False start for Blake

YOHAN BLAKE, last year’s national champion in the men’s 100 metres, was disqualified for a false start in the preliminary round on the opening day of the JAAA Puma/MCGES National Junior and Senior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Blake, the 2011 World Champion, was not in sync with the starter in his heat and emerged one of the biggest casualties of the evening.

Several other male athletes produced massive personal bests, with three recording sub-10 clockings.

Kishane Thompson of MVP led the way after winning heat one in 9.91 seconds. Kadrian Goldson of GC Foster College clocked 9.94 seconds to win Heat Two ahead of Rohan Watson, who ran 9.98.

Oblique Seville, back from injury, won his heat in 10.00 seconds flat, while Nigel Ellis of Elite Performance Track Club timed 10.09 seconds. Ackeem Blake also made it through among the qualifiers after placing second in his heat.

In women’s action, defending champion Shericka Jackson sent a very strong message that she could do something very special as she actually jogged the last 40 metres to win in 10.99 seconds, the fastest time going into the semi-finals today. Joniel Smith and Briana Williams both clocked 11.19 seconds for second and third.

Alana Reid took Heat Two in 11.40, while Natasha Morrison of MVP produced a season best 11.00 seconds to win heat three.

In the much anticipated Heat Four, twice Olympic double champion Elaine Thompson-Herah showed that she is not off form with an 11.12 win in a competitive heat with Ashanti Moore, Kemba Nelson, and Tina Clayton.

Action on today’s second day will start at 9:45 a.m. with the finals of the under-18 girl’s triple jump and discus throw. Also in the morning session, the under-18 girl’s will compete in the high jump, while the boys will contest the long jump .

Overall, 29 finals will be contested on day two. Senior athletes will be involved in eight, seven on the track plus the men’s high jump.