Kennedy and Reid ominous ahead of Carifta Trials, Champs

ATHLETES FROM Central Jamaica have just come through a very busy period with the Gibson-McCook Relays on February 25, followed by Central Championships on March 1 and 2. Nevertheless, Delano Kennedy and Alana Reid have come from that period with their flags flying high.

Kennedy produced a massive season’s best to win the Class One 400 metres in 46.60 seconds for Edwin Allen High School, while Reid, the Hydel High School sprinter, did a solid Class One double at the G.C. Foster College for Physical Education and Sport. Reid did the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 at Gibson-McCook and then turned around at Central Champs to defeat World Under-20 100 runner-up Serena Cole in 11.39 seconds.

In still air, that effort would lower her personal best from 11.22 to 11.20.

She returned to storm around the curve in the 200 en route to a wind-aided time of 22.93.

“Very tired but I came out here and I know what I’m capable of. I just came out here and did my utmost best and I’m very proud of myself,” Reid explained.

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“To be honest, I feel like it’s the training,” she said in an attempt to explain her speed on the turn, “because, each time I do a 200, I see myself and my coach sees improvement and he really pushes me to be the best version of myself.”

Last year, Reid finished her second year in Class Two with a bronze medal in the 200 at the World Under-20 Championships, but she is looking ahead. “I know I can do it,” she said.

She finished the meet by helping Hydel to victory in the Class One 4x100.

Kennedy was busy at Gibson-McCook too, topping the relay double there with an urgent 45.7-second leg. According to Edwin Allen head coach Leon Powell, his World Under-20 400 finalist is making progress.

“Yes, definitely he’s looking good, and he wants to do well this season and he wants to end his high-school career with a gold medal at Boys and Girls’ Championships (Champs), so he’s working towards that,” Powell announced.

Kennedy finished fourth last year, but the top-three finishers, Gregory Prince, Deandre Watkins and Shemar Palmer, have all graduated from Champs. The 19-year-old Edwin Allen senior beat Palmer afterwards to win the Carifta Games Under-20 title.

Asked what he and Kennedy will work to refine between now and Champs, Powell reasoned, “There’s nothing really and truly to fix. We did some work on Monday, so maybe that’s what you’re seeing now. So, as soon as we are prepared for Championships, you’ll see faster times coming.”

Hydel’s coach Corey Bennett suggested a change in the high-school track and field schedule. “It’s a tough turnaround for these young persons,” he said sympathetically on February 22.

“I would prefer Central Champs before Gibson any day, but, to have it after, it’s going to be tough.”

The best Central Championships athletes will go again next week at the Carifta Trials.