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National under-20 athlete Skyler Franklin showed her readiness for the August 27-30 World Under-20 Champions in Peru with an impressive personal best time in the 400 metres at last Friday's Holloway Pro Classic America Track League in Gainsville, Florida.

Franklin, who switched allegiance from the United States to Jamaica shortly before the national championships, finished third in the 400m in a personal-best 51.01 seconds, well under her previous best of 51.66.

The event was won by American Aaliyah Butler in 50.14, ahead of compatriot Bailey Leer who took second in 50.51.

The meet also saw a personal best for Paris Olympics-bound JeVaughn Powell. Powell, who was second in the 400m at the national championships, clocked 20.21. Powell finished ahead of fellow Jamaicans Javari Thomas, who was fourth in 20.60; Bryan Levell, sixth in 20.73; and Ashanie Smith, seventh in 21.08. American Erriyon Knighton won the event in 19.92.

Jamaica's Julian Forte finished fourth in the men's 100m in 10.12 seconds, just ahead of Sandrey Davison, fifth in 10.13. Another Jamaica, Tyler Mason, was ninth in the 110m hurdles in 13.92.

In what is expected to be one of the most competitive events at the Olympic Games, the women's 100m hurdles, American Grace Stark won the event in 12.58 in a negative wind of 1.7 metres per second to score a big psychological advantage over her peers ahead of the Games. World record holder Tobi Amusan of Nigeria was second in 12.60, while world leader and United States national champion Masai Russell was third in the same time. Jamaica's Yanique Thompson ended ninth in 13.18.

Sixteen-year-old 400m sensation Quincy Wilson of the United States was in brilliant form at the meet. Wilson, who booked his ticket to the Olympics as a part of the American 4x400m relay pool after finishing sixth at their national championships, outbattled countryman Bryce Deadmon to win the one-lap event in a personal -best 44.20 seconds. Deadmon was second in a season's best 44.23.