Lima-bound juniors put on a show

WHILE THE senior athletes took centre stage at the just-concluded JAAA/PUMA National Junior and Senior Championships, the country’s juniors, who were vying for places on the team to the World Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, from August 27-30, had some exceptional performances.

Theianna-Lee Terrelonge, Shanoya Douglas, Skyler Franklin, and Gary Card were phenomenal

The 16-year-old Terrelonge came into the Championships as the defending double sprint champion and after an excellent season where she only lost once in the 100 metres – at the Carifta Games to Sabrina Dockery of Lacovia High School – she retained her title in fine style.

Terrelonge blazed to a personal best 11.13 seconds to defeat Douglas, second in 11.28, and Dockery, third in 11.29.

The time put Terrelonge third on the World Under-20 rankings in the event. She lies behind countrywoman Alana Reid, who leads with 11.09, and

Australia’s Torrie Lewis, with 11.10.

Douglas out of Muschett High, the most improved female high school sprinter this season, was in supreme form in the Under-20 200 metres, speeding to a personal best 22.59 seconds to win ahead of Skyler Franklin, 23.16, and Dockery, again third in 23.24.

Douglas’ performance puts her at number two on the World Under-20 ranking, behind leader, Ja Meesia Ford of the United States with 22.08.

Franklin, who was born in the United States where she attends high school, blew away her rivals in the 400 metres.

In a commanding performance, she rushed to a winning time of 51.99 seconds, with Abigail Campbell of Hydel, second in 53.42, and Shanique Williams of St Elizabeth Technical, third in 53.92.

Franklin, who will celebrate her 17th birthday later this month, has a season and pesonal best of 51.66 seconds, ranking her seventh on the World Under-20 list. The United States’ Ford leads with a best of 50.33 seconds.

Card, a 17-year-old from Wolmer’s Boys’ School was the standout performer among the boys, producing a personal best in the 100 and 200 metres.

Competing in the Under-20 boys’ 100 metres final, he put the brakes on the outstanding DeAndre Daley of Herbert Morrison Technical, winning in an impressive 10.07 seconds. Daley had to settle for second in 10.16, while Kingston College’s Nyron Wade was third in 10.36.

Lining up with the men in the senior 200 metres, the 17-year-old finished fifth in the final, clocking a personal best 20.50 seconds.

In the 100 metres, Card sits at number three on the World Under-20 ranking, behind leader Christian Miller of the United States with 9.93 and Jinxian HE of China with 10.06.

Card is fifth on the list in the 200 metres, behind Nyckoles Harbor of the United States with 20.20 seconds.