LaShawn Merritt takes 400 meters in event in Toronto

TORONTO

Portsmouth's LaShawn Merritt won the 400 meters Thursday night at the Festival of Excellence at the University of Torontot.

Merritt, a graduate of Wilson High and the reigning Olympic champion in the event, finished with a time of 44.83 seconds. Ato Stephens of Trinidad and Tobago was second (45.34), followed by Andre Williams of the Bahamas (45.72).

"I pretty much cleared the field," Merritt said. "I was coming down the home stretch and saw that I was in the lead. In a week and a half I have my nationals. I wanted to come in and get a good race, I got a good race."

The U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships will take place June 25-28 in Eugene, Ore.

Merritt has the fastest time in the world (44.50) in the 400 this year.

Piranhas at home for soccer doubleheader tonight

The Hampton Roads Piranhas teams will host a doubleheader today at Virginia Wesleyan.

The PDL Piranhas will play the Virginia Legacy at 5:30 p.m. It will be the PDL Piranhas' first home game in more than a month.

The W-League Piranhas, who are unbeaten at home, face the Atlanta Silverbacks at 8 p.m.