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http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140403/sports/sports6.html

'Franno' Pleased With MVP Transition
Published: Thursday | April 3, 2014 (Jamaica Gleaner)

After losing track 'senators' such as Asafa Powell, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Melaine Walker, Michael Frater and Sherone Simpson, head coach Stephen 'Franno' Francis admitted that the MVP Track Club is at a transitional stage, but assured that the University of Technology-based outfit will continue to produce world-class talent.

Despite a number of their biggest crowd pullers walking through the gates for one reason or the other, the gloss has remained at the club for the most part, with world-beater Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Kaliese Spencer, Nesta Carter and hotshot quarter-miler Stephenie-Ann McPherson still on the cards.

Francis conceded the impact of the departures but assured that the club will continue its tradition of building star athletes.

STILL BUILDING

"Even though we have suffered some losses of people who were well known, I think that we have been able to build," said Francis. "Here we are fortunate because we have been able to build athletes from what sometimes isn't thought to be good material, and that, plus the fact that we continue to get kids that people think are talented, ensures that we will have good representation for Jamaica and others as the years go by."

World Championships 4x100m relay gold medallist Carrie Russell, now fully recovered World Junior Championships 200m finalist Julian Forte and former Vere Technical standout Shericka Jackson are among the athletes who are expected to have a serious impact on the sport in the coming years.

"I am very excited about the current kids we have here, but I think there are probably about seven people who will become world class this year. Some are close and others are coming from further back, but it's a very good mixture and I think over the next two years (they will start excelling)," Francis noted.

IRREPLACEABLE STARS

"It's difficult to replace a Melaine Walker or a Brigitte Foster-Hylton or Asafa Powell, but I think we will have people who will be as competitive as they are and will have chances to win medals at the World Championships next year, the Commonwealth Games (this year), Olympics (2016) and the World Championships after that (in 2017)," Francis added before commenting on Forte's improvements since pulling up at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Barcelona, Spain, with a commanding lead in the 200m final.

"So far, so good. Like most high school athletes, you have to be very careful when they come out of high school because there is a different emphasis in the preparation and if they continue in the same way, they will have long-term damage. You expect to have hiccups in the first few years, but I think this year he (Forte) is going to perform very well," said Francis.

"The signs are very good and I think he has overcome that (Barcelona injury) a long time ago and is now looking forward to the future and what that will hold for him," said Francis.

Twenty year-old Forte has personal best times of 10.12 (100m) and 20.38 (200m). He did, however, run 9.98 seconds in a 100m in Sweden last year but was helped by an illegal +3.0 wind factor.

Its hard to be a pure sprinter in Jamaica now. 3 Oly spots and Blake and Bolt sew up 2. Thank God for W. Champs

Then you have Asafa/Carter/Forte/Jason Young/Warren Weir/ Livermore/Murphy/Skeene/Dexter Lee/Lerone Clarke/Ashmeade/Roach/the yute Franno lost to Braumann in the US last year...Jacques harvey/Bailey-Cole/ 2 or 3 more from Akan Track club/Todd/ Forsythe/and I am sure I miss a few.

Quote from: willi on April 04, 2014, 10:43:39 AM

Its hard to be a pure sprinter in Jamaica now. 3 Oly spots and Blake and Bolt sew up 2. Thank God for W. Champs

Then you have Asafa/Carter/Forte/Jason Young/Warren Weir/ Livermore/Murphy/Skeene/Dexter Lee/Lerone Clarke/Ashmeade/Roach/the yute Franno lost to Braumann in the US last year...Jacques harvey/Bailey-Cole/ 2 or 3 more from Akan Track club/Todd/ Forsythe/and I am sure I miss a few.

And even when Bolt and Blake retire it is not going to get much easier to make the Olympic team.
You guys are loaded in the sprints right now and for the foreseeable future.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/-Super-Donkey--Francis-sets--Bar--yet-higher_16401294

'Super Donkey' Francis sets 'Bar' yet higher
By Howard Walker Observer senior reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, April 04, 2014

Not many people have the distinction of breaking a Usain Bolt record, so when Javon 'Donkey Man' Francis stopped the clock at 44.96 seconds, the packed National Stadium was abuzz with excitement and disbelief.

Seconds later, the display clock just beyond the finish line updated the official time to 45.00 seconds. History had been created. Francis had just broken Bolt's 11-year-old record of 45.35 seconds, done in 2003.

There was applause, jovial high-fives, hugs; some people were just staring in disbelief; others were just happy to share in this historic moment.

Francis, the man of the moment, immediately went to the ground and proceeded to do a few hand-press exercises. He was imitating Bolt, who had done the same exercise after landing gold in the 200m final at the London Olympic Games.

"I just wanted to give God thanks that I went out there and did my best. You have people from all over who come to Champs to watch me run and I give God thanks that I broke that record," said the lion-hearted, soft-spoken Francis.

Francis, who turned 19 years old in December, had won the RJR Sport Foundation's People's Choice Performance of the Year Award in January for his amazing anchor leg in the 4x400m relay at the 2013 Moscow World Championships. The then 18-year-old propelled Jamaica from fifth to second with an astonishing 44.00-second relay split to win the hearts of the Jamaican populace.

With that run under his belt, he opened his 2014 season with an impressive 45.95-second run at the Youngster Goldsmith Meet in February, and the reality of breaking Bolt's Class One 400m record looked a mere formality.

But with that record under his belt, 'Donkey Man' or 'Super Donkey' as he called himself after his Moscow exploits, wanted to leave Champs in further glory with a 200m victory, and even erasing Bolt's other record of 20.25 seconds.

However, that was not to be and after trailing winner Jevaughn Minzie close to the line, Francis eased up with an apparent injury.

For a fleeting moment, it was as if the hearts of everyone inside the National Stadium and those in TV land had stopped, as they took their eyes off the winner and focused on Francis limping across the finish line in eighth spot. Jamaica's precocious quarter-miler was injured, and the question was how badly.

"It's not really serious, it's just a cramp, pretty soon I will get over it," Francis told the Jamaica Observer at the school's devotion on Monday morning.

"I am going back to the drawing board, train hard because I want to make that trip to the Bahamas for the World Relays," he explained.

Francis, who was winning the 400m for the third consecutive year, was just happy he finally got the record, and more importantly, contributing again to Calabar High's winning their third consecutive title and 24th overall.

"My last year at Champs, I feel so happy about it. We won Champs and a lot of persons expected us to come second or third, after we didn't get any points on the first day. The first points we got was from the throw Basil Bingham gave us. We decided we were going to dig hard and defend our title," he noted.

Like previous Champs stars before him, a lot is expected of the fearless competitor. Many have faltered along the way, but there is something special about this youngster that suggests that he's destined for the very top. The Utmost for the Highest, as his school motto reads.

Javon Francis reacts in astonishment after seeing the 44.96-second flashtime at the end of the Class One 400m final last Saturday. The time was eventually rounded up to 45 seconds. At right is St Jago's Nathan Allen, who clocked 46.16 seconds.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140407/sports/sports1.html

Fraser-Pryce Is The Greatest - Francis
Published: Monday | April 7, 2014 (Jamaica Gleaner)

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is the greatest female championships sprinter on the planet. That is the assessment of her coach Stephen Francis, who also took time to laud her ability to stay at the top of her game since she broke on the scene in 2008.

Three gold medals at last year's IAAF World Championships in Moscow, first woman to hold 100m, 200m and 60m world titles simultaneously, IAAF World Female Athlete of the Year, fastest Jamaican in the 100m in history, Diamond League winner.

Still, for Francis - the man who has led her development, Jamaica's sprinting darling is already the best when it comes to showing up when it matters most.

Some way off Florence Griffith-Joyner's 10.49 seconds 100m world record, Francis also feels that his charge, who has personal best times of 10.70 seconds (100m) and 22.09 (200m) - has not had the best of luck with wind speed and her time, but that she will get closer.

BACK-TO-BACK OLYMPIC TITLES

"I don't think there is any question that where championships are concerned, that she (Fraser-Pryce) is certainly the greatest female sprinter in the world in history, certainly in the 100m," said Francis. "No other woman has done what she has done."

What she has done is to win back-to-back Olympic 100m titles - a feat first accomplished by Wyomia Tyus and matched by Gail Devers; two of the last three World Championships 100m titles - while adding the 200m gold last year in Moscow. She also added a 200m silver medal to her name at the 2012 Olympic Games at her first bite at the event at a major championships.

"She's been unlucky with wind; she's never had races with +1.5 or +1.9 and certainly no races with +5 that ends up at +0.0 so that she can run 10.49 or whatever," Francis added in a cheeky reference to the current 100m word record. "If she gets lucky (with wind), super times will come with it."

"What Shelly has done which has pleased me most; she has mastered the trick of staying good. I tell them all the time that it's far easier to get good than to stay good. And a lot of natural factors, which mitigate against you staying at number one, there are a lot of things that push you down, but I think she managed to conquer those things and has herself focused and developed a mindset that keeps her where she is. She does everything that she used to do to an even greater extent," Francis said.

"If she can keep it up then I don't know how much limit she has. She is always willing to work, willing to do what needs to be done. She is not very concerned about enjoying the fruits of her success as opposed to making sure that she continues to be successful," Francis' analysis continued.

The coach believes that the athlete will seal her spot as the greatest female sprinter with a third consecutive Olympic 100m gold and her first 200m Olympic gold at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

"I think the most pressing thing for her is to be the first woman to win three (Olympic) gold medals in the 100m, secondly to see if she can run the double in Brazil - that would be a big goal for her. So I think over the next couple of years, we will do all work required to reach that goal and we'll see what happens," said Francis.

Looks like Jehue may have some Jamaican competition this year?! ;)

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140407/sports/sports8.html

Cato Clocks World Lead
Published: Monday | April 7, 2014
Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

JAMAICAN athletes living overseas enjoyed good results over the weekend as several of them scored solid wins with Olympian Roxroy Cato leading the way with a world leading time on Saturday.

Cato representing St Augustine College at the Florida Relays in Gainsville, Florida captured the men's 400 metres hurdles in 48.67 seconds.

The Bahamas' Jeffrey Gibson competing for the George Williams Express Track Club was second in the event in 48.95 seconds with Eric Alejandro, competing for Mizuno finishing third in 49.12 seconds.

At the same meet, there was a top three finish for former St Jago hurdler, Yanique Haye-Smith.

Competing for the George Williams Express Track Club , Haye-Smith clocked 57.71 seconds for third in the women's 400 metres hurdles, as the event was won by Kendra Harrison from the University of Kentucky in 56.60 seconds.

Harrison's time is the third-fastest time in the world so far, behind World leader, Rushell Clayton (56.41) seconds of the University of West Indies and Janieve Russell of the University of Technology, who were one-two in the event over the weekend at the Inter-Collegiate Track and Field Championships.

There were three wins for Jamaicans at the Crimson Tide Invitational Meet in Alabama on Saturday.

Fresh off her NCAA indoor 60 metres triumph, former Herbert Morrison Technical athlete Ramona Burchell, competing for the University of Alabama, started her outdoor campaign on a successful note after winning the women's 100 metres in 11.42 seconds.

Her teammate, Yanique Malcolm, formerly of St Jago High was also successful after winning the women's 800 metres in 2:06.83.

On the male side there was a win for former Wolmer's Boys' jumper Kamal Fuller. A senior at the University of Alabama, Fuller captured the men's long jump with a leap of 7.61metres.

World Championships represen-tative Natoya Goule was a winner at the Auburn Tiger Classics as she won the women's 400 metres in 52.85 seconds. At the same meet, former Convent of Mercy, Alpha hurdler Danielle Williams picked up two second-place finishes. Competing for the Lennox Graham - coached Division II Johnson C Smith University, Williams clocked 11.52 seconds in the women's 100 metres before returning to stop the clock at 13.35 seconds. Her teammate, Samantha Elliot, formerly of Immaculate Conception High was third in 13.46 seconds.

http://spikes.iaaf.org/post/warren-weir-training-with-the-gods-jamaica

TRAINING WITH THE GODS
10 APR 2014 Sports Forever

We knew it wouldn't be long before the cult of Warren Weir spread beyond Jamaica. And this month, his cheeky face will adorn the cover of UK magazine Forever Sports. In an exclusive extract for SPIKES, Weir talks Racers Track Club, big brother Bolt, and the importance of Coach Mills.

Jamaica’s Racers Track Club is the Hogwarts of sprinting. Those who attend arrive as talented runners and more often than not, go on to perform magic.

The school’s most famous student is Usain Bolt: the fastest man who has ever lived. Weir is working his way through the grades. He describes schooling with the two fastest men on the planet as “training with the gods of track and field”.

“When you’re training with the best, every day is a learning lesson. No matter how much you think you know there’s always room for improvement out there.”

The team are based at the Usain Bolt Track at the University of West Indies, set among lush green mountains. Boards around the track read: ‘training ground for legends’.

he coach in charge at Racers Track Club is Glen Mills.

“Coach Mills is not just a coach,” says Weir. “He’s a father figure to us, he’s a friend to us, and he’s a brother to us. He plays a dominant role in our lives. We believe in Coach Mills. He knows his stuff. Trust me.”

It was Coach Mills who sat down with him in 2011 to discuss the future. Weir was originally a sprint-hurdler, but after a stress fracture in 2010, he noticed he was getting pain in his knees. It was decided that he should stop hurdling and try the 200m.

“It was the best decision I ever made. Coach Mills is a guru, he knows what he’s doing.

“If he can get this long, tall guy to run 9.69 seconds, and he tells you to go and run a certain event: you don’t question it. You go and run that event.”

The other gurus in his life are Blake and Bolt, who are also his biggest rivals on the track. There’s no slipping up in the company of the best in the business.

Whether it’s his coach or his classmates, there’s always someone telling him when he needs to “fix-up that, or fix-up this”.

“It’s a wonderful feeling, and it’s a wonderful place to train,” says Weir.

Bolt’s help isn’t just confined to the training track, either.

“Seeing as he [Bolt] has been around longer than me, when I go to certain meets he’ll say to me: ‘Right, listen. This is the plan. This track has a deep corner. Take this lane, don’t take that lane’. He shows me the ropes.

“He gives me a lot of advice. He’s my bigger brother.”

Read the full interview in the May issue of Forever Sports, out now. Photographs by Andrew Shaylor.

Woman of substance
Part 4: Fraser-Pryce keen to make a difference (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Woman-of-substance-256636221.html)
By Kwame Laurence kwame.laurence@trinidadexpress.com
Story Created: Apr 24, 2014 at 10:20 PM ECT

Each time Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce steps on the track, she brings more to the table than her speedy pair of legs. The 27-year-old sprinter has a passion for hair, and decided to sport a pink variety at the 2013 World Championships, in Moscow, Russia.

With the hair matching her pink spikes and nail polish of the same colour, Fraser-Pryce drew a lot of attention. But while the glamour is a big attraction, her exploits on the track truly define this Jamaican.

Fraser-Pryce is a woman of substance. Her accolades provide the proof. The MVP Track Club athlete is a two-time Olympic 100 metres champion, striking gold at the 2008 Beijing Games and then successfully defending her title four years later in London.

In 2009, Fraser-Pryce captured the 100m title at the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany, and helped her country earn 4x100m gold. Four years later, the pink-haired “Pocket Rocket” left Moscow with three gold medals. She regained her 100m title, added the 200m crown, and then anchored Jamaica to sprint relay success.

Add the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championship 60m gold medal to her already impressive list, and it’s hard to think of a woman who can match Fraser-Pryce’s sprint resume. Success did not come easily for the lady from the rough inner-city Kingston community of Waterhouse.
“I’m driven from inside and circumstances and different situations that happened in my life.”

Though she has climbed to the top, Fraser-Pryce has not eased off the gas pedal. She turns up at the UTech (University of Technology) track at 6.30 a.m. to train under the watchful eyes of MVP coach Stephen “Franno” Francis.

“Franno” watches on as the sprinters work on their starts. He has an impressive group training at UTech, including two-time Olympic men’s sprint relay champion and double World Championship gold medallist in the same event, Nesta Carter. But the coach’s prize charge is undoubtedly Fraser-Pryce.

“What has pleased me most is that she has mastered the trick of staying good. A lot of natural factors militate against staying at number one, but I think she has conquered those things and developed a mindset that keeps her where she is.

“Shelly-Ann does everything she used to do, and to a greater extent. That to me is her biggest achievement. She is not very concerned about enjoying the fruits of her success, as opposed to making sure she continues to be successful.”

Following her triple gold feat in Moscow, Fraser-Pryce, with little time to soak in the success, re-focused on the challenges ahead.
“I sat in the room and I was like ‘oh my gosh, how am I going to top this next year?’ And immediately my mind takes me back to training, hard work, going in the gym, lifting. My husband (Jason Pryce) would always say, ‘you never enjoy anything.’ And it’s true, I don’t get a chance to enjoy because I’m working.”

With the early-morning training session at UTech over, Fraser-Pryce switches her attention to the hair salon. But she does not have an appointment to put in pink hair extensions.

Chic Hair Ja is a new Kingston salon, having opened its doors on January 17. On entry, the colour pink jumps out at you. And the owner, a petite woman standing at just five-feet tall, cuts an elegant picture in her pink polo shirt.

Oh, I forgot to mention the young entrepreneur’s name. It’s a familiar one. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

“I love hair.”

But this new business enterprise is not all about glamour and fashion.

“I didn’t have to go into hair,” Fraser-Pryce explains, “but I have a passion to also create jobs. There are lots of young ladies and young men in Jamaica who leave school with degrees, and they’re sitting at home. But if I can create a business so that other persons can get employment, then I think it goes somewhere.”

Fraser-Pryce is fun to be around. Her effervescent personality draws people in, and you can’t help but be charmed by her smile and laugh.
But there’s also a serious side.

“My dream and my passion has always been helping children. That’s why I got my degree in Child and Adolescent Development. I actually want to become a child psychologist, and I want to help children that are faced with childhood disorders like dyslexia, autism, learning disabilities.”

Fraser-Pryce is not yet a child psychologist. She has found a way, however, to make a difference in the lives of young student-athletes, through the Pocket Rocket Foundation.

“I started the foundation to try to alleviate some of the stress and the problems that their families have in taking care of them.
“When I started high school in 1999 at Wolmer’s, I was privileged and blessed at the same time to have met a woman by the name of Jean Coke, then part of the Old Girls’ Association. She saw something in me that I didn’t see at all, and she started to fund my education, my books, my uniform, my lunch, everything.

“She showed me compassion and love in so many ways. And that’s where everything fuelled from. The fact that she had done that for me made me in some sense obligated to make sure I did the same thing for other student-athletes who are coming from an impoverished situation.”

Kimone Shaw was among seven Pocket Rocket Foundation scholarship recipients. The diminutive sprinter captured girls’ under-18 100m gold for Jamaica at the 2014 Carifta Games in Martinque, last weekend.

Shaw is a big fan of Fraser-Pryce. “She’s the best person ever that a young athlete can look up to,” says Shaw. “She always does everything to the best, so I’m just doing the same to make her proud.” Though the foundation was launched just last year, it is already having impact.

Seven student-athletes have been equipped to excel, and one of them, little Kimone Shaw has been inspired to follow in the strides of her benefactor, Jamaica’s fun-loving, fast and focused Pocket Rocket.

kwame.laurence@trinidadexpress.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: Trinidad Express writer Kwame Laurence is among a select group of sports journalists chosen to be part of the latest IAAF Day in the Life series, a project featuring some of the Caribbean’s best athletes as well as other major players in the sport of track and field. Next Friday, a fire from within.

Fraser-Pryce headlines Invitational meet (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Fraser-Pryce-headlines-Invitational-meet-257757111.html)
Story Created: May 2, 2014 at 9:55 PM ECT (T&T Express)

l KINGSTON

World and Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will showcase her talents before an adoring home crowd when she headlines the Jamaica International Invitational at the National Stadium here today.

The pint-sized powerhouse, who also won the 60-metre title at the World Indoor Games in March, will no doubt have the spotlight for herself as she pits her speed against a competitive field in the 100 metres.

Meet director, sprint legend Don Quarrie said organisers were expecting the one-day championship to be of the highest quality.

“We anticipate a good turnout from the crowd and good performances from the athletes, which we hope will include world-leading times,” he said.

“The sprinting events are our major events, which everyone anticipates, but there are other major events. The shot put is filled with talents, which shows we are hosting field-eventers in Jamaica.”

Fraser-Pryce should find challenges from Nigerian Blessing Okagbare, fellow Jamaican Kerron Stewart and the American pair of English Gardner and Alexandria Anderson, who both ran under 11 seconds last season.

The invitational, an IAAF World challenge meeting, will be important for Fraser-Pryce as it will also serve as a warm-up to the opening Diamond League meet of the season, next Friday, in Doha, Qatar.

In the men’s 100m, Jamaicans Nesta Carter and Warren Weir will square off against American Justin Gatlin. The 24-year-old Weir, who shot to prominence at the London 2012 Olympics with a surprise bronze in the 200 metres, will test his mettle, this time over the straight sprint.

Gatlin, meanwhile, took bronze in London in the 100m and followed up with another third-place finish at last year’s World Championships in Moscow, and will be champing at the bit, too on Saturday. His US counterpart, Walter Dix, will also line up at the start, along with Jamaican Kemar Bailey-Cole.

The men’s and women’s 400 metres are also expected to serve up some excitement, with Olympic champion Sanya Richards-Ross of the US facing a challenge from Jamaican Stephenie Mc-Pherson in the women’s section.

Meanwhile, reigning men’s World champion LaShawn Merritt will go head to head with Olympic bronze medallist Luguelin Santos of the Dominican Republic.

Speed, Unlimited
Javon Francis: Baby Bolt (http://www.ozy.com/rising-stars-and-provocateurs/javon-francis-baby-bolt/31201.article)
May 12, 2014. By Constance C. R. White

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE
Because this 19-year-old is the guy you’ll be cheering for in the next Olympics.

The stadium was quiet as eight schoolboys settled into the blocks for the start of the 400-meter finals at Jamaica’s annual Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association Boys and Girls Athletic Championships earlier this year — “Champs” for short. The favorite? Nineteen-year-old Javon Francis. Case closed. Spectators sat in their seats munching on food and chatting with friends when the starter gun went off.

But something unexpected was taking place. Francis, who was scheduled to run the 200 meters later that evening, attacked the race like a demon. By the 200 mark, he had closed in on the rest of the pack, and 50 meters later, he had left everyone behind and the whole stadium was on its feet, exuberant, deafening, urging him on. They knew. He was going after the famed Usain Bolt’s high school record.

Francis didn’t just break Bolt’s record. He “shattered” it, noted four-time Olympic medalist and NBC sports analyst Ato Boldon in an email. The young man lapped the track in 45 seconds flat and, seemingly overnight, Francis became an international sensation, landing on the must-watch list of track-and-field insiders.

After smashing through the finish line, he dropped to the track and did three clean pushups, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

But it’s not only that Francis broke Bolt’s record, making him a king among princes in a country that seems to mint prodigious track talent. This past summer at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow, he ran a lightning-fast split to pull his team from fifth place to second, just behind Team USA.

“Every time I wear these particular spikes, I know I’m going to do something phenomenal,” Francis told OZY. He was wearing his lucky shoes, given to him by a friend, on both occasions.

It was a head-turning performance by any measure. And Francis, then 18, was the youngest member of his team and challenging world-class veterans like USA’s LaShawn Merritt, 27.

Tall and slim with well-defined muscles, Francis displays the kind of confidence and bravura of a seasoned pro. “I’m like a lion and I’m like a donkey — both are strong,” he said. He’s even nicknamed “Donkey Man.”

He’s also a performer: After smashing through the finish line in record speed at Champs, he dropped to the track and did three clean pushups, sending the crowd into a frenzy before doing his best imitation of Bolt’s lightning stance.

At the World Games, when his coach informed him he would be anchoring the 4x400 relay, Francis told the Jamaica Star, “My smile got bright because I said to myself, ’Yes! This is what I want: to show the world who Javon Francis is.’”

Francis spent most of his childhood in the countryside of Bull Bay, a village where catching fish is both a living and a sport — and how he and his friends passed the time when there was nothing much else to do.

But starting in elementary school, he began running the 100-meter dash, he said, before specializing in the 200 and 400. Today, he lives with a guardian and attends high school in Kingston, Jamaica’s capital, while his family and best friend remain in Bull Bay.

If his streak continues, Francis will leave school this June and turn professional, joining the Jamaican running club Akan, headed by his high school coach, Michael Clarke.

Observers have tried to figure out just what’s in the Jamaican jerk sauce that produces athletes like Francis.

Speaking by phone from Kingston, Clarke said he was not surprised that Francis toppled Bolt’s 10-year record. His training times have been building toward this for some time and, according to Clarke, we may not yet have seen the best of him. “He doesn’t do any weight training,” Clarke said, which is unusual for athletes at his age and level. And even when he broke Bolt’s record, “He was [operating at] 80–85 percent” due to a leg injury, said Clarke. “That tells you how far he can go.”

And how far a nation that derives so much pride from its athletic prowess can go. The island of fewer than 3 million people dominates the sprints every four years in the Olympics; Usain Bolt sits atop an elite group that also includes Olympic gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell.

Observers have tried to figure out just what’s in the Jamaican jerk sauce that produces athletes like Francis. In Jamaica, running is like football in the American South or soccer in Brazil, but other theories abound.

Some have pointed to the 104-year-old “Champs” tradition, an incubator for top athletic talent and an annual culmination of a nationwide track-and-field training effort in schools. Jamaicans may love soccer (called football) and cricket, but track and field engages a larger number of children at an earlier age.

And then there’s the political explanation: In the ’70s, when Jamaica flirted with socialism, Cuba gifted the country with a new school, G.C. Foster, which began to offer professional training in physical education. Suddenly, the island’s athletes had a training ground — and so did their coaches.

Despite all this success, ”Jamaica’s men have not been as good as they should have been in the 400-meter event at the pro level over the last decade,” said Boldon. “Javon appears ready to buck that trend.”

Clarke — who will coach Francis if he makes it to the 2016 Olympics — is evidence of the school’s success. He’s one of the country’s most successful coaches, having led three different schools to Champs victories.

With the next Summer Games two years away, Francis speaks of Olympic glory without hesitation. “I want to go to the Olympics and get a gold medal for my country — for my mum and dad.”

And to show the world who Javon Francis is.

The Jamaican in me
Anguillan sprinter Zharnel Hughes says mom is daughter of the soil (http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/The-Jamaican-in-me_16643369)
BY HOWARD WALKER Observer senior reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com
Monday, May 12, 2014

ALL things being equal, in sprinter Zharnel Hughes lies a future Olympic champion and a pilot. In pursuit of both dreams, he has showed the aptitude to achieve them, having been deemed the consummate hard worker, technically gifted individual, one who listens and executes well.

That's a lot, it seems, to say about one young man still in bloom. But for those who know him well, or for those who have followed his exploits closely, Hughes's plaudits are justified.

The Aguillan is regarded as one of, if not the best, young sprinter in the Americas. Already, he is the 2013 Carifta and Pan American Junior champion. And according to watchers of the sport, there is more to come from him. Much more.

But what a lot of people didn't know is that Hughes of Anguilla has a Jamaican connection — his mother.

Just a day before Mothers' Day was celebrated in Jamaica, Hughes, who has lived in Jamaica for the past two years, revealed to the Jamaica Observer on Saturday, that he missed his mother Zarnalyn Ebanks "everyday".

"Living in Jamaica for a while is a great experience and I missed home a lot not seeing my mother and brother as often. But besides that, school is going great, track is going awesome. I like Jamaica and I have no complains about it," said Hughes as he sits quietly watching his Racers teammates compete at the JAAA All Comers Meet at the National Stadium on Saturday.

But only a few weeks back, Hughes had set the Stadium alight by running the fastest time for a schoolboy at the fabled Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championship, clocking 10.12 seconds, and in the process, erasing Yohan Blake's record of 10.21 seconds done in 2007.

He did that as a Kingston College student.

But for some strange reason, he was never truly embraced and revered by local fans, who felt more or less slighted by a foreigner stealing the thunder from home bred talent. And that's something he has been doing for two years now.

People were saying Jevaughn Minzie of Bog Walk High should have won and broken the 100m record. They wanted a local hero to follow in the footsteps of the great Usain Bolt, and Yohan Blake.

But 18-year-old Hughes, as many will now come to know, is a son of the soil. His mother Zarnalyn is from St Elizabeth and his father Howell Hughes is from Anguilla. Zharnel's name is an amalgamation of parts of both his parents' names.

"She is from St Elizabeth and has been living in Anguilla for nearly 19 years. My mother is mostly the big supporter. My father does support me, but my mother is the biggest one. Not only them, but my other family members also supports me," said Hughes, who revealed that he has a cousin in the Jamaican army.

"My mother wasn't an athlete, but a few of her family members were track and field athletes. My father's side are runners, most of everyone on my father side are athletes. It's just that most of them quit and I decided that I won't go down that road," he noted.

But with his birth country Anguilla not having an Olympic association and being a British territory, the sprinting prodigy looks set to choose Great Britain over his mother's country of Jamaica for the 2016 Rio Games.

"The options are there, it's just that I haven't decided which one I want to do as yet," said Hughes, who wants to be a pilot when his track career is over.

"I have them all in consideration, but it's a possibility that team GB just might be the team because Anguilla is a British territory and most likely we have to join them since we don't have an Olympic status. It's most likely Team GB, but like I said, it's under consideration," he reiterated.

The supremely talented athlete who is currently sitting his CAPE exams, explains the difficulty in balancing schoolwork and training.

"It is hard to come home and study, but you have to make the sacrifices in order to do well in school and on the track. So, like I said, it's hard sometimes but that's how it is," he noted.

"To be honest, it is quite difficult especially coming from training on Tuesdays and Thursdays. My coach call them 'Drop Dead Tuesdays' and 'Killer Diller Thursdays'," smiled Hughes, as his coach Patrick Dawson nods his head in approval.

"He is a very disciplined athlete. Very manageable, basically he is a coach's dream. He is a coachable athlete and that's the kind of athlete that coaches look for. Outside of that, he is very talented, and when you put all those components together, he is an excellent athlete," said Dawson.

"With his potential and talent, I see no reason why he can't go on to become an Olympic or World Champion. He trains among the professionals and he realised that when you get to that level, the training is even harder," Dawson explained.

In July, Hughes will be participating in the World Junior Championship in Oregon, USA, before embarking on the Commonwealth Games in Scotland.

"I am looking forward to that for sure. Preparations for that is coming great. I started back training and everything is going good so far. Thank God for that. I am looking forward to World Juniors," he pointed out.

Hughes has fond memories about his first experience at Champs, considered the best of its kind in the world.

"Champs was an awesome experience. I am very much sorry that I won't be taking part again. I should have come here earlier," he said laughing.

"But it's awesome. I loved the participation... everybody was taking part and the atmosphere was just amazing. It was the biggest (championship) I ever been to thus far. But I look forward to come back next year. I won't be running but supporting this time.

"I do love the crowd, the athletes, I can tell you that Jamaica is the promised land for sprinters," said Hughes.

Is Javon Francis Jamaica’s Next Big Thing?
Inspire your world.... (http://thrivesports.com/2014/05/17/javon-francis-jamaicas-next-big-thing/)
By Tyler Dragon (thrivesports.com)
Updated: May 17, 2014

For the past decade, Jamaica – the island of less than three million people – has dominated the sprints.

The Caribbean island has produced the likes of Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Yohan Blake, and Asafa Powell, all of whom have won multiple Olympic and World Championship medals.

The country always seems to produce world class sprinters – and another appears on the horizon.

Meet 19-year-old Javon Francis, who has been pegged the next Jamaican big-time sprinter. Francis was raised in the countryside of Bull Bay, Jamaica, a village known for its catfish. He began running the 100-meter sprint in elementary school, before switching to the 200 and 400 meters.

Francis moved to Kingston to further his career, while his family still resides in Bull Bay.

Since his arrival to Kingston, Francis has vastly moved up the Jamaican sprinting ranks.

Nicknamed ‘Donkey Man’ for his tall and slim but muscular frame, Francis is now creating shockwaves around the track & field community.

Francis gives Jamaica something that even Bolt hasn’t produced.

The teenager is a 200- and 400-meter specialist. The country lacks superior talent beyond the 200 and with Francis now on the rise, it looks like Jamaica will also have a 400-meter contender.

At Jamaica’s annual Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association Boys and Girls Athletic Championships, Francis put the world on notice that he’s coming.

Could Javon Francis be #Jamaica's Next Big Running Star? http://t.co/prKI1n5KWl pic.twitter.com/OEx7Og0gLG

— Panamericanworld (@panamworldnews) May 13, 2014

In front of a packed crowd in Kingston, Francis ran the 400 meters like no one had ever seen in Jamaica high school history. By the 200-meter mark, he had already made up the stagger, and 50 meters later all his competitors were looking at his back bib number. The only competition Francis had left was the clock. The Jamaica high school record was 45.35 seconds for 400 meters, and it was held by Bolt.

With about 100 meters left, the crowd sensed that they might be witnessing something special. As Francis crossed the finish line, the official clock read 45.00 seconds.

Francis shattered Bolt’s high school record.

Shortly after crossing the finish line in typical Bolt fashion, Francis decided to put on a little after show for the crowd. The newly crowned record holder did three pushups, before rising to his feet to do his best imitation of the Bolt lightning pose.

A new Jamaican star was born.

“I’m like a lion and I’m like a donkey, both are strong,” a confident Francis told the media.

Francis, ‘the donkey’ has the perfect nickname, because he will need strong shoulders to help carry the load once Bolt decides to call it a career. Bolt has said numerous times that the 2016 Rio Olympics will be his last. If 2016 is indeed Bolt’s last year, Jamaica might just need a new star to cheer for.

Watch Francis break Usain Bolt’s 400 meters record below:

https://www.youtube.com/v/DnZZ8aS9N1U

Francis plans to leave school in June to elect to run professionally. It has been reported that he will join the Jamaican running club Akan, which is headed by his high school coach, Michael Clarke.

‘Fastest Human’ to run for first time in Poland (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Fastest-Human--to-run--for-first-time-in-Poland-260558321.html)
Story Created: May 24, 2014 at 9:10 PM ECT (T&T Express)

Sprint legend Usain Bolt will run in Poland for the first time when he competes at the fifth edition of the Kamila Skolimowska Memorial in August.

The reigning World and Olympic double sprint champion will join some of Poland’s finest athletes for the August 23 meet, including two-time Olympic shot put champion Tomasz Majewski and world hammer silver medallist, Anita Wlodarczyk.

Bolt said he was keen on the new experience. “I’m looking forward to running in Poland for the first time,” the 27-year-old Jamaican said. “I have never raced in a football stadium before so that will be something new and unique. I like to support new events and help grow the sport all over the world.”

The meet, staged in memory of Polish hammer thrower Kamila Skolimowska who won gold at the 2000 Olympics, will take place at the newly-laid track in Warsaw’s National Stadium. Skolimowska, the youngest ever Olympic hammer champion, died five years ago at age 26 during a training camp in Portugal.

‘Chinese coaches in Jamaica for sprint lesson (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/chinese-coaches-in-jamaica-for-sprint-lesson/12486/)
June 18th 7:53pm (TrackAlerts.com)

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Six Chinese Coaches arrived in the island Saturday night to take up scholarships offered to China by the Jamaican government.

The six represent a portion of the 10 scholarships, which were offered by the Jamaican Government last year. The other four who will arrive in September will be full time students at the college and will focus on sprinting.

The group leader Anli Wang, who spoke on behalf of the awardees, said that he hoped this would be the start of a long-term scholarship and exchange programme between the two countries. He said also that they were excited to learn all that we know about sprinting.

The six coaches are Hongtao Chen, Yan Juntao, Yingbo Zhang, Hiu Yang, Anli Wang and Li Xiumei who is the lone female in the group.

All the members of the group expressed the desire to meet Usain Bolt. They remember him well from his record-breaking form in that country at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

According to Edward Shakes, principal of GC Foster College, Jamaica's Technical Director and lecturer at the college, Maurice Wilson, will be in charge of the one-month programme that will be presented to the coaches. They will focus on the sprints.

He also said the coaches will attend the upcoming national senior trials to get first hand experience of what our trials are like.

Powell, Simpson clear to run at Jamaica Trials (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/powell-simpson-clear-to-run-at-jamaica-trials/12484/)
June 18th 2:16pm
By Vijay, TrackAlerts.com writer

LAUSANNE - Asafa Powell and his former training partner Sherone Simpson can run at next week's Supreme Ventures/Jamaica Senior Championships.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) gave the go ahead for the sprinters to run, effective immediately. CAS, however, noted both could still be asked to serve the 18-month suspension given by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel earlier this year.

The 31-year-old Powell and three-time Olympic medalist Sherone Simpson tested positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrine at Jamaica's national trials last June (2013). The Jamaica Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel suspended them for 18 months.

Both appealed to CAS for a reduction in the suspension. A hearing in this matter, CAC said, has been scheduled for 7 and 8 July 2014.

CAS on Wednesday cleared both athletes to run while adding:

"The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld today the application for a stay of the execution of the suspension currently served by the Jamaican sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson pending the resolution of the arbitration conducted before the CAS. The athletes are free to compete from now on but may have to serve the remaining part of their ban later if the sanction is eventually confirmed by CAS.

Both athletes filed appeals at CAS against the decisions of the Jamaica Anti-doping Disciplinary Panel Tribunal of 8 and 10 April 2014 to suspend them for a period of 18 months, starting on 21 June 2013.

The athletes put forward that the offense committed is minor and request that the suspensions be reduced to 3 months."

The National Trials is set for June 26-29.

Commonwealth Games: Fraser-Pryce in fitness race for trials (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/athletics/27912232)
18 June 2014 Last updated at 17:54
By Leon Mann (BBC Sports News)

Jamaican sprint star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce could miss the Commonwealth Games if she does not recover from injury for next week's national trials.

The Olympic and world 100m champion, 27, has left Jamaica to receive medical attention for a pain in her left leg.

The Jamaican trials take place between 26 and 29 June and athletes must finish in the top three to guarantee selection for next month's Glasgow Games.

Her manager Bruce James said he still expected her to compete at the trials.

"The only thing which would stop her from competing next week is if the medical team says it's not in her best interest to do so," James told BBC Sport.

"Outside of her medical situation, she will compete at the trials and we expect her to be selected to represent Jamaica at the Commonwealth Games."

James said the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) could select the sprinter even if she did not compete at the trials, but added that he would prefer her to race at the trials to "remove any doubt".

The two-time Olympic sprint champion pulled out of last week's Diamond League meeting in New York because of injury, having previously finished a disappointing eighth in the 200m in Eugene (29 May) and seventh in the 100m in Rome (5 June).

Quote from: Socapro on June 18, 2014, 11:49:52 PM

Powell, Simpson clear to run at Jamaica Trials (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/powell-simpson-clear-to-run-at-jamaica-trials/12484/)
June 18th 2:16pm
By Vijay, TrackAlerts.com writer

LAUSANNE - Asafa Powell and his former training partner Sherone Simpson can run at next week's Supreme Ventures/Jamaica Senior Championships.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) gave the go ahead for the sprinters to run, effective immediately. CAS, however, noted both could still be asked to serve the 18-month suspension given by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel earlier this year.

The 31-year-old Powell and three-time Olympic medalist Sherone Simpson tested positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrine at Jamaica's national trials last June (2013). The Jamaica Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel suspended them for 18 months.

Both appealed to CAS for a reduction in the suspension. A hearing in this matter, CAC said, has been scheduled for 7 and 8 July 2014.

CAS on Wednesday cleared both athletes to run while adding:

"The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld today the application for a stay of the execution of the suspension currently served by the Jamaican sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson pending the resolution of the arbitration conducted before the CAS. The athletes are free to compete from now on but may have to serve the remaining part of their ban later if the sanction is eventually confirmed by CAS.

Both athletes filed appeals at CAS against the decisions of the Jamaica Anti-doping Disciplinary Panel Tribunal of 8 and 10 April 2014 to suspend them for a period of 18 months, starting on 21 June 2013.

The athletes put forward that the offense committed is minor and request that the suspensions be reduced to 3 months."

The National Trials is set for June 26-29.

what about Kelly-Ann!!! >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(

Quote from: Deeks on June 19, 2014, 03:13:02 PM

what about Kelly-Ann!!! >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(

I am sure I answered you in this thread Report: Five Jamaican athletes fail drug tests (Powell included) (http://www.socawarriors.net/forum/index.php?topic=60056.msg899178#msg899178) Please click link for my update and take a read so I don't have to repeat myself here.

Not in his best interest (http://mobile.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140622/sports/sports1.php)
Published: Sunday | June 22, 2014
By Andre Lowe (The Gleaner)

Many of Jamaica's big stars will undoubtedly turn up, but track and field fans in Glasgow will have to do without sprinting superstars Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt as next month's Commonwealth Games, set for the Scotland, looks set to miss two of the sport's biggest names.
Bolt is still working his way back after injury troubles earlier this year while Blake and his team of handlers - after serious and lengthy consideration - have decided that competing at the Commonwealth Games, at this point, was not in his best interest.

Blake, who is coming off an injury-ravaged season himself - spoiled by hamstring worries in April 2013 - was said to be seriously considering competing at the July 23 - August 3 event, with his manager Cubie Seegobin confirming that Glasgow was at one point a target for the 24-year-old.

However, Seegobin told The Sunday Gleaner that after careful assessment primarily between himself, the athlete and coach Glen Mills, it has been determined that the best option would be to skip the Commonwealth Games and focus on regaining his best form with high-level competition, for what will be a high-pressure and busy 2015-2017 triple championships spell.

Optimism

Blake, along with his poster-boy clubmate Bolt, were not entered to compete at this week's Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association/Supreme Ventures Limited National Senior Cham-pionships, which serves as a trial for selecting teams to a number of events this year, including the Commonwealth Games.

Organisers noted that all of the island's big names with the exception of Bolt and Blake had submitted entries to compete.

There was optimism from members of the organising committee that Blake, who has this season already competed internationally at the Manchester Great City Games (150m), the IAAF World Relays (4x200m, 4x100m) and the New York adidas Grand Prix (100m) would be entered before last Friday's 4 p.m. deadline.

There has also been suggestions that Bolt, who is yet to feature this year after also suffering an injury setback earlier this year, may submit a medical exemption application, which would allow him to skip the trials but compete in Glasgow once his fitness is proven ahead of the competition.

But the word so far is that the 27-year-old double world record holder and Olympic and world champion, like Blake, will not feature in Glasgow.

Meanwhile, Seegobin confirmed that Blake will not be turning out at the trials this week and will also certainly miss the Commonwealth Games next month.

In good condition

"His (Blake's) entire team seriously considered him competing at the trials and Commonwealth Games, it was something that we were looking at for a long time but in the end, the team decided that they would do what's in the best interest of the athlete," Seegobin said, ruling out any suggestion that the decision may have been based on Blake not being in a good enough physical condition.

"He's (Blake) healthy, you saw what he did in Nassau and how he has looked since coming back, but he is looking forward to the next three years, so this year is about getting him back in the saddle and getting him back to running really fast again," Seegobin added, referring to Blake's 19.00 seconds anchor leg split that led Jamaica to a world record 1:18.63 run in the 4x200m at the IAAF World Relays.

"We only have about seven to eight races scheduled for him this year, although he is ready and able to run very fast like he did in Nassau at the World Relays."

Blake is set to feature on the circuit at the Lausanne Diamond League stop on July 3, where he will line up in the 200m, the Glasgow Grand Prix on July 11-12 and the London Anniversary Games on July 20.

Stewart For 100m (http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140624/sports/sports1.html)
Published: Tuesday | June 24, 2014
Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

EXCEPT for Olympic and World Championships 100 metres champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce - who will not be competing - it will be a loaded field for the women's 100 metres at this weekend's Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Supreme Ventures Natio-nal Senior Championships inside the National Stadium.

The athletes are seeking selection to represent the country at next month's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland and a top-three finish will guarantee the runners a spot for the event in Glasgow.

Two former champions in Sherone Simpson and Veronica Campbell-Brown will attract a lot of attention, as both had been out of competition for a while due to suspension.

For Simpson, it will be her first race of the season, while Campbell-Brown has been putting on some fine performances. Actually, she is the country's top athlete in the event this year following her 10.86 seconds in Clermont, Florida in early June, just inside the legal wind limit of 2.0 metres per second.

That time also places her as number two in the world, just behind Trinidad and Tobago's Michelle-Lee Ahye, who clocked 10.85 seconds over the past weekend at her country's National Championships.

For Simpson, however, she could be a bit rusty, not having not competed for nearly a year. It will take a yeoman effort for her to improve on her second-place finish a year ago.

With her fast time coming into the Championships, Campbell-Brown will start as favourite to win another national title, but could play second fiddle to defending champion Kerron Stewart.

With a season-best 11.08 seconds at the Rome Diamond League meet, where she finished second to the in-form Tori Bowie of the United States, Stewart is a class act and normally performs well at the National Stadium. She showed that a year ago when she blew away the field to win in a fast 10.96 seconds, despite not being at her best coming into the Championships. She looks set for another fine performance.

Both Stewart and Campbell-Brown could fall victims to the vastly improved Samantha Henry-Robinson, who is showing good form this season and who looked like a winner at the adidas Grand Prix Diamond League meet in New York. There, she got a great start before being caught late by Bowie. She is the second-fastest Jamaican this season - after her 11.00 seconds in Clermont, Florida, and could improve big time on her eighth-placed finish a year ago.

The likes of Simone Facey, with a season-best 11.09 seconds, along with National Collegiate Athletics Association Division One 100 metres champion Remona Burchell (with a best of 11.03 seconds), local-based runners Schillone Calvert and Carrie Russell have shown good form this season and anyone could spring a surprise.

However, once Stewart is fit, she is the one they all have to beat, as she looks set to take her second national title in a row.

Top Three:

1 Kerron Stewart

2 Veronica Campbell-Brown

3 Samantha Robinson-Henry

Powell in 100m at Paris Diamond League (http://www.watchathletics.com/article/8108/powell-in-100m-at-paris-diamond-league/)
Monday, 23 June 2014 (Watchathletics.com)

Former 100m World record holder,Asafa Powell, who was suspended for a banned stimulant for 18 months but last week was allowed to compete pending his appeal, will run the 100m on July 5 at the Diamond League meetin Areva Grand Prix in Paris.

Powell in Paris will face Frenchman Christophe Lemaitre, and world leader Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago.

After Powell was reinstated to compete by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last Wednesday, the Jamaican track and field federation announced that the sprinter will also compete at the Commonwealth games trials in Kingston from June 26 to 29.

Powell last year on June 23 at the Jamaican national champinships failed a drug test for illegal stimulant oxilofrine and was suspended for 18 months. The Jamaican thought that the penalty was unfair since his offence was minor and appealed the decision in CAS which allowed Powell to compete. His appeal will have a special meeting by CAS on July 7 which will determine Powell's future.

Frater says he has not retired …. Plans to compete at 2016 Olympics in Brazil (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/frater-says-he-has-not-retire-hellip-plans-to-compete-at-2016-olympics-in-brazil/12508/)
June 24th 4:50pm
By Adrian Robinson, TrackAlerts.com writer

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Jamaican sprinter Michael Frater has reiterated that he has not retired from track and field.

The 31-year-old Frater made the comment a few days before the Jamaican Athletics Trials.

“I have not retired, definitely not. I have much more to give, said Frater who is also the 3rd vice president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).

Frater said he has plans to compete at the World Championships next year in China and also the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

Frater has not competed since the 2014 Penn Relays in the USA in April.

Frater, a two-time Olympic Games 4x100m relay gold medallist, said “I felt very good competing at the Penn Relays, but I had another injury setback but I am taking it in strides.”

He was also a member of Jamaica’s team to the inaugural IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas in May, but did not take the track.

Frater, who won silver in the men's 100m at the 2005 World Championships, is now a member of the Racers Track Club, the home of the world’s fastest man Usian Bolt.

J’ca getting tough on banned supplements (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Jca-getting-tough-on-banned-supplements-264685541.html)
Story Created: Jun 25, 2014 at 11:44 PM ECT (T&T Express)

KINGSTON

The Jamaica government says it is pondering new laws to tackle the illegal importation of banned substances as the country continues its effort to recover from a doping scandal that has tainted the island’s athletics programme.

Minister with responsibility for Sports, Natalie Neita Headley, made the announcement in Parliament Tuesday night amid an increase in the number of Jamaican athletes testing positive for banned substances.

“Legislation is being considered to address the illegal importation of banned supplements,” Neita Headley told the parliament. “Let me admonish coaches, administrators and athlete-support personnel that they are equally culpable if they are found guilty of providing banned substances to junior athletes”.

Top Jamaican sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson were among those who tested positive for an illegal substance last year. They have both appealed their suspension and have since been allowed to compete pending the outcome of the appeal hearing. Powell’s case will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on July 7 and 8.

“Sport supplements have also been found to contain ingredients that are not stated on labels and some have been linked to the cause of death among athletes worldwide,” the minister disclosed. “Given the recent increase in the number of Jamaican athletes who returned Adverse Analytical findings in the last year, I must take this opportunity to once again encourage our athletes, juniors and seniors, to avoid adopting this trend of reliance on supplements and to focus instead on building a diet based on good nutrition and healthy practices”.

A partnership has been established with the Canadian centre for ethics in Sport (cceS) and the Jamaica Anti Doping Commission (Jadco) to help Jamaica’s anti-doping programme meet the full requirements of the 2015 World Anti-Doping code by January 1 next year.

Puma signs Jamaican rising star Javon Francis (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/puma-signs-jamaican-rising-star-javon-francis/12544/)
July 1st 9:58am (TrackAlerts.com)

IAAF World ChampionshipTM Silver Medallist a Strong Addition to PUMA’s Athlete Roster

Herzogenaurach, Germany - PUMA is proud to announce a new partnership with rising Jamaican Track & Field star, Javon Francis. The 19 year old IAAF World Championship silver medallist who competes in the 200m, 400m and the 4x400m relay, has huge potential for a glittering career in Track & Field, and is a strong addition to the Global Sports Brands athlete portfolio.

The youngest member of the Jamaican Team at the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Francis anchored the men’s 4x400m relay team to a silver medal, starting his lap in fifth place to power through and finish second with an inspired performance. Voted 2014 People’s Sportsman of the year in Jamaica, Francis is already well established at a young age as both a track sensation and extravagant performer.

Francis clocked his best times in the 200m and 400m at the ISSA Boys’ and Girls’ High School Championships, beating an existing record in the 400m by The World’s Fastest Man, Usain Bolt.

“It’s an exciting time,” said Francis about the signing by Puma, one of the world’s leading Sports Brands, designing, developing, selling and marketing footwear, apparel and accessories.
“I am grateful that PUMA recognises my talent and have offered me such support, especially because of the commitment PUMA has for track and field in Jamaica. This partnership is a big moment for me, and I’m proud that they see such potential in me,” he said of the brand that offers performance and sport-inspired lifestyle products in categories such as Football, Running, Training and Fitness, Golf, and Motorsports.

Christian Voigt, Senior Global Head of Sports Marketing at PUMA commented, “We’ve watched Javon develop through the high school programme in Jamaica, seeing him develop into a fine young athlete with considerable potential. His talent, enthusiasm and character suggest he’s a star in the making, and he’s a wonderful fit for PUMA in our new Forever Faster era. We are very happy to have Javon with us, and are excited to see him grow throughout the years ahead.”

Dwyer upsets Weir at Jamaica Trials (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/dwyer-upsets-weir-at-jamaica-trials/12546/)
July 1st 6:57pm (TrackAlerts.com)

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Several new national champions were crowned over the weekend, including all the winners from the last three events contested at the 2014 JAAA Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships, which ended at the National stadium on Sunday night.

In the men’s 200m, Rasheed Dwyer, conditioned by Maurice Wilson, at Sprint Tech, created the championships’ biggest upset, by beating Olympic Games and World Championships medallist Warren Weir, to win the men’s 200m in a personal best time of 20.04 secs.

Weir, who failed to keep pace in the latter stages of the race, finished second in 20.17, while Jason Livermore ended third in 20.25.

Anneisha McLaughlin, who dominated the first half of the 2000’s as a junior, finally got her first senior title and it came through very hard work in the last 20 metres, where she did just enough to get past her former Holmwood teammate, Schillonie Calvert - 22.79 to 22.88.

Sherone Simpson, who competed pending the outcome of her doping ban appeal was fourth and after failing to make it to the 100m finals on Friday, will miss out on a place on the team for the Commonwealth Games, beginning in Glasgow on July 23.

The Championships’ final track event, also produced a first time winner, as Monique Morgan, the best Jamaican this year topped the women’s 110m hurdles final in 12.96, over Danielle Williams 12.99 and Indira Spencer 13.00.

Kimberly Williamson, who won the women’s high jump title with a clearance of 1.84 metres, was also a first timer senior champs winner.

In other events on Sunday, Akheem Gauntlett timed his 400m race to perfection for a personal best 45.00, to take his first national title ahead of Rusheen McDonald, who unlike the previous two rounds, went out hard but faded into second in 45.25, just ahead of Hugh Graham Jr., who was very impressive in the two earlier rounds, 45.43.

The women’s 400m stayed with a member of the old guard, Novlene Williams-Mills, who was put under pressure right throughout, but proved she will not be easy to beat by winning in 50.05.

Christine Day, who kept pace with Williams-Mills throughout, produced an impressive 50.16, a personal best effort, for second, to finish ahead of Stephenie-Ann McPherson 50.50. Anastasia Le-Roy with 50.84 and Shericka Jackson 51.32 and Chrisann Gordon 51.39, the fourth, sixth and 7th placers, also produced lifetime bests.

Odayne Richards won the men’s shot put with 20.56, Kimberly Williams the women’s triple jump with 14.07 and Kateema Riettie, the women’s javelin with 46.69m.

Bolt ends season early (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Bolt-ends-season-early-272648711.html)
Story Created: Aug 25, 2014 at 9:11 PM ECT (T&T Express)

Sprint superstar Usain Bolt has ended his injury-plagued season early, after competing in just three races.

Organisers for Thursday’s Diamond League meeting in Zurich have announced that Bolt has withdrawn from the event’s 100-metre race and will not compete again this season.

The decision comes a day after the Olympic champion and world record-holder won a 100m race in Warsaw, Poland, clocking 9.98 seconds, the first time this year he ran a 100 race in under 10 seconds.

“…it is now time to shut it down while he is healthy and injury free with a view on his preparations for the 2015 season” a statement quoted Bolt’s coach Glen Mills as saying.

His absence will be a major blow to European meet organisers.

“Usain’s body has delivered tremendous performances over the last years. But, it is a body and not a machine,” said Zurich meet director Patrick Magyar.

“If an athlete of that level and his coach feel more rest is needed, we are certainly not going to question this and fully support this decision.”

Jamaica doubles doping officers (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Jamaica-doubles-doping-officers-274037871.html)
Story Created: Sep 4, 2014 at 9:10 PM ECT (T&T Express)

KINGSTON

Jamaica’s anti-doping agency has doubled the number of doping control officers on the Caribbean island that has produced the world’s most dominant sprinters.

The four newly trained doping control officers give the country eight, the Jamaican Anti-Doping Commission said yesterday.

Training was done through a partnership between JADCO and the Canadian Centre for Ethics and Sport. The new staffers are certified to carry out doping control for two years.

Jamaica’s anti-doping programme was audited by the World Anti-Doping Agency last year after a former director revealed it didn’t drug-test its athletes for months before they dazzled at the 2012 London Olympics.

Yesterday, JADCO also announced it received funding from the United Nations to train more sample-collection personnel. It said it hopes to add blood collection to its doping procedures in the coming months.

Bolt to stop in 2017 (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Bolt-to-stop-in-2017-291973581.html)
Story Created: Feb 2, 2015 at 11:58 PM ECT (T&T Express)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Usain%20Bolt%20Interview.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Usain%20Bolt%20Interview.jpg.html)

Multiple world record-holder and six-time Olympic gold medal winner Usain Bolt will retire after the 2017 World Championships in London, the Jamaican told British newspaper The Daily Mail.

The 28-year had previously hinted the 2016 Rio Olympics would be his last competition but sponsorship commitments dictated he will continue until 2017 where he will focus solely on the 100 metres.

“That was the initial plan (to sign off after Rio),” he told the Daily Mail yesterday.

“But my sponsor has asked me to go on for another year, to 2017 and London. But I’ll be doing one event, the 100.

“I’ve already discussed it with my coach. I can concentrate on that, and on retiring on a winning note.”

Bolt holds the world records for the 100 metres, 9.58 seconds, the 200 metres, 19.19 seconds, and the 4x100 meters relay, 36.84 seconds, and talked of his drive to beat those times in 2015.

His 2015 season culminates at the

World Championships in Beijing from August 22 - 30.

Fraser-Pryce targets sub-10.7 this year
OMINOUS! (http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/OMINOUS-_18385948)
BY HOWARD WALKER Observer senior reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 (Jamaica Observer)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Shelly-Ann%20Fraser-Pryce%20Moscow%202013_1.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Shelly-Ann%20Fraser-Pryce%20Moscow%202013_1.jpg.html)
FRASER-PRYCE… I am working towards it, especially in the gym, and hopefully it will bear fruits

BE afraid, be very afraid.

That's the warning to the women's sprinting world after double Olympic 100m champion, Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce declared that she wants to lower her personal best and national record of 10.70 seconds this year.

"Last year or the year before I didn't have a personal best, so I want to do that this year. My personal best is 10.70, so as you can imagine, I want to go faster than that," said Fraser-Pryce, shortly after winning the 60m in 7.11 seconds at the Queen's/Grace Jackson meet on January 31.

"This year I want to run well. I am training well and I want to be stronger this year. That's the emphasis Stephen (Francis, coach) and I have talked about... me getting stronger. So I am working towards it, especially in the gym and hopefully it will bear fruits," she added.

She continued: "As it relates to leading up to the World Championships, I am not sure if I will be doubling, but I am preparing, just in case, to do both events."

In 2013, Fraser-Pryce became the first female sprinter to win gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay in a single World Championships in Moscow, Russia.

The 'Pocket Rocket', as Fraser-Pryce is called for her explosive starts, has dominated the 100m for the last six years, winning back-to-back Olympic 100m titles in 2008 and 2012.

"I have won back-to-back Olympic titles, but I have never won a back-to-back World Championships title," she noted.

The dynamic sprinter, who burst onto the international scene as a 21 year-old seven years ago, has since reaped 11 global medals, but she is still hungry for more success.

"So, of course, there is still something that I am hungry for and something I am looking forward to.

"I am looking forward to hopefully making the Olympic team in Rio. I am still young, I think, at 28, so I am just looking forward to the rest of the year."

Javon Francis stars on return at Camperdown Classic (http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Javon-Francis-stars-on-return-at-Camperdown-Classic_18407506)
BY HOWARD WALKER Observer senior reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, February 15, 2015 (Jamaica Observer)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Javon%20Francis%20left%20of%20Akon%20Track%20Club%20amp%20Kerron%20Stewart%20of%20Racers%20Track%20Club.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Javon%20Francis%20left%20of%20Akon%20Track%20Club%20amp%20Kerron%20Stewart%20of%20Racers%20Track%20Club.jpg.html)
Javon Francis (left) of Akon Track Club winning heat two of the men’s 400m open in 46.29 seconds ahead of Edino Steele of Racers Track. Kerron Stewart of Racers on her way to winning heat two of the women’s 400m open in 55.17 seconds. (PHOTOS: BRYAN CUMMINGS)

JAMAICA'S 400m prodigy Javon Francis made a successful return to the track clocking the fastest time of 46.29 seconds in the men's 400m open in at the Camperdown Classic yesterday.

However, the world's fastest man Usain Bolt, who was slated to open his seasonal account also in the 400m, as well as 2008 Olympic 400m hurdles gold medallist Melaine Walker failed to show up for the meet.

Francis, formerly of Calabar High, but now representing the Michael Clarke-led Akon Track Club, had not run since smashing Bolt's record at Champs last March with a blistering 45.00 seconds. He looked smooth in dismissing Racers' Edino Steele in heat two.

Drawn in lane seven behind Steele in lane eight, by the time the runners completed 100 metres, Francis, or 'Donkey Man' as he is affectionately called, effortlessly galloped past Steele -- who has a best time of 45.38 seconds -- and cruised home to loud applause from the fans.

It was a welcomed return to the track for the promising athlete, and he was beaming from ear to ear when he spoke with the Jamaica Observer under the watchful eyes of his agent, Juliet Campbell, former 200m and 400m Jamaican sprinter.

"It was my first race for a while and I feel happy, and I am glad I came out here and performed at my best," said a smiling Francis.

When asked if he was satisfied with his time of 46.29 seconds, Francis said he was happy. "I could have run much faster, but I am really happy because I was injured last year and I came out here and made a mark that Javon Francis is here back.

"My plans for this year is to stay healthy and I will be at Gibson Relays coming up soon, so my fans will see me there and I am working hard," he noted.

Olympic 200m bronze medallist Warren Weir also won heat one in 47.33 seconds, as did 2014 Commonwealth Games 100m champion Kemar Bailey-Cole, who recorded 48.64 seconds in winning heat four. Delano Williams of Racers won heat six in 46.8 seconds.

Kerron Stewart, the 2008 Olympic 100m silver medallist, won heat two of the women's 400m open in 55.17 seconds, but was slower than that of heat one winner and 400m hurdler, Ristananna Tracey, who clocked 54.63 seconds.

Meanwhile, Calabar High led by a sizzling second leg from Michael O'Hara, blitz to a wonderful 39.82 seconds in winning heat two of the boys' Class One 4x100m relay.

Last year they did 39.35 seconds and established a new record at Champs, which makes this time a splendid one so early in the season. JC were second fastest winning heat one in 40.79 seconds.

St Jago's Class Three girls ran 46.62 seconds, and were quickest overall ahead of Vere Technical's 47.89 seconds. The Monk Street-based school showed their growing depth and was also quickest in Class Two with 47.44 and Class Four with 48.35 seconds.

Daniel Wint of Manchester High stopped the clock at 1:55.28 minutes and was quickest in the Class One 800m, while Rojaire Bingham of Mona High was second with 1:55.40 ahead of Shemar Walker of JC in 1:55.57 minutes.

Nicholas Maitland of Racers won the men's 800m open in 1:55.67 minutes ahead of Michael Stone of UWI in 1:55.90 minutes. Jamar McNaughton of UWI won heat two in 1:57.31.

Rushell Clayton of UWI was quickest in the Class One 800m open with 2:13.09 minutes. Vere Technical's Sasha-Gaye Whyte was second in 2:13.74, while Cameka Witter of St Andrew Technical High in 2:14.12 minutes won heat Two.

In the Class Two 800m, JC's Maleik Smith was fastest overall, winning heat three in 1:57.59 minutes. Leon Clarke of St Jago was second in 1:57.62 in capturing heat one. Kingston College's Damoy Boyd was third fastest in 2:00.02 minutes.

Stephen Francis labels Usain Bolt a 'nice person', but says he doesn't fit into his philosophy (http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20150304/stephen-francis-labels-usain-bolt-nice-person-says-he-doesnt-fit-his)
Published: Wednesday | March 4, 2015 | Shayne Fairman | Jamaica Gleaner
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Richard%20Thompson%202nd%20100m%20Bejing%202008.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Richard%20Thompson%202nd%20100m%20Bejing%202008.jpg.html)
USAIN BOLT… Sets new 100m world record in Beijing 2008

Stephen Francis, head coach of Maximising Velocity and Power (MVP) track club, has revealed he turned down the opportunity to coach double Olympic world record holder Usain Bolt.

"When I got the chance to coach Bolt, I turned it down because coaching Bolt was not my idea of what coaching should be like," he said.

"I know somebody had to coach him, but it is not in me for the easy pass. I like the hardship and challenges," Francis told The Gleaner in an interview.

He added that his style is not about coaching the best athletes at Champs or elsewhere.

"I delight in taking the guy who was fourth, fifth or sixth and try and beat the guy who won," he continued.

Francis lauded Bolt as a unique athlete, with the 28-year-old living legend being the first man to win the 100 metres and 200 metres at consecutive Olympic Games, and the first man to ever win back-to-back gold medals in the sprints.

"At the time, I didn't know he (Bolt) was such a nice person, but coaching for me was never about having the fastest man or woman."

Francis says his role as coach is to make a difference and see athletes achieve more than they imagined.

"I like making a difference and see people achieve more than they could have even thought.

"That is what I like and how I am," he underlined.

The MVP guru conditioned Asafa Powell, who was arguably raw talent at Boys' Champs. He became a world record holder in the 100m from 2005-2008, with times of 9.77 and 9.74 seconds, respectively.

Underdog Position

Another of Francis' charges, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, was a virtual unknown at age 21, but won 100m gold at the 2008 Olympics.

She is one of three women in the world to win back-to-back Olympic 100m gold medals, and the second woman in history to hold both World and Olympic 100m titles.

"I like when people write us (MVP) off and say this person gone and that person gone, and when we come again, everybody says wow," Francis reasoned.

Francis' achievements with MVP athletes include 18 Olympic medals, 43 World Championship medals, five world records, three Olympic records, and 20 national re-cords since its inception in 1999.

"Sometimes it is almost embarrassing to see the appreciation the Jamaican people have shown for me or the work I have done," he underscored.

"I have love and respect for the Jamaican people; it is their approval that is more important to me than any award."

Jamaica's Christopher Taylor runs 15 year old WR in 400m - 45.69 slowing up

VIDEO:
http://www.trackalerts.com/Videos/christopher-taylor-runs-400m-world-age-group-record-in-kingston/5515/

Quote from: STMB on March 08, 2015, 07:24:42 PM

Jamaica's Christopher Taylor runs 15 year old WR in 400m - 45.69 slowing up

VIDEO:
http://www.trackalerts.com/Videos/christopher-taylor-runs-400m-world-age-group-record-in-kingston/5515/

Christopher Taylor runs 400m World Age Group Record in Kingston (Boys U18)

https://www.youtube.com/v/oLIs8Qa5AmM

Christopher Taylor raced to a world record 400m time on Sunday's final day of Jamaica's 2015 Carifta Games Trials at the National Stadium. Taylor, only 15-year-old, raced down the backstretch before opened his lead into the home straight. The Calabar athlete even had time to ease down across the line in 45.69 seconds.

Boys 400 Meter Run UNDER 18
================================================================================
Name Age Team Prelims Finals Points
================================================================================
Section 1 Finals
1 Taylor, Christopher Calabar High 50.07 45.69
2 Ellington, Devaughn Petersfield High 48.07 47.54
3 Ledgister, Loeanardo ST Elizabeth Tech 48.88 48.20
4 Thompson, Achebe Excelsior High 49.34 49.00
5 Smith, Sheldon Munro College 49.50 49.05
6 Lemonious, Phillp Jamaica College 49.17 49.79
7 Morris, Dashawn Kingston College 50.24 50.32
8 Plummer, Romel Munro College 49.62 50.34

Looks like Ja has now got some world class quarter-milers in both the U-18's and U-20's age groups.
Things look bright for them in the future so it looks like we will now have much stiffer competition from JA in the Men's 4x400m Relay come Rio 2016.
Hopefully these fellows are still too young but beyond 2016 I can see Ja Men's 4x4 team causing some serious trouble.

Bloomfield 45.41 to win 400m at Carifta Trials (Boys U20)

https://www.youtube.com/v/lNdm7tgBuOo

Kingston College's (KC) Akeen Bloomfield made a statement in the 400m on Sunday's final day of Jamaica's Carifta Games Trials at the National Stadium. Bloomfield stopped the lock in 45.41 seconds to take the Under-20 boys 400m final.

Boys 400 Meter Run UNDER 20
=========================================================================
Name Age Team Prelims Finals
=========================================================================
1 Bloomfield, Akeem Kingston College 47.44 45.41
2 Thomas, Terry Greater Portmore 47.81 47.05
3 Black, Robin ST Elizabeth Tech 48.35 47.18
4 Henry, Ivan St. Jago High 48.26 47.31
5 Francis, Aykeeme Calabar High 49.53 47.39
6 Wilson, Renardo Calabar High 47.44 48.06
7 Weller, Demar Calabar High 48.68 48.55
8 Sewell, Collin St. Jago High 48.47 50.16

World Record run for Christopher Taylor in Kingston (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/world-record-run-for-christopher-taylor-in-kingston/13361/)
March 8th, 2015 6:12pm (trackalerts.com)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Christopher%20Taylor%20U18%20400m%20JA%20Carifta%20Trials.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Christopher%20Taylor%20U18%20400m%20JA%20Carifta%20Trials.jpg.html)
CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR… Sets 400m U18 world age group record at JA 2015 Carifta Trials

Christopher Taylor raced to a world record 400m time on Sunday’s final day of Jamaica’s 2015 Carifta Games Trials at the National Stadium

Taylor, only 15-year-old, raced down the backstretch before opened his lead into the home straight. The Calabar athlete even had time to ease down across the line in 45.69 seconds.

"I am really happy with the win and I did not expect to run that fast," said Taylor.

“I am really comfortable and elated about my performance today. My coach just gave me the instruction to come out here and qualify for the Carifta Games," he added.

Devaughn Ellington of Petersfield was some distance behind Taylor in 45.69. Loeanard Ledgister of STETHS was third in 48.20

The time beat Kirani James’ world age group record for 15-year-old of 45.70 set some six years ago. James is the only athlete to win the 200m and 400m titles at the 2009 World Youth Championships.

James went on to win World and Olympic Games 400m titles in 2011 and 2012.

Hyde headlines strong Carifta team to St Kitts (http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Hyde-headlines-strong-Carifta-team-to-St-Kitts_18560904)
Friday, March 13, 2015 (Jamaica Observer)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Jaheel%20Hyde%20right%20of%20Wolmerrsquos%20clears%20a%20hurdle%20on%20his%20way%20to%20victory%20in%20U20%20110-metres%20hurdles%20event.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Jaheel%20Hyde%20right%20of%20Wolmerrsquos%20clears%20a%20hurdle%20on%20his%20way%20to%20victory%20in%20U20%20110-metres%20hurdles%20event.jpg.html)
Jaheel Hyde (right) of Wolmer’s clears a hurdle ahead of Calabar’s Seanie Selvin (left) on his way to victory in the Under-20 110-metres hurdles event.

MONTEGO BAY, St James -- Christoff Bryan, the US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) field events male athlete and World Junior 400m and Youth Olympic Games 110m hurdles champion Jaheel Hyde will lead a powerful 78-member Jamaican team to the 2015 CARIFTA Games to be held in St Kitts April 3-6.

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) released the team yesterday following last weekend's CARIFTA Trials held at the National Stadium in Kingston.

The breakdown of the team sees 18 athletes in the Under-18 section and 21 in both Under-20 sections, for boys and girls.

Jamaica won 89 medals last year -- 42 gold, 34 silver and 13 bronze at the event held in Martinique.

Twelve athletes will defend titles won last year, including Jauavney James who won two individual gold medals.

Lushae Wilson will defend the Under-18 boys high jump, while in the Under-18 girls, Kimone Shaw, Janeek Brown and Lamara Distin will defend their titles.

In the Under-20 girls, Sasha-gay Whyte in the 1500m, Tamara Moncrieff in the triple jump and Rochelle Frazer in the discus are returning champions.

Michael O'Hara is the Under-20 boys 200m champion, Clayton Brown won the high jump, Odaine Lewis won the triple jump and Demar Gayle won the shot put.

Bryan, who lost at CARIFTA Games last year for the first time, beaten by teammate Clayton Brown, has been outstanding in his first season for Kansas State in the high jump, clearing 2.28m indoors at the Tyson Invitational earlier this year.

Hyde, who competed in an individual event for the first time this season when he ran at the CARIFTA Trials, showed he was continuing where he left off last year with a 49.78 seconds in the intermediate hurdles then won the 110m the next day with 13.22 seconds.

World Junior Championships 200m bronze medallist Michael O'Hara, who won the boys Under-20 sprint double last weekend as well as Christopher Taylor and Akeem Bloomfield, who both ran sub 46.00 seconds in the 400m, were also named in the team.

On the female side, Youth Olympic Games 200m champion Natalyiah Whyte, World Youth 100m hurdles champion Yanique Thompson and World Youth 400m bronze medallist Tiffany James are the outstanding athletes named.

-- Paul Reid

Jamaican ‘Champs’ to be streamed online (http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/jamaica-high-school-champs-online-stream)
18 MAR 2015, General News, Kingston, Jamaica

The ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Championships takes place in Jamaica at their National Stadium, Kingston from Tuesday 24th to Saturday 28th March 2015.

The event that birthed Jamaican stars such as Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Yohan Blake, to name just a few, goes global this year with its pay-per-view stream.

Now in its 105th year and widely known as ‘Champs’, the ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Championships showcases the cream of Jamaican athletics talent at the high school level. It is one of the largest, most intense and engaging competitions of its kind in the world.

Running from 24-28 March, the event will be available on a pay-per-view stream at www.1spotevents.com.

‘Champs’ is a platform where more than 1500 young athletes perform each year and new Jamaican stars are born over and over again in front of a filled stadium of up to 27,000 spectators.

Below is a nice preview by Vj Tolan of top 5 races and young talented male Jamaican athletes to look out for.

Top 5 Races To Watch At Boys Champs 2015 (https://islandtrack.wordpress.com/2015/03/17/top-5-races-to-watch-at-boys-champs-2015/)
March 17, 2015 | Vj Tolan (Island Track)

Boys Champs 2015 is slated to be very close. The top 2 contenders are in high spirits… especially after the heroic runs of KC’s Bloomfield and Calabar’s Taylor at the Carifta Trials. While the battle for the Mortimer Geddes trophy will be quite interesting, there are many races that will have spectators gripping the edge of their seats. So, without further ado, here are my top 5 races:

Class 1 400m

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Martin%20Manley%20St.%20Jagorsquos%20Class%201%20400m%20JA%20Champs.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Martin%20Manley%20St.%20Jagorsquos%20Class%201%20400m%20JA%20Champs.jpg.html)
Martin Manley of St. Jago expected to challenge Akeen Bloomfield for Class 1 400m title

Over the past week, I have seen doctors, lawyers, and professionals argue like children fighting over the last jelly donut in the box… I have had a street vendor tell me that “mi will tek out mi 2 front teeth”, if his prediction doesn’t come through… and I have heard persons say they will bet “any money” on “any day” and “under any circumstance” that their athlete cannot lose. Aykeem Francis of Calabar, Terry Thomas of Greater Portmore, and Robin Black of STETHS have run respectable times of 47.39, 47.05, and 47.18, respectively, this season. None of their names, however, are at the forefront of spectators minds for this year.

Bloomfield registered a world leading 45.41 seconds to obliterate the Carifta Trials field and has set himself up as the man to beat in the final. He is tall, powerful, fast, and maintains long and fluid strides throughout the race. Needless to say, he has the assets to scare anyone in his line-up. But then, how do you scare the reigning World and Olympic Youth 400m Champion? St. Jago’s Martin Manley has tested the best in the World at his age group and has 2 gold medals to show for it. He has a time of 45.89 from 2013, and while he has not looked himself this season, do not be surprised if he claims the gold. His teammate, Nathan Allen, placed second at last year’s Champs behind Javon Francis. He is an excellent competitor and went as fast as 46.11 at last year’s Carifta trials. He has run 10.43 in the 100m this season which is testament to his speed. Running for Vere Technical at Champs 2014, Twayne Crooks placed 7th in the 400m finals and was outclassed by Allen. He is now at KC and has laid down the gauntlet with his superb 45.93 second clocking at the GC Foster Classic and will surely seek to get the better of not only Allen but the entire field.

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Twayne%20Crooks%20Vere%20Technical%20Class%202%20400m%20JA%20Champs.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Twayne%20Crooks%20Vere%20Technical%20Class%202%20400m%20JA%20Champs.jpg.html)
Twayne Crooks could help make it a KC 1-2 along with Akeen Bloomfield in Class 1 400m

A KC 1-2 finish is beckoning for this race with a ‘fit and healthy’ Bloomfield looking to be the likely winner. Amazingly, KC has 2 athletes who have registered a 45 second run in one season, a feat I believe has never been accomplished by a Jamaican High School before. Momentum going into the race is great and it shall be a good one. For the sake of the street vendors 2 teeth… let’s hope that Bloomfield wins.

Class 2 400m

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Christopher%20Taylor%20U18%20400m%20JA%20Carifta%20Trials.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Christopher%20Taylor%20U18%20400m%20JA%20Carifta%20Trials.jpg.html)
CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR… Sets 400m U18 world age group record at JA 2015 Carifta Trials

I often notice that dignitaries, politicians, and special guests, usually arrive at the stadium somewhere around 5/6pm when the sun is going down and the place gets a bit cool. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Royal Box was filled and the stadium packed by 1.45 pm on Saturday… right before Calabar’s Christopher Taylor takes to the track. The prodigy has set the stage for a new world age group (15 years old) record to be cemented at the Championships … after he did the unthinkable at the Carifta Trials…. 45.69!

The heats for the 400m are on the Tuesday evening of Champs.. and the conditions are usually cool and calm at that time (ideal for fast times). At Champs 2014, Taylor set the Class 3 record of 48.72 in the heats and went on to run 48.80 in the final. If he wants to put the record to a point of no return (he has another year in the Class so he can break it again next year), he may very well go all out in the heats and leave us all in awe for the rest of the Championship. Although this race will consist of some formidable athletes… including Bann of KC who is expected to return from injury… Taylor should win easily and he’ll run a time that will make us question the accuracy of the clock… He’s that special.

Class 1 110m Hurdles

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Jaheel%20Hyde%20Wolmers%20Class%201%20110m%20Hurdles%20JA.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Jaheel%20Hyde%20Wolmers%20Class%201%20110m%20Hurdles%20JA.jpg.html)
Jaheel Hyde of Wolmers Class 1 defending champion in the 110m Hurdles

The defending champion, Jaheel Hyde of Wolmer’s, looked very smooth when he cruised to a very impressive time of 13.22 seconds at Carifta Trials. He is the reigning World Youth Champion in the event and as such; it is difficult for anyone to bet against him. While the talented and confident Hyde boasts many accolades… he has only won the 110m hurdles at Champs once (last year) and has lost to Calabar’s Michael Ohara in three consecutive years. Surprisingly, Ohara failed to make the Class 1 110m final last year and hence, did not race against Hyde.

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Ohara-and-Selvin%20class%203%20100m%20JA.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Ohara-and-Selvin%20class%203%20100m%20JA.jpg.html)
Calabar’s Michael Ohara will challenge Jaheel Hyde for the 110m Hurdles title

Ohara’s best time for the season is a fast 13.57 and he is fully focused on avenging any mishaps he experienced at Champs 2014. He is 3 and 0 against Hyde at Champs and he certainly has no plans to relent. Calabar’s Selvin ran 13.42 to place second behind Hyde at the Carifta Trials and has progressed wonderfully throughout the season… improving every time he runs. He may be a spoiler.

Hyde vs Ohara, the World Junior Record of 12.99 just may go!

Class 3 100m

I cannot pick a favourite for this race… the field is stacked with an abundance of speed. Twayne Garriques of St. Jago made the final last year and ran 11.09 at the GC Foster Classics last weekend. He is now touted as the frontrunner. Green Island’s Javier Johnson is, however, the favourite in the eyes of many track fanatics who want to see the boy from the West conquer the traditional schools. He ran 11.20 to win the Western Champs gold. The KC duo of Oshane Peart and either Tahj Roje Scott or Akeem Smith are true contenders and will be looking to capture the quinella on the Friday night. At the same time, they have been very quiet this season and I do wonder if the powerful KC Class 3 will be adversely affected from their lack of races. The JC duo of Anthony Haslam and Kerron Whyte should also be factors in the final. I understand that Class 4 athlete Daniel Chambers of St. Jago will compete in the 200m.

I definitely expect a close finish in this one.

Class 1 200m

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Akeen%20Bloomfield%20KC%20Class%201%20200m%20JA%20Champs.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Akeen%20Bloomfield%20KC%20Class%201%20200m%20JA%20Champs.jpg.html)
Akeen Bloomfield of Kingston College may do Class 1 200/400m double at Champs

If KC’s Bloomfield does the 200/400m double, and he reports in great shape, then the 200m faceoff between himself and World Junior bronze medallist in the event, Ohara, will be truly epic. Both athletes have the calibre to break Usain Bolt’s record of 20.25 and if the conditions are good, I do expect them to eclipse it. Chad Walker of St. Jago posted 20.97 at the Carifta Trials, untested. He recently stated that he wants the record… and, notably, he will have the luxury of being the most rested going into that final. He may cause some damage. Fans should expect fireworks here as the next era of Jamaica’s world class sprinters will be coming out of this race.

The excitement is brewing and the biggest high school event in the world is only a week away. It’s gonna be great!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Champs Video Blog, a look at the top boys
https://www.youtube.com/v/cgDXIjyfcy8

Link for updated race results: http://issasports.com/results/champs15/

ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Champs 2015
National Stadium, Jamaica
Schedule of Events

Day 1 - Tuesday 3/24/2015 - Starts at 02:00 PM

Event Round
2:00 PM #40 Boys 14-19 Javelin Throw OPEN Prelims
2:00 PM #9 Boys 16-19 Long Jump CLASS 1 BOYS Prelims
2:15 PM #73 Girls 10-12 70 Meter Hurdles CLASS 4 Prelims
2:30 PM #82 Girls 15-16 Shot Put CLASS 2 Prelims
2:35 PM #66 Girls 13-14 80 Meter Hurdles CLASS 3 Prelims
2:40 PM #48 Girls 17-18 High Jump CLASS 1 Prelims
3:05 PM #56 Girls 15-16 100 Meter Hurdles CLASS 2 Prelims
3:15 PM #46 Girls 17-18 100 Meter Hurdles CLASS 1 Prelims
3:25 PM #28 Boys 10-13 100 Meter Hurdles CLASS 3 BOYS Prelims
3:50 PM #17 Boys 14-15 110 Meter Hurdles CLASS 2 BOYS Prelims
4:15 PM #6 Boys 16-19 110 Meter Hurdles CLASS 1 BOYS Prelims
4:15 PM #59 Girls 15-16 Long Jump CLASS 2 Prelims
4:35 PM #63 Girls 13-14 400 Meter Dash CLASS 3 Prelims
4:40 PM #50 Girls 17-18 Discus Throw CLASS 1 Prelims
5:00 PM #25 Boys 10-13 400 Meter Dash CLASS 3 BOYS Prelims
5:30 PM #53 Girls 15-16 400 Meter Dash CLASS 2 Prelims
5:55 PM #14 Boys 14-15 400 Meter Dash CLASS 2 BOYS Prelims
6:00 PM #20 Boys 14-15 Long Jump CLASS 2 BOYS Prelims
6:30 PM #43 Girls 17-18 400 Meter Dash CLASS 1 Prelims
6:45 PM #3 Boys 16-19 400 Meter Dash CLASS 1 BOYS Prelims
7:20 PM #39 Boys 14-19 2000 Meter Steeplechase OPEN Prelims

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Champs 2015
National Stadium, Jamaica
Schedule of Events

Day 2 - Wednesday 3/25/2015 - Starts at 08:30 AM

Event Round
8:30 AM #76 Girls 10-12 Long Jump CLASS 4 Prelims
8:30 AM #86 Girls 17-18 Shot Put CLASS 1 Prelims
8:30 AM #11 Boys 16-19 Discus Throw CLASS 1 BOYS Prelims
8:30 AM #38 Decathlon: #1 Boys 14-19 100 Meter Run Finals
8:35 AM #68 Girls 13-14 High Jump CLASS 3 Prelims
8:45 AM #64 Girls 13-14 800 Meter Run CLASS 3 Prelims
9:15 AM #26 Boys 10-13 800 Meter Run CLASS 3 BOYS Prelims
9:55 AM #54 Girls 15-16 800 Meter Run CLASS 2 Prelims
10:20 AM #15 Boys 14-15 800 Meter Run CLASS 2 BOYS Prelims
10:30 AM #38 Decathlon: #2 Boys 14-19 Long Jump Finals
11:00 AM #44 Girls 17-18 800 Meter Run CLASS 1 Prelims
11:15 AM #4 Boys 16-19 800 Meter Run CLASS 1 BOYS Prelims
1:30 PM #70 Girls 13-14 Discus Throw CLASS 3 Prelims
1:30 PM #58 Girls 15-16 High Jump CLASS 2 Prelims
1:35 PM #72 Girls 10-12 200 Meter Dash CLASS 4 Prelims
2:10 PM #62 Girls 13-14 200 Meter Dash CLASS 3 Prelims
2:45 PM #38 Decathlon: #3 Boys 14-19 Shot Put Finals
2:50 PM #24 Boys 10-13 200 Meter Dash CLASS 3 BOYS Prelims
3:25 PM #52 Girls 15-16 200 Meter Dash CLASS 2 Prelims
3:35 PM #30 Boys 10-13 High Jump CLASS 3 BOYS Prelims
3:35 PM #20 Boys 14-15 Long Jump CLASS 2 BOYS Finals
4:10 PM #13 Boys 14-15 200 Meter Dash CLASS 2 BOYS Prelims
4:45 PM #42 Girls 17-18 200 Meter Dash CLASS 1 Prelims
5:05 PM #50 Girls 17-18 Discus Throw CLASS 1 Finals
5:10 PM #2 Boys 16-19 200 Meter Dash CLASS 1 BOYS Prelims
5:30 PM #82 Girls 15-16 Shot Put CLASS 2 Finals
5:40 PM #38 Decathlon: #4 Boys 14-19 High Jump Finals
5:45 PM #78 Girls 13-19 400 Meter Hurdles OPEN Prelims
5:55 PM #9 Boys 16-19 Long Jump CLASS 1 BOYS Finals
6:00 PM #33 Boys 14-19 400 Meter Hurdles OPEN Prelims
6:20 PM #74 Girls 10-12 4x100 Meter Relay CLASS 4 Prelims
6:50 PM #67 Girls 13-14 4x100 Meter Relay CLASS 3 Prelims
7:15 PM #29 Boys 10-13 4x100 Meter Relay CLASS 3 BOYS Prelims
7:45 PM #57 Girls 15-16 4x100 Meter Relay CLASS 2 Prelims
8:10 PM #18 Boys 14-15 4x100 Meter Relay CLASS 2 BOYS Prelims
8:35 PM #47 Girls 17-18 4x100 Meter Relay CLASS 1 Prelims
8:50 PM #7 Boys 16-19 4x100 Meter Relay CLASS 1 BOYS Prelims
9:15 PM #38 Decathlon: #5 Boys 14-19 400 Meter Dash Finals
9:25 PM #85 Girls 13-19 2000 Meter Steeplechase OPEN Finals
9:40 PM #39 Boys 14-19 2000 Meter Steeplechase OPEN Finals

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Champs 2015
National Stadium, Jamaica
Schedule of Events

Day 3 - Thursday 3/26/2015 - Starts at 08:15 AM

Event Round
8:15 AM #38 Decathlon: #6 Boys 14-19 110 Meter Hurdles Finals
8:30 AM #75 Girls 10-12 High Jump CLASS 4 Prelims
8:30 AM #60 Girls 15-16 Discus Throw CLASS 2 Prelims
8:30 AM #49 Girls 17-18 Long Jump CLASS 1 Prelims
8:30 AM #65 Girls 13-14 1500 Meter Run CLASS 3 Prelims
8:40 AM #21 Boys 14-15 Shot Put CLASS 2 BOYS Prelims
8:50 AM #27 Boys 10-13 1500 Meter Run CLASS 3 BOYS Prelims
9:15 AM #55 Girls 15-16 1500 Meter Run CLASS 2 Prelims
9:35 AM #16 Boys 14-15 1500 Meter Run CLASS 2 BOYS Prelims
10:00 AM #45 Girls 17-18 1500 Meter Run CLASS 1 Prelims
10:00 AM #38 Decathlon: #7 Boys 14-19 Discus Throw Finals
10:10 AM #5 Boys 16-19 1500 Meter Run CLASS 1 BOYS Prelims
10:45 AM #71 Girls 10-12 100 Meter Dash CLASS 4 Prelims
10:50 AM #31 Boys 10-13 Long Jump CLASS 3 BOYS Prelims
10:50 AM #68 Girls 13-14 High Jump CLASS 3 Finals
11:15 AM #61 Girls 13-14 100 Meter Dash CLASS 3 Prelims
11:40 AM #51 Girls 15-16 100 Meter Dash CLASS 2 Prelims
12:00 PM #83 Girls 13-19 Javelin Throw OPEN Prelims
12:10 AM #41 Girls 17-18 100 Meter Dash CLASS 1 Prelims
2:00 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
Long Jump Classes 1&2 Boys
Shot Put Class 2 Girls
Steeple Chase Boys and Girls
Discus Throw Class 1 Girls
2:00 PM #36 Boys 16-19 Triple Jump CLASS 1 Prelims
2:05 PM #19 Boys 14-15 High Jump CLASS 2 BOYS Prelims
2:10 PM #38 Decathlon: #8 Boys 14-19 Pole Vault Finals
2:15 PM #23 Boys 10-13 100 Meter Dash CLASS 3 BOYS Prelims
2:45 PM #12 Boys 14-15 100 Meter Dash CLASS 2 BOYS Prelims
3:15 PM #1 Boys 16-19 100 Meter Dash CLASS 1 BOYS Prelims
3:15 PM #11 Boys 16-19 Discus Throw CLASS 1 BOYS Finals
3:25 PM #76 Girls 10-12 Long Jump CLASS 4 Finals
3:45 PM #64 Girls 13-14 800 Meter Run CLASS 3 Semis
3:55 PM #26 Boys 10-13 800 Meter Run CLASS 3 BOYS Semis
4:10 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
4:20 PM #54 Girls 15-16 800 Meter Run CLASS 2 Semis
4:30 PM #15 Boys 14-15 800 Meter Run CLASS 2 BOYS Semis
4:45 PM #44 Girls 17-18 800 Meter Run CLASS 1 Semis
4:55 PM #4 Boys 16-19 800 Meter Run CLASS 1 BOYS Semis
5:00 PM #21 Boys 14-15 Shot Put CLASS 2 BOYS Finals
5:10 PM #30 Boys 10-13 High Jump CLASS 3 BOYS Finals
5:20 PM #32 Boys 14-19 5000 Meter Run OPEN Prelims
5:50 PM #59 Girls 15-16 Long Jump CLASS 2 Finals
5:55 PM #38 Decathlon: #9 Boys 14-19 Javelin Throw Finals
6:00 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
High Jump Class 3 Girls
6:15 PM #72 Girls 10-12 200 Meter Dash CLASS 4 Semis
6:25 PM #62 Girls 13-14 200 Meter Dash CLASS 3 Semis
6:35 PM #24 Boys 10-13 200 Meter Dash CLASS 3 BOYS Semis
6:45 PM #52 Girls 15-16 200 Meter Dash CLASS 2 Semis
6:55 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
Long Jump Class 4 Girls
Shot Put Class 2 Boys
High Jump Class 3 Boys
Discus Class 1 boys
7:10 PM #13 Boys 14-15 200 Meter Dash CLASS 2 BOYS Semis
7:20 PM #42 Girls 17-18 200 Meter Dash CLASS 1 Semis
7:30 PM #2 Boys 16-19 200 Meter Dash CLASS 1 BOYS Semis
7:50 PM #79 Girls 13-19 4x400 Meter Relay OPEN Prelims
8:20 PM #34 Boys 14-19 4x400 Meter Relay OPEN Prelims
8:55 PM #38 Decathlon: #10 Boys 14-19 1500 Meter Run Finals

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Champs 2015
National Stadium, Jamaica
Schedule of Events

Day 4 - Friday 3/27/2015 - Starts at 08:30 AM

Event Round
8:30 AM #81 Girls 13-19 Triple Jump OPEN Finals
8:30 AM #84 Heptathlon: #1 Girls 13-19 100 Meter Hurdles Finals
8:35 AM #83 Girls 13-19 Javelin Throw OPEN Finals
8:35 AM #10 Boys 16-19 Shot Put CLASS 1 BOYS Prelims
8:40 AM #8 Boys 16-19 High Jump CLASS 1 BOYS Prelims
8:45 AM #73 Girls 10-12 70 Meter Hurdles CLASS 4 Semis
9:10 AM #66 Girls 13-14 80 Meter Hurdles CLASS 3 Semis
9:15 AM #56 Girls 15-16 100 Meter Hurdles CLASS 2 Semis
9:25 AM #46 Girls 17-18 100 Meter Hurdles CLASS 1 Semis
9:35 AM #28 Boys 10-13 100 Meter Hurdles CLASS 3 BOYS Semis
9:55 AM #17 Boys 14-15 110 Meter Hurdles CLASS 2 BOYS Semis
10:15 AM #6 Boys 16-19 110 Meter Hurdles CLASS 1 BOYS Semis
10:30 AM #69 Girls 13-14 Long Jump CLASS 3 Prelims
11:00 AM #84 Heptathlon: #2 Girls 13-19 High Jump Finals
1:05 PM #60 Girls 15-16 Discus Throw CLASS 2 Finals
1:10 PM #31 Boys 10-13 Long Jump CLASS 3 BOYS Finals
1:15 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
Pole Vault Boys
Long Jump Class 2 Girls
Long Jump Class 4 Boys
Decathlon Boys
Javelin Girls
1:35 PM #63 Girls 13-14 400 Meter Dash CLASS 3 Semis
1:40 PM #75 Girls 10-12 High Jump CLASS 4 Finals
1:45 PM #25 Boys 10-13 400 Meter Dash CLASS 3 BOYS Semis
1:55 PM #53 Girls 15-16 400 Meter Dash CLASS 2 Semis
2:05 PM #14 Boys 14-15 400 Meter Dash CLASS 2 BOYS Semis
2:15 AM #43 Girls 17-18 400 Meter Dash CLASS 1 Semis
2:25 PM #3 Boys 16-19 400 Meter Dash CLASS 1 BOYS Semis
2:40 PM #71 Girls 10-12 100 Meter Dash CLASS 4 Semis
3:00 PM #61 Girls 13-14 100 Meter Dash CLASS 3 Semis
3:05 PM #70 Girls 13-14 Discus Throw CLASS 3 Finals
3:10 PM #23 Boys 10-13 100 Meter Dash CLASS 3 BOYS Semis
3:15 PM #87 Boys 14-15 Triple Jump CLASS 2 Prelims
3:20 PM #51 Girls 15-16 100 Meter Dash CLASS 2 Semis
3:30 PM #12 Boys 14-15 100 Meter Dash CLASS 2 BOYS Semis
3:40 PM #41 Girls 17-18 100 Meter Dash CLASS 1 Semis
3:50 PM #1 Boys 16-19 100 Meter Dash CLASS 1 BOYS Semis
4:05 PM #80 Girls 13-19 1600 Sprint Medley OPEN Prelims
4:35 PM #35 Boys 14-19 1600 Sprint Medley OPEN Prelims
5:10 PM- 6:00 PM CEREMONY FOR HONOREES
6:05 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
High Jump Class 1 Girls
Discus Class 2 Girls
Long Jump Class 3 Girls
6:10 PM #37 Boys 14-19 Pole Vault OPEN Finals
6:10 PM #22 Boys 14-15 Discus Throw CLASS 2 BOYS Prelims
6:15 PM #48 Girls 17-18 High Jump CLASS 1 Finals
6:20 PM #84 Heptathlon: #3 Girls 13-19 Shot Put Finals
6:20 PM #36 Boys 16-19 Triple Jump CLASS 1 Finals
6:25 PM #65 Girls 13-14 1500 Meter Run CLASS 3 Finals
6:30 PM #27 Boys 10-13 1500 Meter Run CLASS 3 BOYS Finals
6:35 PM #55 Girls 15-16 1500 Meter Run CLASS 2 Finals
6:45 PM #16 Boys 14-15 1500 Meter Run CLASS 2 BOYS Finals
6:50 PM #45 Girls 17-18 1500 Meter Run CLASS 1 Finals
7:00 PM #5 Boys 16-19 1500 Meter Run CLASS 1 BOYS Finals
7:10 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
Discus Class 3 Girls
Triple Jump Class 2 Boys
1500m Classes 3 & 2 Girls
1500m Classes 3 & 2 Boys
7:25 PM #78 Girls 13-19 400 Meter Hurdles OPEN Finals
7:35 PM #33 Boys 14-19 400 Meter Hurdles OPEN Finals
7:40 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
1500m Class 1 Girls
1500m Class 1 Boys
7:45 PM #71 Girls 10-12 100 Meter Dash CLASS 4 Finals
7:50 PM #61 Girls 13-14 100 Meter Dash CLASS 3 Finals
7:55 PM #23 Boys 10-13 100 Meter Dash CLASS 3 BOYS Finals
8:05 PM #51 Girls 15-16 100 Meter Dash CLASS 2 Finals
8:10 PM #12 Boys 14-15 100 Meter Dash CLASS 2 BOYS Finals
8:20 PM #41 Girls 17-18 100 Meter Dash CLASS 1 Finals
8:25 PM #1 Boys 16-19 100 Meter Dash CLASS 1 BOYS Finals
8:30 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
Triple Jump Class 1 Boys
High Jump Class 4 Girls
100m Classes 4, 3 & 2 Girls
400m Hurdles Girls & Boys
100m Classes 3 & 2 Boys
8:40 PM #84 Heptathlon: #4 Girls 13-19 200 Meter Run Finals
8:45 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
100m Class 1 Girls
100m Class 1 Boys

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Champs 2015
National Stadium, Jamaica
Schedule of Events

Day 5 - Saturday 3/28/2015 - Starts at 01:30 PM

Event Round
1:30 PM #40 Boys 14-19 Javelin Throw OPEN Finals
1:30 PM #84 Heptathlon: #5 Girls 13-19 Long Jump Finals
2:05 PM #58 Girls 15-16 High Jump CLASS 2 Finals
2:15 PM #63 Girls 13-14 400 Meter Dash CLASS 3 Finals
2:20 PM #25 Boys 10-13 400 Meter Dash CLASS 3 BOYS Finals
2:25 PM #53 Girls 15-16 400 Meter Dash CLASS 2 Finals
2:30 PM #14 Boys 14-15 400 Meter Dash CLASS 2 BOYS Finals
2:35 PM #43 Girls 17-18 400 Meter Dash CLASS 1 Finals
2:40 PM #3 Boys 16-19 400 Meter Dash CLASS 1 BOYS Finals
2:45 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
400m Girls Classes 3 & 2
400m Boys Classes 3 & 2
2:55 PM #86 Girls 17-18 Shot Put CLASS 1 Finals
2:55 PM #73 Girls 10-12 70 Meter Hurdles CLASS 4 Finals
3:05 PM #66 Girls 13-14 80 Meter Hurdles CLASS 3 Finals
3:10 PM #69 Girls 13-14 Long Jump CLASS 3 Finals
3:10 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
400m Class 1 Girls
400m Class 1 Boys
Javelin Boys
3:15 PM #56 Girls 15-16 100 Meter Hurdles CLASS 2 Finals
3:35 PM #46 Girls 17-18 100 Meter Hurdles CLASS 1 Finals
3:40 PM #28 Boys 10-13 100 Meter Hurdles CLASS 3 BOYS Finals
3:40 PM #19 Boys 14-15 High Jump CLASS 2 BOYS Finals
3:45 PM #22 Boys 14-15 Discus Throw CLASS 2 BOYS Finals
3:50 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
High Jump Class 2 Girls
70m Hurdles Class 4 Girls
80m Hurdles Class 3 Girls
100m Hurdles Class 2 Girls
4:00 PM #17 Boys 14-15 110 Meter Hurdles CLASS 2 BOYS Finals
4:10 PM #6 Boys 16-19 110 Meter Hurdles CLASS 1 BOYS Finals
4:15 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
100m Hurdles Class 1 Girls
100m Hurdles Class 3 Boys
4:20 PM #64 Girls 13-14 800 Meter Run CLASS 3 Finals
4:25 PM #26 Boys 10-13 800 Meter Run CLASS 3 BOYS Finals
4:30 PM #54 Girls 15-16 800 Meter Run CLASS 2 Finals
4:35 PM #15 Boys 14-15 800 Meter Run CLASS 2 BOYS Finals
4:40 PM #44 Girls 17-18 800 Meter Run CLASS 1 Finals
4:45 PM #4 Boys 16-19 800 Meter Run CLASS 1 BOYS Finals
4:45 PM #10 Boys 16-19 Shot Put CLASS 1 BOYS Finals
4:50 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
110m Hurdles Classes 1 & 2 Boys
800m Classes 3 & 2 Boys
800m Classes 3 & 2 Girls
5:00 PM #72 Girls 10-12 200 Meter Dash CLASS 4 Finals
5:05 PM #49 Girls 17-18 Long Jump CLASS 1 Finals
5:10 PM #62 Girls 13-14 200 Meter Dash CLASS 3 Finals
5:15 PM #24 Boys 10-13 200 Meter Dash CLASS 3 BOYS Finals
5:20 PM #52 Girls 15-16 200 Meter Dash CLASS 2 Finals
5:25 PM #13 Boys 14-15 200 Meter Dash CLASS 2 BOYS Finals
5:30 PM #8 Boys 16-19 High Jump CLASS 1 BOYS Finals
5:35 PM #42 Girls 17-18 200 Meter Dash CLASS 1 Finals
5:40 PM #2 Boys 16-19 200 Meter Dash CLASS 1 BOYS Finals
5:45 PM #84 Heptathlon: #6 Girls 13-19 Javelin Throw Finals
5:45 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
High Jump Class 2 Boys
Long Jump Class 3 Girls
Discus Class 2 Boys
800m Class 1 Boys
800m Class 1 Girls
200m Classes 4, 3 & 2 Girls
200m Classes 3 & 2 Boys
6:00 PM #80 Girls 13-19 1600 Sprint Medley OPEN Finals
6:10 PM #35 Boys 14-19 1600 Sprint Medley OPEN Finals
6:15 PM #77 Girls 13-19 3000 Meter Run OPEN Finals
6:30 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
6:35 PM #87 Boys 14-15 Triple Jump CLASS 2 Finals
6:40 PM PRINCIPALS 8X50M RELAY
6:50 PM #47 Girls 17-18 4x100 Meter Relay CLASS 1 Finals
6:55 PM #7 Boys 16-19 4x100 Meter Relay CLASS 1 BOYS Finals
7:00 PM #57 Girls 15-16 4x100 Meter Relay CLASS 2 Finals
7:10 PM #18 Boys 14-15 4x100 Meter Relay CLASS 2 BOYS Finals
7:15 PM #67 Girls 13-14 4x100 Meter Relay CLASS 3 Finals
7:20 PM #29 Boys 10-13 4x100 Meter Relay CLASS 3 BOYS Finals
7:25 PM #74 Girls 10-12 4x100 Meter Relay CLASS 4 Finals
7:35 PM #84 Heptathlon: #7 Girls 13-19 800 Meter Run Finals
7:40 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
200m Class 1 Boys
200m Class 1 Girls
Medley Relay Boys
Medley Relay Girls
3000m Girls
4x100m Classes 1 & 2 Boys
4x100m Classes 1 & 2 Girls
7:50 PM #32 Boys 14-19 5000 Meter Run OPEN Finals
8:20 PM MEDAL PRESENTATION
High Jump Class 1 Boys
Long Jump Class 1 Girls
4x100m Class 3 Boys
4x100m Class 4 Girls
Heptathlon Open Girls
8:35 PM #79 Girls 13-19 4x400 Meter Relay OPEN Finals
8:40 PM #34 Boys 14-19 4x400 Meter Relay OPEN Finals
8:45PM CLOSING CEREMONY

Champs Video Blog: Day 1 Review
https://www.youtube.com/v/uH1PxOuskxI

Link for updated race results: http://issasports.com/results/champs15/

ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Champs 2015
National Stadium, Jamaica
Schedule of Events

Day 1 - Tuesday 3/24/2015 - Starts at 02:00 PM

#40 Boys 14-19 Javelin Throw OPEN Prelims
#9 Boys 16-19 Long Jump CLASS 1 BOYS Prelims
#73 Girls 10-12 70 Meter Hurdles CLASS 4 Prelims
#82 Girls 15-16 Shot Put CLASS 2 Prelims
#66 Girls 13-14 80 Meter Hurdles CLASS 3 Prelims
#48 Girls 17-18 High Jump CLASS 1 Prelims
#56 Girls 15-16 100 Meter Hurdles CLASS 2 Prelims
#59 Girls 15-16 Long Jump CLASS 2 Prelims
#63 Girls 13-14 400 Meter Dash CLASS 3 Prelims
#50 Girls 17-18 Discus Throw CLASS 1 Prelims
#25 Boys 10-13 400 Meter Dash CLASS 3 BOYS Prelims
#53 Girls 15-16 400 Meter Dash CLASS 2 Prelims
#14 Boys 14-15 400 Meter Dash CLASS 2 BOYS Prelims
#20 Boys 14-15 Long Jump CLASS 2 BOYS Prelims
#43 Girls 17-18 400 Meter Dash CLASS 1 Prelims
#3 Boys 16-19 400 Meter Dash CLASS 1 BOYS Prelims
#39 Boys 14-19 2000 Meter Steeplechase OPEN Prelims

Event 14 Boys 14-15 400 Meter Dash CLASS 2 BOYS
================================================================
Sponsor: RAINBOW AWNINGS
Meet Record: R 46.64 3/16/2013 Devaughn Baker, Jamaica Coll
Name Year School Prelims
================================================================
Heat 1 Preliminaries
1 Christopher Taylor Calabar High 47.25Q
2 Keco Morrison Morant Bay High 49.87Q
3 Hakeem Russell Pembroke Hall High 51.98
4 Chrisjunior Coleman Manchester High 53.04
5 Paul Bowen Grange Hill High 54.10
6 Marcus Ewers Vauxhall High 56.24
-- Enrique Campbell Dinthill Tech DNF
Heat 2 Preliminaries
1 Anthony Carpenter Calabar High 48.34Q
2 Gary Gordon St. Jago High 50.15Q
3 Shamar Beckford Muschett High 51.01q
4 Jahvarrie Johnson Mavis Bank High 51.22
5 Tyrone Williams Spaldings High 51.83
6 Yanique Barrett Old Harbour High 52.00
7 Richardo Nelson Brown's Town High 55.03
Heat 3 Preliminaries
1 Jauavney James St. Elizabeth 49.83Q
2 Dashawn Morris Kingston College 50.23Q
3 Andy Williams St. Jago High 50.73q
4 Matthew Brown Meadowbrook High 51.19
5 Oshane Staple Lacovia High 53.40
6 Keno Johnson Albert Town High 53.45 RULE 163.3
-- Shemar Jones Greater Portmore DQ
Heat 4 Preliminaries
1 Achebe Thompson Excelsior High 49.82Q
2 Franklyn Dunkley St. Andrew Tech 50.12Q
3 Leonardo Stewart B. B. Coke High 50.56q
4 Kristoff Walters Lacovia High 50.79q
5 Rod Stewart Frome Technical 50.96q
6 Johnathan Grant St. Mary High 52.65
7 Romell Lennox Waterford High 54.51
Heat 5 Preliminaries
1 Sheldon Smith Munro College 49.81Q
2 Romario Mickiel Manchester High 50.64Q
3 Akeem Thomas Wolmer's High 50.87q
4 Allix Armstrong Mona High 51.74
5 Maneesh Vassell Rhodes Hall High 52.56
6 Brandon Phillips Cornwall College 53.05
7 Samuel Smith Herbert Morrison 55.72
8 Maurice Thompson Papine High 55.91
Heat 6 Preliminaries
1 Leonardo Ledgister St. Elizabeth 49.67Q
2 Ricardo Henry Bellefield High 51.45Q
3 Devontae Daley Troy High 51.53
4 David Mattis Mona High 55.31
5 Taffari Edwards Foga Road High 55.50
-- Paul Henry Gaynstead High DQ RULE 163.3
Heat 7 Preliminaries
1 Romel Plummer Munro College 49.78Q
2 Phillip Lemonious Jamaica College 50.11Q
3 Sean Wilson Wolmer's High 51.23
4 Amechie Allen Greater Portmore 51.50
5 Gareth Robinson Fair Prospect High 53.93
6 Devondre Armstrong Cedric Titus High 54.17
7 Courtney Lecky Donald Quarrie High 55.99
Heat 8 Preliminaries
1 Travis Williams Gaynstead High 49.92Q
2 Maleik Smith Jamaica College 50.43Q
3 Andre Foster Mile Gully High 52.28
4 Sean Kalawan Petersfield High 52.91
5 Thomas Shavoy Claude McKay High 55.58
6 Nathan Johnson Spaldings High 57.18
7 Tarique Pinnock Tarrant High 57.38
-- Shakquor Thompson Vauxhall High DQ RULE 163.3
Heat 9 Preliminaries
1 Tyreke Bryan Kingston College 49.63Q
2 Malik Smith Bridgeport High 50.05Q
3 Rasheed Fasanya St. George's 51.44
4 Joseph Mckenzie Denbigh High 51.62
5 Dean Brown Glenmuir High 53.18
6 Micah Brown Meadowbrook High 53.42
7 Akeem Daley Dinthill Tech 53.48
8 Peter Laing Tacius Golding High 53.67
===================================================================
Sponsor: RAINBOW AWNINGS
Meet Record: R 46.64 3/16/2013 Devaughn Baker, Jamaica Coll
Name Year School Prelims H#
===================================================================
Preliminaries
1 Christopher Taylor Calabar High 47.25Q 1
2 Anthony Carpenter Calabar High 48.34Q 2
3 Tyreke Bryan Kingston College 49.63Q 9
4 Leonardo Ledgister St. Elizabeth 49.67Q 6
5 Romel Plummer Munro College 49.78Q 7
6 Sheldon Smith Munro College 49.81Q 5
7 Achebe Thompson Excelsior High 49.82Q 4
8 Jauavney James St. Elizabeth 49.83Q 3
9 Travis Williams Gaynstead High 49.92Q 8
10 Keco Morrison Morant Bay High 49.87Q 1
11 Malik Smith Bridgeport High 50.05Q 9
12 Phillip Lemonious Jamaica College 50.11Q 7
13 Franklyn Dunkley St. Andrew Tech 50.12Q 4
14 Gary Gordon St. Jago High 50.15Q 2
15 Dashawn Morris Kingston College 50.23Q 3
16 Maleik Smith Jamaica College 50.43Q 8
17 Romario Mickiel Manchester High 50.64Q 5
18 Ricardo Henry Bellefield High 51.45Q 6
19 Leonardo Stewart B. B. Coke High 50.56q 4
20 Andy Williams St. Jago High 50.73q 3
21 Kristoff Walters Lacovia High 50.79q 4
22 Akeem Thomas Wolmer's High 50.87q 5
23 Rod Stewart Frome Technical 50.96q 4
24 Shamar Beckford Muschett High 51.01q 2

Event 3 Boys 16-19 400 Meter Dash CLASS 1 BOYS
================================================================
Sponsor: JTA CO-OP CREDIT UNION
Meet Record: R 45.00 3/29/2014 Javon Francis, Calabar High
Name Year School Prelims
================================================================
Heat 1 Preliminaries
1 Akeem Bloomfield Kingston College 48.16Q
2 Fabian Murry Munro College 48.33Q
3 Kemar Chin Holmwood Techn 48.39q
4 Romaine Wong Clan Carthy High 50.78
5 Keddar Stanley Bog Walk High 51.21
6 Raphael Walker Seaforth High 55.09
Heat 2 Preliminaries
1 Twayne Crooks Kingston College 47.23Q
2 Caniggia Harriott Munro College 48.41Q
3 Delano Thomas Vauxhall High 49.80
4 Dijon Scott Lacovia High 50.77
5 Lenroy Brown Vere Technical High 51.16
6 Bernell Galloway Kemps Hill High 51.88
7 Raygon Hyatt Tacky High 53.81
Heat 3 Preliminaries
1 Nathon Allen St. Jago High 48.22Q
2 Mazinho Barrett Garvey Maceo High 48.93Q
3 Julius Lewis Greater Portmore 49.73q
4 Prince Bernard Little London High 50.17
5 Tyrone Henry York Castle High 50.97
6 Sanjay Brown Vauxhall High 51.77
7 Akeem Hurd Donald Quarrie High 52.32
Heat 4 Preliminaries
1 Renado Wilson Calabar High 48.20Q
2 Okeen Williams St. Elizabeth 48.77Q
3 Romarieo Turner Mona High 49.18q
4 Javian Harris William Knibb 49.88
5 Trevaughn Hyman Spaldings High 50.39
6 Ran Rose Cedric Titus High 51.09
7 Jordain Minott Old Harbour High 52.34
Heat 5 Preliminaries
1 Romario Williams Muschett High 48.20Q
2 Devaughn Baker Jamaica College 48.69Q
3 Shavane Bowman Bog Walk High 49.95
4 Jason Gordon Spaldings High 51.51
5 Noxroy Wright Pembroke Hall High 53.79
-- Johnoy Brown Fair Prospect High DQ RULE 163.3
Heat 6 Preliminaries
1 Terry Thomas Greater Portmore 48.12Q
2 Delon Cauldwell St. Andrew Tech 49.29Q
3 Junior Brown Hydel High 49.75
4 Stephan Powell Morant Bay High 50.95
5 Orlando Fisher Green Pond High 51.28
6 Makonnen Planter Herbert Morrison 51.64
7 Kevon Miller Rhodes Hall High 53.54
Heat 7 Preliminaries
1 Jordon Scott Petersfield High 48.60Q
2 Robin Black St. Elizabeth 48.80Q
3 Dennis Sterling Guys Hill High 49.39q
4 Travis Jackson Garvey Maceo High 49.75q
5 Nicholas Francis Camperdown High 51.69
6 Ashani Levy Bellefield High 52.85
7 Ricardo Mckenzie Cornwall College 57.20
Heat 8 Preliminaries
1 Martin Manley St. Jago High 48.23Q
2 Aykeeme Francis Calabar High 48.50Q
3 Romario Ferron Hydel High 49.34q
4 Fostena Johnson Wolmer's High 49.93
5 Ricardo Hall Vere Technical High 51.07
6 Nealon Mckenzie Marcus Garve 51.27
7 Mario Brown St. Thomas Tech 54.09
8 Chevon Brooks Foga Road High 54.30
Heat 9 Preliminaries
1 Shawndail McLaren Jamaica College 48.10Q
2 Devaughn Ellington Petersfield High 48.37Q
3 Kahjay Morris Charlemont High 50.55
4 Telphia Hines Donald Quarrie High 51.00
5 Tafari Ellis Frome Technical 51.20
6 Oshane Campbell Tacius Golding High 55.27
===================================================================
Sponsor: JTA CO-OP CREDIT UNION
Meet Record: R 45.00 3/29/2014 Javon Francis, Calabar High
Name Year School Prelims H#
===================================================================
Preliminaries
1 Twayne Crooks Kingston College 47.23Q 2
2 Shawndail McLaren Jamaica College 48.10Q 9
3 Terry Thomas Greater Portmore 48.12Q 6
4 Akeem Bloomfield Kingston College 48.16Q 1
5 Renado Wilson Calabar High 48.20Q 4
6 Romario Williams Muschett High 48.20Q 5
7 Nathon Allen St. Jago High 48.22Q 3
8 Martin Manley St. Jago High 48.23Q 8
9 Jordon Scott Petersfield High 48.60Q 7
10 Fabian Murry Munro College 48.33Q 1
11 Devaughn Ellington Petersfield High 48.37Q 9
12 Caniggia Harriott Munro College 48.41Q 2
13 Aykeeme Francis Calabar High 48.50Q 8
14 Devaughn Baker Jamaica College 48.69Q 5
15 Okeen Williams St. Elizabeth 48.77Q 4
16 Robin Black St. Elizabeth 48.80Q 7
17 Mazinho Barrett Garvey Maceo High 48.93Q 3
18 Delon Cauldwell St. Andrew Tech 49.29Q 6
19 Kemar Chin Holmwood Techn 48.39q 1
20 Romarieo Turner Mona High 49.18q 4
21 Romario Ferron Hydel High 49.34q 8
22 Dennis Sterling Guys Hill High 49.39q 7
23 Julius Lewis Greater Portmore 49.73q 3
24 Travis Jackson Garvey Maceo High 49.75q 7

Champs Video Blog, Day 2 Review
https://www.youtube.com/v/vPwxBMC-qYY

Link for updated race results: http://issasports.com/results/champs15/

ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Champs 2015
National Stadium, Jamaica
Schedule of Events

Day 2 - Wednesday 3/25/2015 - Starts at 08:30 AM

Event 2 Boys 16-19 200 Meter Dash CLASS 1 BOYS
================================================================
Sponsor: LIME
Meet Record: R 20.25 2003 USAIN BOLT, WILLIAM KNIBB
Name Year School Prelims
================================================================
Heat 1 Preliminaries Wind: 1.9
1 Shivnarine Smalling Kingston College 21.31Q
2 Martin Manley St. Jago High 21.31Q
3 Tarik Morrison Munro College 21.46q
4 Joshua Mcdowell Manchester High 22.28
5 Shavane Bowman Bog Walk High 22.46
6 Christopher Wright Petersfield High 22.60
7 Dijon Scott Lacovia High 22.78
Heat 2 Preliminaries Wind: 1.1
1 Michael O'Hara Calabar High 21.02Q
2 Johnoy Brown Fair Prospect High 21.87Q
3 Brandon Robinson Camperdown High 21.94q
4 Nealon Mckenzie Marcus Garve 22.41
5 Ricaedo Henriques Papine High 22.98
6 Dillon Ellis Bellefield High 23.30
7 Ryon Sparks Claude McKay High 23.42
Heat 3 Preliminaries Wind: -0.4
1 Chad Walker St. Jago High 21.29Q
2 Jahnoy Thompson Manchester High 21.72Q
3 Lorenzo Cooper St. George's 21.73q
4 Javoy Tucker Wolmer's High 21.87q
5 Lynval Whyte Pembroke Hall High 22.42
6 Akeem Blake Edith Dalton 22.93
7 Khalie Romans Waterford High 23.09
8 Randae Baptiste Denbigh High 23.10
Heat 4 Preliminaries Wind: 1.8
1 Nigel Ellis St. Elizabeth 21.16Q
2 Roshane Blake Bridgeport High 21.88Q
3 Neeno Symister Green Island High 22.09
4 Stephan Powell Morant Bay High 22.13
5 Delano Thomas Vauxhall High 22.25
6 Kahjay Morris Charlemont High 22.47
7 Tajj Anderson Titchfield High 22.68
8 Jevaun Powell Mona High 23.22
Heat 5 Preliminaries Wind: 1.0
1 Hujaye Cornwall St. Elizabeth 21.26Q
2 Seanie Selvin Calabar High 21.32Q
3 Mazinho Barrett Garvey Maceo High 21.91q
4 Roshain Malcolm William Knibb 22.00
5 Justin Evans DeCarteret College 22.03
6 Junior Reid St. Mary High 22.16
7 Romone Clarke Innswood High 23.64
-- Davion Broomfield May Day High DNF
Heat 6 Preliminaries Wind: 0.9
1 Devaughn Baker Jamaica College 21.57Q
2 Okeem White Green Pond High 21.82Q
3 Chidi Hibbert St. Mary High 21.93q
4 Delano Bailey Troy High 22.33
5 Tyrone Lynch Greater Portmore 22.87
6 Demario Barwise Rhodes Hall High 22.92
7 Makonnen Planter Herbert Morrison 23.01
8 Tyrone Henry York Castle High 23.09
Heat 7 Preliminaries Wind: 0.8
1 Twayne Crooks Kingston College 21.23Q
2 Romario Ferron Hydel High 22.05Q
3 Orlando Fisher Green Pond High 22.14
4 Schadrique Griffiths Papine High 22.28
5 Kevin Gordon Rusea's High 22.41
6 Jordain Minott Old Harbour High 22.86
7 Oshane Campbell Tacius Golding High 23.09
8 Necoa Francis Dinthill Tech 23.58
Heat 8 Preliminaries Wind: 1.6
1 Akeemo Minott St. George's 21.65Q
2 Odane Bernard Donald Quarrie High 21.83Q
3 Richard Curtis Vauxhall High 21.99
4 Anntoneo Haughton St. Catherine High 22.03
5 Christopher Bent Herbert Morrison 22.08
6 Raheame Leavine Petersfield High 22.09
7 Rodjae Drummond Green Island High 22.42
8 Tafari Ellis Frome Technical 23.08
Heat 9 Preliminaries Wind: 0.1
1 Micheal Campbell Jamaica College 21.43Q
2 Rushane Edwards Munro College 21.62Q
3 Andre Rambana Wolmer's High 22.06
4 Ackeme Rae Buff Bay High 22.25
5 Alexander Johnson Old Harbour High 22.89
6 Ricardo Fearon Vere Technical High 22.97
7 Kadran Goldson Maggotty High 23.31
========================================================================
Sponsor: LIME
Meet Record: R 20.25 2003 USAIN BOLT, WILLIAM KNIBB
Name Year School Prelims Wind H#
========================================================================
Preliminaries
1 Michael O'Haro Calabar High 21.02Q 1.1 2
2 Nigel Ellis St. Elizabeth 21.16Q 1.8 4
3 Twayne Crooks Kingston College 21.23Q 0.8 7
4 Hujaye Cornwall St. Elizabeth 21.26Q 1.0 5
5 Chad Walker St. Jago High 21.29Q -0.4 3
6 Shivnarine Smalling Kingston College 21.31Q 1.9 1
7 Micheal Campbell Jamaica College 21.43Q 0.1 9
8 Devaughn Baker Jamaica College 21.57Q 0.9 6
9 Akeemo Minott St. George's 21.65Q 1.6 8
10 Martin Manley St. Jago High 21.31Q 1.9 1
11 Seanie Selvin Calabar High 21.32Q 1.0 5
12 Rushane Edwards Munro College 21.62Q 0.1 9
13 Jahnoy Thompson Manchester High 21.72Q -0.4 3
14 Okeem White Green Pond High 21.82Q 0.9 6
15 Odane Bernard Donald Quarrie High 21.83Q 1.6 8
16 Johnoy Brown Fair Prospect High 21.87Q 1.1 2
17 Roshane Blake Bridgeport High 21.88Q 1.8 4
18 Romario Ferron Hydel High 22.05Q 0.8 7
19 Tarik Morrison Munro College 21.46q 1.9 1
20 Lorenzo Cooper St. George's 21.73q -0.4 3
21 Javoy Tucker Wolmer's High 21.87q -0.4 3
22 Mazinho Barrett Garvey Maceo High 21.91q 1.0 5
23 Chidi Hibbert St. Mary High 21.93q 0.9 6
24 Brandon Robinson Camperdown High 21.94q 1.1 2

Event 9 Boys 16-19 Long Jump CLASS 1 BOYS
============================================================================
Sponsor: TVJ
Meet Record: R 7.87m 1993 LEON GORDON, VERE TECHNICAL
6.80m Q Qualify to final
Name Year School Finals Wind Points
============================================================================
O'brien Wasome 7.71m wins C1 boys long jump final + Interview Champs 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/S1J7Rxcuc-E
Finals
1 Obrien Wasome Jamaica College 7.71m -0.9 9
2 Travis Riley Calabar High 7.40m -0.6 7
3 Alrick Ottey Cornwall College 7.36m -0.1 6
4 Odaine Lewis Cornwall College 7.17m -0.6 5
5 Ajani James Jamaica College J7.17m -2.4 4
6 Jullane Walker Calabar High 7.06m -0.2 3
7 Shown-D Thompson St. Jago High 7.03m -0.1 2
8 Lexux Brown St. Elizabeth 6.85m -0.7 1
9 Gavin Gibson Kingston College 6.84m -0.8
10 Carlington Moulton St. George's 6.65m -1.1
10 Tasrico Bell Vere Technical High 6.65m -0.4
12 Jordan Scott Campion College 6.64m -0.2
13 Lorne Barrett Campion College 6.63m -0.1
14 Javier Ogilvie Wolmer's High 6.45m -2.6
15 Ouekie Wright St. Elizabeth 6.40m -0.6
16 Daniel Clarke Herbert Morrison 6.35m -0.3

Event 7 Boys 16-19 4x100 Meter Relay CLASS 1 BOYS
================================================================
Sponsor: GRACE KENNEDY
Meet Record: R 39.35 3/29/2014 Calabar High, Calabar High
J Francis, J Walker, J Fowler, M O'haro
School Prelims
================================================================
Heat 1 Preliminaries
1 Calabar High 40.04Q
2 Munro College 41.32q
3 Vauxhall High 41.84
4 Cornwall College 42.14
5 Camperdown High 42.36
6 Mona High 43.02
7 Ardenne High 43.74
8 Campion College 46.17
Heat 2 Preliminaries
1 St. Jago High 40.01Q
2 Excelsior High 41.72
3 Garvey Maceo High 42.17
4 Vere Technical High 42.41
5 Morant Bay High 43.51
6 DeCarteret College 44.34
-- Wolmer's High School for Boys DNF
-- Manchester High DNF
Heat 3 Preliminaries
1 Jamaica College 40.91Q
2 St. Elizabeth Technical High 41.34q
3 Petersfield High 41.70
4 Herbert Morrison Technical 41.88
5 Greater Portmore High 43.00
6 Green Pond High 43.34
7 Dinthill Technical High 43.58
8 Pembroke Hall High 43.67
Heat 4 Preliminaries
1 Kingston College 40.05Q
2 St. George's College 40.50q
3 Green Island High 41.66q
4 Papine High 42.94
5 Donald Quarrie High 43.21
6 Old Harbour High 43.65
7 William Knibb Memorial High 43.66
===================================================================
Sponsor: GRACE KENNEDY
Meet Record: R 39.35 3/29/2014 Calabar High, Calabar High
J Francis, J Walker, J Fowler, M O'haro
School Prelims H#
===================================================================
Preliminaries
1 St. Jago High 40.01Q 2
2 Calabar High 40.04Q 1
3 Kingston College 40.05Q 4
4 Jamaica College 40.91Q 3
5 St. George's College 40.50q 4
6 Munro College 41.32q 1
7 St. Elizabeth Technical High 41.34q 3
8 Green Island High 41.66q 4

Champs Video Blog, Day 3 Review
https://www.youtube.com/v/4yB2rCHnJz0

Link for updated race results: http://issasports.com/results/champs15/

ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Champs 2015
National Stadium, Jamaica
Schedule of Events

Day 3 - Thursday 3/26/2015 - Starts at 08:15 AM

Event 1 Boys 16-19 100 Meter Dash CLASS 1 BOYS
================================================================
Sponsor: GRACE KENNEDY
Meet Record: R 10.12 3/28/2014 Zharnel Hughes, Kingston Col
Name Year School Prelims
================================================================
Heat 1 Preliminaries Wind: -5.3
1 Okeen Williams St. Elizabeth 10.98Q
2 Odario Phillips Camperdown High 11.42Q
3 Roshain Malcolm William Knibb 11.60
4 Christopher Wright Petersfield High 11.62
5 Ricardo Fearon Vere Technical High 11.75
6 Jeffery Robinson Little London High 11.77
-- Kevaughn Christopher Mona High FS
Heat 2 Preliminaries Wind: -4.7
1 Michael O'Hara Calabar High 11.15Q
2 Kenrick Jarrett Vauxhall High 11.40Q
3 Ryan Jackson Munro College 11.60
4 Demoye Easy St. Catherine High 11.67
5 Romone Clarke Innswood High 11.94
6 Winston Mcleod Old Harbour High 11.98
7 Ryan Mcanuff Cedric Titus High 12.37
Raheem Chambers longest 100m Drive Phase Ever held for 80m!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/v/YqNvhnGwO3g
Heat 3 Preliminaries Wind: -1.9
1 Raheem Chambers St. Jago High 11.15Q
2 Chidi Hibbert St. Mary High 11.34Q
3 Brandon Robinson Camperdown High 11.36
4 Roshane Blake Bridgeport High 11.39
5 Tavis Irons Green Island High 11.54
6 Oshane Campbell Tacius Golding High 11.72
7 Dillon Ellis Bellefield High 11.85
Heat 4 Preliminaries Wind: -8.6
1 Edward Clarke Calabar High 11.47Q
2 Washington Brown Cornwall College 11.61Q
3 Justin Evans DeCarteret College 11.67
4 Anntoneo Haughton St. Catherine High 11.84
5 Jonelle Cameron Muschett High 11.90
6 Gary Brown St. Andrew Tech 11.99
7 Kevin Gordon Rusea's High 12.20
Heat 5 Preliminaries Wind: -3.6
1 Raheem Robinson Wolmer's High 10.98Q
2 Oshane Hylton Green Island High 11.20Q
3 Christopher Bent Herbert Morrison 11.42
4 Shemar Mclaren Ardenne High 11.52
5 Ricaedo Henriques Papine High 11.72
6 Jevaun Powell Mona High 11.77
Heat 6 Preliminaries Wind: -3.2
1 Nigel Ellis St. Elizabeth 10.95Q
2 Chadayne Walker Kingston College 11.19Q
3 Demario Barwise Rhodes Hall High 11.67
4 Ackeme Rae Buff Bay High 11.81
5 Jannioy Gordon York Castle High 12.02
Heat 7 Preliminaries Wind: -4.8
1 Waseem Williams Jamaica College 11.12Q
2 Tasrico Bell Vere Technical High 11.68Q
3 Orlando Fisher Green Pond High 11.80
4 Derrio Duncan Dinthill Tech 11.88
5 Leonard Woodstock Lacovia High 11.89
6 Delano Bailey Troy High 11.91
7 Laurence Wood Pembroke Hall High 12.00
Heat 8 Preliminaries Wind: -6.0
1 Romario Williams Muschett High 11.35Q
2 Johnoy Brown Fair Prospect High 11.53Q
3 Oscar Robinson Garvey Maceo High 11.53
4 Kimani Cummings Vauxhall High 11.76
5 Lenworth Mckenzie Ewarton High 12.13
6 Yazen Nelson Meadowbrook High 12.50
-- Okeem White Green Pond High FS
Heat 9 Preliminaries Wind: -2.1
1 Javoy Tucker Wolmer's High 10.91Q
2 Picton Willis St. George's 11.06Q
3 Dwayne Morgan Bog Walk High 11.27
4 Imar Tomlinson Excelsior High 11.29
5 Stephen Bryan Clan Carthy High 11.55
6 Adrian Hamilton Morant Bay High 11.70
7 Dovoy Brown Kemps Hill High 11.99
8 Rushane Edwards Munro College 13.03
Heat 10 Preliminaries Wind: -5.0
1 Mario Williams Kingston College 10.96Q
2 Amoy Brown St. George's 10.99Q
3 Schadrique Griffiths Papine High 11.14q
4 Jermaine Allen Petersfield High 11.65
5 Randae Baptiste Denbigh High 11.93
6 Ryon Sparks Claude McKay High 11.95
-- Kadran Goldson Maggotty High FS
Heat 11 Preliminaries Wind: -1.8
1 Micheal Campbell Jamaica College 10.87Q
2 Chad Walker St. Jago High 10.99Q
3 Oshane Blake Herbert Morrison 11.19q
4 Javel Carby Denbigh High 11.41
5 Akeem Blake Edith Dalton 11.63
6 Timmothi Mcmaster Hydel High 11.64
7 Ricardo Scott William Knibb 11.83
========================================================================
Sponsor: GRACE KENNEDY
Meet Record: R 10.12 3/28/2014 Zharnel Hughes, Kingston Col
Name Year School Prelims Wind H#
========================================================================
Preliminaries
1 Micheal Campbell Jamaica College 10.87Q -1.8 11
2 Javoy Tucker Wolmer's High 10.91Q -2.1 9
3 Nigel Ellis St. Elizabeth 10.95Q -3.2 6
4 Mario Williams Kingston College 10.96Q -5.0 10
5 Raheem Robinson Wolmer's High 10.98Q -3.6 5
6 Okeen Williams St. Elizabeth 10.98Q -5.3 1
7 Waseem Williams Jamaica College 11.12Q -4.8 7
8 Michael O'Hara Calabar High 11.15Q -4.7 2
9 Raheem Chambers St. Jago High 11.15Q -1.9 3
10 Romario Williams Muschett High 11.35Q -6.0 8
11 Edward Clarke Calabar High 11.47Q -8.6 4
12 Chad Walker St. Jago High 10.99Q -1.8 11
13 Amoy Brown St. George's 10.99Q -5.0 10
14 Picton Willis St. George's 11.06Q -2.1 9
15 Chadayne Walker Kingston College 11.19Q -3.2 6
16 Oshane Hylton Green Island High 11.20Q -3.6 5
17 Chidi Hibbert St. Mary High 11.34Q -1.9 3
18 Kenrick Jarrett Vauxhall High 11.40Q -4.7 2
19 Odario Phillips Camperdown High 11.42Q -5.3 1
20 Johnoy Brown Fair Prospect High 11.53Q -6.0 8
21 Washington Brown Cornwall College 11.61Q -8.6 4
22 Tasrico Bell Vere Technical High 11.68Q -4.8 7
23 Schadrique Griffiths Papine High 11.14q -5.0 10
24 Oshane Blake Herbert Morrison 11.19q -1.8 11

Event 30 Boys 10-13 High Jump CLASS 3 BOYS
=======================================================================
Sponsor: TVJ
Meet Record: R 1.98m 1993 RYAN CHAMBERS, CALABAR
1.70m Q Qualify to final
Name Year School Finals Points
=======================================================================
13 y/o Lamar Reid 1.99m Breaks C3 Boys High Jump Record set 22 yrs ago
https://www.youtube.com/v/pIin5ixVPow
Finals
1 Lamar Reid Calabar High 1.99mR 9
2 Vanderleer Palmer St. Jago High 1.81m 7
3 Javeir Hall Herbert Morrison 1.78m 6
4 Brithton Senior Rusea's High J1.78m 5
5 Derkland Hyatt Jamaica College 1.75m 4
6 Damar Marshall St. Jago High J1.75m 3
7 David Edmondson Wolmer's High J1.75m 2
8 Michael Beecher Jamaica College J1.75m 1
9 Kadain Roper Buff Bay High 1.70m
10 Mitchell Bailey Kingston College J1.70m
10 Marco Knight Oberlin High J1.70m
12 Tyrell Johnson Calabar High J1.70m
12 Antonio Hanson Herbert Morrison J1.70m
14 Michael Allen Kingston College 1.60m

Event 13 Boys 14-15 200 Meter Dash CLASS 2 BOYS
================================================================
Sponsor: GRACE KENNEDY
Meet Record: R 20.89 3/28/2007 RAMONE MCKENZIE, CALABAR
Name Year School Semis
================================================================
Christopher Taylor runs 20.97 just misses C2 200m Record Champs 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/OELwahilyT4
Heat 1 Semi-Finals Wind: 0.7
1 Christopher Taylor Calabar High 20.97Q
2 Odane Mcpherson Greater Portmore 21.90Q
3 Travis Williams Gaynstead High 22.10q
4 Jadeja Reynolds Herbert Morrison 22.12q
5 Tyreke Bryan Kingston College 22.13
6 Franklyn Dunkley St. Andrew Tech 22.28
7 Remario McCARTY Manchester High 22.40
Heat 2 Semi-Finals Wind: 0.4
1 Tyreke Wilson Calabar High 21.11Q
2 Gary Gordon St. Jago High 21.82Q
3 Matthew Brown Cornwall College 22.16
4 Jevaughn Stevens Camperdown High 22.43
5 Paul Henry Gaynstead High 22.45
-- Jordan Roberts Jamaica College FS
-- Malik Smith Bridgeport High DNF
-- Jhevaughn Matherson Kingston College DNF
Heat 3 Semi-Finals Wind: 0.3
1 Michael Bentley St. Jago High 21.43Q
2 Ashanie Smith St. Catherine High 21.75Q
3 Jordane Jackson Herbert Morrison 22.17
4 Phillip Lemonious Jamaica College 22.26
5 Akeem Thomas Wolmer's High 22.38
6 Gregory Blake Munro College 22.80
7 Achebe Thompson Excelsior High 22.85
8 Keco Morrison Morant Bay High 23.74
========================================================================
Sponsor: GRACE KENNEDY
Meet Record: R 20.89 3/28/2007 RAMONE MCKENZIE, CALABAR
Name Year School Semis Wind H#
========================================================================
Semi-Finals
1 Christopher Taylor Calabar High 20.97Q 0.7 1
2 Tyreke Wilson Calabar High 21.11Q 0.4 2
3 Michael Bentley St. Jago High 21.43Q 0.3 3
4 Ashanie Smith St. Catherine High 21.75Q 0.3 3
5 Gary Gordon St. Jago High 21.82Q 0.4 2
6 Odane Mcpherson Greater Portmore 21.90Q 0.7 1
7 Travis Williams Gaynstead High 22.10q 0.7 1
8 Jadeja Reynolds Herbert Morrison 22.12q 0.7 1

Champs Video Blog, Day 4 Review
https://www.youtube.com/v/ya55aNBKaYI

Link for updated race results: http://issasports.com/results/champs15/

ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Champs 2015
National Stadium, Jamaica
Schedule of Events

Day 4 - Friday 3/27/2015 - Starts at 08:30 AM

Event 33 Boys 14-19 400 Meter Hurdles OPEN
=======================================================================
Sponsor: LIME
Meet Record: R 49.49 3/28/2014 Jaheel Hyde, Wolmer's Hig
Name Year School Finals Points
=======================================================================
Jaheel Hyde Destroys the Field Breaks (Jam) JR 400mh Record Champs 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/QbfUCS5y9Gc
Finals
1 Jaheel Hyde Wolmer's High 49.01R 9
2 Marvin Williams St. Elizabeth 51.22 7
3 Robin Black St. Elizabeth 52.37 6
4 Norman Pittersgill Calabar High 53.36 5
5 Orlando Smith Kingston College 53.96 4
6 Timor Barrett St. Jago High 54.68 3
7 Davian Baker Kingston College 1:04.43 2
-- Kurth Collins St. Andrew Tech DQ IAAF RULE 168.7A

Event 23 Boys 10-13 100 Meter Dash CLASS 3 BOYS
============================================================================
Sponsor: SHERWIN WILLIAMS
Meet Record: R 10.85 3/15/2013 Jhevaughn Matherson, Kingston Col
Name Year School Finals Wind Points
============================================================================
Taiwane Garriques Dominates the Field to win C3 Boys 100m Final Champs 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/uCgO--xLDqg
Finals
1 Taiwane Garriques St. Jago High 11.26 -3.7 9
2 Javier Johnson Green Island High 11.53 -3.7 7
3 Akeen Smith Kingston College 11.55 -3.7 6
4 Andre Sterling Herbert Morrison 11.58 -3.7 5
5 Michali Everett Seaforth High 11.68 -3.7 4
6 Jaydeon Crooks Irwin High 11.72 -3.7 3
7 Chadwick Stewart Calabar High 11.73 -3.7 2
8 Rosean Young Calabar High 11.74 -3.7 1

Event 12 Boys 14-15 100 Meter Dash CLASS 2 BOYS
============================================================================
Sponsor: TVJ
Meet Record: R 10.29 3/28/2014 Raheem Chambers, St. Jago High
Name Year School Finals Wind Points
============================================================================
Dejour Russell Defeats Tyreke Wilson to win C2 Boys 100m Final Champs 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/BCeQ3xujbdo
Finals
1 Dejour Russell Calabar High 10.67 -2.0 9
2 Tyreke Wilson Calabar High 10.76 -2.0 7
3 Michael Bentley St. Jago High 10.99 -2.0 6
4 Andre Morrison St. Jago High 10.99 -2.0 5
5 Ashanie Smith St. Catherine High 11.01 -2.0 4
6 Matthew Brown Cornwall College 11.12 -2.0 3
7 Chislon Gordon Jamaica College 11.16 -2.0 2
8 Yashawn Hamilton Kingston College 11.31 -2.0 1

Event 41 Girls 17-18 100 Meter Dash CLASS 1
============================================================================
Sponsor: LIME
Meet Record: R 11.13 2001 VERONICA CAMPBELL-BROWN, VERE TECHNICAL
Name Year School Finals Wind Points
============================================================================
Natalliah Whyte Edges Shauna Helps to win C1 Girls 100m Final Champs 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/Lh8s4CsSqhk
Finals
1 Natalliah Whyte St. Jago High 11.77 -1.7 9
2 Shauna Helps Wolmer's High 11.81 -1.7 7
3 Shanice Reid St. Jago High 11.86 -1.7 6
4 Rene Medley Vere Technical High 11.96 -1.7 5
5 Sashalee Forbes Holmwood Techn 11.98 -1.7 4
6 Carmaleta Griffiths St. Catherine High 12.15 -1.7 3
7 Jeanine Williams Immaculate 12.22 -1.7 2
8 Telecia Briscoe Edwin Allen High 12.38 -1.7 1

Event 1 Boys 16-19 100 Meter Dash CLASS 1 BOYS
============================================================================
Sponsor: GRACE KENNEDY
Meet Record: R 10.12 3/28/2014 Zharnel Hughes, Kingston Col
Name Year School Finals Wind Points
============================================================================
Amazing Comeback Michael O'Hara wins C1 100m Final Champs 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/geflCczKEBA
Finals
1 Michael O'Hara Calabar High 10.42 -2.6 9
2 Edward Clarke Calabar High 10.50 -2.6 7
3 Raheem Robinson Wolmer's High 10.61 -2.6 6
4 Nigel Ellis St. Elizabeth 10.68 -2.6 5
5 Okeen Williams St. Elizabeth 10.73 -2.6 4
6 Raheem Chambers St. Jago High 10.84 -2.6 3
7 Javoy Tucker Wolmer's High 10.90 -2.6 2
8 Micheal Campbell Jamaica College 10.92 -2.6 1

Champs Video Blog, Day 5 Preview
https://www.youtube.com/v/kA5g6cLidVQ

Link for updated race results: http://issasports.com/results/champs15/

ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Champs 2015
National Stadium, Jamaica
Schedule of Events

Day 5 - Saturday 3/28/2015 - Starts at 01:30 PM

Event 14 Boys 14-15 400 Meter Dash CLASS 2 BOYS
=======================================================================
Sponsor: RAINBOW AWNINGS
Meet Record: R 46.64 3/16/2013 Devaughn Baker, Jamaica Coll
Name Year School Finals Points
=======================================================================
Christopher Taylor 47.04 Wins Class 2 Boys 400M FINAL Champs 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/_AF89s_Yqhc
Finals
1 Christopher Taylor Calabar High 47.04 9
2 Anthony Carpenter Calabar High 47.87 7
3 Leonardo Ledgister St. Elizabeth 48.33 6
4 Jauavney James St. Elizabeth 48.34 5
5 Sheldon Smith Munro College 49.01 4
6 Tyreke Bryan Kingston College 49.44 3
7 Malik Smith Bridgeport High 49.79 2
8 Romario Mickiel Manchester High 50.75 1

Event 3 Boys 16-19 400 Meter Dash CLASS 1 BOYS
=======================================================================
Sponsor: JTA CO-OP CREDIT UNION
Meet Record: R 45.00 3/29/2014 Javon Francis, Calabar High
Name Year School Finals Points
=======================================================================
17 y/o Akeem Bloomfield 44.93 Breaks NJR 400m Record set 20 years ago
https://www.youtube.com/v/iEHvaPHGfcw
Finals
1 Akeem Bloomfield Kingston College 44.93R 9
2 Nathon Allen St. Jago High 45.30 7
3 Martin Manley St. Jago High 46.41 6
4 Twayne Crooks Kingston College 46.54 5
5 Shawndail McLaren Jamaica College 46.92 4
6 Renado Wilson Calabar High 47.11 3
7 Devaughn Baker Jamaica College 47.64 2
-- Devaughn Ellington Petersfield High DQ IAAF RULE 163.6

Event 6 Boys 16-19 110 Meter Hurdles CLASS 1 BOYS
============================================================================
Sponsor: PUMA
Meet Record: R 13.24 3/16/2013 Omar McLeod, Kingston Col
Name Year School Finals Wind Points
============================================================================
Jaheel Hyde Beaten in 110H by Michael O'Hara 13.49 to 13.52 Champs 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/dM17Oio_qCY
Finals
1 Michael O'Hara Calabar High 13.49 -3.8 9
2 Jaheel Hyde Wolmer's High 13.52 -3.8 7
3 Seanie Selvin Calabar High 13.66 -3.8 6
4 Rohan Cole St. Elizabeth 14.04 -3.8 5
5 Levaughn Battick Kingston College 14.23 -3.8 4
6 Marvin Williams St. Elizabeth 14.23 -3.8 3
7 Roderick Moodie Kingston College 14.23 -3.8 2
8 Jonelle Cameron Muschett High 14.49 -3.8 1

Event 13 Boys 14-15 200 Meter Dash CLASS 2 BOYS
============================================================================
Sponsor: GRACE KENNEDY
Meet Record: R 20.89 3/28/2007 RAMONE MCKENZIE, CALABAR
Name Year School Finals Wind Points
============================================================================
Christopher Taylor 21.04 Wins Class 2 Boys 200m Final Champs 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/1i_9TEAMkx0
Finals
1 Christopher Taylor Calabar High 21.04 +0.0 9
2 Tyreke Wilson Calabar High 21.26 +0.0 7
3 Michael Bentley St. Jago High 21.68 +0.0 6
4 Gary Gordon St. Jago High 21.70 +0.0 5
5 Ashanie Smith St. Catherine High 21.80 +0.0 4
6 Odane Mcpherson Greater Portmore 22.40 +0.0 3
7 Jadeja Reynolds Herbert Morrison 22.47 +0.0 2
8 Travis Williams Gaynstead High 22.94 +0.0 1

Event 42 Girls 17-18 200 Meter Dash CLASS 1
============================================================================
Sponsor: PUMA
Meet Record: R 22.71 3/27/2004 SIMONE FACEY, VERE TECHNICAL
Name Year School Finals Wind Points
============================================================================
Natalliah Whyte wins Class 1 Girls 200M Final Champs 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/ubqd6XrnVco
Finals
1 Natalliah Whyte St. Jago High 23.56 -1.0 9
2 Sashalee Forbes Holmwood Techn 23.82 -1.0 7
3 Saqukine Cameron Edwin Allen High 23.92 -1.0 6
4 Shanice Reid St. Jago High 24.00 -1.0 5
5 Carmaleta Griffiths St. Catherine High 24.74 -1.0 4
6 Britney Hew Holmwood Techn 25.04 -1.0 3
7 Shian Hyde St. Catherine High 25.51 -1.0 2
-- Rene Medley Vere Technical High FS -1.0

Event 2 Boys 16-19 200 Meter Dash CLASS 1 BOYS
============================================================================
Sponsor: LIME
Meet Record: R 20.25 2003 USAIN BOLT, WILLIAM KNIBB
Name Year School Finals Wind Points
============================================================================
Michael O'Hara 20.59 (-1.8m/s) wins 200m C1 Final Champs 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/ESmwdfBm-IM
Finals
1 Michael O'Hara Calabar High 20.59 -1.8 9
2 Chad Walker St. Jago High 20.99 -1.8 7
3 Twayne Crooks Kingston College 21.21 -1.8 6
4 Nigel Ellis St. Elizabeth 21.21 -1.8 5
5 Shivnarine Smalling Kingston College 21.61 -1.8 4
6 Micheal Campbell Jamaica College 21.69 -1.8 3
7 Hujaye Cornwall St. Elizabeth 21.83 -1.8 2

Event 47 Girls 17-18 4x100 Meter Relay CLASS 1
=======================================================================
Sponsor: GRACE KENNEDY
Meet Record: R 44.17 3/29/2014 Edwin Allen High, Edwin Allen
C Williams, S Cameron, C Haughton, C Allen
School Finals Points
=======================================================================
St.Jago High Wins Class 1 Girls 4x100m Final Champs 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/g5eQd1NiSJA
Finals
1 St. Jago High 44.39 12
2 Holmwood Technical High 45.29 10
3 Wolmer's High School for Girls 45.68 8
4 Edwin Allen High 45.71 6
5 St. Catherine High 46.39 5
6 Camperdown High 46.58 4
7 Hydel High 47.47 3
8 Vere Technical High 47.81 2

Event 7 Boys 16-19 4x100 Meter Relay CLASS 1 BOYS
=======================================================================
Sponsor: GRACE KENNEDY
Meet Record: R 39.35 3/29/2014 Calabar High, Calabar High
J Francis, J Walker, J Fowler, M O'haro
School Finals Points
=======================================================================
Usain Bolt Watches Calabar Break 4x100m HS WORLD RECORD Champs 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/oqWe2egwIJ8
Finals
1 Calabar High 39.08R 12
2 Jamaica College 39.79 10
3 St. George's College 40.43 8
4 Kingston College 40.84 6
5 St. Elizabeth Technical High 40.98 5
6 Munro College 41.81 4
7 Green Island High 42.12 3
-- St. Jago High DNF

Event 79 Girls 13-19 4x400 Meter Relay OPEN
=======================================================================
Sponsor: GRACE KENNEDY
Meet Record: R 3:30.51 3/16/2013 Vere Technical High, Vere Technic
School Finals Points
=======================================================================
St.Jago wins GIRLS 4x400 Meter Relay OPEN 3:35.78 Champs 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/I3KbuRaTY8k
Finals
1 St. Jago High 3:35.78 12
2 Vere Technical High 3:36.61 10
3 St. Elizabeth Technical High 3:36.71 8
4 Hydel High 3:40.86 6
5 Edwin Allen High 3:45.88 5
6 Manchester High 3:48.75 4
7 St. Andrew High for Girls 3:51.02 3
-- Holmwood Technical High DNF

Event 34 Boys 14-19 4x400 Meter Relay OPEN
=======================================================================
Sponsor: GRACE KENNEDY
Meet Record: R 3:08.31 3/29/2014 St. Jago High, St. Jago High
School Finals Points
=======================================================================
Christopher Taylor Anchors CALABAR to DESTROY 4x400m Boys RECORD Champs 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/33jbOkikBQQ
Finals
1 Calabar High 3:06.76R 12
2 Kingston College 3:08.40 10
3 St. Jago High 3:10.10 8
4 St. Elizabeth Technical High 3:10.15 6
5 Jamaica College 3:11.35 5
6 Petersfield High 3:13.00 4
7 Wolmer's High School for Boys 3:16.48 3
8 Greater Portmore High 3:17.18 2
9 Excelsior High 3:26.22

Look at people

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBN-NxwVIAA_ch_.jpg:large)

Azusa Pacific University seeks Jamaican talents at Champs 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/nkvjl6UV_5Y

Link for updated race results: http://issasports.com/results/champs15/

ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Champs 2015
National Stadium, Jamaica
Schedule of Events

================================================================================
Women - Team Rankings - 46 Events Scored
================================================================================
1) Edwin Allen High 321 2) Hydel High 221
3) St. Jago High 219.33 4) Holmwood Technical High 206
5) Vere Technical High 136 6) Wolmer's High School for 82.50
7) Manchester High 61 8 ) Convent of Mercy Alpha 60
9) St. Elizabeth Technical Hi 51 10) St. Catherine High 44
11) St. Andrew Technical High 41 12) Immaculate Conception Hig 39
13) Rusea's High 37 14) Camperdown High 32
15) Excelsior High 31 16) Buff Bay High 24
17) Green Island High 20 18) St. Andrew High for Girls 18
19) Herbert Morrison Technical 16.33 20) Papine High 16
21) Glengoffe High 15.50 22) Albert Town High 11
22) Dinthill Technical High 11 24) Petersfield High 10
25) St. Mary High 9 26) Holy Childhood High 8
27) Spaldings High 6 28) Mavis Bank High 5
28) Bog Walk High 5 28) Denbigh High 5
31) Lacovia High 3.33 32) Campion College 3
32) Spot Valley High 3 32) Mount Alvernia High 3
35) Ardenne High 2 36) Mona High 1
36) St. Hugh's High 1 36) Frome Technical High 1

================================================================================
Men - Team Rankings - 41 Events Scored
================================================================================
1) Calabar High 280.50 2) Kingston College 265
3) Jamaica College 200 4) St. Jago High 183
5) St. Elizabeth Technical Hi 132 6) Wolmer's High School for 68
7) Petersfield High 50 8 ) Holmwood Technical High 44
9) Cornwall College 38 10) Edwin Allen High 34
11) Munro College 33 12) Herbert Morrison Technica 28.50
13) Green Island High 21 14) Bellefield High 20
15) St. George's College 18.50 16) Excelsior High 16
17) Spaldings High 15 18) St. Catherine High 14
18) Manchester High 14 20) Buff Bay High 10
21) Old Harbour High 8.50 22) Rusea's High 8
22) Morant Bay High 8 22) Mavis Bank High 8
25) Ocho Rios High 7 25) Greater Portmore High 7
27) Campion College 6 27) Ardenne High 6
29) Frome Technical High 5 29) Titchfield High 5
31) Glenmuir High 4 31) St. Andrew Technical High 4
31) Seaforth High 4 34) Glengoffe High 3
34) Irwin High 3 34) Meadowbrook High 3
34) Papine High 3 38) Bridgeport High 2
38) Mona High 2 38) Camperdown High 2
38) Foga Road High 2 42) Hopewell High 1
42) Muschett High 1 42) Maggotty High 1
42) Gaynstead High 1 42) Balaclava High 1

Coach Harrison targets World Champs for KC's Bloomfield, Crooks (http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Coach-Harrison-targets-World-Champs-for-KC-s-Bloomfield--Crooks_18698442)
BY HOWARD WALKER Observer senior reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com
Wednesday, April 08, 2015 (Jamaica Observer)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/TWAYNE-CROOKS%20JA.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/TWAYNE-CROOKS%20JA.jpg.html)
(L) CROOKS...was the sacrificial lamb because he had to carry the work load for KC. (R) Akeem Bloomfield (left) and Neil Harrison following his 45.41 seconds clocking at the Carifta Games Trials in early March. (PHOTO: BRYAN CUMMINGS)

HAVING taken Akeem Bloomfield from a 53-second 400m runner to a sub-45-second phenomenon in one year, Kingston College's (KC's) head coach Neil Harrison is now targeting the World Championships in August.

Not only will Harrison be lining up Bloomfield against Jamaica's best this summer, but he also intends to unleash one Twayne Crooks, whom he feels is just as good or even better.

"That's the intention. They are of quality and I will try as best as possible to see them through," he told the Jamaica Observer.

Harrison, who moved from Munro College to take over the reins as head coach of KC last year, said Bloomfield is one of his most satisfying projects to coming out of Champs.

"When I came into KC with an injured Bloomfield, I realised that his core was extremely weak and a man with tremendous speed and carrying a weak core is like a time bomb waiting to explode," he said.

"I explained all of that to Bloomfield. He is a bright boy, he can think for himself and the moment I explained that to him, he knew where I was going and he grasped the concept," Harrison noted.

Bloomfield burst onto the scene in 2014 with a 10.5 seconds clocking in the 100m at the Jamaica College Invitational Meet. He then did personal bests of 10.42 and 21.06 seconds over the 100m and 200m, respectively, at Champs in Class Two before injury forced an end to his championship and season.

"I started to strengthen his core and told him he is most vulnerable when he is recovering. So let us take away the short sprint for this season and let us concentrate on the longer sprint and I can assure you I will make you do something fantastic," Harrison revealed.

Harrison continued: "He said, 'Coach, I really don't like the event, but you have said some things which I appreciate. Nobody has ever told me anything like this before and, Coach, I am running with it. I am going to grasp it with both hands' and the rest is pretty much history."

Bloomfield, in only his second 400m, ran a wonderful 45.41 seconds at the Carifta Games Trials then wrote his name into Champs folklore with a stunning 44.93-second clocking to be the first schoolboy to run under 45 seconds for the 400m.

"When you see that kind of performance, knowing you work on a project like that...I told him he was going to run 44. I told him at Carifta he was going to run 45. I said, when you get a stronger field come Champs, you will run 44. When I told him he would run 45, he said Coach are you serious?" Harrison said.

"I said, just follow my instructions. Just run past everybody and go about your business and you will be fine. If you shut off, I will take responsibility for i, and you will not because you are well-prepared," Harrison added.

"At Champs, I told him, the same thing. I told him give Nathon Allen no respect. Just go about your business, and he followed the instructions."

Allen finished second in a splendid 45.3 seconds with his teammate Martin Manley, the 2013 World Youth 400m champion, in third with 46.41. KC's Twayne Crooks was fourth with 46.54 seconds.

"There is no doubt in my mind that there was two 44 (seconds) athletes in that race, Twayne Crooks. He was the sacrificial lamb because he had to carry the work load for Kingston College," revealed Harrison.

"When you are trying to win a championship you have to sacrifice somebody and all we wanted was to get the points scored. It was a bit painful, he (Crooks) understood and he said, Coach, 'I will do it for the school', a lauded effort," reflected Harrison.

"He said 'Coach, I really want to step with Bloomfield, but I will do it for the team' and I wholeheartedly thanked him for that," Harrison added.

Crooks, 19, a transfer from Vere Technical, was seen as the number one quarter-miler at KC before Champs. He is a wonderful 200m and 800m runner with a very good 1:51-minute relay leg at Gibson while leading KC to victory at Gibson McCook Relays in record time.

Crooks ran the 200m, 400m 4x100 and 4x400m during Champs, while the fresher Bloomfield ran the 400m and the relays.

A week after Bloomfield logged 45.41 seconds to announce himself to the world, Crooks stopped the clock at 45.93 seconds.

"Crooks is the number one. Comparably, when you look at the times in training, his times pretty much supersede Bloomfield's. The difference between the two is that Bloomfield is much quicker, but Crooks has what we call speed endurance. But Bloomfield's endurance has developed as we went along. It would have been interesting to see if they were only running 400s what would have happened," said Harrison.

Bloomfield has since added the Carifta Games Under-20 400m title to his growing list in 45.85 seconds.

Gay replaces Gatlin (http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Coach-Harrison-targets-World-Champs-for-KC-s-Bloomfield--Crooks_18698442)
Story Created: Apr 14, 2015 at 8:20 PM ECT (T&T Exprerss)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Tyson%20Gay%20amp%20Justin%20Gatlin%20USA.png) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Tyson%20Gay%20amp%20Justin%20Gatlin%20USA.png.html)

American sprinter Tyson Gay has been added to the line-up for the Jamaica International Invitational, replacing compatriot Justin Gatlin who was forced to withdraw due to other commitments. Gatlin was earlier announced to compete in the 100-metres at the May 9 meet. However, the organisers of the event were informed that he will no longer be available.

These four T&T athletes compete today at the JA Invitational Meet:-
Ayanna ALEXANDER Triple Jump women, Richard THOMPSON 100 Metres men, Mikel THOMAS 110 Metres Hurdles men, Jehue GORDON 400 Metres Hurdles men.
Wishing them all good injury-free performances and hopefully we can see some new Season Bests.

Here are startlists obtained from this link: http://www.iaaf.org/competitions/iaaf-world-challenge
And here is the Events schedule: http://www.jainvite.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/jainvite-timetable-2015.pdf
And here is the link for official results: http://www.iaaf.org/results/iaaf-world-challenge-meetings/2015/jamaica-international-invitational-5633

Triple Jump women
Order / Lane    ATHLETE    COUNTRY    SB 2015    PB
   Ayanna ALEXANDER    TTO 13.83    14.40
   Caterine IBARGÜEN    COL    15.31
   Daneicia MITCHELL    JAM
   Laura SAMUEL    GBR 13.66i    14.09
   Amanda SMOCK    USA 13.87    14.18
   Yosiri URRUTIA    COL    14.58
   Kimberly WILLIAMS    JAM    14.62

100 Metres men
Order / Lane    ATHLETE    COUNTRY    SB 2015    PB
   Daniel BAILEY    ANT 10.19    9.91
   Ryan BAILEY    USA 10.24    9.88
   Kemar BAILEY-COLE    JAM 10.14    9.93
   Kemarley BROWN    JAM 10.11    9.93
   Nesta CARTER    JAM    9.78
   Andrew FISHER    JAM 10.18    10.07
   Asafa POWELL    JAM    9.72
   Richard THOMPSON    TTO 10.04    9.82

110 Metres Hurdles men
Order / Lane    ATHLETE    COUNTRY    SB 2015    PB
   Ronnie ASH    USA 13.30    12.99
   Aleec HARRIS    USA 13.16    13.14
   Ronald LEVY    JAM 13.63    13.63
   Hansle PARCHMENT    JAM 13.40    12.94
   Andrew RILEY    JAM 13.32    13.14
   Dwight THOMAS    JAM 13.42    13.15
   Mikel THOMAS    TTO 13.32    13.19

400 Metres Hurdles men
Order / Lane    ATHLETE    COUNTRY    SB 2015    PB
   Javarn GALLIMORE    JAM    49.76
   Justin GAYMON    USA    48.46
   Jeffery GIBSON    BAH    48.78
   Jehue GORDON    TTO    47.69
   Leford GREEN    JAM    48.47
   Bershawn JACKSON    USA 48.61    47.30
   Josef ROBERTSON    JAM    49.04
   Annsert WHYTE    JAM 49.48    48.58

Jehue just got blown away in JA invitational. Finished a disappointing 6th.

Jehue and Richard seemed to suffer from the same problem tonight. Both started fairly well, but their finishes were poor. Luckily for them unlike their JAM and USA counterparts they need not be at their best to make the national team at trials in 6 weeks time. Hope to see better in the coming weeks.

World Leads at the Jamaica International Invitational (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/world-leads-at-the-jamaica-international-invitational/13784/)
May 9th, 2015 11:09pm
By Sean Garrity, TrackAlerts.Com Writer
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/JA%20International%20Invitational%202015%20advert.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/JA%20International%20Invitational%202015%20advert.jpg.html)

KINGSTON, Jamaica - The National Stadium in Kingston Jamaica kept a buzz with the running of the Jamaica International Invitational. The evening got off to meeting records and world leads, and as they got into action for the second half of the night, nothing less was delivered.

Sanya Richards Ross 49.95 (WL) and Francena MaCorory 50.73 had a battle royal in the women’s 400m. Richards-Ross running on the outside went out hard and was challenged by MaCorory down the straightaway. Jamaica’s Stephanie McPherson 50.98 and Novelene Williams Mills 51.32 had to settle for 3rd and 4th.

The final event of the meeting the- men's 400m, which was highly anticipated with the likes of Lashawn Merritt (USA), Javon Francis (JAM), and Yousef Masral (Saudi Arabia) lived up to its expectation in front of an almost capacity crowd. Javon Francis, running out of lane 2, went out hard with a 20.90 to the 200m to end with 44.90 PB. Merritt 44.80 showed his class in the early stages, making a claim on the race but on the straight away it was all Youseff Masral Saudi Arabia 44.59 who took the top prize of US$5k. Masral ran a very composed race and struck at the right time.

Aleec Harris with a 13.16sec in the 110H sent a clear message to his rivals that he will be one to watch on the back to back world Championship and Olympic season.

Jasmin Stowers (USA) took first place in the 100mH with a swift 12.39sec. Jamaica’s Danielle Williams 12.77 and Shermaine Williams 12.89 for 2nd and 3rd respectively.

“I am very pleased with my time” Stowers said in her post race interview.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce 22.39 SB, was happy with her time, in a race won by Shaune Miller (BAH) in a time of 22.14sec, a new Bahamian record. American Tori Bowie 22.29 took the 2nd place spot.

The men's 200m belong to Diamond League Champion Nickel Ashmeade 20.25 (JAM), who got the better of challengers Rasheed Dwyer (JAM) 20.28 and Aaron Brown (CAN) 20.30. Tyson Gay, who was scheduled to run was absent.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Just one of the four T&T athletes who competed in the JA International Invitational got onto medal podium:-
Mikel THOMAS placed 3rd in Men's 110 Metres Hurdles in 13.44 (+1.0w),
Ayanna ALEXANDER placed 4th in Women's Triple Jump with 13.52 (+0.1w),
Richard THOMPSON placed 5th in Men's 100 Metres in 10.04 (+1.8w)=SB,
Jehue GORDON placed 6th in Men's 400 Metres Hurdles in 49.97 SB (Season Opener).

Race videos and Official results: http://www.iaaf.org/results/iaaf-world-challenge-meetings/2015/jamaica-international-invitational-5633

400m Hurdles WOMEN Jamaica International Invitational 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/ObauadMBxCs
400 Metres Hurdles - women
09 MAY 2015
POS   ATHLETE   COUNTRY   MARK      Reaction Time
1    Kori Carter USA 55.12
2    Janieve Russell JAM 55.29
3    Tiffany Williams USA 55.35
4    Shevon Stoddart JAM 56.29
5    Nikita Tracey JAM 57.63
6    Rhonda Whyte JAM 58.08
7    Rushell Clayton JAM 58.34

400m Hurdles MEN Jamaica International Invitational 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/W_-YHC18FKc
400 Metres Hurdles - men
09 MAY 2015
POS   ATHLETE   COUNTRY   MARK      Reaction Time
1    Bershawn Jackson USA 48.47
2    Leford Green JAM 49.22
3    Jeffery Gibson BAH 49.42
4    Annsert Whyte JAM 49.50
5    Josef Robertson JAM 49.71
6    Jehue Gordon TTO 49.97
7    Javarn Gallimore JAM 51.69
   Justin Gaymon USA DNF

800m WOMEN Jamaica International Invitational 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/H9Gfc3ycL5c
800 Metres - women
09 MAY 2015
POS   ATHLETE   COUNTRY   MARK
1    Ajee Wilson USA 2:00.65
2    Molly Beckwith-Ludlow USA 2:01.09
3    Charlene Lipsey USA 2:01.41
4    Kendra Chambers USA 2:02.04
5    Dana Mecke USA 2:02.36
6    Kimarra McDonald JAM 2:02.44
7    Jessica Smith CAN 2:02.82
   Simoya Campbell JAM DNF

Thompson wins 100m in 10.97 at Jamaica Invitational
https://www.youtube.com/v/drqQG-A79UM
100 Metres - women
09 MAY 2015 Wind +0.2
POS   ATHLETE   COUNTRY   MARK      Reaction Time
1    Elaine Thompson JAM 10.97
2    Blessing Okagbare NGR 11.05
3    Allyson Felix USA 11.09
4    Jeneba Tarmoh USA 11.18
5    Natasha Morrison JAM 11.22
6    Schillonie Calvert JAM 11.23
7    Kerron Stewart JAM 11.24

Asafa runs 9.84 WL at Jamaica Invitational
https://www.youtube.com/v/LhifA9TkWww
100 Metres - men
09 MAY 2015 Wind +1.8
POS   ATHLETE   COUNTRY   MARK      Reaction Time
1    Asafa Powell JAM 9.84
2    Ryan Bailey USA 9.93
3    Nesta Carter JAM 9.98
4    Andrew Fisher JAM 10.01
5    Richard Thompson TTO 10.04
6    Daniel Bailey ANT 10.11
7    Tyquendo Tracey JAM 10.20
   Kemarley Brown JAM DNF

100m Hurdles WOMEN Jamaica International Invitational 2015 Jasmin Stowers 12.39
https://www.youtube.com/v/I7AANrRJgVY
100 Metres Hurdles - women
09 MAY 2015 Wind +2.0
POS   ATHLETE   COUNTRY   MARK      Reaction Time
1    Jasmin Stowers USA 12.39
2    Danielle Williams JAM 12.77
3    Shermaine Williams JAM 12.89
4    Phylicia George CAN 12.94
5    Megan Simmonds JAM 13.03
6    Andrea Bliss JAM 13.07

110m Hurdles MEN Jamaica International Invitational 2015 - Aleec Harris 13.16
https://www.youtube.com/v/42fnPDzI_LM
110 Metres Hurdles - men
09 MAY 2015 Wind +1.0
POS   ATHLETE   COUNTRY   MARK      Reaction Time
1    Aleec Harris USA 13.16
2    Jeff Porter USA 13.36
3    Mikel Thomas TTO 13.44
4    Hansle Parchment JAM 13.47
5    Dwight Thomas JAM 13.71

Miller breaks Bahamas' 200m with 22.14 at Jamaica Invitational
https://www.youtube.com/v/CI3fmCapy70
200 Metres – women
09 MAY 2015 Wind +0.2
POS   ATHLETE   COUNTRY   MARK      Reaction Time
1    Shaunae Miller BAH 22.14
2    Tori Bowie USA 22.29
3    Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce JAM 22.37
4    Sherone Simpson JAM 22.64
5    Shalonda Solomon USA 22.71

Ashmeade wins 200m at Jamaica Invitational
https://www.youtube.com/v/VpDGlAJZM6c
200 Metres - men
09 MAY 2015 Wind +0.7
POS   ATHLETE   COUNTRY   MARK      Reaction Time
1    Nickel Ashmeade JAM 20.25
2    Rasheed Dwyer JAM 20.28
3    Aaron Brown CAN 20.30
4    Julian Forte JAM 20.39
5    Mosito Lehata LES 20.64
6    Jason Livermore JAM 20.76

400 WOMEN Jamaica International Invitational 2015 Sanya Richards Ross 49.95
https://www.youtube.com/v/KjDPyQK_2_0
400 Metres - women
09 MAY 2015
POS   ATHLETE   COUNTRY   MARK      Reaction Time
1    Sanya Richards-Ross USA 49.95
2    Francena McCorory USA 50.73
3    Stephenie Ann McPherson JAM 50.98
4    Novlene Williams-Mills JAM 51.32
5    Christine Ohuruogu GBR 51.48
6    Christine Day JAM 51.67
7    Kaliese Spencer JAM 51.70
8    Anastasia Le-Roy JAM 51.93

400m MEN Jamaica International Invitational 2015
https://www.youtube.com/v/-3hWh7wXSu4
400 Metres – men
09 MAY 2015
POS   ATHLETE   COUNTRY   MARK      Reaction Time
1    Yousef Ahmed Masrahi KSA 44.59
2    LaShawn Merritt USA 44.80
3    Javon Francis JAM 44.90
4    Jonathan Borlée BEL 45.06
5    Isaac Makwala BOT 45.10
6    Rusheen McDonald JAM 45.48
7    Javere Bell JAM 45.72
8    Luguelín Santos DOM 45.89

Triple Jump - women
09 MAY 2015
POS   ATHLETE   COUNTRY   MARK      Wind
1    Caterine Ibargüen COL 14.87       +0.3
2    Yosiri Urrutia COL 13.81       -0.1
3    Laura Samuel GBR 13.69       +0.1
4    Ayanna Alexander TTO 13.52       +0.1
5    Amanda Smock USA 13.44       +0.7
6    Shanieka Thomas JAM 13.10       -0.5

Full Video of JA International Invitational 2015.

World Challenge Meeting Kingston Men/Women Complete 2015 Asafa Powell 9.84 WL
https://www.youtube.com/v/ZK1ll-B2_Q0

RESULTS

Men's 100m
1. Asafa Powell (Jamaica) 9.84
2. Ryan Bailey (U.S.) 9.93
3. Nesta Carter (Jamaica) 9.98 Men's

Men's 200m
1. Nickel Ashmeade (Jamaica) 20.25
2. Rasheed Dwyer (Jamaica) 20.28
3. Aaron Brown (Canada) 20.30 Men's

Men's 400m
1. Yousef Ahmed Masrahi (Saudi Arabia) 44.59
2. LaShawn Merritt (U.S.) 44.80
3. Javon Francis (Jamaica) 44.90

Men's 3000m
1. Juan Luis Barrios (Mexico) 7:59.92
2. Andrew Acosta (U.S.) 8:08.14
3. Alvaro Abreu (Dominican Republic) 8:25.87

Men's 110m Hurdles
1. Aleec Harris (U.S.) 13.16
2. Jeff Porter (U.S.) 13.36
3. Mikel Thomas (Trinidad and Tobago) 13.44

Men's 400m Hurdles
1. Bershawn Jackson (U.S.) 48.47
2. Leford Green (Jamaica) 49.22
3. Jeffery Gibson (Bahamas) 49.42

Men's Pole Vault
1. Brad Walker (U.S.) 5.60
2. Jack Whitt (U.S.) 5.50
2=. Mike Arnold (U.S.) 5.50

Men's Shot Put
1. Christian Cantwell (U.S.) 21.08
2. Cory Martin (U.S.) 20.74
3. Ryan Whiting (U.S.) 20.54

Men's Discus Throw
1. Vikas Gowda (India) 65.14
2. Chad Wright (Jamaica) 61.84
3. Jared Schuurmans (U.S.) 61.62

Women's 100m
1. Elaine Thompson (Jamaica) 10.97
2. Blessing Okagbare (Nigeria) 11.05
3. Allyson Felix (U.S.) 11.09 Women's

Women's 200m
1. Shaunae Miller (Bahamas) 22.14
2. Tori Bowie (U.S.) 22.29
3. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica) 22.37

Women's 400m
1. Sanya Richards-Ross (U.S.) 49.95
2. Francena McCorory (U.S.) 50.73
3. Stephanie McPherson (Jamaica) 50.98

Women's 800m
1. Ajee Wilson (U.S.) 2:00.65
2. Molly Ludlow (U.S.) 2:01.09
3. Charlene Lipsey (U.S.) 2:01.41

Women's 3000m Steeplechase
1. Bridget Franek (U.S.) 9:46.34
2. Sarah Pease (U.S.) 9:55.19
3. Beverly Ramos (Puerto Rico) 9:55.23

Women's 100m Hurdles
1. Jasmin Stowers (U.S.) 12.39
2. Danielle Williams (Jamaica) 12.77
3. Shermaine Williams (Jamaica) 12.89

Women's 400m Hurdles
1. Kori Carter (U.S.) 55.12
2. Janieve Russell (Jamaica) 55.29
3. Tiffany Williams (U.S.) 55.35

Women's High Jump
1. Doreen Amata (Nigeria) 1.90
2. Levern Spencer (St Lucia) 1.90
3. Maya Pressley (U.S.) 1.78

Women's Triple Jump
1. Caterine Ibargueen (Colombia) 14.87
2. Yorsiris Urrutia (Colombia) 13.81
3. Laura Samuel (Britain) 13.69

Women's Discus Throw
1. Jade Lally (Britain) 59.90
2. Liz Podominick (U.S.) 59.50
3. Whitney Ashley (U.S.) 59.04

Former World Record holder Asafa Powell signaled his return following up his win in Guadeloupe with a World Leading of 9.84sec at the Jamaica International Invitational meet at the National Stadium in Kingston Jamaica.
Powell, who has been consistent on a comeback trail of sorts, held off challenges from start to finish with his customary lightening moves out the blocks. Ryan Bailey (USA) 9.93 who was booed during his introduction had to settle for the second place, while a staple on Jamaicas 4x100 Nesta Carter took 3rd place in 9.98seconds.

Asafa Powell defeats Ryan Bailey (USA) to win 100M in 9.84 #JAInvitational #TeamJamaica #Jaminate #JaInvite
Elaine Thompson (JAM) defeats Blessing Okagbare & Allyson Felix in Women's 100M in 10.97
Jamaican born Sanya Richards-Ross (USA) wins Women's 400M in 49.95

May 10 (Infostrada Sports) - Results from the World Challenge Meeting Kingston Men/Women on Sunday Men's.

New sprint sensation eyes World Championships (http://www.guardian.co.tt/sport/2015-05-12/new-sprint-sensation-eyes-world-championships)
Published: Tuesday, May 12, 2015 (T&T Guardian)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Elaine%20Thompson%20Jamaica.png) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Elaine%20Thompson%20Jamaica.png.html)
Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson

KINGSTON—Emerging sprint star Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson, says hard work has paid off allowing her to become the world’s leading sprinter following two recent 100 metre wins. Thompson announced herself to the world by speeding to victory in 10.97 seconds at the Jamaica Invitational on Saturday after clocking a world leading 10.92 seconds at the Utech Classics a few weeks ago.

“No, not easy. It’s been months and days of training, so it is the hard work that is paying off now. I started training late September,” said Thompson. “I train with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce; she helps to motivate me a lot”. On Saturday, the 22-year-old Jamaican sprinter recovered from a slow start to lead Commonwealth Games champion Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria and American star Allyson Felix at the half-way mark before pulling away for a comfortable win.

“I was feeling good, I know I could win so I just go out there to execute as best as I could. It wasn’t one of the best starts, but I just didn’t panic, I just went on and executed,” said Thompson who turns 23 next month. “I knew the names in the field were big, so I just didn’t try to get nervous. I just went out there and delivered.”

Thompson has credited her improvement to Stephen Francis, coach of MVP track club. She has now set her sights on a medal at the World Championship, which will be held at the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing, China, in August. “I see myself on that medal podium in Beijing,” said Thompson.
“All I need to do now is to put in a little more extra work and just do the things I normally do, nothing new, just some more work”.

Powell ‘overwhelmed’ by fans’ response (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/-Powell-overwhelmed-by-fans-response-303352611.html)
Story Created: May 11, 2015 at 8:31 PM ECT (T&T Express)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Asafa%20Powell%20Jamaica.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Asafa%20Powell%20Jamaica.jpg.html)
World leader: Asafa Powell

Kingston

Asafa Powell, who ran the fastest 100 metres in the world on Saturday, says he was overwhelmed by the response from supporters in Jamaica to his triumphant return.

More than 25,000 people broke into prolonged cheers as Powell sped across the finish line at the Jamaica International Invitational at the National Stadium.

The crown went wild as the numbers 9.84 flashed on the in-field clock, signalling the return to form of the former world record holder.

“Just to run in front of this crowd is just great. I don’t even care about the time. Being here and getting this reception from my people is just overwhelming,” said an elated Powell,”

“Just to come out here and give them their money’s worth and just for them to show their appreciation, no regrets.”

Powell, 32, silenced a strong field that included American Ryan Bailey who was booed for his ‘throat-cutting’ gesture toward Usain Bolt after anchoring the US to victory in the 4x100m at the IAAF World Relays in The Bahamas last week.

The Jamaica sprinter was quick off the blocks and powered home the fastest in five years and the 84th time he has dipped below the 10-second barrier.

Saturday night’s run was the first time he was competing on Jamaican soil since serving a six month ban for using an illegal substance.

“This is absolutely huge for everyone that supported Asafa, to see him come back to this level. We knew he was in good shape. He ran a real nice time in Guadeloupe on a dead track and into a headwind, so we knew something special could happen,” said Paul Doyle, Powell’s agent.

“You could hear from the crowd and you could almost feel his elation. With everything that he has been through, and we have all been through as a team, and for Jamaica to see one of their heroes go through what he had to go through, I think it lifted everybody”.

Bolt will lose to Gatlin at World Champs (http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20150518/bolt-will-lose-gatlin-world-champs)
Published: Monday | May 18, 2015 Oral Tracey, Contributor (Jamaica Gleaner)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Usain%20Bolt%20vs%20Justin%20Gatlin.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Usain%20Bolt%20vs%20Justin%20Gatlin.jpg.html)
Bolt (left) and Gatlin (right)

The 2015 World Champion-ships sprint off in the Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing China in the last week of August, the same historic venue where Usain St Leo Bolt propelled himself to superstardom with his marauding record-breaking performances in the 100 metres, 200m and 4x100m sprint relay at the 2008 Olympics.

With the Bird's Nest and the Chinese people set for something of a reunion with the now king of sprinting, I am deeply worried and concerned that Bolt could lose his 100m World title on this very grand stage, with the man to do the damage being Bolt's main rival and the man who has been in imperious form over the past two years, American Justin Gatlin.

The latest catalyst for these concerns might well be Gatlin's spanking personal best 9.74 run in Doha, Qatar last weekend. That 9.74 in and of itself, however, represents a culmination of what has been a superb and consistent run of form for Gatlin, which puts Bolt in clear and present danger of losing that 100m World title.

These fears are based not just on Gatlin's form, but equally on the readiness of Bolt compared to his rival.

Gatlin is running at his best and continues to improve, while Bolt, after basically taking last season off, is far from his best and struggling to get into tip-top shape.

Gatlin's brashness and even his two failed drug tests aside, this man is not just a supremely gifted sprinter, but his resilience, his determination, self belief and the toughness of his character are all marks of a truly great competitor.

Most mere mortals would have disappeared into oblivion after two failed drug tests and four years out of the sport. But not Justin Gatlin. He has literally defied the science of chronological progression by running the fastest he has ever run at 33-year-old, manifested by his scorching personal best of 9.74 last weekend.

No Fear

Most contemporary sprinters are intimidated by the mere presence of Bolt on the track. One gets the sense that Gatlin views the Jamaican Legend differently and is greatly motivated and actually believes and is confident he can beat Bolt when it matters.

Words coming from the Bolt camp are along the predictable lines that Bolt at his best cannot be beaten.

That is ever so true, but the question to be answered is how far is Bolt from his best and can he get back to his best in time for the Championships?

It has long been very puzzling to me, the fact that ever since his elevation to that elite level, there has been a tendency season after season for Bolt to have to learn the technicalities of sprinting all over again.

Every early season Bolt looks raw and rugged as a sprinter, there seems to be very little continuity from season to season. It's normally back to his notoriously poor start and then he works gradually on the execution of the rest of his race.

Gatlin by comparison was great last season and has not skipped a beat coming into this season.

Bolt seems to be always playing catch up, struggling to get ready in time. Invariably he starts off his seaso in 10.10 to 9.90 shape, then there is this frantic push to get down to 9.70 in time for the major championships, which usually is good enough to win the major titles.

Not so I suspect this season, with that beast of a competitor, Justin Gatlin, not just waiting in the wings, but preparing and believing he can steal the thunder of the current king of sprinting.

This imminent moment for the American has been two years in the making. He is way ahead of Bolt and all the indicators are pointing to a Gatlin victory over Bolt in the 100m at the upcoming World Championships, in the very same Bird's Nest Stadium where Bolt and indeed the world enjoyed some of the most memorable moments in 2008. I sincerely hope I am wrong.

Yohan Blake says ‘Setback might be for a greater comeback’ (http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20150520/yohan-blake-says-setback-might-be-greater-comeback)
Published: Wednesday | May 20, 2015 Dania Bogle (Jamaica Gleaner)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Yohan%20Blake.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Yohan%20Blake.jpg.html)
Yohan Blake

Reigning Olympic 100m and 200m silver medallist, Yohan Blake, may return to action at the end of the month, but his long-term focus will be to medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.

"Everything's going well. He's training. We hope to do something by the end of the month, but we're not in any rush for any competition or any specific timetable," the athlete's agent, Cubie Seegobin, told The Gleaner yesterday.

"The long-term plan is to do well at the Olympics and anything before that would be a plus," Seegobin added.

Hamstring Injury

Blake, who works out of the Glen Mills-conditioned Racers Track Club - based at the University of the West Indies (UWI) - was out injured for most of 2013.

The former St Jago High school star, who is also Jamaica's second-fastest athlete over 100m (9.69 seconds) and 200m (19.26), made a return to the track last year, but crashed out of the men's 100m with a hamstring injury at a Grand Prix meeting in Glasgow, Scotland on July 11.

"We're on a different plan," Seegobin said, noting that they are taking extra care to nurturing him back to fitness.

"He's fully healthy and 100 per cent recovered, it's just getting into competition shape now. We're just trying to take our time.

"He's working like normal, doing time trials, but we're just trying to make sure what happened the last two years doesn't happen and don't rush anything. So anything short of the Olympics would be great," Seegobin said in terms of a his athlete returning his best form.

In an interview with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Spikes magazine a month ago, Blake himself said that training was going well.

"(I'm) not giving all in training, just basic right now, but as the season progresses I think I will progress as well. I'm just focusing on being healthy again. I'm not focusing on getting back to the top because I can do that at any time," he said on the IAAF website.

Blake, who became the youngest 100m World champion in 2011, when he won the event in Daegu, South Korea, is still hoping to put on a good show at this year's edition of the event in Beijing, China in August.

"The World Championships is a stepping stone for me to come back for 2016, so I'm focusing on getting through the season injury-free."

In the meantime, Blake believes that the attention on Usain Bolt's attempt at an unprecedented three-peat at the Olympics will make his goals easier.

"It makes it much easier for me going there. A lot of people not thinking Yohan can win this. I think it's going to be epic, and I just can't wait.

"I think this setback is for a greater comeback, and I think that is going to be good for me and also rewrite history again," Blake concluded.

VCB’ready to run faster than ever after doping ordeal (https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/vcb-ready-run-faster-ever-doping-ordeal-142537236--spt.html)
Reuters By Ian Chadband
22 May, 2015 10:25 AM
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Veronica%20Campbell-Brown%20JAM%20Sopot%202014.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Veronica%20Campbell-Brown%20JAM%20Sopot%202014.jpg.html)
Jamaica's Veronica Campbell-Brown reacts after crossing the finish line in the women's 60m heats …

(Reuters) - Veronica Campbell-Brown, the first lady of Jamaican sprinting, believes she will run faster than ever after enduring an ordeal she trusts no other athlete will have to suffer.

The triple Olympic champion turned 33 last week but said her “best days are still ahead” now she has recovered from the traumatic episode which saw her pilloried as a drugs cheat before she was cleared of a potentially career-ending doping offence.

“It was very unfair and I hope no athlete will ever go through what I went through,” Campbell-Brown reflected in an interview with Reuters after starting her 2015 campaign in impressive form in China.

“It’s tough, especially when you know you’re innocent and your name has been dragged through the mud and people who had no clue were speaking evil stuff.

“But people go to jail for crimes they didn’t commit. It’s part of life and I take my inspiration from those who have suffered at the hands of wickedness.”

Campbell-Brown received a two-year ban after testing positive for a banned diuretic in 2013 and says she went through an emotionally and financially crippling experience as she fought to clear her name.

She even took and passed a lie detector test while her name was being smeared before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) finally exonerated her last Spring.

CAS noted the blatant flaws in the collection procedures and possible "environmental contamination" of her urine sample because of “deplorable” mistakes by Jamaican athletics and anti-doping officials.

MUD STICKS

While a nation which has always believed in their “VCB” celebrated, Campbell-Brown knows how some mud can always stick.

“Life is challenging at times, it was rough and even to this day, I really don’t know what happened but one thing I can say for sure is that I’ve never used drugs in my career. I’ve been clean and honest all my life,” she said.

“A lot of people may speculate or insinuate, they can say what they want to say, but the bottom line is as long as my conscience is clear and me, my family, my friends and God knows the truth, then I don’t care what people say.”

The fall-out from the case, she said, did set her back last season when she looked a shadow of the woman who has garnered seven Olympic and nine world championship medals. The suspicion then was that maybe after such a traumatic interruption to her career and in her thirties, her career could be in terminal decline.

Yet Campbell-Brown, who says she thinks she will still be around to challenge at the 2017 world championships in London, insisted: “I do believe age is just a number and that my best days are ahead of me.”

She said, for instance, that she had “never put a really good 100 metres together” -- astonishing, considering that she won a world title in the event in 2007 -- and that she felt she could surpass her four-year-old best of 10.76 seconds.

As for her 200m, she looked good flying round Beijing’s Bird’s Nest in 22.68 last week, seven years since she landed the second of her two Olympic half-lap titles there.

In August, she intends to be back on that track at the world championships and she pointed out that the record number of Olympic medals won by any woman track and field athlete is nine, by her compatriot and friend Merlene Ottey. So three more in the 100m, 200m and relay in Rio de Janeiro next year would give her 10.

There is an indomitable quality about VCB. One thing that upset her most about the drugs slurs was that her Foundation, which she created to provide scholarships and mentoring programmes for high school girls in Jamaica, suffered financially. “I still want to inspire young women,” she said. She also wants her ailing sport to inspire again. “There are so many great athletes out there and we have to uplift and better promote them all,” she said. And that means not just her old Trelawny neighbour, a certain Usain Bolt.

“Well, Usain is great, Usain is well-loved, he’s energetic, he’s fun and he’s been doing a good job carrying the sport. But I do believe he could do with some help. If the burden is not only his, it will help promote and push the sport.

“As a sport, we have to regain trust at all levels so we can get the support we need. There’s too much negativity, finger-pointing and cynicism that is stopping us progress. I don't know how we do it but we’ve got to go out, work hard and compete hard and clean. That’s what I’ve always done.”

Yahoo Blake: "I'm back on the track" (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/yahoo-blake-im-back-on-the-track/13933/)
June 8th, 2015 11:03am (TrackAlerts.com)
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Yohan Blake on his way back!

Yohan Blake made his long anticipated return to the track on Saturday (6 June). He ran 21.57 seconds at the JAAA’s All-Comers Meeting at the National Stadium in Kingston.

"I have to give God thanks I'm back on the track, I was really nervous, but my agent (Cubie Seegobin) and coach (Glen Mills) told me to just go out there and have fun," Blake said after the event.

Zharnel Hughes of Anguilla topped the event in 20.44 ahead of Racers Track Club pair Moguel Francis 20.73 and Terrel Cotton 20.84.

Blake added: "And I don't feel bad as my foot is not bothering me anymore, so it's a really good blow-out for me in my first race back."

"I just wanted to get that first run in the books and although the (head) wind was a bit heavy it was alright and I'll work from there."

"I'm going to run one more 200m next week and going into trials, I just want to do enough to secure an individual spot in the 100m or 200m," said Blake, who is unsure what he will do at Jamaica Trials month end.

Morgan's 68.19m NR leads world in discus (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/morgans-68-19m-nr-leads-world-in-discuss/13936/)
June 8th, 2015 11:48am (TrackAlerts.com)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Jason%20Morgan%20Discus%20Jamaica.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Jason%20Morgan%20Discus%20Jamaica.jpg.html)
Jason Morgan throws JA NR & world lead in Men's Discus!

PEARL, USA - Sensational Jamaican record and World leady by Jason Morgan with 68.19 at the Peak Performance Track Classic on June 6, 2015.

"God is amazing. I have dream over and over of this day. Now I see reality. My honest hard work and determination proves its possible," wrote Morgan on his social media page.

"Number 1 rank discus throw in the world. Only me can stop me, and I Won't stop me. My faith tells me never to give up even when it seems so hard and lonely. My struggles become my strength and My challenges become my courage. I am Jason Dadz Morgan. aka ?#‎BigBlackBoss?. ?Timeless?

Morgan's previous best of Morgan was 67.15 from 2012. The mark bettered the 67.12m done by Traves Smikle at the National Senior Trials at the National Stadium in 2012.

Blake 10.21, Francis 44.50, McDonald 44.60 in Kingston (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/blake-10-21-francis-44-50-mcdonald-44-60-in-kingston/13983/)
By Vijay, TrackAlerts.Com Writer
June 14th, 2015 11:47am (TrackAlerts.com)
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Yohan Blake on his way back!

Yohan Blake, Javon Francis and Rusheen McDonald were the star performers at Saturday’s (13th June) JAAA All-Comers Meet held at Kingston's National Stadium.

Blake, who is recovering from injury, ran his first 100m of the season in 10.21 seconds. The wind reading was + 1.2m/s.

After the race, Blake said he is feeling “pretty good” “It was really a good run and I’m glad I finish(ed) injury free,” added the 2011 World Champion.

In the men’s 400m, Francis and McDonald posted huge personal best times. Francis, who trailed McDonald into the last 10 metres, won the event in 44.50.

He punched the air in celebration after the time was announced. “I am really happy about my personal best…I felt good and did what my coach wanted me to do,” Francis said. I’m going into Trials well focused and to make the team,” he added. McDonald's time was 44.60.

In the boys’ 400m, Christopher Taylor won impressively, in a personal best 45.55 secs. “I’m excited to come out here and get a personal best, especially since I am not 100 per cent,” said Taylor.

Meanwhile, Elaine Thompson covered the women’s half lap event in 23.04 … the wind reading -3.2m/s.

Major Shakeup Coming in Jamaica's 400m Trials (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/major-shakeup-coming-in-jamaicas-400m-trials/13986/)
By Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis, Special to TrackAlerts.Com
June 15th, 2015 10:09am (TrackAlerts.com)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Javon%20Francis%20Akeem%20Bloomfield%20amp%20Twayne%20Crooks.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Javon%20Francis%20Akeem%20Bloomfield%20amp%20Twayne%20Crooks.jpg.html)
Javon Francis (left), Akeem Bloomfield (top-right) and Twayne Crooks (bottom-right)

The men’s 400m event could turn out to be one of the biggest races and talking points at the JAAA National Senior Trials. Jamaica’s quarter-milers have been going through a torrid patch in recent times failing to make any World Championships and Olympic finals in a very long time. Many die-hearted track fans believed that former Calabar standout Javon Francis would lead the resurgence. He started out promisingly with an unforgettable relay leg performance at the 2013 World Championship in Moscow, Russia.

He was destined to have a breakout season the following year (2014) when injury ended his campaign prematurely. His early season form in 2015 has been very encouraging starting with a 45.50 clocking at the UTECH Classic before registering a then lifetime best of 44.90 seconds at the Jamaica International Invitational Meet in May. In early June, Francis looked commanding in clocking 44.96 seconds in a low-keyed meet in Atlanta. However, at the fifth and final JAAA All Comers meet Francis galloped to a new personal best of 44.50 seconds surging ahead of race leader Rusheen McDonald who ran a cracking 390m. The 22 year-old McDonald also posted a lifetime best of 44.60 seconds shaving a significant portion of a second off his previous best of 45.10.

TIME FOR CHANGE

Many persons sense that this year could be a turning point in the country’s fortunes. A group of high school stars have become real contenders and the words ‘Not Now’ or ‘Wait’ are not in their vocabulary. This season no fewer than three, Akeem Bloomfield (44.93), Twayne Crooks (45.95) and Nathon Allen (45.30) have come to the party banging on the front door asking questions.

These youngsters coming through are hungry for success and will definitely shake up and energize an event that has been stagnant for a number of years. Many track fans have grown weary of seeing grown men struggling to break 46 seconds, and sometimes when they did, the celebration was like a public holiday. A recent criticism of the Jamaican seniors has been that they run their hearts out at the trials to make the national team, and then run slower times at the major championships a month and a half later.

To put things into perspective, for the period 2007 to 2013, Jamaica has had only one representative in a 400m final at the IAAF World Championship. Germaine Gonzales was that lone figure at the 2011 World Championship in Daegu. The statistics gets less encouraging when we look at the Olympics. The country has not had any finalists since 2004 and has not won an Olympic medal in this event since Greg Haughton’s bronze at the Sydney Games in 2000. For a country with such a rich history in this event dating back to the late 1940’s and early 50’s, and in 1983 producing the first ever 400m World Champion, Bert Cameron, these returns are unacceptable.

Akeem Bloomfield

It was very encouraging to learn via Kingston College’s astute head coach Neil Harrison, of plans to get Akeem Bloomfield and Twayne Crooks in peak condition for the senior trials and gain selection to Jamaica’s World Championship team to Beijing, China. Bloomfield is an athlete blessed with tremendous speed, which when combined with his long strides makes him an X-factor that none of his peers wants to encounter. He decimates opponents' race plans and confidence on the backstretch giving no respect for their credentials or seniority.

Unfortunately, the Kingston College athlete who was going through a 'purple patch’ suffered a hamstring strain at the Penn Relays in the 4x100m sprint relay. Bloomfield’s participation at the senior trials is in doubt and pundits feel he should take the year off and come back stronger next season.

Twayne Crooks

Bloomfield’s high school teammate, Twayne Crooks, is a fearless and tireless competitor, who runs with the stamina of a camel. Unlike at 'Champs', where he dutifully performed unwavering services for his school in its quest for Championship honours; Crooks, now gets his chance to unleash all his focus, energy and talent on one event. Twayne Crooks possesses the requisite speed endurance for the task. Crooks will be looking to steal a spot with an impressive performance at 6:10 p.m. on Sunday the final day.

Nathon Allen

Nathon Allen has shown over the last two seasons that he is a proven performer on the big occasions. He has the distinction of being involved and playing second fiddle in two record breaking ‘Champs’ Class 1 400m races in consecutive years. He turns 20 on October 28, 2015, and is already making plans for a track career after high school. Allen, will be looking forward to earning his first individual senior call up along with some fellow high school rivals he competed against in March. He will probably need a lifetime best to make the team. However, some persons believe Allen is capable and ready for the next level. The St. Jago High School athlete looked competent at the IAAF World Relays registering a 45.80 seconds split on the third leg in the heats of the 4x400m.

THE CHALLENGE

The winning time at last year’s trial was 45.00 seconds flat by Akheem Gauntlett, and it is felt that the country needs at least four men below that time this year to be competitive in the 4x400m relays. Interestingly, 2012 was the last time the winner of this event went below 45 seconds when Dane Hyatt won in 44.83 seconds.

The recent returns of the young athletes highlighted in this article suggest that the race should be intense. We shall see if it will ‘separate the men from the boys’ or vice versa. Former national champion Dane Hyatt has not approached sub-45 seconds territory since 2012. He has been missing in action in 2015. Last year’s winner Akheem Gauntlett’s season best in 2015 is 48.56 seconds. Hugh Graham has a season best of 45.98 seconds. Ricardo Chambers is on the comeback with a season best of 46.19 seconds. Former National Champion, Javere Bell, returning to fitness this season registered 45.68 seconds at the UTECH Classic but as since looked out of sorts. Bell will be looking to bounce back to form at the trials. Riker Hylton, Omar Johnson, Edino Steele and Nicholas Maitland could also be among the contenders.

As mentioned earlier, some of the seniors save their best races for the JAAA trials, however, if they are not up for the challenge this year, Javon Francis could win by ‘donkey lengths’.

One thing is certain; the patience of the Jamaican fans has worn out. In the near future, they would like to see an end to this individual quarter-mile medal drought. The country is crying out for success in this event, it is about time some warriors come along and fit new tyres on the punctured men’s 400m jeep. Jamaica's quarter-mile programme needs a shakeup. Javon Francis and the youngsters are ready for battle. Is it time for fresh blood?

About the Author:
Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis is a very exciting and creative freelance sports writer specializing in the fields of athletics and cricket. His colourful down to earth yet professional personality makes him a favourite amongst athletes and fans. Readers are often exposed to his detailed knowledge and passion which usually increase their interest in the athletes, events and the sport overall. He has a first degree in Banking & Finance and works in the financial industry. Contact Noel at nanthonyfrancis@gmail.com

Jamaica men's 100m trials not taking any prisoners (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/jamaica-mens-100m-trials-not-taking-any-prisoners/13991/)
By Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis, Special to TrackAlerts.Com
June 16th, 2015 8:04am (TrackAlerts.com)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Asafa%20Powell%20Yohan%20Blake%20%20amp%20Kemar%20Bailey-Cole.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Asafa%20Powell%20Yohan%20Blake%20%20amp%20Kemar%20Bailey-Cole.jpg.html)
Asafa Powell (left), Yohan Blake (top-right) and Nickel Ashmeade (bottom-right)

Jamaica has dominated men’s sprinting at every major championship since 2008 courtesy of the incomparable and inspirational Usain Bolt. However, some observers believe that the country’s dominance will come under serious threat from the United States of America in 2015.

Interestingly, both countries will be having their national championships to select representatives to Beijing, China at around the same time. Usain Bolt is the defending World Champion and by virtue of that designation, has an automatic bye to the championship. This makes for a very intriguing men’s 100m showdown at the JAAA National Senior trials. At the time of writing, 16 men have run below 10 seconds this season with only two Jamaicans on that list, Asafa Powell and Nesta Carter. Fans will hope that come Friday night, the list will be longer with more Jamaicans on it.

Two of the countries premier sprinters in Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake who were absent last season will be seeking to make a triumphant return to national duties. Powell has looked in pristine form running undefeated so far and barring any unforeseen circumstance should book his ticket to Beijing at the end of this event on June 26, 2015.

Blake the youngest ever 100m World Champion in 2011, is returning from a career threatening injury, however, he lacks that competitive edge due to inactivity. Nevertheless, Blake is very determined to make the team and his quest to do so seems possible by the fact that only a few Jamaican sprinters have been racing well this season. Many fans are encouraged by the pronouncements of Coach Glen Mills, that Blake is in good physical shape, it is just for him to regain his confidence and stop worrying about getting hurt again. Some observers believe once Blake conquers his fears, climbing back to the top will seem like taking the elevator.

Therefore, Blake who did not get a chance to defend his World title could squeeze a spot on the team provided he gets all aspects of his race in order. Last year’s National champion, Nickel Ashmeade, will also be seeking to defend his title. Ashmeade will not want to relinquish his title without a fight; however, come Friday night he might feel like someone surrounded by a gang coming to take his lunch money.

The veteran Nesta Carter is an athlete who commands respect for maintaining his health, longevity and work ethic that hardly ever sees him on the injury list. However, Jamaican fans would love to see Carter registering more sub-10 seconds on a consistent basis. He will be hoping to make the Jamaica team and then qualify for his third consecutive World Championship 100m final. Carter won a bronze medal in the Moscow Championship in 2013.

Commonwealth 100m champion, Kemar Bailey-Cole represents the next generation of Jamaican sprinters coming through the ranks. Despite not making waves during the first half of the season, Bailey-Cole remains an important member of Jamaica’s sprint factory. The lanky sprinter should be right in the mix of things in the final. Bailey-Cole will be seeking to secure his second World Championship trip as an individual sprinter.

One of the top local collegiate sprinters, Andrew Fisher, will be hoping to make his first World Championship team. Fisher has shown in the last three years that it is only a matter of time before he cracks the 10 seconds barrier. He registered a personal best of 10.01 seconds at the Jamaica International Invitational Meet on May 9, 2015. This race could be the moment when Fisher announces himself in giant killing fashion. University of Technology (UTECH) Classic winner and Inter-Collegiate runner-up, Kemarley Brown, is a doubtful starter, as he seems to have not recovered sufficiently from the injury received at the Jamaica International Invitational Meet when he did not finish the 100m. Jason Livermore since 2013 has been consistently placing in the final top six at the National Championships. This determined athlete will be firing on all cylinders to make the team.

One athlete who could spring a surprise at the senior trials if he decides to compete is Senoj-Jay Givans. The former Munro College standout has been having a successful collegiate season for the University of Texas. Givans ran a then personal best 10.07 (+1.9 m/s) at the Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championships in May, which was also a Texas school record. On June 10, 2015, at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Givans establish a new personal best 10.03 (+0.9 m/s) in the semi-finals. He placed fourth (9.97 +2.7 m/s) two days later in a highly competitive final. Givans is a very intelligent and consistent performer and one who could give his more fancied rivals a scare on Friday evening.

Julian Forte is a very outstanding sprint relay runner. The UTECH athlete will be vying for a spot at the trials with an impressive run. Forte won the men’s 100m ‘B’ race at the Rome Diamond League in 10.07 (-0.3 m/s) and followed up with a season best 10.06 (+1.9 m/s) in heat one of the Birmingham Diamond League 100m, however, he could not replicate that performance in the final registering 10.15 seconds.

Forte has been busy on the circuit mainly competing in the half lap event (200m), however, with the exception of Usain Bolt there is no guaranteed place for any male athlete and therefore competing in both sprints at the JAAA trials to make the team might be a wise decision.

This 100m event will be one of the most intense attractions at the JAAA National Senior Championships, and the hearts of thousands of fans will be thumping like a piston Friday night especially when the athletes move into the set position.

A lot is at stake and with three spots up for grabs, the likelihood of a humdinger race is highly possible. Who will join Bolt in Beijing?

About the Author:
Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis is a very exciting and creative freelance sports writer specializing in the fields of athletics and cricket. His colourful down to earth yet professional personality makes him a favourite amongst athletes and fans. Readers are often exposed to his detailed knowledge and passion which usually increase their interest in the athletes, events and the sport overall. He has a first degree in Banking & Finance and works in the financial industry. Contact Noel at nanthonyfrancis@gmail.com

Bolt confirmed for National Senior Trials (http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Bolt-confirmed-for-National-Senior-Trials_19152135)
BY PAUL A REID Observer writer reidp@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, June 21, 2015 (Jamaica Observer)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Usain%20Bolt%20applauds%20crowd%20for%20their%20support.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Usain%20Bolt%20applauds%20crowd%20for%20their%20support.jpg.html)
BOLT... worried about his form at the moment.

WORLD and Olympic champion Usain Bolt will compete at next weekend's JAAA National Senior Championships that will be held between Thursday and Sunday at the National Stadium.

Multiple sources told the Sunday Observer that Bolt will contest the men's 100m that will be run between Thursday and Friday with the final set for 9:15 Friday night.

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Yohan%20Blake%20winning%20100m%20at%20National%20Stadium.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Yohan%20Blake%20winning%20100m%20at%20National%20Stadium.jpg.html)
BLAKE... working his way back from injury.

His inclusion in the event could set up a mouthwatering final that could see Bolt, Asafa Powell, former World Championships gold medallist Yohan Blake, bronze medallist at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow two years ago Nesta Carter, Nickel Ashmeade and the up-and-coming pair of Julian Forte and Andrew Fisher.

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Nickel%20Ashmeade%20amp%20Nesta%20Carter.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Nickel%20Ashmeade%20amp%20Nesta%20Carter.jpg.html)
(L) ASHMEADE... has been very active on pro circuit.
(R) CARTER... World Championships bronze medallist.

Bolt is the defending champion in both the 100m and 200m at the World Championships after winning the double two years ago in Moscow, Russia, and has a bye to the event, but opted to compete at the four-day championship after a string of slow times. His latest below-par effort being a 20.29 seconds clocking in the 200m at last weekend's IAAF Diamond League meet in New York.

Bolt holds the 200m record of 19.19 seconds.

After his run Bolt, who took most of last year off, was at a loss as to what had caused his slow times and had suggested that he would have to run more races to get himself back into top form, thus his decision to run at Trials.

He might have dropped an even more obvious hint at the pre-race press conference in Manhattan last Friday when he told the media that "one-off races" such as the ones on the circuit would not be beneficial to him to get him into top form.

At Trials, Bolt will race three times in over two days -- the quarter-finals at 6:55 pm on Thursday and semis-finals at 7:10 pm Friday, two hours before the final is scheduled.

New female faces taking over Jamaica's 100m dash (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/new-female-faces-taking-over-jamaicas-100m-dash/14007/#)
By Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis, Special to TrackAlerts.Com
June 20th, 2015 10:23am (TrackAlerts.com)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Elaine%20Thompson%20left%20%20Christania%20Williams%20top-right%20amp%20Natasha%20Morrison%20bottom-right.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Elaine%20Thompson%20left%20%20Christania%20Williams%20top-right%20amp%20Natasha%20Morrison%20bottom-right.jpg.html)
Elaine Thompson (left), Christania Williams (top-right) & Natasha Morrison (bottom-right)

Many persons believe that there will be a changing of the guard when the smoke clears at the end of the women’s 100m finals at the 2015 JAAA National Senior Championship. It is quite possible that three athletes from the same camp could feature prominently in this event. Natasha Morrison, Christania Williams and rising star Elaine Thompson could launch their international careers in emphatic fashion.

Elaine Thompson is in the form of her life being the only Jamaican to run below 11 seconds on more than one occasion this year. Thompson has done it three times with a lifetime best of 10.84 seconds at the iconic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon being her most impressive performance. She comes into the JAAA National Senior Championship as the firm favourite to capture the 100m crown despite the presence of Veronica Campbell-Brown one of the country’s most decorated sprinters.

Interestingly, both Campbell-Brown who is the 2014 Diamond Race winner in the 100m and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce the defending double sprint champion are eligible for automatic qualification to the IAAF World Championship. However, with only one spot allotted to any country and the established precedence set in 2013 with a similar scenario involving 2011 World Champion at 200m Usain Bolt and 2012 Diamond Race winner Nickel Ashmeade, it seems World Champion Fraser-Pryce will get the JAAA’s vote.

Campbell-Brown who won the national title last year with a then unknown Elaine Thompson placing fifth will have a sterner test in 2015. It should be a fantastic showdown between Campbell-Brown and Thompson, two sprinters with a lot to prove.

Christania Williams is one of the most promising sprinters competing in Jamaica. The UTECH athlete possesses an explosive start and if she stays injury free could cause anxious moments for her rivals. At the UTECH Track & Field Classic Meet, Williams posted a then personal best of 11.18 (1.0 m/s) for third in a highly competitive race. The 20-year-old set a new personal best 11.11 seconds (+1.7 m/s) on her way to victory at the 3rd JAAA All Comers Meet on May 30, 2015.

Natasha Morrison (11.17) finished runner-up at the UTECH Track & Field Classic valiantly chasing Elaine Thompson who ran a then world leading time of 10.92 seconds. Morrison whose personal best is 11.06 (+1.1 m/s) has been a solid performer this season. Her best effort came on May 30, 2015 at the 3rd JAAA All Comers Meet where she registered 11.13 (+1.7 m/s). The 22-year-old MVP athlete is favoured to be among the top four on Friday night. Another MVP athlete, Carrie Russell, has been missing in action this season and it is highly unlikely that she will be a factor if she shows up.

Shillonie Calvert showed great promise early in career and seemed the next big thing out of Jamaica. However, she has not progressed as many thought she would and her performances for the last four years have been like hills and valleys. The Racers Track Club athlete who has finished third at the last two National Championships will be hard-pressed to maintain that position by some fresh and hungry contenders who have already defeated her this season. Calvert, who was a semi-finalist at the Moscow World Championship in 2013, has so far registered a season best 11.23 (+0.2 m/s). Observers believe Calvert will need to produce something close to her personal best (11.05) to be among the top three this year.

Sherone Simpson is an all or nothing athlete, at her best, she looks supreme and when not in form, as is the case this season, she looks disappointing. According to her form chart, she has not recorded a sub-11 time since 2008! She will be hoping for a much-improved showing at this year’s National Championship unlike last year when she failed to make the final on her comeback from suspension. Sherone’s fastest time this season is 11.42 seconds in the 100m.

Samantha Henry-Robinson is a very compact sprinter more renowned for her team player roles on a few of Jamaica’s sprint relay teams. She has been a 100m finalist at the last three National Championships dating back to 2012. Henry-Robinson who has never placed higher than 6th position will be aiming for a personal best to secure at least a top four spot. She has a lifetime best of 11.00 (+1.5 m/s) and showed some encouraging form at the recent Adidas Grand Prix in New York with a season best 11.08 (+0.4 m/s) for second. Henry-Robinson must feel confident of making her first major championship team in an individual event.

Simone Facey is another excellent relay runner who will be seeking a place amongst the big girls. The 30-year-old is a very experienced athlete who runs with a lot of determination. Facey has a season best of 11.15 (+0.2 m/s) done at the Florida Tom Jones Memorial Classic in April. Facey has loads of potential and is another athlete seeking to run sub-11 seconds this season, a feat she has not achieved since 2008. It is not too late.

Kerron Stewart, the 2013 National Champion and last year’s runner-up has not been having one of her better seasons. Many of her fans are worried that she has not posted a sub-11 seconds time since 2013. They are hoping that she will rediscover that zest and raw speed that brought her worldwide recognition in 2008 and 2009. Stewart will have her hands full at the National Championship and only a special effort will guarantee a spot on the team to Beijing and remove doubts that her glory days are in the past.

Remona Burchell looked promising in the early part of the season and many saw her as someone who could force her way into the top three at the JAAA trials. She ran 11.04 seconds in a negative headwind (-2.5 m/s) at the Florida Relays in Gainesville, which under normal conditions would equate to 10.84 seconds. However, as they say injury is part of the sport and unfortunately, Burchell had a setback at the worst time of her fledgling career. On the eve of the NCAA East Regional, Burchell had to withdraw from the championship, effectively ending her progress and participation to defend her title at the grand finals in Eugene, Oregon. The two-time NCAA 60m indoor and 2014 outdoor 100m champion is on the mend and hopefully she will recover in due course.

Jamaicans adore their female track stars and the thought of a number of veteran sprinters not making the team based on their form at this stage will make some of their fans upper lip tremble while biting their finger nails at the trials. Everyone is hoping for the best that the aging stalwarts will get it right when it counts one last time. However, if things go awry, are we ready to embrace the change?

About the Author:
Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis is a very exciting and creative freelance sports writer specializing in the fields of athletics and cricket. His colourful down to earth yet professional personality makes him a favourite amongst athletes and fans. Readers are often exposed to his detailed knowledge and passion which usually increase their interest in the athletes, events and the sport overall. He has a first degree in Banking & Finance and works in the financial industry. Contact Noel at nanthonyfrancis@gmail.com

Fantastic Showdown in Jamaica Men's 400m hurdles (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/fantastic-showdown-in-jamaica-mens-400m-hurdles/14029/#)
By Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis, Special to TrackAlerts.Com
June 24th, 2015 8:31am (TrackAlerts.com)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Roxroy%20Cato%20left%20Leford%20Green%20top-right%20amp%20Jaheel%20Hyde%20bottom-right.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Roxroy%20Cato%20left%20Leford%20Green%20top-right%20amp%20Jaheel%20Hyde%20bottom-right.jpg.html)
Roxroy Cato (left), Leford Green (top-right) & Jaheel Hyde (bottom-right)

One of the most gruelling events in track & field is the 400m hurdles. It requires guts, dedication, stamina, technique and mental fortitude. Many persons will say that these requirements are similar to other track events; however, one of the factors used to measure its difficulty on the body is the recovery period. It is one of those events, whereby the semi-finals and finals are often set a day apart unlike the short sprinting events. Jamaica is producing a few gladiators who are up to the task of tackling this demanding discipline.

Roxroy Cato is the fastest Jamaican one lap hurdler this season with his 48.97 seconds clocking at the Adidas Grand Prix in New York. Cato is the defending National Champion and seems confident of making it two in a row in 2015. Cato had an outstanding 2014 season winning the NCAA Division Two 400m hurdles final while helping his team St. Augustine’s University to winning the division title. Cato’s winning time last year (48.48) at the JAAA National Senior Championship is a personal best and he will be aiming to lower that mark on Friday June 26, 2015 at 8:20 pm. Interestingly, Cato has never represented Jamaica at a World Championship and making the team will be a special moment for the 27-year-old.

Leford Green is a multiple national champion who recently returned to Jamaica and is now associated with the Cameron Blazers Track Club. He credits teaming up with motivational coach Bertland Cameron as a bonus, as it will improve his 400m times, which will transfer to his 400m hurdles performances as well. Green who had looked laboured in the early part of the season is gradually getting stronger and better as the season progresses.

After a sixth place finish (50.74) in the Meeting Region Guadeloupe on May 2, 2015, Green followed up with a spirited effort at the Jamaica International Invitational Meet a week later. On that occasion, Green ran a season best of 49.22 seconds. At a recent JAAA All Comers Meet, Green was almost involved in a dead heat with rising star and winner Jaheel Hyde with both accredited with identical times (49.87). Green who was a semi-finalist in the last two World Championships and a finalist in the London Olympics is favoured to be among the top three at the National Senior Championship. The former KC athlete has a personal best of 48.47 seconds.

Annsert Whyte is the third fastest Jamaican this season over 400m hurdles with a time of 49.20 seconds. Whyte is one of those athletes who flies under the radar and then pops up with solid performances at the right time. He is quite capable of causing an upset at the National Championship. Whyte ran 49.48 seconds to capture the men’s 400m hurdles title at the GC Foster Classic in mid March.

He kept himself busy throughout the month of May. At the Jamaica International Invitational Meet on May 9, 2015, Whyte ran 49.50 seconds to claim fourth spot. He won gold at the Cayman Invitational with a season best 49.20 seconds on May 16, 2015. A week later at the second JAAA All Comers Meet, Whyte cruised to victory in 50.23 seconds. He is race sharp and ready to challenge for a place in Beijing. Annsert Whyte’s personal best is 48.58 seconds.

Jaheel Hyde is Jamaica’s youngest and perhaps brightest prospect in the men’s 400m hurdles. The 2014 World Junior Champion who recently turned professional is on a mission to do well in his senior debut season. Hyde closed out his high school career on a high with a championship record of 49.01 seconds, which makes him the second fastest Jamaican this season behind Roxroy Cato. The time is also a national junior record.

In his first professional race at the Cayman Invitational Meet, Hyde placed 3rd in 50.30 seconds after a slight stumble at the final hurdle. Hyde’s next assignment saw him coming up against a quality field at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League in Eugene where he placed 7th in 50.80 seconds. At the 4thJAAA All Comers Meet in early June, Hyde showed signs of getting back to his best with victory in 49.87 seconds. Hyde who is on a mission to make his first World Championship team is working hard to achieve that objective.

Josef Robertson is a talented hurdler who has not yet fulfilled his early promise. Robertson has been very active this season competing in both 400m and 400m hurdles events with fluctuating results. His fifth place finish at the Jamaica International Invitational Meet in 49.71 seconds remains his season best.

Isa Phillips is one of those veteran hurdlers who have been around before Instagram. The 31-year-old will be seeking to make his fifth World Championship team; however, the task could prove mountainous due to his lack of form and race sharpness. The lanky athlete who finished fifth at the National Championship last year is a fighter who will run until his spikes fall off before giving up. Phillips who has been to the semi-finals of every major championship attended was last seen competing locally in a 400m flat event at the UTECH Classic Meet in April registering 48.07 seconds.

At the start of the year, many persons did not see this event as one of the highlights of the National Senior Championship. However, it is now shaping up as a fantastic duel with the strong possibility of four athletes dipping below 49 seconds. The prospect of a number of these athletes making their first World Championship team will add tremendous pressure and excitement to this mouth-watering event. The battle to come off the final hurdle first should be fascinating.

About the Author:
Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis is a very exciting and creative freelance sports writer specializing in the fields of athletics and cricket. His colourful down to earth yet professional personality makes him a favourite amongst athletes and fans. Readers are often exposed to his detailed knowledge and passion which usually increase their interest in the athletes, events and the sport overall. He has a first degree in Banking & Finance and works in the financial industry. Contact Noel at nanthonyfrancis@gmail.com

Please note that results from JA Senior Champs happening today thru to Sunday is available at this link: https://www.brawtasports.net/tfresults/2015/jamaicanationalsnrchamps/results.html

Live stream to follow JA Champs is also available at this link: http://1spotmedia.com (paid link)

Powell, Blake in early clash at Jamaica Trials (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/powell-blake-in-early-clash-at-jamaica-trials/14035/)
June 25th, 2015 4:59pm (TrackAlerts.com)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/Socapro/Asafa%20Powell%20vs%20Yohan%20Blake.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/Socapro/media/Asafa%20Powell%20vs%20Yohan%20Blake.jpg.html)
Asafa Powell vs Yohan Blake at JA Trials

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake have been drawn together in the same quarter-finals heat at the Jamaican National Senior Championships on Thursday night.

For Live Coverage and Live Results Click Here

The heats were announced, following this morning’s qualifying round, which saw seven athletes moving on to the next stage.

Powell will start from lane five in quarter-finals one, with Blake, who is returning from a hamstring injury that forced him to do surgery last season, starting in lane seven.

Kemarley Brown and Kimmari Roach are also listed in the first heat.

Nesta Carter, a former training partner of Asafa Powell at MVP track club, heads things up in quarter-finals two.

Jermaine Hamilton, the fastest runner from the qualifying round Thursday morning, will join Carter in the heat, along with former national champion Oshane Bailey and Marvin Anderson.

A loaded quarter-finals heat 3 will see Kemar Bailey-Cole, Julian Forte and Andrew Fisher all facing-off in an early test.

Forte and Fisher are two of the strong contenders for places on the Jamaica World Championships team to Beijing, China, later this summer, while Commonwealth Games champions Bailey-Cole is hoping to prove his critics wrong.

Another notable name in this quarter-final heat is Michael Frater, a key member of the Jamaica 4x100m relay teams at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.

Nickel Ashmeade leads the starters in the fourth and last quarter-finals.

The heat also includes Jevaughn Minzie, NCAA star Senoj-Jay Givans, in addition to former junior superstars Jazeel Murphy and Dexter Lee.

Meanwhile, the women’s 100m quarter-finals see sprint double world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the world-leader this season, at 10.81secs, taking on Kerron Stewart, who now trains at the Racers track club with Usain Bolt’s coach Glen Mills.

The newly found Elaine Thompson will start in the second heat and she will have Schillonie Calvert and Chanice Bonner as company.

Elsewhere, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Natasha Morrison and Jonielle Smith will race in quarter-finals three, while Samantha Henry-Robinson, Sherone Simpson, Christania Williams and Shimayra Williams are in the fourth heat.

Powell won his Heat in 9.98 and Blake was 2nd. Click link to view race video: http://rutube.ru/video/fdefc5442404b625c7394836fc2adadb/

Bolt withdraws from Jamaica trials (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20150625/sports/bolt-withdraws-from-jamaica-trials)
Published on Jun 25, 2015, 7:20 pm AST (T&T Express)
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Questions over fitness, form: Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.

Usain Bolt’s lack of form combined with his late withdrawal from the Jamaican 100 metres national trials yesterday have raised more doubts about the future of the world’s fastest man.

The towering sprinter had intended to run in the trials as a sharpener, but the Jamaican Athletics Administrative Association confirmed he had pulled out two months before the world championships in Beijing, China.

Six-times Olympic gold medallist Bolt, who qualifies for world championships as defending champion in both events, has struggled this year with moderate best times of 10.12 seconds for the 100 and 20.13 in the 200.

The 28-year-old expressed uncharacteristic concerns after a sluggish 20.29 to win the 200 at the recent New York Diamond League meeting in the US.

“I’m not happy about my performance. My turn was horrible, I don’t know what happened,” Bolt said. “My worst turn ever.

“After I came off the turn, I knew it wasn’t going to be fast... so I pretty much just wanted to get home.”

Bolt’s 2014 season was limited by injuries, but he was the star attraction at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, winning gold in the 4x100 relay.

With 2015 continuing in a similar vein, Bolt, the only man to win the 100 and 200 in back-to-back Olympics, would surely have wanted to lay down a marker at the Jamaican trials following the resurgence of Justin Gatlin.

Controversial United States sprinter Gatlin, who has served two doping bans, has become the man to beat after setting or equalling lifetime bests in both the 100 and 200 this year.

Gatlin has not raced Bolt since 2013, but the 33-year-old 2004 Olympic gold medallist is hoping his rival returns to his best at the world championships so he can dethrone the Jamaican in Beijing.

“What is it really going to amount to if I go out there and run against Usain when he is not at his best,” Gatlin told Reuters.

“That is not a great storyline. It is not a race I would like to go out and win. I want Usain at his best, and I think he wants me at my best. That’s what people want to see.”

Elaine Thompson withdraws from 100m at Jamaica Trials (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/elaine-thompson-withdraws-from-100m-at-jamaica-trials/14040/)
June 25th, 2015 10:16pm (TrackAlerts.com)
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Elaine Thompson, second fastest Jamaican this year

Elaine Thompson became the latest big name athlete to withdraw from an event at the Jamaica Senior Athletics Championships on at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Thompson, the second fastest Jamaican with 10.84 this year, is not on the startlist for the semi-finals of the women's 100m.

Thomspon was on the startlist for heat 2 of 4 to face the likes of Schillonie Calvert, Chanice Bonner and Globine Mayova of Namibia. The women’s 100m first round was scheduled for Thursday evening, but was scrapped because of limited entry.

Garth Gayle, general secretary of the Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association (JAAA) confirmed Thompson’s withdrawal from the women's 100m.

“Yes, she has withdrew,” said Gayle.

According to information reaching TrackAlerts.Com, Thompson will run the 200m while her teammate Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce may skip the half lap event for the 100m.

Novlene Williams-Mills also withdrew because of 'personal issues’.

Usain Bolt also withdrew, a decision taken after training on Wednesday evening.

Powell dominates 100m heats at Jamaica Trials (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/powell-dominates-100m-heats-at-jamaica-trials/14046/)
June 25th, 2015 10:16pm (TrackAlerts.com)
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Asafa Powell Jamaican former world 100m record holder

Former 100-meter world record-holder Asafa Powell dominated heats of the men's 100m at Jamaica Senior Athletics Championships on Thursday.

Powell topped his quarterfinal heat in 9.98 ahead of former world 100m champion Yohan Blake, who had a bad start, 10.24. Kemarley Brown was also timed in 10.24.

Kemar Bailey-Cole and Andrew Fisher both clocked 10.05 in quarterfinal 2.

Nickel Ashmeade and Nesta Cater 10.12 are also into the final.

The first round of the women’s event was scrapped due to lack of entries.

The competitors in the women’s and men’s 400H also faced the starter. Leading the way into the final of the women’s event was UTech’s Janieve Russel with a time of 55.59seconds. Other notable qualifiers for the final were Ristanana Tracey 56.22, Shevon Stoddart 55.74, and Rushell Clayton 56.53.

In the men’s 400H, which is shaping up to be a very hotly contested final, Ansert Whyte looks to be the man to beat. He ran 49.00 to lead the qualifiers into the final.

Javern Gallimore 49.49 and Marvin Williams 49.80 establishing a new personal best were winners of heat 2 and 3 respectively taking automatic qualifying spots.

Roxroy Cato 49.96, Leford Green 49.97 and Jaheel Hyde 49.83 are also in the final.

Orlando Thomas of MVP claimed the first National title in the Javelin with a throw of 70.12m.

Official results so far from JA Senior Champs at this link: https://www.brawtasports.net/tfresults/2015/jamaicanationalsnrchamps/results.html

Powell, Blake in big semi-final clash at Jamaica Trials (http://www.trackalerts.com/Articles/powell-blake-in-big-semi-final-clash-at-jamaica-trials/14050/)
By Anthony Foster, TrackAlerts.Com Writer
June 26th, 2015 1:38pm (TrackAlerts.com)
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Asafa Powell vs Yohan Blake at JA Trials

Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake will meet again in the semi-final of the men’s 100m on Friday evening at Jamaica Senior Athletics Championships.

Both Powell, the former 100m record holder at 9.94, and former world champion Blake, the second fastest man in history at 9.69, met on Thursday in the quarterfinals.

Powell, who got a very good start and had time to ease across the line in 9.98, beat Blake, who had to work extra hard after he stumbled out of the blocks, for second in 10.24.

In semi-final 1, which is far more competitive than the other, Powell will run from lane five and Blake six.

Powell, despite his easy but dominant performance, is prepared for stiff competition on Friday.

“Tomorrow is going to be a bit more competitive, so I’m just taking it one step at a time,” he said.

Blake, who is recovering from injury, said he’s going to do “much better” on Friday.

“I am working and everything is going according to plan. Mentally I’m getting there, but physically I am ready,” he said.

Nesta Carter, Kemarley Brown, Kimmari Roach, Andrew Fisher, Michael Frater and Jason Livermore are the other athletes down for semi-final 1.

In semi-final 2, Kemar Bailey-Cole (10.05) and Nickel Ashmeade (10.12) will battle. Both won their respective quarterfinals on Thursday.

Also in this semi-final will be Bernardo Brady, Oshane Bailey, Sheldon Mitchell, Dexter Lee, Tyquendo Tracey and Jevaughn Minzie.

In the women’s 100m prelims, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the world leader at 10.82, along with Kerron Stewart and Chanice Bonner start in heat 1/3.

In heat 2, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Schillonie Calvert and Jonielle Smith are the ones to watch while Sherone Simpson, Natasha Morrison and Samantha Henry-Robinson face the starter in heat 3.

The final of both races are set for 9:00 pm and 9:15pm.

For those who wish to follow the JA Senior Champs on live right now check this link: http://1spotmedia.com (paid link)

Link for live JA Senior Champs updated results: https://www.brawtasports.net/tfresults/2015/jamaicanationalsnrchamps/results.html

Injured Bolt pulls out of Paris, Lausanne (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20150630/sports/injured-bolt-pulls-out-of-paris-lausanne)
Published on Jun 30, 2015, 8:22 pm AST (T&T Express)
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REIGNING WOLD CHAMPION: Usain Bolt

KINGSTON - Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt’s troubled season continued yesterday when he pulled out of the Paris and Lausanne Diamond League meetings due to a leg injury.

“I’m disappointed not to be able to compete in Paris and Lausanne. I love running at these meetings but at the moment I am unable to compete at 100 per cent. I look forward to getting back into full training as soon as possible,” Bolt said in a statement on his website.

The Paris meeting is on Saturday with Lausanne the following Thursday with Bolt planning to run one 100m and one 200m race.

Jamaica’s Olympic and world champion pulled out of the 100m at the Jamaican trials last Thursday.

“He (Bolt) has been feeling discomfort in his left leg since his last competition which has restricted his training,” a statement from his management team said.

“He has a blocked sacroiliac joint which is restricting his movement and putting pressure on his knee and ankle.”

Bolt, 28, has struggled for form this season with moderate best times of 10.12 in the 100 metres and 20.13 in the 200.

The world record holder in both events has wildcard entries to the world championships in Beijing in August.

“He will spend the next couple of days in Munich getting treatment after which he will resume full training in his quest to defend his titles at the world championships,” the statement added.

Bolt’s coach Glen Mills confirmed the lanky sprinter’s training had been hampered.

“For several weeks now he has been complaining and he has been restricted in his training by the complaints, hence it triggered the trip to the doctor,” Mills told Reuters by telephone.

Mills was pressed about whether he was worried that the eight-times World Championship gold medallist would not be ready for Beijing.

“What I can say is I’m very concerned about the progress of his preparation so far,” Mills said. “But as to between now and Beijing that depends on what I learn when I have the discussion with the doctor.”

Asafa Powell likes flying under radar to world championships (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20150702/sports/asafa-powell-likes-flying-under-radar-to-world-championships)
Published on Jul 2, 2015, 2:00 pm AST (T&T Express)
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FILE - In this Sept.7 2014 file photo, Asafa Powell celebrates after winning the men's 100 meters competition at the IAAF Grand Prix in Rieti, Italy. Usain Bolt's Jamaica teammate Asafa Powell believes the world record holder's struggle with injury and poor form is "just a phase" and not the beginning of the end for the sprinter. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)

PARIS (AP) — Offered a glass of water in a sweltering Parisian heat wave, Asafa Powell shook his head, preferring the risk of thirst.

Once bitten, twice shy: Having served a doping ban for ingesting a contaminated supplement, the former 100-meter world record-holder says he takes zero chances with what he eats and drinks.

At age 32, another enforced time-out could kill any hope Powell has of converting his speed into major championship gold that has always eluded him. His haul, not including relay gold medals with Jamaica, from three Olympic sprint finals and three world championships is two bronze medals, from the 2007 and 2009 worlds — surely less than Powell's undoubted talent deserves.

The world's fastest human from June 2005 to May 2008 when Usain Bolt usurped and then completely overshadowed him, Powell sees himself as a still very speedy and dangerous underdog heading toward the world championships in August.

And that suits him just fine.

"Being under the radar, it's always good, you know? The underdog. No one knows what to expect. You can just strike at any time," Powell said before racing in Saturday's Diamond League meeting in Paris shorn of Bolt, his Jamaica teammate out injured with a blocked joint in his left leg.

Truth be told, Powell is probably selling himself a bit short.

First, in May, and then again last week in winning the Jamaica trials, he twice ran a very respectable 9.84 seconds. That is faster than the 2015 best of Tyson Gay, back from a one-year doping suspension and heading to the worlds as U.S. champion.

It also is as quick as the 2015 and personal best of Trayvon Bromell, the 19-year-old who snapped at Gay's heels at the U.S. championships last week. And, perhaps most importantly, it is far quicker than Bolt this year, who ran a lame 10.12 in April, way off his world-record 9.58 in 2009.

In fact, only Justin Gatlin has run faster than Powell this year, with 9.74 in May and 9.75 in June. If those times make Gatlin the favorite at the worlds in Beijing, then Powell cannot be far behind.

"For now, the older guys are still on top, and we're running very fast," Powell said. The younger generation of sprinters, "they'll just have to wait their turn."

But unlike Powell, 33-year-old Gatlin is only getting quicker with age. That and the four-year doping ban he served make the American's detractors suspicious, and make him a subject Powell would rather avoid.

"It's just a very uncomfortable topic to talk about, you know? I don't like to get into it," he said. "I just hope that he is doing what he is doing to the best of his ability and doing it honestly."

Powell said his own ban was "very difficult" to come back from. The Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced it to six months, from an initial 18 months, after he explained that the banned stimulant oxilofrine found in his urine came from a supplement. That experience is why Powell refused the water the organizer of the Paris meet offered him during a news conference on Thursday.

"I just don't accept anything from anyone anymore," Powell said later. "I'm just super careful."

Powell believes Bolt's struggles with injury and poor form are "just a phase" rather than the beginning of a permanent downward slope. But Powell also suggested that it might be smart of Bolt not to seek to defend his 100-meter title in Beijing.

"If he's not 100 percent," he said, "then I think he should focus mainly on the relays or the 200, you know, because the 100 meters is going to be very difficult. But hopefully he can get back in shape and feel like his old self and try to do both races."

But, really, Powell is most focused on himself.

"I'm out of the shadow," he said, "and soon I'll be into the light."

Jamaican athletes want to run for another country (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20150721/sports/jamaican-athletes-want-to-run-for-another-country)
Published on Jul 21, 2015, 8:55 pm AST (T&T Express)
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Andrew Fisher, Shericka Williams and Kemarley Brown request switch of allegiance to Bahrain

KINGSTON\\\\\ Olympic silver medallist Shericka Williams is among three Jamaican athletes who are seeking to compete for the oil rich country of Bahrain. The Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association (JAAA) has confirmed that it has received applications seeking a change of allegiance from Williams, Kemarley Brown and Andrew Fisher.

Brown, a sprinter, won silver at the just concluded World University Games, while Andrew Fisher was fifth at the National trials in June in the 100 metres and was in line to represent Jamaica in the men’s sprint relay pool at next month’s World Championships.

Williams qualified for the women’s 400 metre final at the National trials in June, but did not show for the final. JAAA’s general secretary Garth Gayle says the release of the athletes was approved and that document has been sent to the IAAF for approval.

The three Jamaican athletes will have to wait a year from the date of approval before they can represent their new country, once the IAAF approves the switch.

Jamaican sprinter Jacques Harvey recently started to compete for his new country Turkey under the name Jak Ali Harvey, while his countryman, quarter miler Brandon Simpson made a similar switch and represented Bahrain.

I don't trust the system - VCB (http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20151209/i-dont-trust-system-vcb)
By Audley Boyd (Jamaican Gleaner)
Published:Wednesday | December 9, 2015 | 12:00 AM
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Campbell-Brown

QUEENS, New York:

ONE of the world's leading athletes, Veronica Campbell-Brown, says based on her own experience, she distrusts the way anti-doping measures are effected.

At the National Championships in 2013, Campbell-Brown returned a positive test for diuretics (lasix) and was provisionally suspended. She denied knowingly taking banned substances and was later cleared (October 2, 2013) by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) and issued a public warning.

The International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF), the sport's world governing body, appealed the decision, but the Court of Arbitration for sport (CAS) cleared Campbell-Brown of all doping charges, citing the JAAA's testing procedures for not being complicit with international standards.

As a consequence of that experience, she has no faith in the system and is urging fellow athletes to be honest and arm themselves with enough information to avoid making incorrect decisions pertaining to doping.

Seventeen-time Olympic and World Championships medallist Campbell-Brown was in New York at the weekend where she was a guest of honour at the 21st Children of Jamaica Outreach yearly function and presented with its Humanitarian Award for her work as a philanthropist.

While here to collect her award, she was asked about a couple of current drug-related happenings in her sport, one relating to the Russian Federation - and, by extension, its athletes - being banned from competition after a systematic doping programme was uncovered; and corruption allegations against former IAAF president, Senegal's Lamine Diack.

"I tend not to judge people," she said, when asked if the IAAF's first-time decision to ban an entire country's athletes from competition was unfair.

"You never know what's going on, and based on my experiences, which I really don't want to go into, I really do not trust the system, and I won't ever trust the system and that's the most I want to say," Campbell-Brown stated firmly.

"But I do believe that God has blessed a lot of people and there are a lot of talented people out there, and the great talent that we have makes for great competition, but that's all I'm going to say about that.

"The federation made their ruling and I don't know all the information they have to make that ruling," she added.

Diack is alleged to have taken bribes totalling more than US$1 million as part of a cover-up for Russia's doping issues.

"I do not know the president personally, so there's nothing I can say on that matter," was the Jamaican sprinter's offering on that topic.

She said the bad news isn't good for track and field.

"I do not follow the negative part of my sport too much, because it is not good for us, it's not good for the upliftment of the sport," the 33-year-old pointed out.

"Track and field needs more support, we need more sponsors, and with the negative publicity that we're getting, it's not helping us, so I tend to just stay focused on me and I just pray that people will be honest in what they're doing ."

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