KC at the double in Grand Slam Track relays

Kingston College (KC) warmed up for this month’s Penn Relays in Philadelphia with victories in the 4x100 metres and 4x400m at yesterday’s Grand Slam Track (GST) at the National Stadium.

In the 4x100m, KC’s anchor leg runner Kyle Bodden got the win on the line after Excelsior High were in front for most of the way. Jonathan Clarke, Daniel Clarke and Alva Jackson were the other members of the winning KC team, which clocked 39.95 seconds. Excelsior placed second in 39.98, with Calabar High taking third in 40.32.

Despite not fielding their top two quarter-milers – Marcinho Rose and Tajh-Marques White – the North Street-based team remained unbeaten in the 4x400m this season. Jabulana McLeod ran a brilliant anchor leg to overhaul runaway leaders Jamaica College (JC) and secured the win in 3:13.11. JC placed second in 3:13.56, with Holmwood Technical third in 3:13.98.

Edwin Allen High and Hydel High won the 4x100m and 4x400m for girls. Following a strong opening leg from Kerelle Etienne, it was then smooth sailing for Jounee Armstrong, Renecia Edwards, and Alexee Henry in the 4x100m as the Frankfield-based Edwin Allen clocked a solid 44.68 for the win. Wolmer’s Girls were second in 45.14s and Hydel third in 45.45.

Hydel continued their dominance in the 4x400m as the Ferry-based team, anchored by the outstanding Abigail Campbell, cruised to an easy win in 3:34.74. Edwin Allen placed second in 3:36.89, while Holmwood finished third in 3:37.90.

On Saturday several top athletes at the recent ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships produced good runs in selected events on Saturday afternoon at the GST meet.

In the boys’ 400 metres, Mona High’s Kevin Bliss clocked 47.66 seconds to edge out Omary Williamson of Holmwood (47.77). Paul Henry of Foga Road High was third in 48.17.

The first two in the girls’ one-lap race clocked personal-best times. Abigail Campbell of Hydel and Kelly Ann Carr of Edwin Allen went toe to toe throughout the race before Campbell prevailed for the win in 52.17. Carr took second in 52.28, with Hydel’s Natassia Fletcher finishing third in 53.05.

Running in a negative wind of 4.3 metres per second (mps), Sabrina Dockery was pushed all the way in the girls’ 100m, winning in 11.83. She held off the fast-finishing Shemonique Hazle of Hydel, who took second in 11.87, while Roneica Edwards of Edwin Allen was third in 11.96.

In the boys’ 100m, Calabar’s Jamal Stephenson, running against a negative wind of 3.5 mps, pulled off a big win in 10.70. Rosean Smith of Lacovia High was second in 10.74, with Stephenson’s teammate, Shaquane Gordon, third in 10.83.

There were contrasting results in the girls’ and boys’ 200 metres. Shanoya Douglas of Muschett High, the World Under-20 bronze medallist, showed her class with an impressive win. Douglas took control early and maintained her advantage to win in a fast 23.21. Jody-Ann Daley of Hydel was second in 23.95, with teammate Sashana Johnson third in 24.02. The race was run into a negative wind of 3.1 mps.

The boys’ half-lap event ended in a blanket finish. Sanjay Seymore of William Knibb High produced a late burst over the final 20m to win in 22.02. Omar James of Vere Technical was second in 22.04, with early leader Antonio Powell of Edwin Allen finishing third in 22.09.