Goule sets sights on PB at Trials

National 800 metres ace Natoya Goule has set her sights on a personal best time at this weekend's JAAA National Senior Championships at the National Stadium.

A year ago, Goule defeated many-time national champion Kenia Sinclair to win the event, but in addition to retaining her title at the weekend, she wants to make a really big run.

"My preparation has been going on great so far this season, as I have been running good despite not starting off well. A week ago, I ran a season's best of 2:00.56 and I am here to defend my title. I am not putting down anyone, but that is my aim and desire," Goule said on Monday at the Stadium East field where she is putting in her final preparations for this weekend's meet.

Sinclair is not expected to face the start this year, but Goule anticipates some competition from a United States-based runner who will be competing here for the first time.

"We have a new girl coming in by the name of Jazmine Fray. I saw her indoors and she told me that she has some Jamaican roots and I encouraged her to come to the trials because we do not have many 800m athletes locally, and in the United States, there are a lot of them, so I told her to come here and compete, as I think she can make the team," Goule said. Fray, earlier this year, clocked a collegiate indoor record of 2:00.69 over 800 metres.

Goule is aiming to run sub. 1:59 this year.

"I know I can do it, as my training has improved and it will come at the right time," said the former Manchester High athlete. Her personal best outdoors is 1:59.38.

Goule thinks middle- and long-distance runners are not being given enough respect from the local governors of the sport, and this could be one of the reasons why these athletes are not doing well after leaving high school.

"The only person who is trying to uplift this area in Jamaica is Alfred Francis as he goes about and does a lot of road races, and I think if other people try and do something in this area, then we would get better results.

"There are many athletes out there running 400m, and I know they can do the 800m, but they do not because they are not getting enough respect here," Goule said.