Douglas leads strong day one at Carifta

The outstanding Shanoya Douglas stayed on course to retain her double sprint titles on yesterday’s opening day of the three-day Carifta Games in St George’s, Grenada, after winning the Girls’ Under-20 100 metres.

Coming off a personal best 10.98 seconds at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships, all eyes were on Douglas in the blue-riband event.

Douglas got off to a sluggish start as Trinidad and Tobago’s Alexxe Henry led for the majority of the race. But, showing her class, Douglas rallied late to peg back Henry, pulling away in the end for a decisive win in 11.13 seconds. Henry (11.39) had to stave off the fast-finishing Natrece East (11.41) to finish second.

There was disappointment for Jamaica’s Sanjay Seymore in the Boys’ Under-20 event, as he was disqualified for a false start. Miles Outerbridge of Bermuda won in a personal best and national record of 10.21, with Jamaica’s Nyron Wade second in 10.27, and Trevaughn Stewart of Trinidad and Tobago third in 10.31.

Earlier, Jamaica were shut out of the medals in the Girls’ Under-17 100 metres with Azarria Harris finishing fourth in 11.73. Tyra Fenton of Antigua and Barbuda won in 11.30, the same time recorded by Jazue Johnson of Barbados for second, with third going to Brion Ward of The Bahamas in 11.63.

Despite a slow start, Ksi Kelly of Jamaica clocked 10.37 to win gold in the Boys’ Under-17 100m, finishing ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s Jayden Goodridge (10.48) and Jaquan Johnson (10.67).

Before that, Shameika McLean gave Jamaica its first track win, running a well-timed race and keeping her composure to win the Girls’ Under-17 400m in a record 52.47 seconds, breaking the old mark of 53.29, set by Meggan Ross of The Bahamas in 2018.

Keyezra Thomas of The Bahams was second in 52.57, while defending champion Tyra Fenton of Antigua and Barbuda took the bronze in 52.64. Jamaica’s Danelia Dixon finished fourth in 55.25.

Jason Pitter won the Boys U17 400m in 47.47, while teammate Diwayne Sharpe took second in 47.89. Zion Bradford of The Bahamas was third in 48.43.

Jamaica’s Jevaughn Tomlin won the Boys’ Under-17 1500m in 4:10.92, with countryman Luke Plummer third in 4:12.19. Guyana’s Jermaine Shepherd was second in 4:11.12.

Two from two

Joel Morgan made it two from two for the Jamaicans, winning the Under-20 title in 4:00.96, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Darius Harding 4:00.99, and Javon Roberts, 4:01.42 were seecond and third respectively.

In the Girls’ Under-20 1500m, Kevongaye Fowler produced a personal best 4:37.39 for second, with teammate Dallia Fairweather third in 4:44.16. Barbados’ Ashlyn Simmons won in 4:36.94

In the Girls’ Under-20 400 metres, Jamaica’s Davine Dickenson was disqualified for a false start but ran under protest, eventually finishing third in 54.12 seconds. She finished behind Guyana’s Tianna Springer, 52.47, and Barbados’ Kadia Rock, 53.21.

Jamaica’s Breana Brown was fourth in 54.54.

Jamaica’s Jabari Matheson took bronze in the Boys’ Under-20 400m, clocking 46.37, while Malachi Austin improved on last year’s second-place finish to win gold in 46.01. Austin finished ahead of Zion Davis of The Bahamas (46.18), while Jamaica’s Zachary Wallace finished eighth in 48.75s.

Joseph Salmon led the way in the Boys’ Under-20 discus with a winning throw of 65.38 metes, while Kemani Kennedy took second with 55.39m. Denzil Phillips of St Lucia was third with 53.24m.

Joshua Patrick led a Jamaica one-two in the Boys’ Under-17 triple jump with a distance of 14.58m, while teammate Talshawn Edwards took silver with 14.35m. Zayne Martin of Trinidad and Tobago secured bronze with 14.33m.

Jamaica picked up three silver medals in the opening session.

High jumper Stefanco Henry secured the country’s first medal of the Games with a clearance of 1.69m in the Girls’ Under-17 high jump, finishing second behind St Lucia’s Destinee Cenac who won with 1.72 metres. Kemoya Campbell finished fourth with 1.63m.

The other Jamaican silver medallists were Shamanda Wilmot in the Girls’ Under-17 shot put, with 13.99m, and Zoelle Jamel in the Girls’ Under-20 javelin, with 47.19m.

At press time last night, with the Girls’ Under-20 triple jump and mixed relays still to be completed, Jamaica had accumulated 18 medals – eight gold, six silver and four bronze.