National senior representatives Anastasia Le-Roy and Rasheed Dwyer were in great form for Sprintec Track Club at yesterday’s first staging of the John Wolmer Speed Fest meet at the National Stadium. Defending ISSA/Boys champions Calabar High also sent out a message to their rivals that it will take something special to stop them from retaining their title later this month.
Veteran Le-Roy topped the field in the women’s 200 metres, clocking 23.28 seconds as second overall in the event went to MVP Track Club’s Srabani Nanda with 23.72, while another veteran, Sherone Simpson of Sprintec, was third in 23.75.
Former Hydel 400m and 400m hurdles star Shiann Salmon was fastest in the women’s 400m, winning her heat in 53.22 seconds. Commonwealth Games 400 metres hurdles champion Janieve Russell of MVP was second overall in 53.25 while Swept Track Club’s Vanessa Crooks took third overall in 53.69 seconds.
MVP took the top two places in the women’s 100 metres. Shericka Jackson, competing in a negative wind of 2.0 metres per second, sped to victory in 11.53 seconds to get the better of teammate Stephenie-Ann McPherson (11.56,) with Sprintec’s Sashalee Forbes taking third in 11.82.
After being out of competition for more than a year due to injury, Dwyer looked quite relaxed in taking the men’s 100 metres for Sprintec in 10.28. His training partner, Oshane Bailey, finished second in 10.39 as long jump specialist Tajay Gayle of MVP took third in 10.42 seconds.
Miguel Francis of Racers Track Club looked quite good in taking the men’s 200 metres, clocking 20.42 seconds in a negative wind of 1.4 metres per second. Sprintec’s Andrew Fisher won his heat in 20.96 for second overall spot while former Calabar High quarter miler Anthony Carpenter, now at Akan Track Club, was third in 20.99.
Jaheel Hyde of MVP scored a good win in the men’s 400m, stopping the clock at 46.75, as Terry Thomas of Racers Track Club finished second in 47.09, with third going to Akani Slater of G.C. Foster college, 47.49.
Calabar showed why they are favourites again to take home another title at Boys’ Champs with good all-round performances. Sprinter Oblique Seville, a former Holmwood Technical athlete, took the Class One 100 and 200m double. In the 100m metres, he clocked 10.46 before taking the 200m in a wind-aided 21.30.
In Class Two, Dishan Lamb won the 100m in 10.91, aided by a plus 2.3 metres per second wind. Jehlani Gordon of Wolmer’s was second in 10.93, with Lamb’s teammate, Jordan Turner, third in 10.95.
Calabar also swept the two top spots in Class Three 200 metres as Ronaldo Reid won in 23.04 ahead of teammate Omario Henry, 23.11.
In the field, IAAF World Under-20 discus champion Kai Chang showed his class with a big win for Calabar. He threw 56.46 metres as his teammates Shadane Adamson (47.84m) and Tarique George (46.51m) were second and third, respectively.