Wolmer’s Williams overcomes cold to win gold at Penns

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, USA:

Yesterday's opening day of the 128th staging of the Penn Relays in Franklin Field, Philadelphia, United States of America was a special one for Shanniqua Williams of Wolmer's Girls' School.

Williams got the first individual win for Jamaican athletes as competing in the Championships of America high jump final, she cleared the bar at 1.73 metres to capture the event. It was the same height cleared by her teammate, Danielle Noble, which provided Wolmer's with first and second in the event.

Williams was very elated with her success.

"The feeling is great knowing that I was able to come out on top, seeing that there were many outstanding jumpers in the event," she said.

Williams, despite winning the event, stated that it was not all smooth sailing.

"It took me some time to adjust as the weather was cold, and I took some time to warm up. My feet felt very lazy," she continued.

Williams won the Class Two girls' high jump a few months ago at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships and is using the victory at the Penn Relays as encouragement for the remainder of her season, especially the Under-20 World Championships, scheduled for Lima, Peru between August 7-31.

"Winning here at the Penn Relays was a bonus for me and is also a motivation going forward as it is a warm-up for me going into the National Junior Championships as I have my mind set on the Under-20 World Championships," she stated.

Williams is looking forward to a successful defence of her Penn Relays title.

"I am hoping that I can return next year and defend my title and I plan to attend college in the United States of America," she said.