USC's Tade Ojora (right) running for Great Britain, wins the 110 Elite hurdles over teammate Johnnie Brackins in 13.38
USC's Tade Ojora (right) running for Great Britain, wins the 110 Elite hurdles over teammate Johnnie Brackins in 13.38. (Photo Jon Gaede BVN/NNPA)

Last Updated on May 3, 2024 by BVN


Overview: The annual track and field meet at Mt. San Antonio College, known for attracting the best athletes, took place over the weekend. Olympic hopeful Julien Alfred won the Women’s 200 and anchored her St. Lucia team to a strong performance in the 4 x 100. USC’s Temi Ojora and her brother Tade Ojora, representing Great Britain, won the Elite triple jump and 110 hurdles, respectively. Former USC star Madison Richards won the Elite long jump, and Rai Benjamin won the Elite men’s 400 in his first outdoor meet as he prepares for the Olympic trials.

Jon D. Gaede | BVN Sports

The top prep, collegiate and elite track & field athletes returned to the annual meet at Mt. San Antonio College, known for bringing out the very best performances over 64 years.

Since 1959, the track at Hilmer Lodge has been the venue for an extraordinary track & field competition that has attracted some of the very best, including Carl Lewis, Edwin Moses, Al Oerter, Bob Seagren, Stacey Dragila, Quincy Watts, Allyson Felix and the great Jackie Joyner-Kersee to name just a few.

Former USC and two time world champion Kendall Ellis takes second in the Elite 400 in 51.25.  (Photo: Robert Attical BVN/NNPA)

This meet also brings out the sophisticated track observers who can be seen with their stop watches on the home stretch or at the finish line where some world records fall. This being one of the first outdoor meets in an Olympic year, added to the atmosphere.

“Where the World Best Athletes Compete” – Since 1959

In the International Division, Olympic hopeful Julien Alfred won the Women’s 200 in 22.58, then anchored her St Lucia team to a brisk 42.03 in the 4 x 100. Alfred said she’s focused on winning St. Lucia’s first Olympic medal in Paris. USC’s Temi Ojora and her brother, fellow Trojan Tade Ojora, both competed under the flag of Great Britain. Temi won the Elite triple jump with a leap of 44-12 as Tade won the Elite men’s 110 hurdles in 13.48.

Talie Bonds wins her second consecutive 100 meter Elite hurdle race in 12.75. (Photo: Robert Attical BVN/NNPA)

Talie Bonds, former All-American at Arizona, now running for VS Athletics won her second consecutive 100 meter hurdles race in 12.76. Kyree King, running for Nike won the Elite 200 in 20.11 and took fourth in 100-meter race in 10.12.

Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Rai Benjamin breezes to a brisk 44.42 in the elite 400m race at Mt. Sac Relays. (Photo: Jon Gaede BVN/NNPA)

Former USC star Madison Richards won the Elite long jump with a leap of 21-8.25. Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Rai Benjamin, now running for Nike, easily won the Elite men’s 400 in 44.42. Benjamin looked effortless in his initial outdoor meet as he progresses toward the Olympic trials and Paris this summer.

While on assignment for GamePro Magazine in 1996, Jon Gaede met former Black Voice Sports Editor, Leland Stein at a Los Angeles Lakers’ game. They formed a working relationship which has endured for 24 years. In addition to African safaris, theater productions, Footsteps to Freedom Tours with Black Voice News Publisher Emeritus Cheryl Brown, concerts and portraits, Jon’s true passion comes from shooting action sports images. Jon has covered a variety of prep, collegiate and professional sports from track & field to boxing, including six Olympic Games.