Moderate start for Fraser Pryce

AFTER AN unusually long wait, eight-time Olympic Games medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce finally got her season going on Saturday night at the National Stadium.

Running at the French Foray meet, Fraser Pryce finished ahead of the back in a moderate 11.15 seconds.

With expectations high inside the National Stadium, many fans left with mixed feelings.

The usually silky, smooth Fraser Pryce was absent.

Uncharacteristically, Fraser Pryce’s bullet start abandoned her, forcing the many-time Olympian to come from behind to peg back SprinTec’s Jodean Williams 10 metres from the finish line. Williams was second in 11.20 seconds, with Sabrina Dockery of Lacovia High third in 11.46.

Fraser Pryce, who refused interviews after the run, adds to many questions about how well Jamaicans will do at the Olympics. With just over 10 days to go ahead of the National Senior Championships, Fraser Pryce, along with Shericka Jackson and Elaine Thompson Herah, who locked in the podium positions at the last Olympic games over 100 metres, do not seem to be at their best.

Williams was also second in the women’s 200 metres, clocking 23.53 seconds to finish behind Kemba Nelson of Elite Performance Track Club, 23.51. Jura Levy of Legacy Track Club was third in 24.29.

Ronda Whyte, representing Swept Track Club, captured the women’s 400 metres in 53.59s, ahead of Roneisha McGregor of UWI, Mona, second in 54.71 seconds, with third going to Abrina Wright of Holmwood Technical in 55.66.

National 100-metre junior record holder Bouwahjgie Nkrumie of Racers Track Club made a rare appearance this season, winning his heat in 10.21 seconds for the fastest overall time. Sandrey Davison of Dynamic Speed Track club won his heat in 10.25 for second overall, just edging out schoolboy Deandre Daley of Herbert Morrison, third in 10,26. Ackeem Blake, after his second-place finish behind Nkrumie in 10.30, was fourth overall.

Former national 400 metres champion Javon Francis won the men’s 200 metres in 21.00 seconds. Jehlani Gordon ended second in 21.02, and Davison was third in 21.24.

Assinia Williams of Titans Track Club captured the men’s 400-metre hurdles in 49.08 seconds, ahead of Demar Murray, 50.39. Antonio Forbes of Dynamic Speed Track Club was third in 51.04.