Champs 2018: 'I just went to win'

March 23, 2018
Kevona Davis
Roje Stona of St Jago on his way to winning the Class One Boys Discus event at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships at the National Stadium yesterday. Stona won with a 63.07m mark.
1
2

Kevona Davis says she hopes her record-breaking effort in the semi-finals of the Class Two girls 200 metres last night made up for false starting in the Class Three 100m final last year.

The Edwin Allen High star sped to 22.92 seconds to erase Anniesha McLaughlin's 16 year old record of 23.13. It is the third fastest time in the world this year after 22.83 by American Brittany Brown and a 22.90 clocking from Britain's Dina Asher-Smith.

"I think it made up for my mishap last year and I know that tomorrow will mark the one year anniversary of that so this performance came right on time," Davis said.

Last year, the 16-year-old Davis' jitters got the better of her as fell from the starting blocks before the starter's gun sounded.

The native of Gayle, St Mary said she was surprised with the time as her intention coming into the semi-final was only to qualify for tomorrow's final.

"I didn't go after the record I just went to win," Davis said.

She now says it is unlikely that she will go faster in tomorrow's final.

"Probably not. I now have the record and I know that it should be untouchable for a long time. I can just concentrate on scoring for my team," Davis said.

The Class One boys 200m seemed to be living up to its top billing as Calabar's Christopher Taylor and Anthony Carpenter looked splendid in their semi-finals last night. Carpenter ran a lifetime best of 20.56 seconds to win the first semi-final.

Taylor, who is gunning for World record holder Usain's Bolt record of 20.25, was also impressive with 20.52. The final is scheduled for 5:40 p.m. Saturday evening.

 

PREVIOUS MARK

 

Shantae Foreman broke the second record at the meet earlier in the day when she soared to 1.80m to retain her title erasing her previous mark of 1.79 metres in the Class Three girls high jump.

Her teammate, Daniels Hinds, was third with 1.68m. Annishka McDonald of Vere Technical pocketed silver with 1.71m.

Having thrown 66.4m at the Carifta Games last year coupled with consistent 60m plus throws this season, Roje Stona was expected to smash Traves Smikle's record of 66.88m set in 2011 but the big man from St Jago High could only manage 63.07m to retain his title.

" I am not too elated because I didn't get the record and I kind of disappointed but it is a good win. I earned some points for my school and I defended my title," Stona said.

Calabar's Kai Chang was second with 56.04m while Petersfield High's Daniel Cope won the bronze medal with a throw of 49.50m.

Edwin Allen's Davis could also go below the 100m record today. She cruised to 11.75 in her heat yesterday morning

After months of speculation, Kingston College fans can breathe a sigh of relief after Jhevaughn Matherson cruised to 10.47 seconds in the preliminary round of the Class One 100m. Defending champion, Michael Stephens of Calabar also looked easy in the heats with 10.48. They will contest the semi-finals at 4 p.m. today before the showdown at 8:35 p.m.

After five finals Calabar are in front among the boys with 52 points. Kingston College are next on 42; JC, 22; St Jago, 18 and Petersfield and Wolmer's Boys, 12 each round off the top five.

Girls (top five): Edwin Allen 45, Hydel 34.5, Holmwood 29, Excelsior 22 and Rusea's 21.

Other Sports Stories