The Review of the Women's 100m Heats - National Senior Trials

No Surprises – Fraser-Pryce and Briana Williams advances

As expected, Elaine Thompson, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Briana Williams all dominated their heats, to advance to the Semi Finals of the Women's 100m, on Friday, June 21, 2019. 

In Heat #1, two times 100m Olympic Champion, and three times 100m World Champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, won in 11.08, ahead of Gayon Evans of Sprintec, who posted 11.30, while Simone Facey ran 11.38 to claim the final automatic qualifying spot. 

Heat #2 featured the reigning double Olympic Champion and Joint National Record Holder, Elaine Sandra Lee Thompson, who made light work of her competitors, winning in an almost effortless 11.31. Schillonie Calvert-Powell clocked 11.39 for second place, while Remona Burchell and Rene Medley both crossed the finish line at 11.44.

In Heat #3, the seventeen year old sensation, and fast  rising star, Briana Williams, won in 11.20, ahead of the Sprintec pair of Natasha Morrison and Shashalee Forbes, who finished second and third, respectively, with times of 11.40 and 11.61. 

In Heat #4, Natalliah Whyte recovered from a less than impressive start, to post 11.32, beating Jonielle Smith (11.57) and Shavine Hodges (11.69).

Destiny Awaits

Overall, the women performed creditably, and to the expectations of all, and in the process, setting up what should be a mouthwatering semi-finals, and what seems destined to be, an epic and unforgettable Final. Based on the form of the senior women, for the most part, there should be very keen competition, and much fireworks on offer, come Friday night. And while all the elite sprinters ran true to form, it must be noted that Elaine Thompson expended the least amount of energy in her heat, to advance to the semi-finals. In short, times aside, Thompson was the most efficient of all the qualifiers, and looked ominously awesome, in my estimations. However, one cannot ignore the fact that both Fraser-Pryce and young Briana Williams seemed to have had much "gas" remaining in the tank, and neither has yet gone full throttle and into overdrive. 

Major Disappointment

Perhaps the biggest disappointment for patrons and supporters was the glaring absence of the young and talented Kevona Davis from the senior women's 100m heats. Indeed, there have been much talk and expectation of the clash between Kevona Davis and Briana Williams. Patrons, sports enthusiasts, supporters and sports journalists were all salivating at the prospect of seeing these two young women go head to head but were instead left high and dry.  Total disappointment in not seeing this long-awaited clash. 

Searching Questions and Epic Duel

The big questions that are now on everyone's mind, are: what's is the matter with Kevona Davis? What really is the story with her? Why was she pulled from the start list of the 100m heats? Is she injured? Is Coach Michael Dyke, and Kevona Davis, suffering from a bout of cowardice; are they afraid of Briana Williams? Has Davis been reassigned to duties in the 100m of the under 20 women where she is less pressured, and where her prospects are much greater? And if so, why enter her and then to withdraw her? Can such reassignment be done at a moment's notice? Is this permissible by JAAA's rules?

Is she not in the best of shape, to effectively compete with Williams, and with the other seniors or has coach Michael Dyke, taken a late-decision to adopt a more patient, gradual, systematic and progressive approach to young Davis' preparations and development, given her young age, injury concerns, and given that she has only recently been on the road to recovery?

Will Davis report for national duties, tomorrow (June 21), at the Junior level or will she be a no-show as she was at the CARIFTA Trials? I guess all these questions will be answered on the second day of competition or in the aftermath of the National Junior and Senior Trials. One thing is sure, Kevona Davis or no Kevona Davis, the senior women's 100m semi-final and final, will be sizzlers, that is, very fast times and PBs will be posted.

Henley Taylor (Sensenya Ben Nyah), Sports Writer

Briana Williams picture courtesy of Joe Swift Photography