Thompson and Fraser-Pryce Send Signal While Williams Makes History – TrackandFieldNerdz

Thompson and Fraser-Pryce Send Signal While Williams Makes HistoryThe second day of the Jamaican National Trials delivered just what it promised, as the nation’s athletes try to book their spots to the World Championships in Doha later this year. Anticipation was high and stomachs weak heading into finals of the 100m, as both Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson seemed to be in peak form after the semifinals. Fraser-Pryce was first to go in semifinal one, winning in a time of 10.93 secs, sending fans into a frenzy, at the thought of was to come.Enter Elaine Thompson in semifinal 2 alongside Briana Williams, the world’s best under 20 sprinter. Williams must have give the Olympic champion a scare, as she was leading after 40 meters. However, Elaine responded like the champion she is, to win in 10.89 sec, equalling her season’s best. Williams ended second in 11.01sec, again lowering the national junior record. Then came the moment of Truth, Fraser-Pryce, Thompson, the ever improving and phenomenal talent Briana Williams, all ready to face the starter in the finals. They were joined by Joniel Smith, who herself has improved greatly and the overseas based Natalia Whyte, among others. On your marks, set, go! Williams was out like a bullet along with Fraser-Pryce, with Thompson left slightly behind gaining with every stride. Just like that, in the blink of an eye, the race was over. A joint world leading 10.73 sec, Elaine Thompson, 10.73, Fraser-Pryce and a new national junior record for Briana William in third, 10.94 sec. We should note that though Fraser-Pryce and Thompson were credited with the same time, it came down to a thousandth of a second to separate them in terms of placements.The achievement of Williams should should not be overlooked as became the first Jamaican Junior to go sub-eleven seconds, booking her place on the national team. On the men’s side, there has been much talk about Yohan Blake and by extension the state of male sprinting in the post Bolt era. However, there was a glimmer of hope as Blake crossed the line in dominant fashion to win the men’s 100m in 9.96sec. Tyquando Tracey was second in 10sec flat and Rasheed Dwyer third, in a personal best 10.10 sec. Earlier, there was high drama as favorite Jenieve Russell finished down the field in the final of the women’s 400m hurdles. The race was won by Rushell Clayton in 54.73 sec, in what many are calling a stunning upset. On the men’s side, the Kemar Mowatt won his final in 48.70 sec, out pacing Romel Lewis and Jaleel Hyde, who finished second and third in 49.49 sec and 49.57 secs respectively.Fans must however note that based the qualifying standards set by the IAAF, athletes may not be selected to the team even though they make top three. Thus it is incumbent on those who have done so to make those marks prior to the time specified for selection, as there are provisions for those who win a Diamond League title to be considered and also provisions for the discretion of national organizations.We wait to see what happens tomorrow and Sunday, as our athletes prove to the world that we are very much still in the picture and that there is no shortage of talent on this little dot in the sea.Kino-Ray Cummings, Track and Field Nerdz’s Senior Writer and IAAF level 1 certified coach.