Edwin Allen, St Jago take lead at Central Champs
Defending girls’ champions Edwin Allen and boys’ champions St Jago have taken commanding leads into day two of the Digicel Central Athletics Championships as they seem set to defend their respective titles at the championships being held at the G C Foster College.
Edwin Allen on 134 lead Holmwood Technical (68) by 66 points after 11 points scored, while St Jago on 90 points have an overwhelming 65-point lead over Edwin Allen who have a mere 25 points on the boys’ side after eight events scored.
Gabrielle Bailey of St Jago created a mild upset early in the morning when she got the better of heavy favourite Fiona Richards of Edwin Allen in the Class One discus. Bailey took gold with a throw of 50.22m to break her own record of 49.11m set last year. Richards also went over the old record when she threw 49.91m for silver, while Shania Scott, also of St Jago, took the bronze with 41.37m
Another record was set in the field when Alliah Baker (1.60m) bettered the old mark of 1.55m, while her teammate Shackayla Henry equalled the old mark as they took gold and silver for Hydel High in the high jump. Ocavia Shouta of Vere Technical took bronze with a height of 1.45m.
Roje Stona knows no equal in the Class One discus and won gold by 20m when he threw 61.71m to win in a new record. Chavar Williams of Clarendon was a distant second with 41.72m. Romain Stanberry of Edwin Allen was third with 41.59m.
Kymani Thomas of St Jago High equalled the Class Two high jump record with 1.90m. Shane York of St Jago was second with 1.75m and Antonio Blair of Holmwood Technical third with 1.65m.
Lushane Wilson of St Jago shattered the Class One high jump record of 2.05m when he went 2.16m for gold. His teammate Tony Haughton went 2.mm for second and Renford Carty went 1.90m for third.
Marie Forbes of Vere Technical won the Class TWo shot put with 14.58m and will be aiming at a second gold medal on day two when she contests the discus, her pet event.
The other record to go in the field was the Class Two high jump as Janique Burgher of Edwin Allen (1.82m) set a new mark, while Thalia Wilson (1.75m) of Vere Technical equalled the record set by Lamar Distin in 2017. Abigale Mullings of Edwin Allen was third with 1.70m.
On the track, Kara Grant of Edwin Allen ran 4:34.12 to break the record 1500m of 4:38.71 set by Chrissani May last year on the way to gold. May, who was also in the race had to settle for silver in 4:41.16. Brittney Campbell of Holmwood Technical was third in 4:42.49.
Grant, who ran a smart race, ran away from the field with just about 400m left in the race and was able to maintain the huge gap she created when she surprised her opponents all the way to the tape.
Henrick Nelson of St Jago High (4:18.16) was one of six athletes to run under the old record of 4:37.25 as he took gold in the Class Three 1500m final. Omario Windett of Bellefield High took silver with 4:22.73, and Quwayne Reid of Holmwood took bronze in 4:24.63.
St Jago sprinting sensation Brianna Lyston was in scintillating form when she scorched the track to register a new Class Three 100m record in a time of 11.78 seconds. She leads all challengers heading into today’s final.
Edwin Allen powerhouse Kevona Davis, who is contesting the 200m only at the championships, broke the record in her heat when she ran 23.99 seconds to qualify for the final. Michae Harriott of Holmwood Technical and Fredricka McKenzie of Edwin Allen are set to put on a show for the fans in an explosive 100m Class One final.
The top five girls’ teams heading into the final day are Edwin Allen 134, Holmwood Technical 68, Hydel 61, Vere Technical 47, and St Jago 43.
The top five boys’ teams are St Jago 90, Edwin Allen 25, Holmwood Technical 24, Christiana High 20, and Clarendon College 19.