St Jago’s Samuels anticipates Champs’ sprint battle

St Jago's Chelsean Samuels is among several athletes who will make the Class Four girls' sprinting events at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships (Champs) competitive this year.

The former Half-Way Tree Primary School standout, Samuels, has shown impressive form in both the 100 and 200 metres so far this season, and an intense rivalry is expected to be continued with her Primary Championships graduates Rhiana Scott of Ferncourt and Danielle Clarke of Edwin Allen.

Scott competed for Rock Hall Primary and Clarke for St Patrick Primary and, along with Samuels, had intense battles last year at Primary Championships.

Adding to the cast for this year's Champs are Texeira Johnson of Hydel High, Jadeanne Patterson of Alphansus Davis High, Mick-Kyle Gardener of Wolmer's Girls' School and another St Jago High athlete, Nailah Robinson, who have all been having a good season.

Samuels anticipates the clash with her former primary school rivals, but yearns for the 200 metres, her favourite.

"Yes, I look forward to meeting both Rhiana and Danielle and all the other top athletes in the event, as I like competition.

"I am looking forward to both events, especially the 200 metres. I like the 200 metres better because if I get a bad start here, I can recover and get back into the race, unlike the 100 metres," she said.

Samuels has competed twice this season in the 200 metres - at the Fuller/Anderson and the Queen's/Grace Jackson Invitational meets, with 27.23 and 26.63 seconds.

On Saturday, at the Queen's/Grace Jackson Invitational, after winning her heat in the 200 metres, Samuels expressed confidence in doing well for St Jago in both the 100 and 200 metres at Champs.

"I am pleased with my two races this season, especially my last one, where I improved my time in the 200 metres.

"I think I followed the instructions by my coach well and ran a well-executed race, especially the first part, where I came off the corner real fast," she said.