Triple jumper Scott cops first national title at ‘Trials’
Former Campion College standout Jordon Scott won his first triple jump national title, while Orlando Thomas captured the men’s javelin at the JAAA Supreme Ventures National Senior and Junior Championships yesterday.
Only two finals were completed on the first day of the four-day championships. Up to press time, the men’s 100m quarter-finals were yet to be completed.
Scott leapt to a personal best of 16.55m and won the triple jump ahead of in-form Odaine Lewis in 16.44m. Clayton Brown was third with 16.19m. Former champion Clive Pullen was fourth with 15.96m.
“Coming out here today was just to jump good and finish healthy. I didn’t really have any goals set in mind, but I am thankful,” said Scott.
“It’s been a rough season for me… I have been injured for most of the season, and it’s slowly coming back… I am looking forward to the rest of the season,” he added.
In the javelin open, Thomas of MVP won with a throw of 69.27m, Elvis Graham of GC Foster took second with 66.56m and Zavian Richards was third with 63.46m.
In the women’s 400m hurdles, in-form Janieve Russell of MVP was quickest into the final winning heat one in 54.84 ahead of Russell Clayton with a personal best of 55.10. Nikita Tracey was third in a season’s best of 55.41. Her sister, the 2017 World Championship bronze medallist, Ristananna Tracey laboured to fourth in 55.55.
Defending champion Ronda Whyte took heat two in 55.04 ahead of Racers Grand Prix winner Leah Nugent in 55.32. Schoolgirl Shanna Salmon of Hydel High closed well for third in 56.57 and sneaked into the final.
In the men’s equivalent, the improving Andre Clarke of Chase Athletics eased to a relaxed 48.45, which was the fastest time into the final. Kemar Mowatt was second in 48.96, while Annsert Whyte finished third in 49.05.
In the second heat, in which Jaheel Hyde failed to show, Shawn Rowe won in 50.16 ahead of Romel Lewis with 50.44. Veteran Ricardo Cunningham closed fast into third with 50.46.
Earlier, former Calabar High School star Michael O’Hara, now at Racers Track Club, continues to struggle as he failed to advance from the preliminary round of the men’s 100m in the morning session.
The 2013 World Junior 200m champion, who left school in 2015 with personal bests in the 100m and 200m of 10.19 and 20.31, respectively, won his heat in a slow 10.82 (2.2 mps).
But O’Hara’s time was eighth fastest, and he failed to make it to the last 32. He is down for the 200m set to run off tomorrow.
Rohan Cole, of The University of the West Indies, won heat two and was the quickest with 10.50, while Kristoff Smith of AKan Track Club won heat one in 10.68.
Cole will be in heat one of the semi-finals, alongside Yohan Blake and Kenroy Anderson.
Semi-final two has Julian Forte, Nesta Carter, the improving Waseem Williams from Purdue University and Rasheed Dwyer of Sprintec.
Raheem Chambers of Auburn University will line up in heat three with Oraine Palmer and Tyquendo Tracey. Kemar Bailey-Cole, Senoj-Jay Givens, and Jevaughn Minzie are in heat four.
The championships will continue today with the men’s pole vault final at 5:00 pm, the women’s long jump final at 7:00 pm, and the women’s discus final at 7:30 pm
Also on are the women’s and men’s 400m heats, the women’s and men’s 100m semis, 400m hurdles finals, followed by the 1,500m final. The 100m finals will close the second day.