Dyke not surprised by Terrelonge’s fast time at Carifta Trials

EDWIN ALLEN High School’s Theianna-Lee Terrelonge made a strong statement ahead of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) on Friday’s opening day of the Carifta Trials.

Terrelonge raced to a personal best of 11.25 seconds in the preliminary round of the under-20 100 metres to break the 11.30 mark she set in January at the Pure Water/JC/R.Danny Williams meet. She returned to match that time in the final a day later in winning the event.

Terrelonge’s winning time is ranked number two among under-20 athletes in the world so far this season, behind Torie Lewis of Australia with 11.10. It is also fourth on the world senior Top List just behind number-three Zoe Hobbs (11.24) of New Zealand, who was fourth on Saturday in the women’s 60-m final at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland in a personal best of 7.00.

Head coach of Edwin Allen, Michael Dyke, is not surprised about Terrelonge’s fast time as she takes dead aim at the Class Two Champs record of former teammate Kevona Davis. The Champs Class Two 100-m record, 11.16, was set in 2018.

“I am not surprised at Thienna’s fast time as she has the ability, and has been training well, and has been very consistent so far this season,” said Dyke.

The Edwin Allen head coach stated that his charge could have gone much faster.

“She could have gone much faster, but she sat in the starting blocks at the start as she reflected on what happened to her last year at the Carifta Trials when she false-started and was disqualified,” Dyke said.

Although Dyke knows that Davis’ mark is in sight he will not be pushing Terrelonge to go for the record.

“At the moment she is right in the 11.1 seconds range, but I am not going to push her for the record as it could come down to her health and the conditions at the time,” concluded Dyke.