Levell, Lyston brave the cold to take inaugural East Coast Invitational titles
Published:Sunday | May 8, 2022 | 12:15 AMRobert Bailey - Gleaner Writer
DESPITE RUNNING in adverse weather conditions at the East Coast International Track and Field Championships, Jamaica’s top junior sprinters Bryan Levell and Brianna Lyston still managed to brush aside their opponents to win the boys’ and girls’ 100-metre events at the Prince George Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, Maryland, yesterday.
Levell of Edwin Allen won the boys’ 100m in 10.66 seconds while running in 49-degree temperatures on his way to defeating the American number one this year, Jordan Anthony.
The 17-year-old Anthony, who has run 10.14 this year, was second in 10.81 while Davonte Howell was third in 10.92.
Levell told The Gleaner after the race that he wanted to run a much faster time, but the cold weather conditions didn’t allow for it.
“I felt good about the race despite it being so cold out there. This is not something that I am used to, but I think I did well,” said Levell.
“It is good to know that I went out there and defeated the American number one and this will now help me in preparation for National Trials next month,” he said.
Levell is the second-fastest Jamaican junior this year with a time of 10.25 behind Jeevan Newby from Kingston College, who has run 10.22.
Lyston from Hydel, who is the fastest Jamaica junior this season, won her event in 11.53 ahead of her teammate Kerrica Hill, 11.64.
Laila Campbell from Spring Grove in the United States was third in 11.80.
Lyston said she was very pleased with her performance.
COLD AND RAINY
“I am very happy with the performance because I finished the race healthy and it was very cold and rainy,” said Lyston.
“It is my first time winning in these conditions, but I enjoyed it, despite it being so cold out there. I think it will only help me with my development as an athlete,” she said.
Oneka Wilson secured Hydel’s second win on the day when she sped to 14.13 to win the girls’ 100m hurdles event. The Bullis School pair of Kennedy Flynn, 14.63, and Gabby White, 14.96, were second and third, respectively.
Oneika McAnnuff also won for Hydel, taking the girls’ 400 metres in 54.24. Madison Whyte of Heritage New Jersey was second in 54.71 while third went to Arianna Sharpe of Clayton High School in 55.60.
Jahvel Granville from St Jago won the boys’ 110m hurdles event in 13.88 ahead of Excelsior’s Sharvis Simmonds, 13.98, and Shamer Blake of St Elizabeth Technical, 14.37.