Wolmer’s Boys sprinter dreaming of gold

Class Three boys 100 metres favourite, Mario Ross of Wolmer's Boys, is oozing confidence following his win in the 100 metres preliminaries at the ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships at the National Stadium yesterday.

Ross, who also claimed the Corporate Area Development Meet title earlier this season, easily separated himself from the pack to advance to the next round in a time of 11.36 seconds.

Jamaica College's Olando Anglin was second with a time in 11.65, while St Jago High's Jevaney Findley clocked the same time for third.

Ross is the only boy in Class Three to dip below 11-second barrier this season and he is confident that he will be standing atop the podium come today's final. He is not surprised with the times he has been producing this season, and will be keenly following his coach's instructions throughout the championships.

"I am aiming for the gold medal and only the gold medal," he said. "I'm not surprised. I just want to execute perfectly and coach's instructions. It's just for me to be calm and focus and just go out there and do my best," Ross said.

But where some would buckle under pressure set by high expectations, Ross says he enjoys the pressure.

"I think being the favourite this year gives me the confidence to go out there and do really good so I like to be the favourite," Ross said.

He is set to be in action today in the 100m semi-finals and final and could be two wins away from achieving his goal.