July 15, 2009
LUCERNE, Switzerland - Texas A&M senior All-American Chris Dykes made his professional debut with impressive performances in a pair of European races on Wednesday.
Racing in the 100 meters Dykes won a B heat in 10.35 seconds, establishing a career best mark. His previous best in the event was 10.62 from 2006 and he recorded a windy 10.38 this season during the Big 12 conference meet. Finishing behind Dykes was British sprinter Mark Lewis-Francis in 10.40.
Then in the 200 final Dykes finished second among an Aggie trio in the A heat with a clocking of 20.56. Texas A&M volunteer assistants Wallace Spearmon (20.31) and Kelly Willie (20.74) placed first and third in the race. In the women's 100, Aggie NCAA champion Simone Facey placed fourth in 11.39 seconds.
Spearmon just missed the meet record of 20.29, which would have earned him a diamond for the achievement. He was even closer in 2006 with a clocking of 20.30. Spearmon also ran in the 100, placing fourth in the A heat with a time of 10.26. Winning the race in 10.03 was Beaumont native Ivory Williams.
On Tuesday in Reims, 2006 NCAA 400 champion Clora Williams placed second in the 400 with a time of 52.02, her best effort so far this season. Natalia Pigida of Ukraine won the race in 51.96.