Spotlight on Youngster Goldsmith meet at Stadium tomorrow

A RECORD 1,740 athletes have been registered for tomorrow’s Youngster Goldsmith Track and Field Classic at the National Stadium, and meet organiser Raffic Shaw expects some competitive action both on the track and in the field.

“The meet has been well supported by coaches across the island, and a record 1,740 athletes have been registered to participate,” said Shaw.

Held in honour of former Kingston College strength and conditioning coach Youngster Goldsmith, the meet, which is set to start at 8 a.m., will feature several high-profile clashes ahead of the ISSA-GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs).

“With this being the first meet in February, coaches will not be holding back. They will use it to assess their athletes’ performances in their regular events and make the necessary adjustments in the weeks leading up to Champs,” said Shaw.

He is expecting intense competition in the sprint hurdles. Heats and then finals will ensure that only the best eight athletes from the preliminary rounds will advance.

“A lot of fireworks are expected in the sprint hurdles for both males and females. This is the only meet where there will be heats and finals, bringing together the best of the best. Many of these athletes may not compete against each other again until Champs,” he added.

110M HURDLES RIVALRY

The Class One Boys’ 110m hurdles is expected to be a major highlight. Following his record-breaking run in the 55m hurdles at the New York Indoor Showcase last weekend, Calabar High’s Shaquane Gordon will renew his rivalry with Kingston College’s Daniel Clarke, Daniel Beckford of Jamaica College, and Daniel Wright of Excelsior High.

“There should also be a lot of excitement in the Invitational 200m and 800m events. The best eight athletes from each class have been invited for a one-off clash,” Shaw added.

Meanwhile, Corporate Area teams will have an opportunity to earn valuable points in the 2000m steeplechase, a key event leading into the Corporate Area Development Meet, which gets under way today.

Action will begin at 8 a.m. with the women’s 400m hurdles open, followed by the Class Two and Class One Boys’ events. The meet will also feature races in the 400m, 1500m, and the 100m, which will close the day’s proceedings.

Field events will start at 9 a.m. with the Girls’ Discus throw in all classes, followed by the Boys’ Discus at noon. Other field events scheduled for the day include the javelin throw, high jump, triple jump, long jump, and the pole vault (open for males).