KINGSTON, Jamaica — Andrew Hudson started his quest for a third straight men’s 200m title after he was one of 24 men who made progress after the first round on Saturday morning at the National Championships at the National Stadium.

Hudson, a finalist at last year’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary and former Excelsior High athlete Alexavier Monfries were credited with the same time, 20.97 seconds (0.1m/s)) in the first heat.

Javari Thomas was the fastest of the morning with 20.53 seconds (-0.1m/s), winning heat four while his teammate from Dynamic Speed Track Club, Ashanie Smith was next with 20.75 seconds (-0.9m/s). Shevioe Smith who just graduated from the University of South Florida, ran 20.92 seconds (0.6m/s).

Meanwhile, 100m finalists Bryan Levell-21.07 seconds and boys 19 and Under 100m champion Gary Card- 21.30 seconds (0.6m/s) also made progress to the semi-finals set to be run at 5:40pm on Saturday afternoon.

— Paul A Reid