Jamaica fumbles 4x100 against U.S. men

By DyeStat

Notes from the IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas

Sunday's finals:

Men's 4x800 - The United States outdueled Kenya to win the final in 7:13.16 to 7:13.70. Clayton Murphy anchored the victory. The last leg was tactical, with Murphy splitting just 1:49.18 to win the cat-and-mouse game. There was some controversy attached earlier to this event, when Olympian Charles Jock left the Bahamas early after finding out he was not on the U.S. lineup, but instead just an alternate. This event also included the feel-good story of the Athlete Refugee Team, which finished in 8:12.57.

Women's 4x400 - The United States women, with a lineup of Phyllis Francis, Ashley Spencer, Quanera Hayes and Natasha Hastings, won the race in 3:24.36. Poland edged ahead of Jamaica for the silver.

Men's 4x200 - Canada overtook the United States, with Andre DeGrasse on the third leg, to win the race and unseat the Jamaicans and upset the U.S. in 1:19.42. Canada got some redemption for dropping the baton in Saturday's 4x100 final. The U.S. got second in 1:19.88 and Jamaica was third in 1:21.09.

Men's 4x400 -  Plucky Botswana pushed the United States and anchor Lashawn Merritt had to work to bring home the gold medal. The U.S. clocked 3:02.13 and Botswana took silver in 3:02.28. Jamaica came home third in 3:02.86. The U.S., which also featured David Verburg, Tony McQuay and Kyle Clemons, led from the start and was first at every exchange.

Women's 4x100 - Tianna Bartoletta fell on the first leg and never got the stick to Jenna Prandini, so the favored United States did not finish. Germany ran off with the title, followed by Jamaica (silver) and China (bronze).

Co-Ed Relay  - The host Bahamas guaranteed that the party will continue after the meet, with Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo playing a key role in the host nation winning the inaugural mixed gender 4x400 relay. She split 49.60. The stadium erupted as the Bahamians won it in 3:14.42, while the U.S. took silver and Jamaicans got bronze.

Saturday's rundown:

- Jamaica dropped the baton in the men's 4x100 relay in the prelim and Canada dropped it in the final, virtually handing the gold to the United States. The U.S. team of Leshon Collins, Mike Rodgers, Ronnie Baker and Justin Gatlin ran 38.43 to cruise in for the win. 

- The U.S. women ran 8:16.36 to win the 4x800 relay with a lineup of Chanelle Price, Chrishuna Williams, Laura Roesler and Charlene Lipsey. Belarus was four seconds back for silver.

- The Jamaican women ran a meet record 1:29.04 to win the 4x200 relay, while the U.S. women placed third behind Germany in 1:30.87.