Williams stuns rivals in Western Relays 60m

Kadrian Goldson and DeAndre Daley passed important sprint tests at last Saturday’s Milo Western Relays held once again at the GC Foster College, but the biggest surprise on the straight away came from Jodean Williams, who whipped in a personal best over 60 metres. Known far more for her 200m running, Williams turned a fine start into a time of 7.16 seconds in nearly windless conditions.

Her times have been falling in her first season at SprinTec from 7.26 at the Central Hurdles and Relays and then to 7.20 at the Grace Jackson/Queen’s. At the Western Relays, the 2017 World Championship semi-finalist hit her start perfectly and strode away powerfully.

Roneisha McGregor, a 400m runner, and 2022 World Under-20 100m runner-up Serena Cole were second and third in 7.24 and 7.26 seconds, respectively.

Williams had a 7.16 at last year’s Gibson-McCook Relays but with an aiding wind of 2.9 metres per second. This new personal best had a wispy breeze of just 0.6 metres per seconds.

She was delighted. “It feels amazing, thanks to God. I couldn’t be out here this morning without Him,” she said.

The former St Mary High and UWI star is also thankful for the strides she has made at SprinTec. “It’s amazing. I don’t know how to explain it, but thanks to God, I’m improving, and I’m doing my best right here,” she said.

“I want to do my best and be the best I’ve ever been,” she added. Regarding the upcoming Olympics, she reasoned: “It means it’s possible. Anybody can make it. You just have to believe, dream, and have faith in God.”

Goldson, a graduate of Maggotty High School, began his search for early acceleration in the men’s 60m and won in 6.57, with SprinTec teammate Brendon Rodney not far behind in a personal best 6.59.

Along with 60m third-placer Oshane Bailey, Goldson and 2022 World 4x100m champion Rodney delivered a lead to two-time World 400m finalist Demish Gaye in the men’s sprint relay. That last change wasn’t great, but Gaye crossed the line in 38.97 seconds after Bailey started to seal the win.

Daley, the outgoing Herbert Morrison Technical senior, accelerated gradually to top speed and moved away to win the men’s 100m in 10.40 seconds and later said,:”It was just a normal season opener. I wasn’t looking for too much. I went to see where I am so I can finish. I’m healthy, I’m okay.”

Asked if the effort was preparation for this week’s renewal of Western Champs, his reply confirmed that he and his coach, Claude Grant, are taking this season one step at a time. He quietly answered, “You could call it that, but I’m not sure about the Western Champs, but anything happens, happens.”

In a recent interview, Grant pinpointed the lad’s major 2024 target as the World Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, in August.