Hydel's Salmon hunting high jump, hurdles double

Hydel High's Shian Salmon is aiming at career-best performances at this year's ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Championships.

In 2016, she had a second-place finish in the Class Two high jump final and was fifth in the 400-metre hurdles open. At next week's meet, Salmon will compete in Class One for the first time, and based on her good form all season, she is hoping to be on top of the podium in both the high jump and 400m hurdles.

She is competing for a third year in a row in the intermediate hurdles. Two years ago, she finished second, and will this year join five other finalists from last year's event at this year's Champs.

The Corey Bennett-coached athlete has been doing well so far in both events and is hoping to score good points for her team. She showed at the Carifta Trials that she has improved a great deal in the hurdles event. After leading for the majority of the race, she was caught on the line by Holmwood Technical's Nicolee Foster. Salmon's time was a fairly good 57.89 seconds, and she is confident of leaving Champs with a win in the event this time around.

"I do respect all my competitors in the event, but every time I have competed in the event this season, I have shown improvement, and I am hoping for a big run at Champs to be at the top of the podium," she said. Salmon said her improvement is down to the hard work she has put in this year under the guidance of her coaches.

GREAT COACHES

"I have great coaches who have helped me to improve a lot with my technique. The high jump final will be taking place at almost the same as the 400 metres hurdles, so I will have to remain focused and do what I have to do to win," she added.

Now Salmon is aiming to run below 57 seconds in the hurdles.

"I am in great form and I have no injury concerns, and I think I can run 56 seconds," she said.

Salmon was beaten into fourth spot in the Under-20, high jump at the Digicel G.C. Foster Classics but is very confident, she will rebound.

"I expect a good result in the high jump, and I am hoping to go better than my season best of 1.75 metres, which I cleared in winning at the Carifta Trials," she said.

- R.G.