Bailey shocks field to win 100m

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Former Calabar High schoolboy, Oshane Bailey, provided the shock of the senioir meet, winning the men's 100 metres title at the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association National Championships inside the National Stadium last night.

Bailey, who only recently left school but remains under the watch of his long-time coach, Micheal Clarke, produced a late surge to beat Olympic relay gold medallist, Michael Frater, on the line, in 10.14 seconds.

Frater, who was leading the race up until the last five strides, posted 10.16, with Kemmari Roach finishing third in 10.23.

Former 100 metres world record holder, Asafa Powell, blasted away from the field on his way to a 19.97 clocking in the 200 metres, a distance over which he hardly competes.

The time was some way off his personal best, 19.90, which was recorded here in 2006.

Shaky start

Powell admitted not getting the smoothest of starts, but cleared the field before entering the straight and powered away for a very comfortable victory.

Lanceford Spence placed second in 20.63, just edging out Rasheed Dwyer, 20.65.

"I got out of the blocks and it slipped," said Powell.

"I'm just happy that I finished the race healthy. I haven't been training on the curve because of the toe injury I got," he added of an injury that had forced him to quit running the half-lap event.

His MVP team-mate, Shelly-Ann Fraser, took the women's equivalent in commanding fashion.

Fraser, the World and Olympic 100 champion, looked quite strong at the finish as she recorded 22.49 seconds. Anneisha McLaughlin, a fifth-place finisher in the 200m at the World Championships last year, finished second in 22.98, while Samantha Henry placed third in 23.33.

In what was the most anticipated contest of the championships, World Championships bronze medallist, Novlene Williams-Mills, ensured it was anything but a contest, scoring a commanding victory over Olympic and World silver medallist, Shericka Williams.

Williams-Mills, the fastest Jamaican this year in the event with a time of 50.32, stopped the clock at 50.52, with Williams finishing second in, 51.12. Kaliese Spencer was third in 51.24.

In the male equivalent, Oral Thompson won in 45.79 ahead of Ricardo Chambers, 45.87, and Allodin Fothergill, 45.91.

National record holder and 2006 Central America and Caribbean Games silver medallist, Jason Morgan, threw way below his best, but his distance of 57.86m was enough to hand him the discus event ahead of Calabar High sensation, Chad Wright, 54.66m, and Odayne Richards, 54.58m.

Former Vere Technical and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) indoor and outdoor standout, Kimberly Williams, continued her good form and was successful in the women's triple jump, after posting a 13.84m jump, in a negative wind.

Melissa Ogbourne was next best with 13.07m, as Jhanelle McLeod finished third with 12.42m.

National record holder, Sheree Francis, returned to claim the high jump, settling at a height of 1.90m after failing to establish a new mark with three attempts at 1.94m. Peaches Roach, 1.80m, and Terri-Ann Grant, 1.65m, were second and third, respectively.

Natalie Grant managed a hurl of 58.09m, to get the better of Kenisha Throughsingh, who could not better 44.65m in the women's hammer thrown event.

Kateema Riettie topped the field in the women's javelin with a mark of 49.58m, finishing ahead of Tammilee Kerr, 45.61m, and Natasha Grant, 40.06m.

Indira Spence was the fastest qualifier heading into the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.24. She duly obliged in the final, winning in 13.05 seconds to beat Andrea Bliss, 13.17, and Toni-Ann Doyley, 13.30.