Ver, Asafa land 100m; Schoolgirl Tracey records upset to place second in 400H

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Sprint queen Veronica Campbell-Brown and former men's world-record holder, Asafa Powell, won the respective 100 metres titles, at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association/ Supreme Ventures Limited National Senior Championships at the National Stadium last night.

Campbell-Brown produced a strong run over the last 50 metres to win in a fast 10.84 seconds, as she powered away from joint Olympic silver medallist, Kerron Stewart, who clocked 10.97.

Jura Levy threw in a surprise performance to claim third in 11.10 seconds, edging out the other joint Olympic silver medallist, Sherone Simpson, who placed fourth and appears set to miss out on a spot at the World Championships, with the top three set to qualify.

Powell also never had a great start, but remained composed as he rallied for a nail-biting victory in a slow 10.08 seconds.

Powell slowed towards the finish and nearly lost as Yohan Blake (10.09), Steve Mullings (10.10) and Nesta Carter flashed past the tape in a blanket finish.

Mild upset

However, it was Ristananna Tracey, who just completed her time at Edwin Allen High school that produced the early fireworks.

Tracey, 54.58 seconds, produced a mild upset, finishing second in the women's 400m hurdles ahead of Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Nickiesha Wilson, 55.95 seconds and in the process established a brand new national junior record in the event.

The event was, as expected, won by Daegu medal prospect Kaliese Spencer, 54.15 seconds, who complained about her performance over the last 50 metres.

"I wasn't getting my hurdling technique properly and I tightened up a bit in the end, but I'll have to go back, watch the tape and make the corrections," said Spencer after the event.

The male equivalent was taken by defending champion Leford Green in 49.19 seconds, ahead of Josef Robertson, 49.64, and Roxroy Cato, 49.66. Danny McFarlane was fourth in 49.77 seconds. Cato and Robertson have, however, yet to meet the IAAF qualifying standards.

While Powell cruised to an uncomplicated win in his men's semis, sprint queen Campbell-Brown survived a false start scare in last night's women's 100m semi-final.

Campbell-Brown appeared to have left her blocks too early in an eventful first semi-final, which also saw Mellissa Wallace being thrown out at the first attempt for a start, much to the irritation of the Wallace. The starter's officially accounted for the false start.

Campbell-Brown went on to win the semi-final in 10.95, to lead all qualifiers in the event going into the final, which was run later.

Kerron Stewart, 11.04, Sherone Simpson, 11.18 and Aleen Bailey, 11.15, were are also safely through.

London-based Nicholas Thomas came out on top in the men's triple jump final with a distance of 16.12m ahead of Wilbert Walker 16.11m and Wayne Northover, who had a best jump of 14.49m.

Thomas, despite winning the event, is well aware that he still has a lot to do before he books a space on the Jamaica team to the World Championships, as he was still outside of the B qualifying standard of 16.85m.

"I know I am in shape to jump 17 metres, so I'm not too worried about the qualifying standard at this point. Furthermore, even though I want to go to the World Championships, if I don't make the standard this year I won't be too upset because my focus is really on England next year at the Olympic Games," said Thomas.

Janieve Russell, in preparation for her participation in next month's Pan American Junior Championships in Florida, won both heptathlon events that were contested up to press time. She took the 100m hurdles over the only other competitor, Salcia Slack, with a time of 14.80 seconds, to Slack's 14.94 seconds.

Russell also took the high jump with a best leap of 1.68m while Slack, who trains out of the MVP Track Club, could only clear 1.62m.

SCHEDULE - Day 3/ SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2011

• FIELD EVENTS

9:30am Hammer Women Final

10:00am Hammer Men Final

3:00pm Long Jump Hep. Women Final

5:00pm Shot Put Women Final

5:00pm Javelin Hep. Women Final

5:15pm Long Jump Men Final

5:30pm High Jump Men Final

6:30pm Discus Men Final

• TRACK EVENTS

9:00am 200M Men Heats

6:55pm 3000M Steeple Men Final

7:15pm 400M Women Semi-Finals

7:25pm 400M Men Semi-Finals

7:40pm 3000M Steeple Women Final

7:55pm MEDAL PRESENTATION

8:05pm 800M Women Final

8:10pm 800M Men Final

8:15pm 800M Heptathlon Final

8:20pm 200M Women Semi-Finals

8:30pm 200M Men Semi- Finals

CAPTION: Veronica Campbell-Brown (left) races against Diandra Gilbert and Aleen Bailey (right), on the way to winning the women's 100 metres semi-final, at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association/Supreme Venture Limited National Senior Championships, at the National Stadium yesterday. Campbell-Brown won in 10.95 seconds, while Bailey clocked 11.15 seconds. -  Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer