Jamaica — Immaculate Conception’s Zoelle Jamel was the day’s first winner at the JAAA/Puma National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium on Thursday after capturing the Under-18 javelin title.
Jamel produced her best mark in the first round, claiming top honours with a throw of 43.75 metres. Edwin Allen High’s Alliah Gittens finished second with a throw of 31.27 metres.
Meanwhile, in the boys’ Under-18 javelin, Tarique Daley of Calabar High outclassed his competitors with a winning mark of 54.72 metres. Dylan Logan of Edwin Allen claimed the runner-up spot with 45.61, while Alex Benjamin of Titchfield High rounded out the top three with 43.41 metres.
In the Under-20 equivalent of the event, it was Sheniela Williams of Edwin Allen, who was crowned the victor. She recorded a throw of 36.14 metres in the process. She was followed by Dinthill Technical’s Tamecia Binda, who recorded a best throw of 28.36 metres.
Holmwood Technical’s Celine Riddle would not be denied the Under-20 girls’ triple jump title as she lept to 12.69m for the win. St Jago High’s Jade-Ann Dawkins finished second with 12.63, while Jade-Ann Smith of Excelsior High concluded the top finishers with 12.22 metres.
Abigail Martin of St Jago’s 53.55 metres was the perfect mark needed to ward off the Camperdown pair of Britannia Johnson (48.88) and Britannie Johnson (43.74) in the Under-20 girls’ discus throw.
On the track, St Elizabeth Technical’s (STETHS) Javorne Dunkley won heat three of the Under-20 boys’ 100m in a fastest qualifying time of 10.28 seconds. He finished ahead of Damor Miller of Excelsior High (10.40) and Odaine Crooks of New Era Track Club (10.53).
Jeevan Newby of Motorcade Track Club took heat two in 10.39 seconds. The St Jago High pair of Andre Harris (10.63) and Tajai Duffus (10.66) finished second and third, respectively.
The other winners included Junior Harris of Camperdown High (10.45) and Orlando Wint of St Elizabeth Technical (10.59).
Nickoy Drummond of Camperdown High (10.65), Omarion Barrett of Steer Town Academy (10.68), Rajaun Brook (10.77) and Oshane Blackwood of STETHS (10.79), Falcon Track Club’s Tevin Hyman (10.68), Edwin Allen High’s Shevaughn Fearon (10.72), Tay-Shawn Barnes of Steer Town Academy (10.76) and Ronaldo Andrews (10.80) were the other qualifiers.
They will contest the semifinal of the event on Friday at 8:38 pm.
The junior athletes will be selected to compete at the NACAC Under-18 and Under-23 Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica on July 21-23, the Pan American Under-20 Athletics Championships from August 4-6 and the Commonwealth Youth Games in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago from August 6-9.
