The Girls’ sprint hurdles finals at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships are shaping up to deliver according to expectations, with medal contenders looking razor-sharp in Friday’s semi-finals.
Edwin Allen’s Santae Wilson made a powerful statement in the Class One 100m hurdles semi-final as she clocked 13.23 seconds to become the fastest Jamaican schoolgirl hurdler this season. She overtook pre-race favourite Jody-Ann Daley (13.30s) of Hydel on the timesheets.
Daley, however, remains a top contender for the gold, having dominated the event all season. The final will also feature Kiara Meikle (13.38s), Shelley-Ann Taylor (13.78s) of Excelsior, Regina Bailey (13.79s) of Holmwood, Bryana Davidson (13.88s) of St Jago, Amoi Kentish (13.85s) of Excelsior, and Hydel’s Aaliyah Mullings (13.88s).
The Class Two 100m hurdles final will be a Wolmer’s Girls versus St Jago showdown, with Tiana Marshall (13.08s) and Akeelah Bell (13.23s) of Wolmer’s leading the charge into the final. However, St Jago’s Adora Campbell (13.76s) and Malayia Duncan (13.51s) will be looking to cause an upset, but as the hurdles have shown time and time again, anything can happen on the day.
In Class Three, Edwin Allen’s Tashana Godfrey has been unstoppable all season, and she continued that form in the 80m hurdles semi-finals, posting a personal best of 10.98s with a positive 0.9m/s wind reading. She will enter the final as the only athlete to break 11 seconds so far.
Her teammate Macaela Gordon (11.11s) was the second-fastest qualifier, while Jada Harris (11.16s) of Wolmer’s Girls, St Jago’s Martina Parkes (11.29s), and Holmwood’s Maya Oakley (11.36s) will also be in the mix.
The Class Four 70m hurdles final will feature another record-chasing performance after Shanice Williams of St Jago equalled the Champs record of 10.38s in the semi-finals. The favourable 1.2m/s wind reading means she could break the record outright in the final.
Looking to challenge her will be Philipia James (10.67s) of Convent of Mercy Academy, Odainna Creary (10.61s) of Wolmer’s Girls, and Ashley Allen (10.82s) of St Jago.
Away from the hurdles, the Girls’ 4x400m relay is shaping up to be another battle of the powerhouses, with medal favourites Holmwood Technical (3:41.66), Hydel High (3:43.44), and Edwin Allen (3:44.26) all booking their spots in the final.
They will be joined by Vere Technical (3:49.17), Immaculate Conception (3:47.51), Alphansus Davis (3:47.59), St Elizabeth Technical (3:51.45), and The Queen’s School (3:51.83).