Arkansas alum Shafiqua Maloney, representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines, collected a silver medal in the women’s 800m with a time of 1:59.98 as American Nia Akins claimed gold in 1:59.75. Jamaica’s Kelly-Ann Beckford placed third in 2:00.17.

Entering the meet with a career best of 1:45.23, Taylor was attempting to better the World Athletics standard of 1:44.50 to qualify for September’s World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

His effort in placing third bettered the Jamaican national record of 1:44.40 set by Navasky Anderson this summer. Anderson produced a PR of 1:44.18 in placing fourth in the NACAC race. Taylor also broke the Arkansas school record of 1:44.97 set in 1995 by Brandon Rock.

Georgetown’s Handal Roban of St. Vincent and the Grenadines won the 800m race in a national record of 1:42.87, which ranks No. 2 performer on the all-dates, all-time collegiate list. Brandon Miller of the United States finished second in 1:43.15.

Taylor’s 1:43.74 ranks as equal No. 11 on the all-dates, all-time collegiate list with Earl Jones of Eastern Michigan from 1984.

In the men’s long jump, alum LaQuan Nairn finished fourth with a mark of 25-8.75 (7.84). Nia Robinson placed sixth in the women’s long jump with a leap of 20-10.5 (6.36).

Alum Nickisha Pryce of Jamaica led the 400m prelims on Friday with a time of 50.39 and will race in the final on Sunday. Krissy Gear is scheduled to race in the 3,000m steeplechase on Sunday as well.