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Day one fireworks sets up fabulous 100m final today

Published:Wednesday | April 6, 2022 | 12:14 AM
Edwin Allen’s Tia Clayton (second right) on her way to winning a Class One 100-metre heat at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium yesterday.
Edwin Allen’s Tia Clayton (second right) on her way to winning a Class One 100-metre heat at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium yesterday.

THE CLASS One girls’ 100 metres semi-finals and final at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships are set to be one for the ages today after a fascinating exhibition of sprinting by the country’s junior sprinters in the preliminary rounds of the competition inside the National Stadium yesterday.

The highly anticipated event, which will see Edwin Allen’s twin sisters Tina and Tia Clayton going up against Hydel’s Brianna Lyston, is expected to be a cracking affair.

The trio looked very comfortable in winning their respective heats on day one of the five-day championships yesterday. Lyston, who holds the fastest time of 11.14 entering Champs, clocked an effortless 12.02 in a negative wind of 2.3 metres per second to win her heat.

Tina, the reigning World Under-20 100m champion, was also very comfortable in winning her heat in 12.03 with a negative wind of 4.3 m/s. Her sister Tia, who won the girls’ Under-20 100m event at the Carifta trials a few weeks ago, advanced to the semi-finals with a time of 12.24 in a negative 3.8 m/s wind.

However, Peterfield’s Alexis James, who will be aiming to upset the field, will enter the semi-finals as the fastest qualifier with a time 11.72.

Hydel’s Alana Reid holds the fastest time of 12.04 entering the girls’ Class Two semi-finals. She is expected to be challenged by Doniellia Lewis from Edwin Allen (12.31) and her teammate Kerrica Hill (12.31).

The other fast qualifiers for today’s semi-finals are the St Catherine’s pair of Kaycian Johnson (12.32) and Asharria Ulett (12.31).

VERY IMPRESSIVE

In Class Three, Edwin Allen’s Theianna-Lee Terrelonge, who has been very impressive this season, leads all qualifiers for the event with 12.25.

Abrina Wright from Holmwood (12.41), Tina Marshall from Wolmer’s (12.52) and Shemonique Hazle of Hydel (12.56) are the other top qualifiers for the semi-finals.

The impressive Natrece East of Wolmer’s High School for Girls clocked a swift 12.61 to record the fastest time entering the semi-finals of the girls’ Class Three 100m.

Immaculate’s Kimberly Wright (12.91), and Hydel’s Malayia Duncan (12.94) are expected to challenge for the gold medal in the event.

In the field, Hydel’s High School’s Natassia Burrell leads all qualifiers into today’s final of the girls’ Class Two shot put event.

Burrell had the longest throw of the day with 13.81 metres on her first attempt.

Victoria Christie of Camperdown also advanced to the final with a distance of 13.56. Also advancing to the final are Immaculate’s Maja Henry (13.04), Hydel’s Akelia Wilson (12.98) and Marsha McKoy of Petersfield High (12.79).

St Jago High School’s Jamora Alves, the event favourite, leads all qualifiers into the final of the girls’ javelin throw open after her impressive throw of 42.84 in the preliminary round of the competition.

Her mark is more than six metres ahead of her nearest rival, Sheniela Williams, of Edwin Allen (36.60m).

Robert.bailey@gleanerjm.com