Holmwood’s Russell tops 400m girls

It may not have been the record, but Holmwood Technical's Rickiann Russell completed her way back to the top and will leave as the Class One girls' 400 metres champion.

Russell won the battle against Hydel's Oneika McAnuff for the title last night on the third day of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships (Champs) at the National Stadium, clocking 51.26, a new personal best. McAnuff came in second with 52.11, and Edwin Allen's Kacian Powell third with 52.76.

In her semifinal, Russell had not ruled out breaking the decade-long record of 51.13 seconds set by Sonita Sutherland in 2006 but was only concentrating on getting the title after a disappointing 2022 season where she finished sixth.

Hydel's Jody Ann Daley clocked 53.61 to take the Class Two title, while Lacovia High's Sabrina Dockery was second in 54.12. St Catherine's Kitania Headley was third in 54.13.

In Class Three, Hydel's Natassia Fletcher won the girls' 400 metres title in 53.99 seconds, with Excelsior's Breana Brown getting second in 55.48 and Rhodes Hall High's Rhianna Lewis third in 56.15.

After her record-breaking night on Wednesday, Class One girls' 100 metres champion Alana Reid began her quest for a sprint double, qualifying comfortably for the semifinals of the 200 metres, clocking 24.52 seconds to win her heat, which was the seventh fastest time overall.

St. Catherine High's Kamaria Knight had the fastest time in qualifying, clocking 23.90. Edwin Allen's Powell, with 23.92 and Wolmer's Girls' Mickayla Gardner, with 23.96, were the other top qualifiers.

Class Two 100 metres champion Holy Childhood's Abigail Wolfe kept her chances for a sprint double alive, winning her 200 metres first round in 25.07 seconds. Lacovia's Dockery had the fastest time in qualifying, clocking 23.55.

Class Three 100 metres champion Theianna-Lee Terrelonge is also on course for a sprint double in her final year at Class Three, clocking 24.76 seconds, the fastest time among the qualifiers.

In Class Four, Kevina Bourne of Port Antonio High qualified with the fastest time of 25.36.

Meanwhile, in the field, Hydel's Zavien Bernard took the Class Three girls' high jump title with a height of 1.77 metres, which she cleared on her first attempt. Edwin Allen's Aisha McKay was second with 1.71 metres, and Rhodes Hall High's Aaliyah Williams third with 1.68. Bernard was unable to clear 1.81, which would have broken the Champs record of 1.80 set by Shauntae Foreman in 2018.

Edwin Allen's Sheniela Williams captured the Open girls' javelin title in 42.40 metres. Hydel's Natasha Burrell was second in 41.82 and Immaculate's Zoelle Jamel third in 39.70.

Hydel has now taken the lead after 15 events, amassing 98 points, with Edwin Allen dropping to second with 87 points and Holmwood Technical in third with 71.50.