Daley, James proud of Western Relays honours
SPRINTER DEANDRE Daley and hurdler Alexis James are the 2024 Milo Western Relays Youth Awardees. Daley, the 2022 Carifta 100 champion, and James, the 2022 World Under-20 100-metre hurdles silver medallist, were presented to patrons at the 45th staging on Saturday at the GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sport.
In addition, GC Foster College administrator Chester McCarthy was honoured for his ongoing services to the relays.
In her final season at Petersfield High School, James won the Class 1 100 hurdles at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships and went on to dominate at the Carifta Games in the Bahamas, where Daley sparkled with a brilliant 4x100 anchor leg that gave Jamaica the gold.
Second in the Champs final highlighted by 2023 awardee Bouwahjgie Nkrumie’s national junior record of 9.99 seconds, Daley improved his personal best from 10.14 seconds in that race to 10.08 later in the season.
Like Daley, James was second to a national junior record run at Champs over 100, as she placed second to Alana Reid’s sensational 10.92 seconds.
Both were delighted to receive the award.
“I’m feeling really elated. I’ve been putting in the work and for Milo to award me, I’m blessed,” smiled a visibly excited Daley.
James, now a member of the Racers Track Club and a student at The Mico University College, was equally pleased.
“It feels good. I am honoured to be honoured today,” she said.
Her adjustment from high school athletics to professional training has been going slowly.
“It’s pretty hard but I’m not really training as much as I should be. I’m kind of behind time,” James said.
Asked why, she replied, “Because of the injuries, so I’m getting back on track now.” The issue has affected her outlook for 2024 but she is still hopeful.
“It’s kind of a blind spot at the moment but we’ll see what’s going to happen.”
Daley and James occupy lofty positions on the Jamaican all-time under-20 performance list. Daley is the second fastest ever in the 100 and James is number five in the 100-metre hurdles.