JAAA pick Barnes ahead of improving McDonald

JAMAICA ATHLETICS Administrative Association (JAAA) selection committee chairman Lincoln Eatmon says the inclusion of quarter miler Zandrion Banes to the 65-member squad headed to the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, ahead of Rusheen McDonald simply had to do with his performance at the National Senior and Junior Athletics Championships (Trials).

The 65-member squad was announced yesterday, with Barnes getting the individual spot ahead of McDonald, who did not compete after the first round of the National Championships. It was among the various decisions that the selection committee had to mull over in selecting the squad.

McDonald was selected for the relay pool.

Eatmon said that while McDonald met the qualifying standard and has run fast since the National Championships, Barnes deserved more consideration, having completed all the rounds at Trials.

“Barnes ran the final. He ran all the rounds. He ran the qualifying standard on several occasions, not just one,” Eatmon said.

“And we felt that the person who ran on the day in the final deserves more consideration than someone who did not run two of the rounds despite subsequently running that well. That was the position that we took, and we were able to still take Rusheen on the team.”

According to the JAAA website, those who place first to third at the national champions with the qualifying standard would be taken. When asked if further consideration could be given to McDonald, JAAA president Garth Gayle said that an athlete who progressed through all three rounds must be heavily considered.

SACRED RULES

“One of the sacred rules in track and field is that you must move from one round to the next. The selection commitee would have looked at that, too, in order to make its determination. Someone who would have gone through all three rounds and made it to the finals must be protected,” Gayle said.

Another of the questions answered was regarding the women’s 200 metres, with five-time world 100-metre champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce included along with Natalliah Whyte and Kevona Davis. There were questions about whether Fraser-Pryce, who was just recovering from injury, would opt to run the half-lap event.

But according to Eatmon, there was no indication from Fraser-Pryce that she would withdraw from the event despite being non-committal to the discipline publicly.

“We have not had any request regarding Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce not running in the 200m,” Eatmon said.

Lanae-Tava Thomas, who finished third in the event at the national championships, did not make the team as her transfer of allegiance would not have been approved in time for her to compete.

A highlight of the team will be Jamaica’s first representative in the women’s hammer throw in national champion Nayoka Clunis.

Eatmon said that he believes that the team is poised to produce special performances at the championships.

“Based on the performances at the National Championships and subsequently, I expect them to do well.

“We have been doing well over the past several years, and what is good is that a lot of the team are young people coming up,” Eatmon said.

There will be a camp for the athletes from August 9 to 15 in Budapest before moving into the athletes’ village.

FULL SQUAD:

Men

100m, 4x100m: Rohan Watson, Ryiem Ford, Oblique Seville, Ackeem Blake (100m alternate), Tyquendo Tracey (4x100m), Michael Campbell (4x100m)

200m: Andrew Hudson, Rasheed Dwyer

400m: Sean Bailey, Antonio Watson, Zandrion Barnes, Jevaughn Powell, Malik James King, Demish Gaye, D’Andre Anderson (Mixed Relay), Rusheen McDonald (Mixed Relay)

800m: Navasky Anderson

110mh: Rasheed Broadbell, Hansle Parchment, Orlando Bennett, Tyler Mason (alternate)

High jump: Romaine Beckford

Long jump: Wayne Pinnock, Tajay Gayle, Carey McCleod

Triple Jump: Jaydon Hibbert

Shot put: Rajindra Cambell

Discus: Traves Smikle, Roja Stona, Fedrick Dacres

400mh: Roshawn Clarke, Jaheel Hyde, Assine Wilson

Women

Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce (100m, 200m, 4x100), Shericka Jackson (100m, 200m, 4x100m), Sashalee Forbes (100m, 200m alternate, 4x100m), Natasha Morrison (100m), Briana Williams (100m alternate, 4x100m), Elaine Thompson Herah (4x100m)

Natalliah Whtye (200m), Kevona Davis (200m)

400m, 4x400: Nickisha Pryce, Candice McLeod ,Charokee Young, Joanna Reid (alternate, mixed relay), Ronda Whyte (4x400m), Shiann Salmon (4x400m), Stacy-Ann Williams (mixed relay)

Natoya Goule Toppin (800m), Adelle Tracey (800m, 1500m)

100mh: Megan Tapper, Ackera Nugent, Danielle Williams, Amoi Brown (alternate)

400mh: Janieve Russell (4x400m), Andrenette Knight, Rushell Clayton

High jump: Lamara Distin, Kimberly Williamson

Long Jump: Tissana Hickling, Ackelia Smith (triple jump)

Triple jump: Shanieka Ricketts, Kimberly Williams

Danniel Thomas-Dodd (shot put), Samantha Hall (discus), Nayoka Clunis (hammer throw)