‘The best feeling ever’ - Najhada Seymoure reflects on Class One discus title defence

Captain of Excelsior High School's girls team Najhada Seymoure was in a brilliant mood on Wednesday afternoon at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships when she defended her Class One discus title.

Seymoure threw a leading mark of 52.16 metres on her first attempt, a mark none of her peers could better after six rounds.

She got the better of Edwin Allen's Shamoyea Morris, 51.99m, and St Catherine's Able Mills, who placed third with 51.20m.

Seymoure said defending her title was one of the best feelings in her life as she closed out her Champs career with a gold medal.

She was disappointed, however, on missing out on her target distance, but felt the prestige as champion was more than enough to make up for it.

"I'm feeling great, honestly so great. I don't know how to describe but it's really the best feeling ever. I might not have gotten the mark that I wanted but coming here and defending my title, I don't think many can do that," she said after her event.

Seymoure felt her victory was more than a personal milestone, but also her duty as the team's captain.

She said her goal was to lead by example and to inspire her teammates to do well in their events as well.

"As I've said before, I will always lead my team by example and it's the best feeling ever. I know now seeing their captain do such a thing, it will push them more to do well."

Michael Vassell, head coach of the Excelsior's girls programme, had explained in the lead up to Champs that Seymoure would play a major role in their goal of finishing within the top five, as much of the team's strength lies in the field events.

"Most definitely, our goal this year is to get into the top five for sure. We're aiming for that," Vassell had said before the championships' start.

"We're a team that depends more on our field events and our relays, so we're expecting for them to score at Champs. Our strength is in the field."

WHAT'S NEXT

Though her days of competing in the green and gold of Excelsior High will come to an end this season, Seymoure is excited for the future as she eyes greater performances at the track and field meets still to come.

"I was really aiming to throw something around 54 metres but I fell short of it a little bit but I can promise you this, it's not over. Well for me, it's next Penn [Relays], [National] Trials and then college."

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com