Tracey stars as Edwin Allen bag three wins

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

Franklin field, Pennsylvania:

Edwin Allen High School's Ristananna Tracy transferred her terrific local form to the track at the 117th Penn Relays when she defied windy conditions to win the high school girls' 400 metres hurdles in a record 56.17 seconds.

The new mark erased the 56.90 set by Edwin Allen past student, Sherene Pinnock, in 2006. The win was Edwin Allen's second in three years as Tracey's sister, Nikita, won the event in 2009.

Second-place finisher yesterday, Alexis Franklin of Millersville High in Maryland, was well back in 59.07 while Vere Technical's Rushell Clayton was third in 59.59.

Tracy was elated with the win.

"I feel extremely great as I was the first one to compete for my school and this win could give them a big push for the rest of the meet," she said.

Not surprised

Tracy was not surprised by her easy win.

"I knew I was in good shape coming to Penns, and although the time was not what I expected a win is a win and it was also a record, and I was also able to come back and defeat the athlete who I lost to last year," Tracy who was second last year, said.

It was a good day for Edwin Allen as they had three individual winners. The other gold medal winners were Kimberley Williams who topped the high jump with a leap of 1.82 metres. Peta Gaye Reid of St Elizabeth Technical was second place with 1.79m.

Edwin Allen's third win came in the discus where Sasha Gaye Marston won with a throw of 46.87m.

On the track, Edwin Allen were impressive in the heats of the 4x800m as the quartet of Carla Thompson, Desreen Montague, Sakinee Gardener and Marleena Eubanks advanced to today's final with the fastest time, clocking 8:57.98. They should run even faster in the final as their best two-lap runner, Tracey, will come in for Gardner.

Defending champions Holmwood Technical are also in the final,. They clocked 9:11.62 to win their heat and emerge the fifth-fastest qualifers.

New champions will be crowned in the 4x100 metres as last year's winners Holmwood Technical dropped the baton on the second exchange and are out of today's Championships of America final.

fastest qualifiers

Once again, it was Edwin Allen at their best as they are the fastest qualifiers for the final. The quartet of Deja Stewart, Claudette Allen, Josette Campbell and Sashwana French stopped the clock at 45.97 seconds, the only team to go under 46 seconds. Following them into today's final will be five other Jamaica teams led by Herbert Morrison Technical (46.13), Wolmer's Girls' (46.85), Vere Technical (47.05), Camperdown High 47.07) and The Queen's School 47.39.

Vere Technical are the team to beat in the 4x400m. Olivia James, Yanique McNeil, Satima Chambers and Shericka Jackson were easy in clocking the fastest time of the day as they did 3:42.61 to beat out the time of 3:42.73 done by Benjamin Cardoza out of New York. Edwin Allen (3:45.62), who qualified for their third final of the day, and defending champions Holmwood (3:46.22) are the other Jamaican teams advancing.

Competition among the boys will get under way this morning at 8:00. In individual events the spotlight will be on Carifta champions and national junior record holders, discus thrower Traves Smikle and shot putter Ashinia Miller. Both are students of Calabar High.