American sprint hurdler Jasmin Stowers has fond memories of her time in Jamaica and is anxious to step into action at today's Jamaica International Invitational Meet inside the National Stadium.
Stowers, who yesterday completed her final training session before today's meet at the venue, sped to a then world leading time of 12.39 seconds two years ago to win the event, in what was also a stadium record.
Two years on, Stowers, one of the most respected female sprint hurdlers on the circuit, is looking forward to another big run in front of the Jamaican crowd.
"It will be my second time competing in Jamaica and I am hoping for a similar result from two years ago when I ran a world leading time to win the event. I like the track here in Jamaica because it is really fast and I felt good today (yesterday ) in practice. I can't wait to, at least, run a season best," said Stowers, who, so far, has a best of 12.63 seconds, done in St Martin, a time which lands her at number four spot on the IAAF Top list.
With world record holder Kendra Harrison out of the event due to a hand injury, Stowers is now the big favourite to go all the way today, and she is not planning to disappoint her fans.
"Preparations have been going good so far this season and the Jamaica crowd is fantastic, as, with the fans blowing their horns and whistles, this really pumps me up, and that kind of support gives me goose pimple," Stowers continued.
Despite running fast early in 2015 and 2016, Stowers had problems with her technique further down in the season, which affected her big time, causing her not to make the United States team at the major championships.
"I have had several major mishaps in the past over the barriers, but I have now found out what those problems were and I have put the past behind me and I am ready to do well and make my first USA senior team," she noted of her outlook for the season.