Ace-sprinter Julien Alfred continues to display her athletic prowess with record breaking performances on the tracks in the US Collegiate sports arena.
Julien broke two national records while making history at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Big 12 Indoor Championship, last weekend.
Alfred ran 6.97, a new personal best, an NCAA and national record, to win the 60m on Saturday; and later that day, she set a new meet record in the 200m.
Julien, 21 ran 22.26, another personal best, to win comfortably ahead of teammate Lanae Thomas (22.63) and Texas tech’s Rosemary Chukwuma (22.68).
It’s the fourth time this season Alfred has reset her records, and she also set a new 60m collegiate record for the third time this year, breaking the seven-second barrier.
Sports commentators were full of praise for Julien’s tenacity and drive as she blazed down the tracks with blistering record-breaking pace, at the 2023 Big 12 Indoor Championships in Lubbock, Texas.
Saint Lucian sports commentator and enthusiast Terry Finisterre shared his sentiments on Alfred’s latest performances: “In a broader context, obviously massive for Saint Lucia as well, she’s now really put herself firmly among that upper pantheon of top sprinters; the number of athletes who’ve run under seven seconds for the 60M indoors is minimal.
“Alfred, who won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, has joined LaVerne Ferrette from the US Virgin Islands, both tied for eighth place in the world ranking.”
He adds that with both regional sprinters “having run 6.97 and within a whisker of the Caribbean record of 6.96; only Merlene Ottey of Jamaica has ever run faster than Julien Alfred over the 60M indoors from the Caribbean.”
Finisterre says it’s a huge and noteworthy achievement, which speaks volumes about her development and progression”. He looks forward with anticipation and great prospects for her competing at the indoor championships.
The island’s lead political representatives also chimed in with the congratulatory messages and support.
According to Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Ernest Hilaire: “Congratulations to our very own Julien Alfred, who completed the 60M Sprint at the 2023 Big 12 Indoor Championships in 6.97 seconds. Further congratulations are also in order for her as she wins the 200M race in 22.26 seconds. This time is the 2nd fastest NCAA time ever and 4th fastest time in the world all time! Continue making your country proud.”
Added Prime Minister Philip J Pierre: “Julien’s impressive achievement makes her the 8th fastest sprinter in history while also breaking the NCAA collegiate record three times in a row. We are proud of your achievements, and you have our support. Congratulations once again, Julien.”
Commenting on Alfred’s record-breaking feat, last weekend, a US sports commentator had this to say on this ‘Incredible Record’ achievement: “In the women’s 60metre dash, Julien Alfred from the University of Texas just demolished her own NCAA record with a super human effort of 6.97 secs.
“For an NCAA race in the 60m dash, this is already one of the most dominant wins that we’ve ever seen. However, when we take the time to step further, we can see something even crazier, because at 6.97secs this now places her at #7 in the all-time, which is incredible, especially considering the fact that she just passed Shirley Ann Fraser- Price and Elaine Thompson Herra on this all-time list.”
He added, “Obviously, Alfred is approaching ‘legend status’ when it comes to the 60m; but then exactly two hours after this NCAA record, Julien Alfred did something even crazier. With a record start in a devastating finish, Alfred unleashed a special kind of speed in this 200m dash hitting a time of 22.26 secs.”