STETHS’ Bromfield shines at COCAA Western Champs girls qualifiers

WESTERN BUREAU:

Junelle Bromfield of St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) looks like a girl on a mission, after clocking 5:14.07 to easily win gold in the Class One 1500m at Tuesday's County of Cornwall Athletics Association (COCAA) Western Championship Girls qualifiers.

However, defending champions STETHS trail Rusea's High School heading into Saturday's final.

Rusea's lead the chasing pack after racking up 134 points from 15 completed events. STETHS are next with 86 points. Petersfield High, 64 points, Herbert Morrison 35.5 pts and Frome Technical 30 points rounding off the top five places.

PEAK FORM

Bromfield dismissed the field without breaking a sweat, then told The Gleaner that she was in peak form and looking to the finals on Saturday.

"I just came out here to win the gold. It wasn't a fast race, but I am very satisfied. It was just my plan to use as little energy as possible to win, which I did, so I am pleased," Bromfield said.

Shanice Bradman of Rusea's ran across the line for second in 5:24.28, while Maldon High's Nadine Martin finished third in 5:39.06.

Bromfield, the 2015 CARIFTA champion over 400 metres, said she is in excellent physical shape and could surprise in the final of the 1500m and 400m on Saturday by running record times, if the conditions are perfect.

"I think you should expect a lot in the final, especially the 400m, as I have been putting in the necessary mileage. Last year was a very good year in terms of time, but this year I am hoping to better that," she said.

"I will be running for the times and if a record comes then so be it," added Bromfield. "But on Saturday, God's willing, it will be another good day on the track for me."

There were several other outstanding performances on Tuesday, including Colistia Baker's winning 5.49-metre leap to top the field in the girls Class One long jump and also placing first in the girls 17-18 high jump.

Baker of Petersfield High logged the distance on her third attempt and held on for the win, as Besilla Haughton of Rusea's placed second with the same distance, 5.49m. Rennee Pearson of Herbert Morrison was third after leaping 4.08m.

Baker matched that success in taking the gold with a jump of 1.65m in the Class One high jump. Herbert Morrison's Kishauna Smith's 1.45m was good enough for silver and Haughton (Rusea's) bronze with a similar 1.45m effort.

The boys' qualifying will take place today at the Herbert Morrison Technical ground, with all finals set for this Saturday, February 6 at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.