By Morgan Sudduth
It was a battle to the very end between American athletes Jasmin Stowers and Queen Harrison in the women’s 100-meter hurdles at the Prefontaine Classic, Saturday at Hayward Field. The two ran their season’s best, but it was Stowers who took home the win, finishing in 12.59 seconds. Harrison was just behind in 12.64.
Going into the race, Stowers knew it was going to be a competitive one. Not only was she up against Harrison, but also two of the three women who made Olympic history when three American women swept the podium, Nia Ali and Kristi Castlin, and two-time Olympic medalist Dawn Harper-Nelson.
“Every girl out there today is amazing, so to win it means a lot,” said Stowers.
Stowers ran for her what was a clean race, but the same cannot be said for Harrison.
Harrison was positioned all the way out in Lane 8 and felt she was kind of snubbed being put there. She did not have the best start but was focused on her own race, and managed to take second place.
Harrison’s strong suit is closing her races. She tried to maximize that.
“At the end, I knew I was gonna go and catch some girls,” said Harrison. “I was hoping I’d catch all of them, but, hey, second place … I can’t be upset with that.”
Harrison said finishing second and grabbing a personal best is all part of her plan in building up her momentum. She is confident that it will be better by the U.S. outdoor championships, where she will attempt to make the world championship team.
Harrison has never won a U.S. title.
“My goal is to come, get first place, upset anybody else in the field and secure my spot in London,” said Harrison.
Harrison said she’s never the bride, but always the bridesmaid, except she will soon be the bride walking down the aisle. She appeared in an episode of the TLC show Say Yes to the Dress. She loved the cameras so much that she has new goal post-running in the works.
“We’ll get a reality TV show next,” said Harrison. “So, look out for that.”
