Faith puts Sloley in record books
DANIELLE SLOLEY not only defended her Class Two girls’ shot put title, but also set a record of 15.99m, with a massive throw on yesterday’s second day of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium.
The Immaculate Conception High School star, who surpassed the 15.93m set by Edwin Allen’s Rochelle Frazer in 2013, said her coach Franz Forde told her that what was most important for her was to come into the event and have fun, then the desired result would follow.
“It feels amazing, completely amazing! I’m over the moon!”Sloley told The Gleaner. “I just improved on my confidence, my faith in myself, and my faith in God.”
Sloley had been coping with injuries to her shoulder, quads, and hamstring throughout the season, and said that it was her belief that God would get her through that kept her going.
ROUGH SEASON
Forde, who also thanked God for Sloley’s record, praised his athlete for her mental strength in dealing with her injuries.
“Danielle has been through so much this season,” he said. “She was counted out of the competition and had been out for a l ot of time i n various competitions because of those injuries, and we had to lean on God to get us through this, and I’m just happy that she believed in her ability and listened to me even when it didn’t seem as though it would work out. But that is what happens when you have a kid who is determined. She went to her bed last night dealing with SBAs (school-based assessments),” he laughed.
Marie Forbes of Vere Technical threw 14.79m for second place, while Rusea’s High School’s Aliesha Shaw claimed third with 14.65m.
Sloley will now turn her attention to today’s Class Two discus throw preliminary round, then tomorrow’s javelin throw open final.
Her win had Immaculate in tied in second position with St Jago High on nine points at the end of the day, following both finals. Rusea’s leads the way with 16 points. Defending champions Edwin Allen are in fourth place on eight points, the same as Holmwood. Vere are on seven, with Excelsior and Hydel on six.
In the day’s other final, St Jago High’s Gabrielle Bailey took the Class One girls’ discus throw with a commanding 48.93m, ahead of last year ’s champion, Fiona Richards of Edwin Allen, who set a mark of 48.06m. Shamella Donaldson of Rusea’s took the bronze with a distance of 47.33m.
Today will see the Class Three Girls High Jump final contested, where Excelsior High’s Shantae Foreman is expected to medal. She will, however, face stern competition from teammate Daniel Hinds, Jo-anna Pinnock of St Andrew High, and Vere’s Annishka McDonald.