Coach praises East for response to pro test

Michael Carr, coach of national junior sprinter Natrece East, says her performances at the Fuse Sprint World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meeting in Tottori, Japan last weekend is another indication of the immense talent the young sprinter possesses, and bodes well for her future.
East, 17, finished second in the women’s invitational 100 metres in 11.53 seconds after making the final with a solid performance in the heats. Carr said he was pleased with how East handled her first major overseas assignment, especially after the long journey to Japan.
“I believe that it was a very good performance because, having travelled so far and finishing second in the heats 12.7 and in the final 11.5, you would have wondered what would have happened if there was another run,” said Carr. 
“But it is an introduction to her into what professional life is going to be later on if she plans to continue.”
The Wolmer’s Trust for Girls’ standout represented the institution in the 100m and 200m at this year’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships. 
The veteran coach added that the experience will prove invaluable as East continues her development. 
“Overall, I am quite happy and I am quite pleased with the performance, and it tells you also the athlete that she is and how well her future looks like it is going to be,” said Carr. 
East, who will enter upper sixth form at Wolmer’s in September, has personal bests of 11.21 seconds in the 100m and 23.07 seconds in the 200m. Carr noted that competing against established professional athletes will also provide an invaluable learning experience for the teenager.
“She was up against professional athletes and this should give her some confidence and it was an eye-opener for her, introducing her to what travelling and competing is all about. So it is actually preparation for later on.”
East is also expected to represent Jamaica on the World Under-20 relay team this year, after placing third in both the 100m and 200m at last month’s National Junior Trials.
Carr highlighted that East’s discipline, work ethic, and determination will help to propel her to greater heights.
“She is very confident and very talented and also very disciplined. I think we have a very good working relationship, and she is an athlete that is very ambitious and who has a lot of room for growth and development and, three years down the line, she will be extremely awesome,” he said.