Thu | Mar 28, 2024

Immaculate on a high after big one-two in Class Four 100m

Published:Friday | March 31, 2023 | 1:20 AMRaymond Graham/Gleaner Writer
Kayla Johnson (centre) of Immaculate Conception High  wins the Class Four Girls’ 100 metres final at the National Stadium on Wednesday night.
Kayla Johnson (centre) of Immaculate Conception High wins the Class Four Girls’ 100 metres final at the National Stadium on Wednesday night.

ON Wednesday’s second day of competition at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships, the Immaculate Conception High pair of Kayla Johnson and Naje Brown pulled off a major surprise by finishing first and second, respectively, in the Class Four 100 metres final on Wednesday night.

It was the first time that Immaculate had finished one-two in a track event at the championships. Johnson won in 11.97 seconds with Brown second in 12.20 in what was regarded as a massive upset, putting away the likes of Hydel High’s Gabrielle Morgan and Mount Alvernia High’s Giana Murray who ended third and fourth respectively with both crossing the line in 12.24.

Head coach of Immaculate, Franz Ford, spoke about the history-making feat of his girls minutes after their achievements.

“To God be the glory. We actually saw that coming but not like the way in which it happened,” said Ford. “It was a good boost for the team, but the girls were already focused coming into the Championships,” he stated.

Ford said that both girls were motivated by the performances earlier in the day by two of their throwers.

“They were excited from early in the afternoon as the team got on the scoreboard with the efforts of Class Two shot putter Toniann Bryan and Class One Discus thrower Maja Henry,” said Ford. Bryan finished sixth in the Class Two shot put with a personal best 13.19 metres to pick up three points while there was also a personal best for Henry in the Class One discus with a seventh-place finish for two points.

According to Forde, the job is not yet finished. “Great achievement so far from the girls, but the job is not yet finished as the coaching staff will ensure that the girls remain focused for the remainder of the championships,” he concluded.