Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Veronica Campbell-Brown - file

CALIFORNIA, USA

Jamaicans Veronica Campbell-Brown and Novlene Williams logged victories yesterday at the Adidas Classic in Carson, California as the athletes continued their Olympic preparation.

Campbell-Brown edged a strong field to win the women's 100m at the Home Depot Center, while Williams won the women's 400m comfortably.

In the world class 100m field, which included seven of the world's top-10 ranked sprinters, Campbell-Brown held her nerves after two false starts to take victory in 11.14 seconds.

In a very close finish, Lauryn Williams, the 2005 World Champion, was second in 11.15, and Kerron Stewart third in 11.16. Allyson Felix, the world leader at 10.93, was fourth in 11.21 seconds.

Campbell-Brown afterwards said she was expecting a faster time.

"I thought I executed well. Maybe there are still a few things to work on, but after I review the race, coach and I will work on that," she said.

"I wish it was faster because I ran 11.02 last week and I like to keep running faster every time," she added, while noting that the strong head wind and heat were a factor.

Like Campbell-Brown, Stewart, who was slow out of the blocks, also felt she could have done better.

"I cannot complain, it was just a bad start," she explained. "These things happen and you just have to learn from it. This is what I should be running on a bad day, and this is a bad day, so I can't complain."

Season's best

Novlene Williams - AP photo

In the women's 400m, Williams stopped the clock to win in 50.38 seconds while Shereefa Lloyd was third in 50.93 and Sonita Sutherland seventh in 52.03. American Mary Wineberg was second in 50.41.

Williams said her preparations are on track.

"I am happy with the time. Last year I won with 50.6, this year, I won in 50.3, so I am well in the region where I want to be," she noted.

Vonette Dixon had a season best 12.75 for fourth in the women's 100m hurdles, which was won by Olympic champion Joanna Hayes (12.64). Lacena Golding-Clarke (13.08) was eighth.

None of the Jamaicans, Ricardo Chambers (45.29, fifth), and Michael Blackwood (45.78, seventh), was able to challenge 400m winner Jeremy Wariner of the United States, who won in 44.42.

Omar Brown (21.07) was seventh in the men's 200m won by Tyson Gay (20.08). Gay had earlier won the men's 100m in 10.05.

In the men's 400m hurdles, Dean Griffiths was eighth in 50.76 seconds. American Bershawn Jackson won the event in 48.94 seconds.