Lacovia High’s sprint sensation Sabrina Dockery delivered a breathtaking performance to once again stamp her class in the Class One 100m final with a world Under-20 leading time of 11.08 seconds on day two of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium on Wednesday.
The much-anticipated 100m final was expected to produce fireworks, and it did not disappoint.
Dockery, a World Under-20 Championships relay gold medallist, got off to a blistering start, much like she did in the semi-finals, where she had already set a personal best of 11.12 seconds. This time, however, she lowered that mark even further as she pulled away from the field with effortless speed to claim the crown in dominant fashion.
Holmwood Technical’s Doniellia Lewis (11.43s) took silver, while Edwin Allen’s Renecia Edwards (11.54s) settled for bronze.
Muschett High’s Shanoya Douglas, another World U-20 standout, was equally impressive in the Class Two final, storming to victory in 11.32 seconds, despite a slight -0.3 metres per second headwind. Though not far off her personal best of 11.28s, Douglas made light work of the competition, with Natrece East of Wolmer’s Girls finishing seconds in 11.59s and St Jago’s Adora Campbell third in 11.66s.
Shanoya Douglas registered a comfortbale win in the Class Two final.
The Class Three title went to St Jago’s Shannia Campbell, who powered away from her rivals at the halfway mark to win in 11.62s, with St Mary’s Shayon Smith and Ferncourt’s Rihanna Scott both clocking 11.82s to take silver and bronze, respectively.
Holmwood Technical’s Adalia Simpson proved untouchable in the Class Four 100m, as she crossed the finish line in 12.13s to claim victory. Vere Technical’s Danae Bartley (12.35s) and St Mary Technical’s Dehjanae Stephens (12.39s) rounded out the podium.
At the end of eight finals, reigning champions Edwin Allen are in pole position on 56 points, seven points ahead of Holmwood Technical on 49 points. St Jago (32 points), Hydel (31 points), Vere Technical (19 points), and Wolmer's Girls (18 points) are also up with the leaders.
Earlier in the field events, Jamelia Young of Clarendon College secured the first gold medal of the day, comfortably winning the Class Two shot put with a best throw of 13.65m. Wolmer’s Girls’ Bethany Thomas (13.19m) and Immaculate Conception’s Jada Francis (13.03m) finished second and third.
Meanwhile, in Class One, last year’s silver medallist, Marla Kay Lampart of Clarendon College, is on the hunt for gold after easily advancing to Thursday’s final. Despite a 12.20m throw in qualifying, she remains the overwhelming favorite, having set a massive Jamaican U-20 record of 15.98m earlier this year.
St Catherine High’s Gabriella Treasure in Class Three action.
Excelsior’s Kimeka Smith, the defending Class Two champion, led the qualifiers with 14.67m, followed by St Catherine’s Able Mills (13.44m) and Hydel’s Natassia Burrell (13.33m).
Alphansus Davis High’s Jessica Francis soared to a wind-aided 5.38m (2.8m/s) to lead the Girls’ Class Four long jump qualifiers. She needed only one attempt to meet the automatic 4.90m qualifying mark and will go into Thursday’s final as the favorite.
St Elizabeth Technical’s Anastacia Richards (5.19m) and Excelsior High’s Christina Clarke (5.07m) were the closest challengers. Peyton-Ann Edwards (5.04m) of Convent of Mercy Alpha and Shennoya Ferguson (5.01m) of St Jago also secured spots in the final.
Prior to that, St Catherine High’s Gabriella Treasure, last year’s Class Three high jump silver medallist, will be looking to upgrade to gold in Thursday’s final. However, she will face stiff competition from Campion College’s Stefvanco Henry and St Mary High’s Sackoya Palmer, who both failed to medal last year but have shown significant improvement.
All three jumpers cleared the automatic qualifying height of 1.60m, along with Tshani Armstrong (St Catherine High), Kariecia Morrison (Wolmer’s Girls’), and Brianna Stewart (St Jago High), setting up what promises to be an intense final.