Williams Produces World Lead at Mt. SAC Relays

WALNUT, Calif. – Micah Williams, the only collegian in a pro-heavy field at the Mt. SAC Relays, put on a show Saturday afternoon thanks to a world-leading performance in the 100 meters. The Portland, Ore., native posted a time of 9.83 on his way to victory. Defending NCAA champion Emmanuel Ihemeje picked up a win of his own in the invitational section of the triple jump.
 
Williams put away the competition in the first semifinal, stopping the clock in a wind-aided 9.96 (+3.1) to post the fastest overall qualifier. He'd only get better in the next round.
 
Centered in lane final of the invitational final, Williams put his mark on the race early, surged ahead and stopped the clock in a wind-aided 9.83 (+2.5), an all-conditions lifetime best and the fastest time in the NCAA this season. In addition to the world lead, Williams' performance is tied for the seventh-fastest all-conditions outing in collegiate history.
 
In his third appearance of the afternoon, Williams teamed with Ryan Mulholland, Will Mundy and Xavier Nairne for a season-best time of 39.08 in the invitational section of the 4x100-meter relay. The time puts the UO quartet at No. 6 on the program's all-time list. Oregon had the top collegiate result, and finished only behind the USATF team.
 
Williams' afternoon laid out over a span of less than two hours with the semifinal heat going off at 2:19 p.m.—after several would-be starts due to technical issues—and the 4x100-meter relay starting at 4:07 p.m.
 
In the Ducks' first event of the day, Kemba Nelson led a trio of Ducks with a season-best time of 11.09 in the final of the women's 100 meters. She finished second overall with teammates Jadyn Mays and Iman Brown in sixth and ninth, respectively. Mays' crossed the finish line in 11.22 to establish a personal best and move into sole possession of ninth on the program's top-10 list.
 
Nelson and Mays helped the UO women to a season-best time in the 4x100-meter, as well. The team of Mays, Nelson, Jasmin Reed and Jasmine Montgomery combined for a time of 43.54, good for second in the race behind the team put together by USATF.
 
Ihemeje, the final Duck in action during the busy Mt. SAC Relays weekend, took over the NCAA lead in his signature event. On his first attempt, the Bergamo, Italy, native posted a wind-aided 17.00m/55-9.25 that would stand up for the remainder of the competition. Along with several other collegians, the field featured two-time Olympian Chris Bernard who finished second overall.
 
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Saturday Results
Mt. SAC Relays (Walnut, Calif.)
MEN
100 Meters | invitational – final
1. Micah Williams – 9.83w, +2.5
 
100 Meters | invitational – prelims
1. Micah Williams – 9.96wq, +3.1
 
100 Meters | final
--. Xavier Nairne – DQ
 
4x100m Relay | invitational
2. Ryan Mulholland/Micah Williams/Will Mundy/Xavier Nairne – 39.08 (SB) [No. 6 UO]
 
Triple Jump | invitational
1. Emmanuel Ihemeje – 17.00m/55-9.25w, +2.5
 
WOMEN
100 Meters | final
2. Kemba Nelson – 11.09
6. Jadyn Mays – 11.22 (PR) [No. 9 UO]
9. Iman Brown – 11.58
 
4x100m Relay | invitational
2. Jadyn Mays/Kemba Nelson/Jasmin Reed/Jasmine Montgomery – 43.54 (SB)
 
Triple Jump | invitational
--. Dominique Ruotolo – NM
 
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