Dyke pleased with Edwin Allen’s start - Outlines plans for Kevona Davis

Despite having some concerns with his hurdlers’ early form, Edwin Allen’s head coach, Michael Dyke, says he is pleased with the performances of his athletes at Saturday’s season-opening Purewater/Jamaica College/R Danny Williams Invitational at the Ashenheim Stadium at Jamaica College (JC).

The event marked an exciting start to the 2020 track and field season, with the main ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships contenders all enjoying some success at the well-attended meet.

Based on Saturday’s overall performances, the season is expected to be one of most competitive especially among the females. Defending champions Edwin Allen will have to be at their best come March 24-28 as they look to notch their eighth overall title, with St Jago and Hydel showing strong early promise.

“It was not a scorching opener for my team, but overall it was a reasonable start,” said Dyke. “The likes of Hydel and St Jago all looked very good, but my job was to get most of my athletes qualified for (Champs) and I am pleased that majority of them achieved this objective.”

Dyke highlighted concerns with his hurdlers.

“Our hurdlers, however, need to get their act together but this being a technical event, they will improve as there were some butterflies among them and in the past, I have seen where our hurdlers have done bad at the start of the season but end up doing well when it matters most,” said Dyke.

Serena Cole’s performance in the Class Two 100 metres, where she clocked 11.61 seconds, which made her the fastest female on the day in that event was a standout result for the coach.

Cole is ranked number five among Dyke’s Class Two sprinting group with the likes of the Clayton twins – Tina and Tia – along with Brandy Hall all rested.

“Our Class Two group of sprinters is very special and we just sent Serena (Cole), who is also a long jumper, and Shenequa Vassell out there to remind people that we are there. It will be very exciting to see what our girls will do here in the sprints later on in the season,” said Dyke.

Vassell was third overall in the class, after clocking 12.00 seconds.

A year ago, Tia Clayton opened up at the same meet with 11.65 seconds, which was the fastest on the day.

Many track and field fans are anxiously waiting to see what his top athlete, Kevona Davis, will do this year.

Davis, who has been very excellent so far in her Champs career has failed to carry that kind of form on the international stages due to injuries. Much was expected of her at the National Senior Championships last year but Dyke made a late decision to withdraw her from the meet, which caused lots of concerns from fans.

“Kevona is in excellent shape as she is injury-free and is raring to go, and she will have a very dominant season this year once again. Her preparation is being geared for the IAAF World Under 20 Championships and the Tokyo Olympic Games,” Dyke said.

He was asked when his young charge, who is expected to have a battle royale with Hydel’s Ashanti Moore in the Class One sprints at Champs, will make her season debut.

“She really wants to compete now, but I am holding back on her as most likely she will make her first appearance towards the end of the month at the St Elizabeth Technical Development Meet or early February at the Youngster Goldsmith meet,” said Dyke.