Penns triple jump win disappoints Dawkins
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, USA:
St Jago High’s Jade-Ann Dawkins had mixed feelings after being one of two individual winners for Jamaican girls in field events at Thursday’s Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Dawkins, the defending champion, retained her triple jump title after hopping, stepping and jumping to 13.01 metres to lead a clean sweep of the top four spots by Jamaican athletes.
Immaculate Conception High’s Jaeda Robinson, as she did at last month’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) at the National Stadium, was second with 12.70 metres as Celine Riddle of Holmwood finished third with 12.69, while St Elizabeth Technical High’s Richelle Stanley was fourth with 12.55.
“I am happy for the win, but I was disappointed with the distance as I wanted to do a personal best here. I knew I was in good form to do so, but like in long and triple jump, a foul can cost you dearly and I had a foul on my best attempt,” she said.
According to Dawkins, the atmosphere was like that at Champs.
“Most of the competitors were in the same line-up at Champs and the vibes were the same as we enjoyed the competition,” she said.
According to Williams, she failed to let the cold condition hamper her.
“It was cold while competing, but the condition did not affect my performance,” she said.
“I am ready to go to the Under20 World Championships as I know I will get better and better in the coming days”, said Dawkins, who is not certain about returning to the Penn Relays next year to make it three wins in a row in the event, despite still being eligible.