Golden runs at CAC by Ja's Carter, Smith

BARRANQUILLA, Colombia:

Nesta Carter and Jonielle Smith produced two clinical performances to win the men's and women's 100 metres, respectively, last night at the Central American and Caribbean Games.

Smith, who is representing Jamaica in her first senior meet, looked like a seasoned veteran as she patiently separated herself from her competitors with a seamless transition after a modest start. She stopped the clock at 11.05 seconds, but was denied a personal best by an unfavourable wind reading of 2.3 metres per second.

Carter, who had to hold his nerves after a Barbadian, Steve Burkheart Ellis, false-started, and was thrown out, led from start to finish to win in 10.07.

And Smith was feeling awesome to deliver her first gold medal at the senior level.

"It's an awesome feeling. I don't think I could have executed a better race. I felt like I stayed patient during the drive phase and when I got up I just really ran," Smith, who has a personal best of 11.07 seconds, said after the race. "After such a long season, it feels good to be running this fast and getting faster."

Khalifa St Fort of Trinidad and Tobago was second in 11.15, while Michelle Purica of Venezuela took third in 11.32. Jura Levy, the other Jamaican in the race, finished fifth in 11.52.

Carter, who was stripped of one of his gold medals last year after a positive retroactive drug test, was happy to win another medal for Jamaica.

"I feel good to win another medal for Jamaica," Carter said. "I am getting back in the groove. I have been out for three years so I am very pleased with the 10.07."

Carter also dedicated his victory to Bruce James, his track club (MVP) manager who lost his wife two weeks ago to cancer.

"I know Mr James is going through a tough time now. Because of the championships, we couldn't be there for him so I just want to big him up," Carter said.

Jamaica-based Jason Rogers of St Kitts and Nevis was second in 10.15, while Collin Greene of Antigua and Barbuda got bronze in 10.16.

Javoy Tucker, the other Jamaican in the race was fifth in 10.25.

Jamaica won a third gold medal yesterday when O'Dayne Richards took the men's shot put with a meet record throw of 21.02 metres. Ashinia Miller gave Jamaica a one-two finish in the event with a throw of 20.19m.