Despite the intermittent showers, Day 2 of the 54th annual National Schools Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships had some scintillating performances.
A few athletes that stood out yesterday at the Camp Ayanganna Ground were record breakers Tevin Garraway, Natricia Hooper, Donovan Francis along with Jevina Sampson and Compton Caesar who both equaled records.
Five-time CARIFTA Games medalist, Cassie George also stood out.
Here are the highlights:
100m Boys U-20
Prior to the marquee event, there was a buzz inside the venue before the finalists settled in their starting blocks especially from a section of the grandstand occupied by some vocal supporters. The race featured the highly fancied duo of Kevin Abbensetts and Garraway both of whom had posted some very fast times in the heats. However, Garraway was a blur after his signature explosive start and powered away from the field to record a 10.5s victory.
The fleet footed District 3 sprinter, lowered the previous record (10.6s) which was set by Julian Edmonds 22 years ago in Linden and equaled by Abbensetts last year at the National Stadium. Quacy Sampson of District 12 snared silver in 10.7s while the bleach blonde Abbensetts of District 11 crossed the line third (10.9s).
Garraway was not surprised with his historic feat “I was expecting it because coming into the competition I was prepared and I am very proud. Thank God for my record despite the weather.”
The new record holder also stated that he is going after the 200m record (22.1s) today which was set by Abbensetts last year.
Triple jumpers Hooper (under-18) and Francis (under-20) had an exceptional day in the sand and leaped into the record books.
Hooper’s jump of 11.95m shattered the previous record (10.60m) set by Shonnette Freeman last year while Francis (13.67) erased the eight-year old mark (13.54m) which was held by Curtis Gravesande.
100m Girls U-18
The pint sized Sampson of Christ Church Secondary School was a tower of strength. Her only competition proved to be the clock and the damp track as she made light work of the field from the smoke of the pistol. The 12.3s she posted to equal Tiranna Mitchell’s two-year old record would have been lower if the conditions were ideal for sprinting.
100m Boys U-18
Caesar took advantage of CARIFTA Games double bronze medalist, Jason Yaw slipping in the blocks on the damp surface to emerge winner of the event in a blistering 10.7s.
The District 10 athlete now shares the all-time best time with Yaw (2013), Keon Lynch (2011) and Chavez Ageday (2010). Travis Belgrave (District 11) and Dequan Vancooten (District 14) joined Caesar on the podium after a visibly frustrated Yaw seemingly jogged to the finish after his slippage.
800m Girls U-16
George underlined her class in a superb display of speed and stamina, winning in excess of 10m in a brisk (2m: 20.4s) to dominate the event in wire to wire fashion.
The Lindener who added another gold medal to her cabinet was never threatened by second and third place finishers District 13’s Claudrice McKoy (2m:23.1s) and Delicia Harper (2m.30.1s) of District 5.
George along with the record breakers and Yaw will also feature today.
The 200m, 1500m, javelin, and high jump events will highlight the Day 3.
Competition is scheduled to start at 09:00hrs. (Emmerson Campbell)
