CLASHES THAT WE HOPE TO SEE
This is the first big meet, where athletes from all four regions will go head to head. Of course, athletes may drop out or only run a single event, being careful about ensuring they will be ready for the big meet, the ISSA boys and Girls champs.
U20 Girls 100M, 200M
Finally, we get to see a clash between Brianna Lyston and the Clayton twins. However, Lyston is not listed in the 100M start list, so we may have to wait for the 200M to have that head to head clash. The 100M will not merely be a showcase for the Edwin Allen trio of Serene Cole, Tina and Tia Clayton, because they will line up against the Hydel duo of Kerrica Hill and Alana Reid. Alexis James and Ashley Barrett (Petersfield), Shenese Walker (St. Jago) and Mickaila Haisley (Immaculate) are also very talented sub 12 second sprinters and should all make the final eight.
The 200M will feature most of those athletes, and we may finally see Tina Clayton and Brianna Lyston competing against each other.
U20 Boys 100M, 200M
The U20 boys 100m should be no less exciting, with the long awaited clash between favorite Brian Levell (Edwin Allen), Nkrumie, Bouwahjgi (KC) and Sandrey Davidson (St. Catherine). Deandre Daley (Herbert Morrison) seems to be healthy and hopefully he will live up to his enormous talent. Hector Benjamin (JC) was rested for corporate champs, but word is out that he will seriously challenge the top guns. Class II athlete Mark Miller (JC) will test himself against the older boys, and it will be no surprise if he makes the final.
Jaiden Reid (JC) and Adrian Kerr (KC) will join the top 100m sprinters in what is expected to be an epic 200m race.
U17 Boys 400m
The Kingston College trio of Marcinho Rose, Taj Marques White and Deshaun Grant has dominated this event all season. It will be interesting to see how Requel Reid (C’Bar) and Omari Robinson (JC) respond. There will be also be serious threats from Antonio Powell (Edwin Allen) and Zachary Wallace (Maggoty). But the favorite here has to be first year class II athlete Taj “Turbo” White who has now been converted from a 100M, 200m sprinter/hurdler to a 400M long sprinter. This is his first year competing in this event, but he continues to dominate the competition. A sub 48 run is expected.
U20 Girls 400m
Oneika McAnnuff (Hydel) is the favorite here. But last year’s class II champion Dejanae Oakley (Clar) is a serious threat. Oakley has not been seen this season, so her form may be suspect. What will make this race exciting however, are the contenders Kaylia Kelly (Vere), Toriann Noad (Holm), Oneika Brissett (William Knibb) and Asheika Smith (Manchester). All of these girls have already run below 55 seconds and the battle for the top eight spots should be fierce.
U20 Boys Discus
Trevor Gunzell (Edwin Allen) leads the champ’s rankings in this event, but he is not a junior and will not be competing. But this lineup is very deep, with Christopher Young (Edwin Allen), Kobe Lawrence (C’Bar), Shamar Reid (JC), Racquil Broderick (JC) and Altwayne Bedward (KC) all having throws over 56M. Both Young and Lawrence have throws over 60M, but Corporate champion Bedward thrives on completion and could upset the favorites.
U20 boys 400m hurdles
Roshawn Clarke (Camperdown) is the favorite here, and is expected to run sub 50 seconds at this meet. Last year’s class II champion Antonio Forbes placed second to Clarke at the corporate championships and expects to challenge for the title. At the 2019 champs, Jayden Brown (JC) and Rayon Campbell (KC) placed 1, 2 in the class II event. Brown fell at the corporate championships and will wish to make amends. Campbell has not been seen on the track circuit, but word is out that he is in great form. Shamar Blake (STETHS) is the top man in the west and he now looks to compete for a top two spot.
U20 Girls 100M hurdles
The Hydel trio of Kerrica Hill, Oneka Wilson and Shania Myers has all won medals at girl’s champs in this event. In 2021, Hill and Myers placed first and second in the class II event, while Wilson won the class I event. Hill and Wilson are expected to be the main contenders for the title, but Alexis James (Petersfield) is a quality sprinter/hurdler who has the ability to win it all, but James has not been consistent over the barriers and has hit hurdles in critical races. Essence Burbridge (Immaculate) is also a top hurdler and she could finish in the top three.
ATHLETES TO WATCH
We are not necessarily featuring sprinting star athletes like the Clayton Twins, Brianna Lyston, Brian Levell or Sandrey Davidson. There are other athletes in different events, that however whose performances have demanded that we take a second look at them.
Jaydon Hibbert (KC, Triple, Long Jump) – Hibbert won the silver medal in the triple jump at the 2021 world juniors. At the corporate champs, he jumped 15.99m in the triple and then went on to jump 7.80m in the long jump.
Jvoughn Blake (JC, 800M) – Outstanding Student Athlete Jvoughn Blake has been having a great season, splitting 1:49 at Gibson Relays, anchoring his team to a Gibson Relay record. Will he run 1:48 at trials?
Gary Card (Wolmers, sprints) – Card is considered to be the main rival to JC’s Mark Anthony Miller in the class II sprints. The have the distinction of being the only class II boys to have run sub 11 over 100m and sub 22 over 200m.
Cedrika Williams (Holmwood, Discus) – She owns both classes III and II discus records and has thrown over 53m as a class II athlete. Will she break the 55m barrier this year?
Shaemar Uter (KC, 400M) – He was a finalist last year, running 46.80 and was the preseason favorite. But due to injury has not been seen all season. These trials will tell us if he is ready for champs.
Shemonique Hazel (Hydel, Long Jump) – Last year as a first year class III athlete (14 yrs.), she jumped 6.40M. That was close to being an age group WR.
Jaiden Reid (JC, 200m) – Reid placed second in the 200m at champs last year, and was expected to pay his dues in class I. But his 20.90 in winning the corporate champs changed all that.
Samantha Pryce (Holmwood, 800M) – Last year’s Steeple chase champion has come down to the 800M and is now the outstanding female in this event. At the Gibson relays, she split 2:07 to win the medley relay for her school.
Sabrina Dockery (Lacovia, 400m) – Dockery is unbeaten in this event this year, and is favored to win the class III championships. At the trials she comes up against Abigail Campbell (Ferncourt) last year’s class III champion.
Aaron McKenzie (KC, High Jump) – Class II athlete Aaron McKenzie jumped 2.13m at the corporate champs and may be the top high school high jumper.
Of course, there are a number of top stars like St. Jago’s Gregory Prince and Gabrielle Mathews who will not be at the meet because they are not juniors. And of course, there is the new phenomenon of international athletes like Handal Roban (JC) and Amal Glasgow (KC) who will be ready for champs but do not qualify to run at these trials. Nevertheless, the quality of the performances at the trials is expected to be high.
written by Oliver Harris
