There were no surprises on day one of the 115th staging of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Girls’ Athletics Championships, as medal contenders across various events delivered standout performances to secure their places in the next round.

From the sprints to the throws, the competition got off to a thrilling start, with several athletes living up to expectations at the National Stadium on Tuesday.

In the 100m qualifiers, World Under-20 Championships relay gold medallist Sabrina Dockery of Lacovia High stamped her authority early in the Class One heats. Dockery blazed to a personal best and World Under-20 leading time of 11.12 seconds in a 0.3 metres per second wind reading.

Sabrina Dockery reacts after her 11.12s-clocking 

She smashed her previous best of 11.21 seconds set at last year’s National Junior Trials. Edwin Allen’s Jounee Armstrong and Holmwood Technical’s Doniellia Lewis followed with 11.59 seconds each, while Kiara Meikle, also of Holmwood, clocked 11.61 seconds.

In Class Two, another World Under-20 standout, Shanoya Douglas of Muschett High, made light work of her heat. Douglas cruised to 11.93 seconds, easing up before the finish. The fastest in the round was Adora Campbell of St Jago, who clocked 11.60 seconds, with Pasha Gaye Forrester of Vere Technical (11.91s) close behind.

Meanwhile, St Jago dominated Class Three, with Trecia-Ann Grant (11.90s) and Shannia Campbell (12.02s) setting the pace.

Shanoya Douglas eases across the line in girls' Class Two 100m action.

The 400m heats brought more drama as defending Class One champion Abigail Campbell of Hydel High looked comfortable in her title defence, leading all qualifiers with a time of 53.94 seconds. Edwin Allen’s Kellyann Carr (54.60s) and Vere Technical’s Shevaughn Thomas (54.67s) also booked their spots in the next round.

In Class Two, Jesena Williams of Vere Technical clocked the fastest time with 54.66 seconds, while in Class Three, Foga Road High’s Shameika McLean stamped her class with a commanding 56.79-second run.

The 400m hurdles open saw no hiccups for the favourites, with Edwin Allen’s Kellyann Carr leading the pack at 59.70 seconds. Hydel’s Aaliyah Mullings (59.83s) and Vere Technical’s Shevaughn Thomas (1:01.63) also advanced, setting up an intriguing final.

Abigail Campbell reacts after a comfortable victory in the girls' Class One 400m heats.

Distance events also delivered as Holmwood Technical’s Jovi Rose clocked 4:54.19 to secure her spot in the Class Two 1500m final, joining Edwin Allen’s Kevongaye Fowler (4:50.12) and Hydel’s Rihanna Morgan (4:51.45).

In Class Three, Edwin Allen’s Denique Palmer, last year’s runner-up, made her intentions clear with a top qualifying time of 4:59.33.

In the field events, Hydel High’s Natassia Burrell was a standout in the Girls’ Javelin Open, leading qualifiers with a throw of 39.76m—the only athlete to surpass the automatic qualifying mark of 36.00m.

Jamie-Lee Tulloch in girls' Class Two shot put action.

The shot put saw Excelsior High’s Alyssa Forrester lead the Class Two qualifiers with a throw of 12.72m, while Clarendon College’s Jamelia Young, the event favourite, managed 12.27m to secure her spot in the final.

Long jump action saw Immaculate Conception High’s Jaeda Robinson leap to 5.84m on her only attempt, leading all qualifiers in the Class Two event. Robinson, second in this class last year, will face stiff competition from St Catherine High’s Rihanna Chambers (5.54m) and Hydel’s Jenice Dunkley (5.39m).

The discus final promises to be a close contest after Edwin Allen’s Shamoyea Morris (50.31m) and Excelsior’s Gianna Clayton (48.88m) led the Class One qualifiers. St Catherine’s Able Mills (48.46m) and Hydel’s Shantangelo Williams (48.37m) also secured their spots.

Photos: Marlon Reid/Loop News