With nerves of steel and javelin in hand, Dior-Rae Scott of St Augustine's delivered a show-stopping performance on her final attempt to lead a Bahamian sweep of the podium in the High School Girls’ Javelin Throw Championship on day two of the 129th Penn Relays at Franklin Field on Friday.
Scott, calm under pressure, saved her best for last, launching the spear 48.56m on her sixth and final try — a throw that not only sealed the title but confirmed her rising dominance in the event. It followed an already strong series that included a 48.41m effort in round five and earlier throws of 42.97m, 40.92m, 45.83m, and 42.79m.
The sweep was completed by her St Augustine's teammate Kamera Strachan and Taysha Stubbs of Queens College, who took second and third, respectively. Strachan, who had led briefly with her 46.74m second-round throw, was nudged out in the final rounds, while Stubbs solidified third with a best of 44.76m to confirm The Bahamas' dominance in the discipline on the day.
Over on the high jump apron, it was Jamaica’s Shanniqua Williams who delivered a stellar performance of her own. The St Andrew High standout retained her Penn Relays high jump title in style, clearing a lifetime best of 1.82m, and in the process, defeated top-ranked rival Daniel Noble of Wolmer’s Girls for the first time this season.
Williams, who wore Wolmer’s colours last year when she claimed her first Penn Relays crown, faced stiff competition from Noble all season, including a heart-wrenching loss in last week’s Carifta Under-20 final. But this time, it was Williams who found her rhythm at the right time as she cleared her last two heights on third attempts before narrowly missing at a would-be championship record of 1.85m.
Her 1.82m jump ties her for third-best in Penn Relays history, alongside Jamaicans Kimberly Williamson and Janique Burgher, both of whom previously represented Edwin Allen High.
Noble claimed second with a solid 1.77m, while Egypt Bolan of Lindenwood, New Jersey, took third with 1.75m. Amelia Montaque of Vere Technical cleared 1.65m, and Sackoya Palmer of St Mary High and Kijonna Lee of Vere both registered marks of 1.60m.