Spotlight on Muschett’s Douglas in Class Two 400m final

MUSCHETT HIGH'S Shanoya Douglas is in imperious form heading into today's Class Two girls' 400 metres final following a lifetime best in the semi finals at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships.

Douglas looked quite composed in winning her semifinal in 52.96 seconds, to improve massively on her previous best of 53.39 in the preliminary round on Tuesday's opening day of the championships.

Her coach, Garth Smythe, was very pleased with her race execution yesterday and is looking forward to an even bigger performance from her today.

"In the preliminary round she went out very hard and suffered a bit of fatigue at the end. However, I spoke to her after that and she responded well in the semifinals as she used up less energy and was able to run a faster time," said Smythe.

Douglas' winning time was the fastest in the event on the day as she was the only athlete to go under 53 seconds. Edwin Allen's Kellyann Carr clocked 53.40 and Hydel High's Jody-Ann Daley, 53.63, going into today's Class Two final.

A battle royal is brewing in the Class One final as Abigail Campbell of Hydel, the season leader, and Tonyan Beckford of Edwin Allen both threw down the gauntlet in their semifinals. Beckford , who was a fourth-place finisher in the event last year, clocked 53.37 for her win and was the fastest qualifier. Campbell also dipped under 54 seconds in winning her semifinals in 53.70.

Favourite Sashana Johnson looks set to give Hydel a win in Class Three after easily winning her semifinal in 55.25 seconds, to lead Titchfield's Kevina Bourne (55.41) and Tracy Ann Evans of Holmwood Technical, 56.85.

KC set to dominate boys' 400m

Kingston College (KC) look set to score heavily in the boys' 400m finals.

In Class One 400m Marchino Rose and Amal Glasgow, the top two in the one-lap event this season, qualified in style. Rose was the fastest qualifier with 46.93 with teammate Glasgow second best with 47.45. Omary Johnson of Jamaica College (JC) qualified as third best after winning his heat in 47.70.

In Class Two, Demarco Bennett of Excelsior High, Markel Smith of KC and Nickecoy Bramwell of Calabar High are expected to be involved in a cracker. Smith is the fastest qualifier with 48.07 ahead of Bennett (48.40) and Bramwell, 49.31. Bramwell, who has gone sub-47 seconds this season, looks to be holding back and could turn the final into a procession.

St Jago's Roshaine Richards is on target to maintain his unbeaten form in Class Three. He cruised to victory in his semifinal in 50.40. The other top contenders are JC's Oneil Lawrence (50.75) and Kyle Thompson (50.81). Denbigh High's Rayon Black also clocked a personal best 50.75 in his semifinal.