Mixed results for US hurdlers in 5 Nations meet
World indoor champion Lolo Jones stumbled to defeat in the 60-meter hurdles at the Aviva International meet on Saturday, with Britain's Jessica Ennis too strong for the American star for the second straight year.
Ennis, the world heptathlon champion, ran a flawless race at Glasgow's Kelvin Hall to power to victory in an official time of 7.97 seconds.
Jones got off to a decent start but hit the second-to-last hurdle with her lead leg to scupper her chances, trailing in fourth in 8.27.
Ennis, who finished third in the long jump later Saturday, ran a personal best to beat Jones by two hundredths of a second at the same meet last year.
"I could feel Ennis and I knew it was a good battle but I pushed too hard," said Jones, who was competing in her first race of 2011. "With just five hurdles, you can't do anything after that.
"It wasn't a good matchup today and that was frustrating. I wasn't able to provide that excitement."
Ennis, who had already ran twice this season, was delighted to repeat her win over Jones.
"I think my start wasn't very good ... but I think my general speed's good," she said. "I've done a lot of work on that over the winter. I think the latter part of my race is better so I came through quite well and I'm hoping that bodes well for the summer as well."
Tiffany Ofili, competing for the Commonwealth, came second in 8.04.
David Oliver of the United States, who was unbeaten outdoors in the 110 hurdles last summer, won the men's 60 hurdles in 7.51 _ his fastest time in a season-opening race.
"Things are looking good," said Oliver, who last year ran two of the six fastest times ever in the 110 hurdles. "I will just try to stay consistent. I'm hoping it's the springboard for a good outdoor season."
Oliver finished well clear of Andy Turner, the European champion from Britain, who clocked 7.66.
Dan Huling of the U.S. won the 3,000 in a personal-best time of 7 minutes, 56.68 seconds and compatriot Alexandria Anderson started poorly in the women's 60 but came through to cross first in 7.31.
Germany, Sweden and a Commonwealth Select squad were the other teams in the Five Nations match. Germany won with 61 points, five ahead of Britain and the Commonwealth.