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Ayre rates fourth Puma East Coast International as ‘best ever’
May 06, 2025
BALTIMORE, Maryland:
Sanjay Ayre is giving thumbs up to this year's fourth staging of the Puma East Coast International Showcase, calling it the best ever after witnessing some phenomenal results, where Jamaican high school athletes had their best showing to date.
"This year's staging is the best ever, as there were some incredible performances from both Jamaican and United States high school athletes. It was also the best crowd attendance ever, with over 5,000 spectators," said Ayre, an Olympian, about the meet that was held on Saturday at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland.
"We saw several state records from the American athletes, led by Elise Cooper, who ran one of the fastest 200m times this season among high school female athletes with her 22.77-second win, alongside Ryan Jennings, who clocked 11.35 seconds to win the 100m."
"Among the boys, Tyler Burgess clocked a fast 13.28 in the 110m hurdles, and Jayden Horton Mims also stood out.
Mims was incredible in the 400m, where he surprised Olympian Quincy Wilson by winning in 45.24, the fastest time recorded by an American high school athlete in the event.
He then came back and completed the double by winning the 200m in 20.36."
"Abigail Campbell of Hydel stood out among the Jamaicans, winning the 400m in 52.59 and placing third in the 200m in 23.77. Her team picked up three individual wins," he observed.
"Excelsior, with two individual wins, also stood out among the Jamaican males," he continued.
Ayre noted that other factors contributed to the meet's success.
"The new venue and excellent weather this time also contributed to these outstanding performances. Fans loved the facility at Morgan State University and are hoping this venue becomes a permanent home for the meet," he said.
Ayre's only disappointment was not seeing Kingston College (KC), Calabar High and the Edwin Allen girls in action.
"A lot of Jamaican fans came out hoping to see KC and Calabar among the boys and Edwin Allen among the girls. Their absence was a disappointment, as these teams have strong fan bases in this area. Hopefully, in the future, we'll be able to see them participate," he said.
"Coming off the Penn Relays, this is definitely a great individual meet for high school athletes to showcase their talents. It gives them valuable exposure and prepares them for their next steps as they move on to universities in the United States," he concluded.
