JC dominate middle distances at Queen’s/Grace Jackson
JAMAICA COLLEGE’S (JC’s) 800-metre athletes, led by Kemarrio Bygrave in Class 1, were in a dominant mood at yesterday’s Queen’s/Grace Jackson Invitational inside the National Stadium.
Bygrave, the defending champion in the event at the ISSA/ GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships, turned back a strong cadre of Kingston College athletes, dominating from start to finish for an impressive win in one minute, 54.14 seconds. Kingston College’s pair of Jaquan Coke, 1:56.46, and Schevron Wardlow, 1: 57.15, were second and third.
“I am happy with my performance today, as I just followed t he instructions from my coach to just go out there and take it easy. It was a quality field and the conditions were windy and humid, but I just decided to go in front and dictate the pace,” said Bygrave.
“It is still early days but I am extremely confident of winning and retaining my title at Champs.”
Samuel Creary followed Bygrave’s act, winning the Class 2 800 in 1:59.62. Creary finished ahead of teammate Shemar Green, 2:00.03, and Alphansus Davis High School’s Raheem Palmer, 2:02.22.
Not to be left out, JC’s Cavel Nooks made it perfect for the Old Hope Road team, winning Class 3 in 2:01 61 ahead of teammate Bevin Davey, 2: 07.95. St Jago High School’s Ajani Williams was third in 2:08.28.
JC were again top of the pile in the Class 1 400 metres, through Devonrie Mack’s 47.83-second effort. Mack’s effort was good enough to get one up on the KC pair of Marcinho Rose, 48.95, and Antonio Forbes, 48.98.
There was some success for North Street in the one-lap event though, Jahvanie Tyrell impressing with 49.76 to capture Class 2 ahead of Zachary Rowe of Ardenne 50.28s and teammate Taj Oneil Gordon, 50.77s.
KC’s Jason Pittter was also a winner yesterday, topping the Class 3 400 in a personal best, 51.05s. JC’s Oneil Lawrence, 52.35, and Holy Trinity’s Omarianho Gibson, 53.69, finished second and third, respectively.
Deandre Watkins, representing Elite Performance Track Club, had a good win in the men’s open 400 metres, clocking 46.65 seconds, with KC’s Amal Glasgow, second in 47.25, and Elite Performance’s Shamar Blake, third in 48.08.
FASTEST TIME
Vere Technical’s Shevaughn Thomas produced the fastest time among the females in the 400 metres, winning Class 2 in a personal best 55.94. Tracyann Evans of Holmwood won Class 3 in 57.94s, while St Jago’s Quana Walker was best in Class 1 in a personal best, 56.94.
Alphansus Davis’ girls dominated the 800 metres, winning in two classes.
Alikay Reynold won Class 3 in 2:16.96, ahead of teammate Tabarrel Williams, 2:20.45, with Jade Fletcher of St Jago third in 2:24.54.
Alphansus Davis’ Carlene Temple won the Class 1 800 in 2:13.79, finishing ahead of Hydel High’s Kaydeen Johnson, 2:14.64, and Holmwood Technical’s Cindy Rose, 2:19.79.
Holmwood’s Florence Nafamba won in Class 2 in 2:15.70, ahead of teammate Jovi Rose, 2:19.20, and Kededra Coombs of St Jago, 2:20.40.
St Jago and Wolmer’s Girls’ split the 200 metres with two wins each.
Making her debut for Wolmer’s, former Holy Childhood High School’s Abbigail Wolfe, who won the Class 2 100 metres at Champs last year, was the best among Class 1 athletes.
Competing in heavy head wind, she stopped the clock at 25.16 seconds, ahead of Titchfield High School’s Chevanna Grant, 25.49.
Mick-kayla Gardener captured Class 4 for Wolmer’s in 26.77 seconds, ahead of Jadeanne Patterson of Alphansus Davis in 26.94.
St Jago’s Briana Campbell, 25.06, won ahead of teammate Bryana Davidson, 25.87, while Camperdown High School’s Trisha Walker was third in 25.93.
Adora Cambell scored a big win in Class 3 for the Monk Street team, stopping the clock in a personal best 24.9, with her teammate Shannai Campbell second in 25.22.
JC’s Hector Benjamin continued his hot form, racing to a personal best 21.65 seconds to win the Class 1 200 metres. KC’s Amal Glasgow, 21.80, and Wolmer’s Gary Card, 21.86, ended second and third overall.
Among the seniors, World Championships 400-metre finalist Candice McLeod, representing Optimum Speed Track Club, won the women’s event in 24.83.
Wendell Miller, representing MVP Track Club, won the men’s event in 21.53 ahead of Mazhino Barrett of The University of the West Indies, second in 21.95.