Heartbreak for Dockery as sprint double quest ends in disqualification

Written by Sherdon Cowan. Posted in Champs. | 28 March 2025 | 679 Views
Tags: Athletics, National Stadium, Sabrina Dockery, Shanoya Douglas, Athletics/Jody-Ann Daley

Lacovia High’s Sabrina Dockery had her dream of capturing the Class One sprint double shattered as she was disqualified from the 200m semi-finals for a false start at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships on Friday.

Fresh off an electrifying 100m victory earlier in the week, where she clocked 11.08 seconds, making her the fifth-fastest Jamaican junior female over the distance, Dockery was poised to add the 200m title to her name. But fate had other plans.

Lining up in the semi-finals, Dockery’s quest unraveled in an instant, as a false start ruled her out of the competition before the race even began. In a cruel twist, this marks the second consecutive year she has faced this bitter disappointment, having been disqualified for a false start in the Class Two 200m final last year.

She was not alone in her misfortune. Immaculate Conception’s Shevi-Anne Shim also suffered the same fate in Dockery’s heat, while former Class Three sprint double champion Abigail Wolfe of Wolmer’s Girls was also disqualified for a false start in her semi-final.

With Dockery out, the Class One 200m title is now anyone’s for the taking as Jody-Ann Daley of Hydel leads the charge into the final after posting the fastest semi-final time of 23.53s. Close behind her are Jounee Armstrong (23.75s) of Edwin Allen, Shemonique Hazel (23.79s) of Hydel, and Doniellia Lewis (24.04s) of Holmwood Technical.

While Dockery’s disqualification cast a shadow over the Class One event, several other contenders in the younger divisions stayed on course for their own sprint doubles.

Shanoya Douglas (23.99s) of Muschett remains the favourite for the Class Two crown, with Sashana Johnson (23.57s) of Hydel and Natrece East (23.59s) of Wolmer’s Girls also through to the final.

Kevina Bourne of Port Antonio (24.08s) stamped her authority in Class Three, topping the qualifiers ahead of Shannia Campbell of St Jago (24.22s) and Rihanna Scott of Ferncourt (24.24s).

Class Four favourite Adalia Simpson of Holmwood Technical (25.14s) easily advanced, though Reneka Reid of Hydel (25.00s) was the fastest qualifier. Dana Bartley (25.24s) of Vere Technical, Anya Johnson (25.40s) of Immaculate, and Gabrielle Lynch (25.57s) of Edwin Allen also secured their spots in the final.