Spencer runs PR in 800m

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

National 400 metres hurdles representative, MVP Track Club's Kaliese Spencer, produced an outstanding run in the 800 metres at the UWI Invitational meet last Saturday.

Spencer clocked a personal best 2:03.01 to improve on her previous season best by more than five seconds. Her nearest rival, Melony Hardy of Team Bickle, was a distant second in 2:09.21.

The former Mannings High star was helped to her impressive win by teammate, Shericka Williams, the World and Olympic 400 metres silver medallist. Williams acted as a 'rabbit' in the race running a strong pace for 600 metres before dropping out, leaving Spencer to sprint away in the final 200 metres for an impressive victory.

Previous best

Spencer's previous best before Saturday was 2:05.87, and she expressed satisfaction with her performance.

"I came to do a personal best and I achieved that and I want to keep this momentum going for the remainder of the season and as I have said earlier I want to do something very special this year as my coach has been doing great things for me in training and I want my fans to be happy," said the Diamond League 400 metres hurdles champion.

It was also a welcome return to the track for former National senior 400 metres champion, Rosemarie Whyte of Racers Track Club. Whyte who has been dogged by injury in recent months, looked quite composed in recording a good win in the women's Olympic Development 400 metres. The former Holmwood Technical star sprinted from her rivals in the final 100 metres to register a fine win in 52.16 seconds. MVP's Sherone Simpson, competing in her second 400 metres of the season was second in 52.90. Whyte's Racers teammate, Davita Prendergast was third in 53.90 while Olympic and World 100 metres champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser, in her first individual race this season, was fourth in 54.93.

Third best time

Competing for the University of Technology, Anneisha McLaughlin won her heat in 53.15 seconds for the third best time overall in the event while her former Holmwood Technical teammate, Anastasia Le-Roy, competing for GC Foster College, also captured her heat in 53.82 to be fourth overall.

National senior representative Allodin Fothergill produced the best time among the males over the 400 metres on Saturday. Fothergill who completed his studies at the University of Maryland Eastern Shores, Maryland last summer had to dig deep to pull off a close win over Sprint Tech's Michael Mason. Both athletes had a stirring battle in the last 100 metres and hit the line together. Fothergill, running out of lane eight, was awarded the win in 46.57 seconds with Mason just behind in 46.58.

Also competing in the 400 metres were MVP teammates, Nesta Carter and Michael Frater. Carter who competed in the heat with Fothergill was fifth in 48.92 while Frater was second in his heat in 49.32 seconds.