Praises for Jamaicans at East Coast Showcase

Meet organiser of the recently concluded Puma East Coast International Showcase, Sanjay Ayre, was impressed with several young Jamaicans who competed at the meet in Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.

The athletes vied for podium positions in cold and chilly conditions as rain fell for the entire day. These adverse conditions, according to Ayre, helped with their development. The former athlete, who made Jamaica's teams to two Olympic Games, specialising in the 400 metres, glowed at the promise he saw.

"The Jamaicans competed in less-than-ideal conditions, but on a positive note, the conditions will prepare them for meets in the future, whether at the college or international level where they have to run in the cold.

"I was most impressed with Shanoya Douglas and Aaliyah Baker, who battled relentlessly in the cold. Our male and female sprint hurdlers were also impressive, and, with better conditions, their times would be amazing," said Ayre, who also thought Excelsior's winning time of 41.05 seconds in the boys' 4x100 metres relay was special under the circumstances.

Hydel High's Baker was the best Jamaican girl in the 100 metres, where she finished second in 11.68 seconds, with Lacovia High's Sabrina Dockery third in 11.81. Muschett High's Douglas was third in the girls' 200 metres in 24.04.

St. Jago High's Briana Campbell led a sweep of the top three podium finishes in the girls' 100 metres hurdles, clocking 13.54, ahead of Hydel High's Shania Myers, who did 13.63, and Holmwood Technical High's Kiera Meikle, who ran 13.75.

Richard Hall of Excelsior won the boys' 110 metres hurdles in 13.66.