‘I’m not afraid’ - Young Reid not daunted by facing bigger, faster Class Three girls

Alana Reid is this year facing the daunting task of stepping up in Class Three, after winning the sprint-double as a Class Four athlete at the 2018 staging of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships.

History suggests that she will struggle, with the likes of Tina Clayton, Tia Clayton, Serena Cole and Brianna Lyston, who are all seasoned Class Three sprinters, expected to battle for the major placings, but Reid is not afraid.

"I am not nervous about stepping up in class. I just want to do my best like I did last year," Reid told STAR Sports. "I realised that I have to work a lot harder than last year because these girls are a lot faster, but I'm working hard."

She has shown signs of improvement with her 11.89 seconds personal best in the 100m at the Youngster Goldsmith meet three weeks ago, but even coach Corey Bennett knows that it is an uphill task for his young charge this season.

"She is still adjusting to being a Class Three athlete, and the transition is taking her a little while. She has hit some good performances. She is going up against some strong Class Three girls, but she is a big-time performer. The target for her is not about winning, but being the best, and hopefully she can get into the final," Bennett explained.

- A.K.