SMS, USA – It was the start anticipated for Guyana’s athletes’ participation at the 2014 International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Junior Championships in Oregon, USA, as coach Shaun Dietz credited the spirit shown by one of his two runners rallying to his vista. “It’s going to be tough going at this highest level, but these girls have the ability get to the prime levels.”
Dietz words were exacted last night by sprinter Brenessa Thompson who launched Guyana’s competition with a provisional qualification to the semifinals of the Women’s 100m, and in the process measured up to the outlook placed on her global competition baptism.
On her 18th birthday, the Cancer-born short-sprinter flashed an inspiring 11.71s for fourth in her 8-runner field for Heat #4 which was, collectively, the fastest of the day. She trailed two prime medal favourites in British phenom Desiree Henry (11.36s) and Irene Ekelund (11.55s) of Sweden, as well as France’s Floriane Gnafoua (11.69s). Thompson drew lane 1 in her heat and went in with that race’s 3rd fastest time (11.60s) behind Henry’s 11.23s and Ekelund’s 11.35s (11.52s SB).
“What I know is that she is in the top-quarter of these girls here, but today wasn’t one of her better races. She got through, and I think tomorrow (today) she wants to push forward,” Dietz said last night shortly after Thompson’s run. He indicated that a track marshal noticed that Thompson seemed nervy; a state later determined to have been primarily caused by an uncomfortable personal experience for the young lass.
“She’ll be alright,” Dietz assured of the younger of his two charges. “These are things that are oftentimes beyond our control.” The Guyana team coach is unrelenting in ensuring that both Thompson and compatriot Kadecia Baird are unhindered for the remainder of the meet. Baird has had ‘big meets’ moments, having run at major and senior meets, before.
Like any global track and field meet, the flat century attracts a deep and wide field, and that feature was similarly distinctive at this youth-level championships. A pool of 55 sprinters plastered the startlist to compete in seven preliminary races.
Going forward the schedule gets tighter and will demand greater resolve from the 2014 Carifta Games’ double sprint finalist. Today, the 100m semi-finals begin at 9pm (Guyana Time), while the final runs about two and a half hours later.
Additionally the next day, today, Thompson will commence her quest in the Women’s 200m, with two round s – heats and semi-finals – scheduled for the day’s morning and afternoon’s sessions, respectively.
Baird also runs today in her 400m heats in the program’s morning session. For the 35-runner field, she has the 2nd fastest PB (51.04s) behind American favourite Kendall Baisden (50.46s), but her wavering performances this year pits her at 11th in the 2014 SB rankings, with a 53.34s time from an indoor run. The 2012 silver medalist is bent on snatching metal again this year.
Dietz says he’s constantly reminding the girls of their approach to competition on the days. “Stay focused and do your utmost to execute what we set forth in practices”, he offered.
