De Grasse edges Olympic 100m champ Jacobs at East Coast Relays

Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse edged reigning Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs to win the 100 metres at the East Coast Relays on Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla.

The 29-year-old from Markham, Ont., posted a time of 10.103 seconds at the University of Florida, 3-1000ths of second faster than Jacobs, who was born in the United States but represents Italy.

American Trayvon Bromell was third in 10.135 seconds.

De Grasse, Jacobs and Bromell, who train together at the Tumbleweed Track Club in Jacksonville, were grouped together in the first of 15 heats.

DeGrasse was short of the 10.00 standard for the Paris Olympics this summer but has until June 30 to qualify.

The reigning Olympic champion's 20.11 effort in the 200 on Friday at the same meet was the fastest  of any athlete across the 15 heats.

The East Coast Relays feature some top internationals preparing for the Olympics among college athletes.

WATCH | CBC Sports' Athletics North — Can Andre De Grasse go lower than 9.84?:

Race for the record: Can Andre De Grasse go lower than 9.84? | Athletics North

7 months ago

Duration 3:08

The Canadian sprinter has made it clear that before he retires he wants the men’s national 100m record currently held jointly by Donovan Bailey & Bruny Surin. Certified track nerd Morgan Campbell gives an update on De Grasse from the time they spent together earlier this year in Jacksonville, Florida.