Other Sports

Shayla Sanders takes Adidas Dream 100 in style

Shayla Sanders takes Adidas Dream 100 in style

 

Recently graudated Boyd Anderson All-American sprinter Shayla Sanders stakes her claim to the nation’s top female prep sprinter by winning the Dream 100 at the Adidas Grand Prix in New York on Saturday.

 

Shayla Sanders #5 of the USA races en route to winning adidas Girls' Dream 100 at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island on June 9, 2012 in New York City.
Shayla Sanders #5 of the USA races en route to winning adidas Girls' Dream 100 at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island on June 9, 2012 in New York City.
MIKE STOBE / STRINGER

flyon@MiamiHerald.com

Any debate over who is the nation’s top girls sprinter, ended with Boyd Anderson graduate and soon-to-be Florida Gators star sprinter Shayla Sanders capturing the Dream 100 title at the Adidas Grand Prix in New York on Saturday.

Already a front-runner for national post-season honors with the nation’s top times in the 100 (11.33) and 200 (23.25), the Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson High School graduate made it a slam shut case by clocking 11.34, just .01 off her personal-best 11.33, to top a 5-star invitation-only field at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island.

“This means a lot,’’ Sanders said,. “I am here in New York with some of the pros like Tyson Gay, Allyson Felix, Carmelita Jeter and Sanya Richards. I am feeling like a pro myself. It is great.”

Kali Davis-White, the other half of a dynamic Boyd Anderson sprint duo which helped the Cobras capture its first state title, finished third in 11.45 (U.S. No. 5) behind Aaliyah Brown (11.44, U.S. No. 4).

Sanders said her fifth-place finish at the 2011 Dream 100 was due in part to the Diamond League meet not having prelims and a case of the pre-race jitters. This time, Sanders said she knew what to expect and put insight she gleaned from Gay on Friday during a walk-through, to good use.

“Last year I was nervous, it was my first time in the Dream 100,’’ Sanders said. “This year I told myself it’s just another race, just race like you always do.”

The victory should set Sanders, whose 2012 exploits include a U.S. No. 2 all-time indoor time in the 60 meters (7.21), up for the USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships starting June 15.

Sanders will try to earn a qualifying spot in the 100 and 200 for the U.S. team competing at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Spain.

“Winning the Dream 100 ranks second, winning the state title was number one,’’ Sanders said. “If I qualify for the World Juniors team, that would top it all.”

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