think it will take an 8.50-plus jump (27-10.75) for the podium."
With the victory comes 10 points in the season-long standings for the World Athletics Final. Lapierre reclaimed the lead in the long jump with 70 points ahead of Godfrey Mokoeno (62), Dwight Phillips (60) and Louis Tsatoumas (50).
Also in the long jump competition was another former Aggie athlete, Bashir Ramzy, who placed fifth with a leap of 25-7.5 (7.81).
In sprint and hurdle action former A&M NCAA champion Simone Facey contested the 100 final and placed fifth in 11.28 seconds. Fellow Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown won the race in 10.96 (0.4 wind) ahead of Carmelita Jeter, the U.S. Champion, who placed second in 11.02.
Texas A&M volunteer assistant coach Aries Merrit finished fifth in the 110 hurdles with a time of 13.48, which was wind-aided. Americans claimed six of the nine places in the race, led by a winning time of 13.18 from Joel Brown.
Over the weekend at the British Championships in Birmingham, England, former Aggie athlete Tyron Edgar finished third in the 100 final with a time of 10.28. Simeon Williamson won the race in 10.05, into a headwind of -1.8, while Dwayne Chambers placed second in 10.22.
The winner of the event became an automatic selection to the British team competing at the World Championships in Berlin, while the other two positions for the 100 meters as well as the personnel for the 4 x 100 relay will be decided upon by a selection committee.
Selections will take place after the London Grand Prix, held over two days at Crystal Palace, this coming weekend.