Reid unhappy despite win

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Peta-Gaye Reid of St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) successfully defended her Class One girls' high jump crown on yesterday's penultimate day of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/GraceKennedy Boys & Girls' Athletics Championships at the National Stadium.

In spite of the win, Reid appeared a disconsolate figure after the event, having failed to live up to her personal expectations and that of her coach and principal.

"I came her planning on jumping 1.80 (metres); it did not happen," Reid disclosed. "I jumped 1.75m; I am not pleased as I could have done better. I know my coaches are disappointed, but I guess I will have to do that at CARIFTA or Penns," she added.

Reid came into the event with a strain to the left side of her lower back, but she did not blame this for her performance.

"During my second attempt at the height (1.80m) I changed my run-up and at the third attempt I did not keep the arch," Reid explained. "I knew I was going to come out here and win, my aim was to jump a certain height, and that is what my coach and I spoke about before the competition, and I didn't do that," Reid further bemoaned.

Inspired by Vlasic

The athlete, who has a personal best of 1.81m in the high jump, says her favourite athlete is Croatian Blanka Vlasic, who specialises in the high jump and is the reigning world champion, both indoors and outdoors.

"She (Vlasic) inspires me a lot, she motivates me and she gives me that inspiration to do my best whenever I am out there performing," Reid stated.

"My mom motivates me a lot too, as well as my coaches, my principal, teachers and friends," she further pointed out.

Reid's work is not over just yet, however, as she will be taking off in the Class One girls' long jump today at 5:35 p.m.

"I have the long jump tomorrow (today), so I have to come out and do my best there," Reid shared.

"I am not that confident, to be honest, I know there will be a lot of competition, but all I have to do is just compete," she added.

The 18-year-old is looking forward to eventually representing Jamaica at the highest level.

Reid said: "I want to become a professional athlete or a teacher, and I am getting there. I definitely want to do the high jump and I definitely want to represent Jamaica at the Olympics and World Championship levels."