Wright credits coach for big improvement in hurdles events

IT HAS been a dream season so far for Excelsior High's Daniel Wright in both the 400 metres and the 400m hurdles.

In his second year in Class One, the David Riley-coached athlete has made tremendous strides in both events, with season's and personal best 13.35 seconds in the 110m hurdles and 52.74 seconds in the 400m hurdles.

"Honestly, I must give all the credit to my coach David Riley who is an extremely excellent technical coach and all I have to do is to follow his instructions," Wright told STAR Sports. In his first year in Class One last year, he finished fourth in the 110m hurdles in 14.13 and sixth in the 400m hurdles in 54.28 at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships.

In the 110m hurdles this season, he started off with a win in the event at the Central Hurdles and Relay meet in a then previous best of 13.63, just getting the better of teammate Richard Hall, who was second in 13.64. Hall turned the tables on Wright in the 400m hurdles. Hall won in 52.70 with Wright second in 52.74, personal best times for both athletes.

Wright improved his personal best in winning the 110m hurdles at the Youngster Goldsmith Classic in 13.57. His best so far came last Saturday at the Corporate Area Development meet when he improved his personal best in winning in 13.35, just ahead of Hall who was second in 13.50, the two fastest Class One times in the event this season.

"Everything is going good for me so far this season and I am hoping to stay injury free for the remainder of the season as the best is yet to come," said an upbeat Wright after his win at the Corporate Area meet.

He said he is enjoying working along with teammates Hall and Class Two athlete Demarco Bennett.

"I am enjoying working with my teammates as we push each other and and this has really been bearing fruit so far," said Wright who is a member of both the 4x100m and 4x400m teams which have also been doing very good this season.