Overall, the 2022 Jamaica Carifta Trials was exceptional in many respects, notwithstanding the fact that it was a largely spectator-free event. The Trials was held over three days from Friday, March 11 to Sunday, March 13 at the National Stadium. Predictably, the Trials delivered and exceeded all expectations. The Trials is designed to select the team for the 2022 Carifta Games that will be held at the same venue in Kington Jamaica from April 16 to 18. Athletes competed in two categories: the under-20 and under-17 for both boys and girls.
Girls under-20 100m Final
In the Girls under-20 100m Final, it was a clean sweep for Edwin Allen as Tia Clayton won by the narrowest of margin, posting 11.49 to beat her twin sister, Tina Clayton, who came in at 11.50 and Serena Cole's 11.51. Tia's win was a bit surprising and does indicate that she is rebounding from a subpar 2021 season, Tia along with Serena Cole will be serious contenders for the gold medal at upcoming ISSA Boys and Girls Champs. It should be noted that the times could have been faster had it not been for a strong head wind with a magnitude of -1.5W.
Boys under-20 100m Final
The under-20 Boys 100m Final was also very impressive notwithstanding the -1.6W. Deandre Daley of Herbert Morrison Technical High School sprang a surprise on Bryan Levell of Edwin Allen, posting a brisk 10.32. Levell was second in 10.36, while KC's Bouwahjgie Nkrumie was third in a respectable 10.40 to equal his lifetime best.
Girls under-20 200m Final
Probably the most anticipated race of the Trials was the Girls under-20 200m final, which originally had the likes of Hydel's Brianna Lyston and Alana Reid to clash with the Clayton twin of Edwin Allen. However, for reasons not disclosed to the media, the Clayton twins did not face the starter's gun in the 200m. Nevertheless, the final was exciting; it was dubbed "the Brianna Lyston" show. Lyston posted an amazing 22.66 in a +0.3W to destroy her opponents and in the process, became Jamaica's second fastest junior over the distance; only Brianna Williams with a 22.50 PB has gone faster. Her teammate, Alana Reid, was a distant second in 23.29, while Carleta Bernard of Mount Alverna was third in 23.65.
Clearly, Lyston is in imperious form going into the ISSA Boys and Girls Championship that will be staged from April 5 and April 9. All things being equal and given that her PB is already ahead of Simone Facey's Champs Record of 22.71, Lyston should make light work of that record at Champs.
Boys under-20 200m Final
In the absence of Deandre Daley, Brian Levell won the Boy's under -20 200m Final, posting an impressive 20.53 in a -1.2W headwind. Sandrey Davison of St. Catherine High was second in 20.90 (20.892) while Adrian Kerr of Kingston College was third in 20.90 (20.898).
Henley Taylor
Freelance Sportswriter
Edited by Raymond Byfield
Tia & Tina Clayton photo courtesy of Marlon Reid
Comments
Leave a Comment