Athletes confident ahead of tomorrow’s East Coast meet in US

BALTIMORE, Maryland:

FOUR OF Jamaica’s top high school athletes – Shanoya Douglas, Alliah Baker, Damor Miller and Kemarrio Bygrave – are looking forward to tomorrow’s clash with their United States counterparts at the East Coast International Showcase in Baltimore, Maryland. Action is set to start at 9 a.m. Jamaica time.

Baker, who led Hydel High to double victory in the 4x100 and 4x400 metres at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia last week, is eyeing a personal best in the 100 metres.

“I am definitely looking forward to a personal best in the 100m,” Baker said at a premeet press conference yesterday. “I know it will be tough competing against some very great athletes from the United States and although I have not competed a lot in the event this season due to injury I am looking forward to do my best and end my season on a high.”

Douglas of Muschett High has been unbeaten all season and after making her debut at the Penn Relays, she is hoping to do well in the 100 and 200 metres.

“My expectations going into both events are really high and I am looking forward to competing against some of the best juniors in the world, and I am ready to give of my best,” said Douglas.

It has been a breakout season for Miller and his Excelsior High teammates, and after helping his school to success at the Penn Relays 4x100m event he is confident of getting some big scalps in the 100 metres.

“I know it is going to be challenging but I am confident I will do well and produce a good time in the event,” said Miller.

After his superb anchor leg at Penn Relays in the 4x800m for Jamaica College, Bygrave wants to remain unbeaten in the 800m this season.

“I want to end my season on a high. I am aiming for a win and to get a personal best also. My confidence is high going into the meet and I can’t wait to take the track,” said Bygrave.

At yesterday’s press conference, meet organiser Sanjay Ayre said the support for the meet is now very strong.

“When we started in our first year (2022) we had just over 500 athletes and now we have over 1,200. I did not expect this large number so quickly. It is an opportunity for our young athletes to get into universities in the United States as a lot of college scouts will be here,” he said.

Juliet Campbell, Sports Marketing Manager of Athletics at Puma, is happy that her company is a part of the meet.

“Puma is very proud to be in partnership with 2E Eagle Sport Entertainment for the meet and we are looking forward to continuing our partnership with Sanjay,” said Campbell.

There was a major announcement at the press conference. Calvin Ball, County Executive, stated that after years of prompting from Ayre, they will be building an indoor track at Howard County, Maryland, in the city of Elkridge, at a cost of US$30m. Work on the track is expected to start in November.