Big run by Edwin Allen’s Kennedy
Published:Friday | March 31, 2023 | 1:47 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
Edwin Allen High’s Delano Kennedy produced a splendid performance last night to capture the gold medal in 45.27 seconds in the Class One boys’ 400 metres at the 2023 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships at the National Stadium.
Jamaica College’s Malique Smith-Band was second in 45.77, and St Elizabeth Technical’s Jasuana Dennis took third in 45.87 as the top three all went below 46 seconds.
In the final of the Class Two 400m, Kingston College’s (KC) Tahj-Marques White ran a personal best 47.73 to mine gold. The fast pace also dragged Jamaica College’s Omary Robinson to a new personal best time of 48.49. Calabar’s Nickecoy Bramwell bagged the bronze medal in 48.88.
Calabar High’s Christopher Ellis produced a good effort to capture the gold medal in Class Three with a 50.49 clocking as the KC pair of Jordan Rehedul (50.67) and Eshanee Porter (50.69) had to settle for the silver and bronze medal, respectively.
In the sprint relays, KC’s powerful Class One will lead all qualifiers to the final of the 4x100m after winning Heat one of the preliminaries in 40.68 seconds. St Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS), 40.69, had the second best time. The Class One final will be contested by KC, STETHS, St Jago High, Steer Town High, Edwin Allen High, Calabar High, Wolmer’s Boys, and St George’s College.
In Class Two, Calabar’s Nickecoy Bramwell, Keano Charles, Shevaughn Pryce, and Khamani Gordon sped to 41.03 seconds to win Heat One ahead of St George’s College and Clarendon College.
The Class Two final will be contested by Calabar, St George’s College, Clarendon College, Jamaica College (JC), STETHS, KC, Excelsior, and St Catherine High.
KC’s Class Three quartet of Azriel Allen, Ashane Benjamin, Kamaury Brown, and Orandy Campbell booked their spot in Saturday’s final, easing through qualification, winning Heat One in 44.32 ahead of St George’s College in 45.51.
The Class Three final will be contested by KC, St George’s College, Cornwall College, Herbert Morrison High, St Elizabeth Technical, St Jago, Petersfield High, and Wolmer’s Boys’.
Excelsior’s hopes for their first gold medal at the ongoing championships will rest on the shoulders of Michael Graham in Class Three. He leads all qualifiers into the final of the long jump with a best leap of 6.29 metres. Wolmer’s Boys’ Everton Thomas is also safely through to the final after jumping 6.07m, and the top two are followed by Campion College’s Nasiir McMorris, with 6.05m. Also through to the final are KC’s Amani Phillips and Omarian Miller, Calabar’s Richard Green, and St Catherine’s Beando Reid.
JC’s 100m bronze medallist Jaiden Reid was the fastest qualifiers for the semi-finals of the Class One Boys’ 200m. Reid clocked 21.11 seconds to win his heat. Marcinho Rose of Kingston College (21.41) Malique Smith-Band (JC) 21.54 are also through to the semi-finals.
In Class Two, KC’s Nyrone Wade was the fastest qualifier going into the semi-finals with a 21.88 clocking, achieved while topping Heat Five ahead of Calabar’s Donte Mendez, who took the second automatic spot in 22.50. Sawayne Kerr of St Elizabeth (21.96)and Calabar’s Khamani Gordon are the other leading qualifiers.