Hydel’s McAnuff displays ominous form

RANGY CLASS-ONE Hydel High School athlete Oneika McAnuff showed she was in ominous form yesterday at the STETHS Invitational meet when she won the 400 metres in a nippy 54.31 seconds before returning to top the 100 in 11.91.

The Ferry-based institution dominated proceedings at the St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) Sports Complex despite the presence of defending ISSA/Gracekennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) champions, Edwin Allen High School.

Competing in their second development meet of the season, Hydel, who finished second to Edwin Allen at Champs last year, despite losing two of their big stars in Kerrica Hill and Brianna Lyston, showed they could be a real threat this year. Hill has joined the ranks of professional athletes while Lyston has moved on to Lousianna State University.

400 METRES SWEEP

Hydel swept the 400 metres, recording quinellas in all classes.

In Class One, Aaliah Baker finished second to McAnnuff in 55.93 seconds, as Edwin Allen’s Tonyann Beckford finished third in 58.49. Former Ferncourt High School representative Abbigail Campbell led the way for Hydel in Class Two, winning in 57.05 seconds, ahead of teammate, Jodyann Daley, second in 57.77.

Natassia Fletcher, 58.89, and Sashena Johnson, 59.86, were the top finishers for Hydel in Class Three, coming in ahead of Rhodesh Hall’s Rhianna Lewis 1 minute, 01.30 seconds.

World under-20 200-metre bronze medallist, Alana Reid, was also impressive on the day, stopping the clock at 23.42 seconds to win the Class One 200, getting the better of World Under-20 100-metre hurdles silver medallist, Alexis James, of Petersfield, 24.19.

Taiefa Gowie picked up a win for Hydel in the Class Two 1,500 metres in 5 minutes 10.07 seconds (5:10.07) as the Edwin Allen duo of Rhiana Gayle, 5:10.61, and Sushana Johnson, 5:12.17, had to settle for second and third.

Alphonsus Davis had two wins in the 1,500 metres, led by the in-form Kishay Rowe in Class One.

Rowe, who has been very busy this season, topped her rivals in 4:47.06 seconds, as Hydel’s Kaydean Johnson, 4:58.78, and Danielle King, 5:13.18, ended second and third.

Among the boys, Maggotty High School athletes continued their good form this season with two good wins in the 1,500 metres.

In Class One, Yoshane Bowen led the way, winning in 4:28.50. Teammate Jaydean Brown won Class Two in 4:45.17.