Spotlight on Carifta Trials

The island’s top junior athletes will be in action today and over the next two days as they hunt places on the national team for the 49th staging of the Carifta Games, which will be held at the National Stadium, April 16-18. Action at the trials starts today at 4:30 p.m. at the National Stadium.

The Carifta Trials will see athletes competing in under-17 and under-20 age groups. Eight finals, all in field events, are scheduled for today, with preliminary-round action in three track events.

With the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships just some four weeks away, it should be three days of fireworks, as most of the athletes are at their peak form and will want to send strong messages going into that championships. There is also added motivation for them to perform well as they look to represent their country during the Easter break in front of home fans.

There should be an exciting start to the programme today. A close battle is expected in the under-20 girls’ shot put, where Victoria Christie of Camperdown High, with a season’s best of 14.33 metres, will be hoping to maintain her winning form, but will be wary of the likes of Rochele Salmon of Edwin Allen High, whose best so far is 13.38m, along with St Jago High’s Tafeda Wright with 13.31m, and discus throw specialist Cedricka Williams of Holmwood with a best of 13.20m.

EYES ON SHOT PUT

The under-20 shot put for boys, which will take place at 6:15 p.m., should also attract a lot of attention. The Calabar High duo of Kobe Lawrence, with a season’s best 19.86m, one of the best throws by a junior this year, and teammate Denz Simmonds, with a best of 18.30m, will be hoping to dominate, while Kingston College’s Altwayne Bedward, with a best of 18.13m, will be hoping for an upset.

On the track, there will be preliminary-round action in the 100m and 400m for both males and females in both age groups. Athletes will be seeking places in tomorrow’s finals.

Action on the track will begin at 5 p.m. with the under-17 girls’ 100m, to be followed by under-20 action, then both age groups for boys. The spotlight will definitely be on the under-20 girls and boys, as both sections will feature athletes who are expected to do well on the world stage this year. They are led by World Under-20 100m champion Tina Clayton of Edwin Allen High. With a season’s best of 11.76, Tina will be up against some of her ‘Champs’ rivals, including teammate Serena Cole, with a season-best 11.70; twin sister Tia, 11.82; local leader Akexis James of Petersfield High, with 11.58; and Hydel High Kerrica Hill, 11.84. The red-hot Briana Lyston, also of Hydel, will only contest the 200 metres.

Bryan Levell of Edwin Allen High, with a season-best 10.46; St Catherine High’s Sandrey Davison, 10.71; Western Championships winner Deandre Daley of Herbert Morrison Technical, with a 10.73 clocking on grass; and Corporate Area champion and event leader Bouwahjgie Nkrumie of Kingston College, with 10.40 seconds, should all set the stage for something special for the final.

TODAY’S FINALS

4:30 p.m.: Under-17 & under-20 girls’ shot put

4:30 p.m.: Under 17 boys’ high jump

5 p.m.: Under-20 girls’ long jump

5:05 p.m.: Under-17 boys’ shot put

6:15 p.m.: Under-20 boys’ shot put

6:30 p.m.: Under-17girls’high jump

6:30 p.m.: Under-20 boys’ long jump