STETHS’ Harris sets sights on Champs
BOUNCING BACK from a hamstring injury, St Elizabeth Technical High School’s (STETHS) sprinter Habiba Harris is in high spirits and remains disciplined in her preparations for the season.
Milo Western Relays and the ISSA-GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) are the two major events Harris has her eyes on to redeem herself.
Speaking with The Gleaner, Harris said she is doing what needs to be done to compete at her best.
“I am doing exactly what I am told to do. I am working on my starts, working on whatever flaws that I have, based on coaches’ analysis of my races, and trying to get everything in place. I wouldn’t say that I am superconfident, because there are a lot of competitive girls, but I know that, if I just execute and do my best, I will get what I desire,” Harris stated.
HAMSTRING SPRAIN
In 2023 at Champs, Harris strained her hamstring in the 200m finals and it took her out for the entire season.
According to Harris, coping with the injury was hard to handle.
“It was a downer for me. Getting over the injury took a lot of time and I had to go through a lot of therapy. It was hard seeing others compete and I was not able to. However, it was motivation for me to hurry and get better to do what I love. Before the injury, my aim was to go after a record. My expectations were to win both my individual events and help my team medal for the other relays that we had,” Harris said.
A week ago, Harris performed excellently for STETHS at the STETHS Invitational Track & Field meet, winning the Class One girls’ 100 metres in 11.89 seconds.
Competing now at 100 per cent, Harris who is a multi-event athlete, believes she is back and stronger than ever.
“I am currently at my season’s, best based on the race that I did at the Youngster Goldsmith 2024 Classics on Saturday at the National Stadium in Kingston. I equalled my personal best over 100m hurdles in the Class One event, clocking 13.15 seconds,” Harris, a first-year Class One athlete, said.
Milo Western Relays is set for Saturday, February 10 at the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport in St Catherine. Champs is set for March 30 to April 1 at the National Stadium in Kingston.