Senior athletes shine at GC Foster Classics

While most of the attention was centred on high-school athletes in the Digicel Grand Prix events at last Saturday's G.C. Foster Classics inside the National Stadium, several of the country's senior athletes made their presence felt at the meet with good performances.

Leading the way was Racers Track Club star Kemar Bailey-Cole, competing in his first 100m event of the season. Bailey-Cole looked quite relaxed in posting 10.06 seconds in winning the race ahead of Andrew Fisher, second in 10.26 seconds, as Emmanuel Callender, the Trinidadian competing for UWI Mona, finished third in 10.19 seconds.

half-lap event

After good performances in the 400 metres last season, but disappointing at the National Senior Championships, G.C. Foster College's Demish Gaye stepped down to the 200m and did so in style. Running very strongly in the latter stage of the event, he got the better of training partner Oshane Bailey to win the Men's half-lap event in 20.48 seconds, as Bailey was timed in 20.55 seconds, while Chadic Hinds, also of G.C. Foster College, was third in 20.76 seconds.

In field events, the good season for UWI's, Fedrick Dacres continued. This time, competing in the Men's shot put. Instead of his pet event, the discus, he still came out on top with 18.82m, beating Christopher Brown, also of UWI, into second with 16.70m with Demar Gayle of GC Foster getting third with 16.38M.

National record holder, Orlando Thomas of UTech was first in the Men's Javelin throw with 7.05m, beating Elvis Graham of G.C. Foster College into second place with 62.93m with third going to Zaavan Richards of UWI with 60.36m.

After a disappointing season last year, Jura Levy had a good start to her new season, as the former Vere Technical athlete competing for Sprintec captured the Women's 200m in 22.98 seconds, getting the better of her training partners, Anastasia Leroy second in 23.11 seconds and Gayon Evans third in 23.18 seconds.There was major concern here for two of the country's athletes who participated at the Rio Olympics last year. Anneisha McLaughlin-Whilby and Christine Day both failed to complete the event.Of the two, Day looked the more serious as she was stretchered off the track.

Samantha James of the Mico University College continued her fine form in the 800m this season, winning the event in 2:08.99, easily getting the better of Sherona Stewart of G.C. Foster College, second in 2:16.81 and Nickeisha Grant of UWI, Mona third in 2:17.26.