Kingston College’s Tajh-Marques White and Vere Technical’s Shevaughn Thomas were among the standout performers on Saturday’s second day of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Carifta Trials at GC Foster College, as they stormed to victory in the boys’ and girls’ Under-20 400m finals, respectively.
White, demonstrating his class and composure, powered to victory in 46.15s, finishing well ahead of his teammate Marcinho Rose (46.40s) and Excelsior’s Daniel Wright (46.50s).
Meanwhile, Thomas held her nerve in a closely contested girls’ 400m final, clocking 53.60s to edge Holmwood Technical’s Abrina Wright (53.66s), while Annastacia Hall (54.33s) rounded out the podium.
The boys’ Under-17 400m final delivered a dramatic finish, as St Jago’s Rushaine Richards (48.21s) barely edged out Calabar’s Diwayne Sharpe, who clocked the same time. Chanton White (49.34s) of Denbigh finished third.
Foga Road's Shameika McLean eases across the line in the girls' Under-17 400m.
In the girls’ Under-17 event, Foga Road’s Shameika McLean (54.47s) battled through the final stretch to hold off the Holmwood Technical duo of Tracy-Ann Evans (54.84s) and Maddison Campbell (54.95s).
The boys’ Under-20 1500m final produced another enthralling finish, with Edwin Allen’s Joel Morgan (4:03.29) barely outlasting Bellefield’s Roquelme Johnson (4:03.93) in the closing meters. Thywaine Sterling (4:08.90) of Williams Knibb had to settle for third.
Meanwhile, Holmwood Technical’s Cindy Rose continued her dominant season in the girls’ Under-20 1500m, crossing the line in a solid 4:43.20, ahead of Edwin Allen’s Sushana Johnson (4:44.79) and her Holmwood teammate Terrica Clarke (4:47.58).
St Jago’s Rushaine Richards just taking the boys' Under-17 400m final.
In the boys’ Under-17 1500m, Jamaica College teammates Carvel Nooks (4:16.91) and Bevin Davey (4:17.81) took the top two spots, with Bellefield’s Drayvone Palmer (4:22.65) claiming third.
Edwin Allen’s Kevongaye Fowler (4:46.13) took the girls’ Under-17 title, just ahead of Denique Palmer (4:47.36) and Sydney Pagon’s Alexia Palmer (4:47.73).
In the field, Jamaica College’s Chavez Penn delivered an impressive performance in the boys’ Under-20 high jump, clearing 2.18m for victory. Kingston College’s Aaron McKenzie (2.05m) and St Jago’s Maurace Johnson (2.05m) finished second and third, respectively.
Jamaica College teammates Carvel Nooks and Bevin Davey finished one-two in the Under-17 1500m.
On the girls’ side, Wolmer’s Girls’ Daneille Noble (1.78m) won on countback over St Andrew High’s Shanniqua Williams (1.78m), while William Knibb’s Cheyenne Cooper (1.70m) secured third.
In the boys’ Under-20 discus, Jamaica College’s Joseph Salmon (54.53m) took top honors ahead of Munro College’s Devont Edwards (53.30m) and Kingston College’s Daijon Budhai (52.15m).
The girls’ Under-20 discus saw Edwin Allen’s Shamoyea Morris (51.06m) emerge victorious, with Clarendon College’s Marla-Kay Lampart (50.80m) and Excelsior’s Gianna Clayton (48.52m) rounding out the top three.
Meanwhile, Amani Phillips (6.94m) and St Catherine’s Tshani Armstrong (5.37m) claimed victories in the boys’ and girls’ Under-17 long jump, respectively.
Holmwood's Cindy Rose cruises to victory in the girls' Under-20 1500m.
Earlier, Edwin Allen’s Antonio Powell (20.84s) and Lacovia’s Sabrina Dockery (23.43s) topped the boys’ and girls’ 200m qualifiers, setting the stage for an exciting Sunday final.
Wolmer’s Boys’ Gary Card (20.87s) and Muschett’s Shanoya Douglas (23.75s) also secured comfortable spots in their respective finals, while Edwin Allen’s Taheem Thompson (21.89s) and Ferncourt’s Rihanna Scott (24.56s) led qualifiers in the Under-17 200m events.
Jamaica College’s Carvel Nooks (1:58.61) will headline the boys’ Under-17 800m final, while Titchfield’s Shavan Jarrett (1:52.88) and Sydney Pagon’s Denae Hodges (2:16.18) will be among the favorites in the boys’ and girls’ Under-20 800m finals, respectively.
-Photos: Marlon Reid/Loop News