Williams wins Carifta U-17 100m gold in fast time

Jamaica dominated the 100 metres events on yesterday's opening day of the 2018 Carifta Games in Nassau, Bahamas.

Brianna Williams, with a record run in the Under-17 final, led the way as Jamaica won three of four gold medals in the short sprint.

Williams clocked a fast 11.37 seconds to win her event as teammate Serena Cole ended sixth in 11.90.

Jamaica mined gold and silver in the Girls' Under-20 and Boys' Under-17 finals.

Despite a slow start, Michae Harriott showed good top-end speed to take the Under-20 girls race in a personal best of 11.39 from teammate Ockera Myrie, who took second in 11.46.

The Under-17 boys final saw Andre Bent coming out on top in 10.68, getting the better of teammate Terrique Stennett, who slowed down close to the line and finished in 10.70.

Jamaica failed to get a medal in the Boys' Under-20 final. Gold went to Joel Johnson of The Bahamas in 10.31. Michael Bentley, 10.47, and Ryiem Robertson, 10.48, had to settle for fourth and fifth, respectively.

Earlier, Jamaica made it a clean sweep in all four 1500 metres finals.

Rushana Dwyer, a student of Edwin Allen High, won the Under-17 final in 4:47.90, with teammate Theresa Graham making it a one-two after finishing second in 4:48.40. Shawuka Tyrell of Guyana was third in 4:55.97.

OUTSTANDING FORM

Petersfield High's Shaquena Foote, who has been in outstanding form this season, led another one-two for Jamaica in the Under-20 1500m final. She stopped the clock at 4:46.56, ahead of teammate Kara Grant, who was second in 4:47.56. Mezra Murray of Guyana took bronze in 4:52.88.

Ja'Vaughn Blake and Javon-taye Williams closed the sweep for Jamaica by taking the Under-17 and Under-20 finals, respectively. Blake won in 4:08.73, while Williams crossed the line 4:01.99.

In action in the field, Excelsior High's Shantae Foreman picked up gold in the Under-17 girls high jump with a clearance of 1.74 metres.

Action on today's second day will begin at 8 a.m. (Jamaica time) with the fifth event in the Boys' Octathlon.

Sixteen finals will be contested today, nine on the track and seven in the field. The Under-17 Girls Discus finals is one of the early events, while on the track, there will be semi-final action in the 200m, 400m hurdles, and the 800m.