Opening salvos set up Day Two fireworks

In what was a quiet opening day of competition at yesterday’s ISSA/GraceKennedy, Boys and Girls’ Athletic Championships, most of the seeded athletes advanced to the next round of their events following preliminary-round action.

On the day,the only disappointments came from Edwin Allen’s Aneka Lowe in the Class 3 Girls’ 1500 metres and Kingston College’s (KC) Omarian Miller in the Class 1 Boys’ Long Jump.

Competing in the first event of the day, Lowe who was sixth in the event last year could only manage seventh in her heat and just missed advancing to the finals, finishing 13th overall.

Miller, who came into Champs as the number-two athlete in the Boys’ Class 1 Long Jump with a mark of 7.30 metres, had several problems and could only manage a paltry 3.90 to finish 23rd of 24 entrants.

In the Girls’ Class 3 1500 metres, Denoya Scott of Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha) led all qualifiers, winning her heat in 4:55.55 while Shannaya Palmer of St Jago (4:56.73) and Selecia Compass of Holmwood (5:00.55) followed with the quickest times.

In the Class 2 1500m, Keyah Anderson of Queens was the quickest with 5:07.00, followed by favourite Kevongaye Fowler of Edwin Allen (5:07.82) and Akexia Palmer of Sydney Pagon (5:08.06).

Favourite to land a double in Class 3, KC’s Julius Itubo was fastest, clocking 4:25.25.

Cavel Nooks of Jamaica College and Nahashon Ruto of KC were the fastest in Classes 2 and 1. Nooks’ winning time was 4:16.42 while Ruto won in 4:07.97.

Following preliminary-round action in the 400 metres, the stage is set for some exciting semi-finals action.

Competition on today’s second day will start at 9:20 a. m. with the semi-finals of the Girls’ Class 3 400m. Today will also see semi-finals and finals in all 100 metres.

Fireworks are expected in the 100 metres across the board following some quick times in yesterday’s first-round action.

Following action in Class 1, Shemonique Hazle of Hydel found her best form this season, sprinting to a wind-aided 11.44 seconds (+2.3 mps) to be the fastest qualifier.

Penwood High’s Shakaya Reid was next best, winning her heat in a personal best 11.67. Edwin Allen’s Reneica Edwards, 11.78, race favourite Shanoya Douglas of Holland High and Alexxe Henry of Edwin Allen closed out the top qualifiers.

Gianna Murray of Mount Alvernia leads the way in Class 2 with her 11.69 clocking. She is followed by the St Jago pair of Adora Campbell (11.74) and Shanna Campbell (11.75).

Briana Gray of Excelsior led the way in Class 4, clocking 12.27, while in Class 3, Alpha’s Azarria Harris (11.69) did the same.

Kemanic Edwards of Kingston College led the way in Class 3 Boys’ 100m, winning his heat in 11.06 with Joshua McWilliams of Wolmer’s second in 11.10. J’den Fisher of St Jago was third in 11.15.

Marquies Page of St Jago bested the field in Class 2 in 10.47, finishing ahead of Ricardo Mann of Vere, 10.57.

Today will also see finals in the 1500m while there will be four field events finals, in the long jump Boys’ Class 1 and 2 along with shot put Girls’ Class 2 and discus Class 1 Girls.