Talented pledge

WHILE THE questions from the JAAA PUMA National Junior and Senior Championships (Trials) will undoubtedly be on what kind of team Jamaica will be sending to the Olympic Games in Paris, France, the name Skyler Franklin will make waves.

Franklin, an American high schooler, has pledged allegiance to Jamaica and will come to the Trials in a bid to make the team to the World Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, from July 27-31.

The 16-year-old 200 and 400-metre specialist is one of the top juniors in the United States and competes for Montverde Academy in Florida.

Over the one-lap event, Franklin clocked 51.66 seconds at her quickest and was the Nike Indoor champion earlier this year.

At the Brooks PR Invitational a week ago in Washington, Franklin ran a meet record, 52.01. She is in fine form.

Over 200 metres, the 16-year-old has gone 23 seconds flat, making her a shoo-in to win both events at Trials.

Going up against who could become teammates at the East Coast International Showcase in Maryland, Franklin turned back the attentions of talented Muschett High School 200-metre runner Shanoya Douglas to claim that event, clocking 23.48. Douglas was third in 24.04.

Of course, Douglas may not have it all her own way, as Sabrina Dockery of Lacovia has gone as fast as 23.10, and Edwin Allen’s Theianna-Lee Terrelonge will test her.

With a season’s best of 52.30 seconds, Hydel High School’s Abigail Campbell should also test Franklin over 400 metres.