#Champs2025: Surprises in boys’ Class 1 100m qualification
KINGSTON, Jamaica — There were some surprises in the boys’ Class One 100m qualification on Tuesday’s first day of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium with one medal favourite appearing to pull up at the end of his race.
While gold medal favourite Gary Card of Wolmer’s Boys advanced after placing second in his heat, Kingston College’s Nyrone Wade, last year’s Class Two champion, pulled up at the end of his race and seemed to favour his hamstring but advanced to Wednesday’s semi-finals.
Lacovia High’s Rosean Smith led the qualifying with 10.31 seconds (1.7m/s) edging Card — 10.32 seconds (1.7m/s) while St Mary Technical’s Kenrick Sharpe clocked 10.42 seconds (0.9m/s) for third best with former Class Three champion Tavaine Stewart of Herbert Morrison winning his heat in 10.43 seconds (0.9m/s) and advancing.
Calabar High’s Jamal Stephenson — 10.46 seconds (0.9m/s), Muschett High’s Class Two 200m champion last year ran 10.47 seconds (0.6m/s) and Calabar High’s Shaquane Gordon ran 10.48 seconds (0.1m/s).
Wade was timed in 10.56 seconds (0.5m/s).
Jonathan Clarke of Kingston College was fastest in the Class Two qualifier with 10.65 seconds (1.8m/s), ahead of Excelsior High’s Michael Graham who ran 10.68 seconds (-1.0m/s). STETHS’ Rodeeki Walters ran 10.69 seconds (0.7m/s) and Naethan Bryan of St George’s College ran 10.70 seconds (-03m/s).
Kai Kelly of Jamaica College was impressive in his Class Three race, clocking 10.97 seconds (0.1m/s) as St Jago High’s Rajaun Romelly was next best in 11.16 seconds (-1.5m/s) with two Calabar High athletes, Joshua Ricketts — 11.19 seconds (-3.2m/s) and Jordan McBean — 11.33 seconds (-0.5m/s) also advancing.
— Paul Reid