Raymond Graham, Contributor

SIMPSON

NINE OF the island's top athletes will parade their skills today in the United States as the competitive Nike Prefontaine Track and Field Classic will be held in Eugene, Oregon.

In what looks likely as a clash between Jamaica and the United States, most of the athletes that are ranked in the top 10 in their events in the world will be on show in what is expected to be acid test before both countries' national championships at the end of the month.

An exciting clash

The women's 100 metres should be a mouthwatering clash as most of the world's top sprinters will be on parade. With only Veronica Campbell, the world champion, being absent, Jamaica will be well represented by Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson, while the US will have Allison Felix, Lauryn Williams, Torrie Edwards, Carmeleta Jeter and Muna Lee.

Felix (10.93), Stewart (10.96) and Lee (10.97) have all gone under 11 seconds this year while Simpson (11.09), Edwards (11.10), Williams (11.13) and Jeter (11.16) are not far behind.

Another epic battle is expected in the women's 400m where the US's top three runners, Sanya Richards (50.04), Mary Wineburgh (50.41) and Natasha Hastings (50.80) face Jamaica's top two in World Championship bronze medallist Novlene Williams (50.38) and Sherika Williams (50.50).

Former national 100m hurdles champion Brigitte Foster-Hylton is bent on making up for her disappointment in Berlin a week ago when she finished at the back of the field as she, along with Lacena Golding-Clarke, take on a strong field. World leader Demu Cherry (12.47) heads the list which includes US teammates Joanna Haynes and Nicole Denby.

Michael Frater, with a season best 10.08 seconds, is the top-ranked performer in the men's 100m, which includes the US's Shawn Crawford and Wallace Spearmon.

Christopher Williams will be hoping to improve on his season-best 20.75 seconds in the 200m where he takes on Spearmon and Xavier Carter, while Dorian Scott will line up in a strong field in the men's shot put.