Celebrated coach and Racers Track Club President Glen Mills says the value of meets such as the Racers Grand Prix cannot be overstated, given the significant role it plays in the development of the country’s young athletes in particular.

Mills’s comments came as he announced the plethora of local and international stars that are expected to set this year’s sixth edition of the Racers Grand Prix alight at the National Stadium on June 1.

Among them is American World champion Noah Lyles, who clocked a superb 19.67s to win the 200m, sharing the spotlight with Jamaica's Shericka Jackson and South African Wayde Van Niekerk last year.

He is set to line up in the men’s 100m on this occasion, alongside rising Jamaican sensation Oblique Seville, World University champion Kadrian Goldson, Great Britain’s World Championships bronze medallist Zharnel Hughes, Canadian Aaron Brown and American Kendal Williams, with two more athletes to be confirmed.

According to Mills, who was instrumental in the decorated career of now-retired Usain Bolt, having young athletes compete on home soil against world class superstars not only drives their development, but also influences positive behavioural changes towards training.

Reigning 400m World champion Antonio Watson is one such example, as he broke the 45-second barrier for the first time on his debut outing at the event last year, and he later followed that up by topping a quality field in Budapest, Hungary. 

“A meet of this level is very important in development of our athletes, and I don't think we can underscore its value in their development as a coach. I can tell you, when we have them competing here in Jamaica against the world and the fans come out and really cheer for them, it makes a difference when they return to the training field,” Mills said during the event’s launch at the Jamaica Pegasus on Tuesday.

“They know and feel the support and the energy and electricity. When that happens, we get better performances on the training track, and as you can see, it goes on to the international stage as well. So, thank you for supporting Racers Grand Prix all and I'm hoping to see everyone on June 1,” he added.

Known globally as Jamaica’s foremost track and field meet credited with showcasing many of Jamaica’s most decorated athletes, Racers Grand Prix, a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver event, promises an exhilarating demonstration of athletic excellence.

There are 13 events –men’s and women’s 100m, 200m, 400m and 400m hurdles, women’s 100m hurdles, men’s 110m hurdles, as well as the men’s long jump, triple jump and discus throw –to be contested across two-and-a-half hours of scintillating action starting at 7:00pm.

The women's 100m hurdles is headlined by Bahamas’s World Indoor champion Devynne Charlton, and Great Britain’s Cindy Sember, up against Jamaica’s Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper and rising Jamaican sensation Ackera Nugent.

For the men’s 110m hurdles, Jamaica’s Olympic champion Hansle Parchment will lead compatriots Damion Thomas and last year’s champion Tyler Mason, against the American duo of Trey Cunningham and Robert Dunning.

World champion Antonio Watson headlines the field for the men’s 400m, which includes Champion Allison and Nigerian NCAA champion Emmanuel Bamidele. Demish Gaye, Zandrion Barnes and Javon Francis, are the other Jamaicans confirmed.

Meanwhile, World Indoor champion Julien Alfred of St Lucia headlines the women’s 100m field, alongside Jamaica’s Alana Reid, Ashanti Moore and World Indoor silver medallist Mikiah Brisco, with four more ladies to be confirmed.

World Championships finalist Roshawn Clarke headlines the men’s 400m hurdles field, while Ireland’s NCAA Champion Rhasidat Adeleke will square off against Jamaica’s Stacy Ann Williams, Candice McLeod, Charokee Young, and Junelle Bromfield in the women’s 400m.

American Will Abbey Steiner and Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards top the list of competitors for the men’s and women’s 200m. In the field, Jamaica’s Jaydon Hibbert and American Will Claye lead the confirmed athletes for the men’s triple jump, while another Jamaican Carey McLeod, and Laquan Nairn of Bahamas, will line up in the long jump, with three more athletes to be confirmed.

Mills explained that they are currently in discussions with several athletes, but is awaiting confirmation before revealing the names.

“We are still five weeks away and so we are still working with athletes to finalise contracts. I can’t call the names as yet, but we can guarantee a meet of the highest level and the best quality athletes worth watching,” Mills noted.

Tickets for the event goes on sale online on May 1, with grandstand finish line valued at $5,000, regular grandstand $3,000, while bleachers tickets have been dropped to $500.

Rising sprint sensations Ackeem Blake and Alana Reid have been included in a 31-member squad named by the Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association (JAAA) to represent the island at the World Athletics Relays, scheduled for May 4 and 5 in Bahamas.

Jamaica’s athletes are expected to contest the men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relays, as well as the Mixed 4x400m relay, at the two-day spectacle which will take place at the refurbished Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

Blake and Reid have been listed among the respective 4x100m relay pools, which also includes Kemba Nelson, Natasha Morrison, and reigning University champion Kadrian Goldson.

World Indoor bronze medallist Rusheen McDonald, World and Olympic relay medallist Janieve Russell, and World 400m hurdles finalist Roshawn Clarke, headline the pool for the 4x400m and Mixed 4x400m relays respectively.

Full team: Female 4x100m –Kemba Nelson, Alana Reid, Jodean Williams, Remona Burchell, Mickaell Moodie, Natasha Morrison, Yanique Dayle

4x400m & Mixed Relay –Stacey Ann Williams, Charokee Young, Leah Anderson, Ashley Williams, Junelle Bromfield, Janieve Russell, Tovea Jenkins, Roniesha Mcgregor

Male 4x100m –Ryiem Forde, Nigel Ellis, Bryan Levell, Kadrian Goldson, Odaine Mcpherson, Ackeem Blake, Javorne Dunkley

4x400m & Mixed Relay –Malik James-King, Rusheen Mcdonald, Zandrion Barnes, Roshawn Clarke, Demish Gaye, Anthony Cox, Karyme Bartley, Assinie Wilson, Sean Bailey

Management Team –Dennis May (Team Leader), Trevor Campbell (Team Official), Jennifer Brown (Team Official), Maurice Wilson (Technical Director), Paul Francis (Coach), Reynaldo Walcott (Coach), Mark Elliott (Coach), Yanique Weekes (Doctor), Garfield Simmonds (Medical)

Alana Reid will be training in the United States with the Star Athletics Track Club, Sportsmax.TV has now confirmed.

The 18-year-old former Hydel High School sprinter, who signed a professional contract with Nike in June, had been training with her high school coach Corey Bennett until recently but according to reports this week, the Pan American U20 100m champion, will now be training alongside World 100m champion Sha’Carri Richardson and relay gold medallist Twanisha Terry.

Sources close to the development confirmed on Wednesday that the emerging star who ran 10.92 to win the Class I Girls 100m at the 2023 ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships, the first ever female to break 11 seconds at the championships, will be developed by former US sprinter turned coach Dennis Mitchell.

Alana Reid claimed 100m gold on day one of the Pan-Am Junior Championships on Friday at the Jose A. Figueroa Freire Stadium in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

Reid, 18, ran 11.33 to comfortably win gold ahead of the American pair of Kaila Jackson (11.41) and Camryn Dickson (11.48).

This is the third major 100m title of the season for Reid. She won the Class One final at the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships in March in 10.92, a national junior record, before running 11.17 ten days later to win Under-20 gold at the 50^th Carifta Games in Nassau.

Reid, now a professional athlete, reached the final at the Jamaican Championships in July, running 11.10 for seventh.

The Men’s final saw Bouwahjgie Nkrumie, who also set a national junior record at Champs when he ran 9.99 to win Class One gold, run 10.31 for silver behind the USA’s Tyler Azcano who won in 10.26.

Puerto Rico’s Adrian Canales Correa ran 10.35 for bronze.

Moving to the 400m hurdles where USVI’s Michelle Smith ran 57.99 for silver behind the USA’s Sanaa Hebron (56.90). Another American, Allyria McBride ran 58.32 for bronze.

In the mixed relay, Jamaica’s team of Enrique Webster, Sabrina Dockery, Tariq Dacres and Oneika Brissett ran 3:25.03 for third behind Brazil (3:24.23) and the USA (3:18.07).

In the field, Bahamian Brenden Vanderpool was third in the men’s pole vault with 4.75m. The event was won by the USA’s Jack Mann with 5.00m while Brazil’s Aurelio de Souza Leite was second with 4.90m.

Bouwahjgie Nkrumie and Jeevan Newby are both into the final of the Men’s 100m as the 2023 Pan-Am Junior Championships got underway on Friday at the Jose A. Figueroa Freire Stadium in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

Newby, who was runner-up at Jamaica’s National Junior Championships in July, narrowly won heat two of three in 10.75 into a -2.7 m/s headwind to advance to the final. The USA’s Cameron Tarver finished just one hundredth of a second behind to also progress.

Nkrumie, who became the first Jamaican junior to run under 10 seconds when he ran 9.99 for gold at the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships in March, ran a comfortable 10.60 into a -2.6 m/s headwind to win his heat and advance. Puerto Rico’s Adrian Canales Correa also made it through with 10.67 while Antigua and Barbuda’s Shaviqua Bascus ran 10.76 to advance as well.

The fastest qualifier to the final was the USA’s Tyler Azcano who ran 10.58 to win the first heat ahead of Canada’s Storm Zablocki (10.72) and Antigua and Barbuda’s Ajani Daley (10.74). Both Zablocki and Daley made it through to the final.

On the Women’s side, Jamaica’s Alana Reid and Asharria Ulett as well as Barbados’ Khristel Martindale all made it through to the final.

Reid, Jamaica’s national junior record holder with 10.92 done at the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships in March, ran 11.96 into a -2.6 m/s headwind to win heat three. Ulett ran 12.14 to finish fourth in heat two and progress while Martindale ran 12.19 to finish second in heat one.

The American pair of Kaila Jackson and Camryn Dickson were the fastest qualifiers with times of 11.47 and 11.75, respectively.

Both finals are set for Friday night.

The sprint events were always anticipated to be the highlight of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA)/Puma National Junior and Senior Championships, and they are certainly living up to those expectations, as there were a number of explosive performances, particularly in the men’s 100m on Thursday’s opening day of action at the National Stadium.

Aside from a few sub-10 second and personal best clocking, one of the biggest shockers of the night came when 2011 World Champion Yohan Blake –who many hoped would have rolled back the clock and produce a top performance –false-started and will now have to possibly turn his attention to the 200m, if he is to make the country's team to the World Athletics Championships next month.

The 33-year-old Blake was the defending national champion as he produced a timely sub-10 clocking in victory at last year's championships.

Still, the moderate turn out in the grandstand didn't leave disappointed, as MVP's Kishane Thompson and Kadrian Goldson of GC Foster College, announced themselves in a big way with massive personal best times of 9.91s and 9.94s respectively to lead all qualifiers into the semi-finals. 

Thompson, 22, running in heat one, surprised favourite Ackeem Blake of Titans Track Club, storming to his new lifetime best in a 0.6 metres per second wind reading, as he lowered his previous best of 10.21s set last year. Blake, who was ahead of the pack at one point, seemingly eased up off the accelerator too early and settled for second in a flat 10.00s, with Ryiem Forde of Adidas, taking third in a new personal best 10.01s.

Meanwhile, Goldson, running in heat three, maintained his focus despite two early false starts by Rasheed Foster of Cameron Blazers and Yohan Blake of Titans Track Club.

The 26-year-old Goldson powered his way to his new lifetime best in a 0.7 metres per second reading, to lower his previous best of 10.08s achieved last month. MVP’s Rohan Thompson also had a new personal best 9.98s in second, with Julian Forte (10.10s) of Elite Performance, in third.

Prior to that, another favourite for the national title Oblique Seville, cruised to a flat 10.00s while smiling all the way to the line in a 0.3 metres per second reading. That just about signals that the Glenn Mills Racers Track Club charge is fit and healthy to turn back all challengers at the decisive end of the event on Friday.

MVP’s Ramone Barnswell with a personal best 10.13s, Tyquendo Tracey (10.22s) of Swept Track Club, Nigel Ellis (10.07s) of Elite Performance, Michael Campbell (10.10s) of MVP and Bouwahjgie Nkrumie (10.21s) of Dr. Speed, will also line up in the semi-finals on Friday.

On the women’s side of action, there were no surprises as the inform Shericka Jackson of MVP seems set to retain her title, after easing to 10.99s in a 0.0 wind reading, following what was one of her most efficient starts in recent times. Her MVP teammate Jonielle Smith (11.19s) and Briana Williams (11.19s) of Titans Track Club, were second and third respectively.

It was not so smooth for two-time Olympic Games sprint double champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, who is still working her way back to form, as she had to dig deep to win her heat in 11.12s in a 0.3 metres per second reading. The New Era Track Club representative held off Ashanti Moore (11.15s) of Adidas and the fast-finishing Shockoria Wallace (11.19s) of MVP.

National Under-20 record holder Alana Reid (11.14s) of Nike, Sprintec’s Remona Burchell (11.20s), Natasha Morrison (11.00s) of MVP and another Sprintec representative Shashalee Forbes (11.09s), also safely progressed to the semi-finals.

World Under-20 200m bronze medalist, Alana Reid, has signed with Nike.

The 18-year-old announced her decision to turn professional two weeks ago when she signed with Auctus Global Sports earlier this month and now, we know what brand she will be representing on the pro circuit.

Reid has enjoyed a sensational 2023 season, so far.

She was instrumental in helping her school, Hydel High, secure their maiden Girls Champs title. She ran an excellent national junior record of 10.92 to win Class 1 100m Gold at those championships before running 23.08 to complete the sprint double.

Reid also produced an 11.17 effort to win Under-20 100m gold at the Carifta Games in Nassau.

In her first outing against pros in May, Reid ran times of 11.12 and 11.08 at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix at Drake Stadium in California in May.

National Under-20 100m record holder, Alana Reid, is now a professional athlete after signing with Auctus Global Sports, the management company announced on Instagram on Monday.

“We proudly welcome our newest addition to the AMP Global Sports Family! Give a warm welcome to Alana Reid, a phenomenal athlete with a personal best of 10.92! Get ready to witness her unstoppable determination as she takes on new heights with us! Welcome aboard, Alana!” the post said.

She joins the likes of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Akeem Bloomfield and Kenny Bednarek as a part of Auctus Global Sports.

Reid, who originally committed to competing on the NCAA circuit for the University of Oregon next season, has decided to turn professional after a remarkable 2023 season thus far.

The 18-year-old won the Class 1 sprint double at the ISSA Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Championships in March, including her sensational 10.92 effort in the 100m. She ran 23.08 to win the 200m crown.

From there, Reid dominated with 11.17 to win Under-20 100m gold at the 50^th Carifta Games in Nassau, The Bahamas in April.

In her first outing against pros, Reid ran 11.08 for third in the 100m final at the USATF LA Grand Prix on May 27.

Oblique Seville ran a season-best 100m and Shericka Jackson, an impressive 200m season-opener at the May 20 All Comers Meet at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday.

The 2022 World Championships 100m finalist, who ran a wind-legal 9.95 at the Miramar Invitational on April 8, sped to a 9.94 clocking while shutting down over the last 15-metres to win the time trial.

Rohan Watson, whose previous best this season, was 10.32, shaved a massive 0.20s to be second overall after winning his section in 10.12.

Veteran sprinter Yohan Blake, the second-fastest man of all time, and who was second in Seville’s section in 10.15, was third overall.

The Women’s 100m provided a thrilling encounter between Olympic relay gold medallist Briana Williams, returning from a hamstring injury and Carifta U20 champion Alana Reid.

Williams exploded from the blocks and held a seemingly comfortable lead over Reid, who stormed back late to win in 11.16 over the 2018 World U20 champion, who ran a season-best 11.20.

Tia Clayton was third in 11.36.

The 200m races were no less entertaining as reigning world champion Shericka Jackson, in her first 200m of the season, cruised to victory in 22.25.

In her wake was Olympic 400m finalist Stephenie-Ann McPherson who ran 23.38 and Germany’s Tatiana Pinto, who was third in 23.74.

Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes was in a class of his own in the 200m, winning in a season-best 20.18.

Jazeel Murphy, who won Section six of seven, was second overall with a time of 20.76. Nigel Ellis finished second to Murphy, was third overall in 20.80.

Stacey-Ann Williams showed her class in the 400m winning in 51.43 while repelling the early challenge of Ashley Williams, who finished second in 52.11.

Shana Kaye Anderson was third overall in 54.27.

Olympic 400m hurdles bronze medallist Kaliese Carter, who at 36, is making a comeback, ran a season-best 54.64 for fourth place.

In the field, Traves Smikle won the discus throw with 66.05m.

Kai Chang was second with his best throw of 62.78m.

Racquil Broderick threw 57.17m for third place.

In the high jump, Christoff Bryan cleared 2.20m for the win over Lushane Wilson 2.15m and Raymond Richards, who cleared 2.10m.

Jamaican national junior record holder Alana Reid continued her sensational 2023 season with a dominant victory in the 100m at the 2023 Puma East Coast International Showcase in Maryland on Saturday.

In what was a highly anticipated contest, Hydel’s Reid, who ran 10.92 to set the national junior record en route to a gold medal at the ISSA Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Championships in March, sped to a meet record 11.01 to comfortably take the 100m title.

The BVI’s Hodge, a 17-year-old Montverde Academy standout who won the Austin Sealy award at the 2022 Carifta Games in Kingston, was second in 11.16 and Friends’ Central’s Avery Lewis was third in 11.41.

Reid and Hodge were expected to clash at the recently concluded Carifta Games in Nassau before Hodge was forced to withdraw from the meet du to a rolled ankle in warm-ups ahead of her 100m heat. Reid ended up taking gold in 11.17.

Archbishop Carroll’s Nyckoles Harbor ran 10.28 to win the boys final just ahead of Catoctin High School’s Brody Buffington (10.29) while Motorcade Track Club’s Adrian Kerr was third in 10.40.

Excelsior’s Daniel Wright took victory in the Boys 110m hurdles in 13.87 ahead of DeMatha Catholic’s Anthony Waterman (13.91) and Our Lady of Sacred Heart’s Antonio Votour (14.41).

Holmwood Technical’s Kiara Meikle ran 13.36 for second in the Girls 100m hurdles behind Bullis School’s Myla Greene (13.28). Greene’s schoolmate Kennedy Flynn was third in 13.56.

Moving on to the one lap event, Meikle's teammate Rickiann Russell ran 52.24 for second in the girls 400m behind Hertage's Madison Whyte (52.49) while Hydel's Abigail Campbell ran 53.30 for third.

The boys equivalent saw Bullis School's freshman phenom Quincy Wilson run 46.11 for victory ahead of St. Elizabeth Technical's Jasauna Dennis (47.01) and James W. Robinson's Harry Economon (48.25).

STETHS and Excelsior ran 40.57 and 41.64, respectively, to finish first and second in the boys 4x100m relay.

Michelle Smith of Montverde Academy and the US Virgin Islands ran a meet record 58.34 to win the girls 400m hurdles ahead of Holmwood Technical's Annalice Brady (1:01.77) and St. Elizabeth Technical's Chennai Jarrett (1:03.97).

The boys equivalent was won by Edwin Allen's Tyrece Hyman in 53.58 ahead of DeMatha Catholic's Anthony Waterman (54.39) and St. Elizabeth Technical's Ronaldo Johnson (56.69).

Hydel's Danielle King took top spot in the girls 800m in 2:10.98 ahead of Holmwood's Jodyann Mitchell (2:11.92) and Bullis School's Lauren Leath (2:13.10). The boys equivalent was won by St. Elizabeth Technical's Barrain Smith in 1:53.79 ahead of DeMatha Catholic's Daden Grogan (1:55.65) and Mount St. Joseph School's Pierce Schulze (1:57.54). 

In the field, Holmwood Technical’s Cedricka Williams produced a dominant display to win the discus throw. Williams’ winning mark on 53.60m was more than 20m further than second placed Andrea Countiss of Gar-Field (33.10m). Bullis School’s Aleah Schwartz was third with 32.76m.

With some at least two of his star athletes matriculating to college this fall, Hydel High School Head Coach Corey Bennett will be hard-pressed to fill those massive shoes when the new high school track season rolls around.

 However, he is optimistic he can find his next set of starlets from within remaining members of team that won their first girls title at the ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships in Jamaica earlier this month.

Over the past few seasons, Hydel High School has seen a number of their top athletes matriculate to colleges in the United States or have gone pro. Athletes like Oneka Wilson, Shardia and Shadae Lawrence, Charokee Young and others have gone on to further their studies, testament to the school’s emphasis on finding balance between academics and athletics.

Meanwhile, others like Commonwealth Games silver medallist and NACAC Champion Shiann Salmon and Ashanti Moore have gone pro. Young subsequently chose to forego her college eligibility to sign a professional contract last summer.

In 2022, Hydel lost 2022 World U20 200m champion Brianna Lyston to Louisiana State University (LSU) on a scholarship and World U20 sprint hurdles champion and world record holder Kerrica Hill chose to go the professional route.

This coming fall, Alana Reid and Onieka McAnnuff will be the next to leave. Reid, who set a new championship and national junior record of 10.92 at Champs, will begin classes at the University of Oregon while McAnnuff, the talented 400m hurdler and team captain, will take up a scholarship to the University of Kentucky.

Losing them will undoubtedly have significant impact on Hydel’s ability to defend their historic Champs title but Bennett remains optimistic.

“When you have a world-record holder last year leaving prematurely and a record holder at Champs – Brianna and Kerrica leaving – it does set you back and that’s why we take the pressure of winning off the team,” he said.

“It’s just a matter of who else can we put out there that can excel. I thought we had some good performances (at Champs). I want to highlight Jody-Ann Daley, who won the 400m and the hurdles even when at one point she didn’t want to do the hurdles and I said ‘no, come on, you can do it’,” Bennett said.

“And Shemonique Hazle in the 200 when nobody gave her a chance, we believed. We are a small team about 34-members strong and we believe that no matter what, each one can go out there and give of their best and we delivered.

“Let’s hope that next year the girls will come inspired to give of themselves, train hard to be the best versions of themselves and with trust in God with the process.”

Bennett’s comments are in line with his over-arching philosophy of how to build strong teams with limited resources and personnel at Hydel. He revealed that with a four-member team in 2010, Hydel’s first year at Champs, they finished 11^th.

 For him, the focus has always been on quality than quantity.

“I am still going to build individuals. If I can make the individuals better, then ultimately the team will be better. I am not going to just go and throw persons into events just to win a championship. It is about being very individualistic and getting the best out of persons,” he said.

“Alliah Baker is our top high jumper. She high-jumped in Class IV and got a medal but she is a runner. We want to focus on where we think she will be better so we are not going to seek points, points will seek us. We want to maintain excellence in our girls.”

Jamaica’s Alana Reid and the Cayman Islands’ Davonte Howell won the respective Under-20 Girls and Boys 100m titles on day one of the 50^th edition of the CARIFTA Games at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in the Bahamas.

Reid, who ran a spectacular National Junior Record 10.92 to win gold in the Class 1 Girls 100m at the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships last week, easily took home gold in 11.17 ahead of teammate Alexis James who ran 11.53 for second and Trinidad & Tobago’s Sanaa Frederick who ran 11.65 in third.

The Boys final did not have the same excitement due to the absences of Jamaica’s Bouwahjgie Nkrumie, who suffered an injury in the prelims, and De Andre Daley, who was disqualified in his semi-final due to a false start.

Nevertheless, Howell produced an excellent 10.30 for gold ahead of the Bahamian pair Carlos Brown (10.38) and Adam Musgrove (10.44). Brown and Musgrove both ran personal bests.

The Under-17 Girls final was won by the Bahamas’ Jamiah Nabbie in 11.67 ahead of St. Lucia’s Naomi London (11.72) and Trinidad & Tobago’s Alexxe Henry (11.81).

Jamaica’s Tramaine Todd took home gold in the Boy’s equivalent in 10.52 ahead of the Bahamas’ Ishmael Rolle (10.62) and Grenada’s Ethan Sam (10.71).

Moving on to the 400m, Jamaica secured the top to spots on the podium in the Under-20 Boys through Jasauna Dennis (46.43) and Delano Kennedy (46.50) while St. Vincent & the Grenadines’ Amal Glasgow took bronze in 47.18.

Jamaica also took gold in the Girls Under-20 final through Rickiann Russell (51.84). Bahamas took silver and bronze through Javonya Valcourt (52.12) and Lacarthea Cooper (53.12).

Nickecoy Bramwell made it three 400m gold medals out of four for Jamaica by winning the Boys Under-17 final in 47.86 ahead of St. Kitts & Nevis’ Jaylen Bennett (48.59) and the Bahamas’ Andrew Brown (48.68).

Guyana’s Tianna Springer took gold in the Girls Under-17 final in 54.32 ahead of Jamaica’s Jody-Ann Daley (54.81) and St. Kitts & Nevis’ De’Cheynelle Thomas (55.46).

In the field, Trinidad & Tobago’s Immani Matthew took gold in the Boys Under-17 long jump with 7.13m ahead of Barbados’ Aaron Massiah (6.49m) and Cayman’s Junior Anthony Chin (6.48m).

Jamaica took the top two spots in the Boys Under-20 discus through Kobe Lawrence (60.27m) and Shaiquan Dunn (57.28m). Antwon Walkin of the Turks & Caicos Islands was third with 52.25m.

Jamaican World Junior Champion Brandon Pottinger teammate Chavez Penn shared gold in the Boys Under-20 high jump with clearances of 2.00m while Trinidad & Tobago’s Jaidi James took bronze with 1.95m.

Alana Reid believes her performance at the 2023 ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships that concluded on Saturday, April 1, was the best possible way to end her high glittering school career.

Reid, who turned 18 in January, completed the sprint treble at Champs, winning the 100m in a record 10.92 and the 200m in 23.08 before leading Hydel High School to victory in the 4x100m relay. She became the first female high school athlete to break 11 seconds in the blue-riband sprint at the 113-year-old Jamaican high school championships while shattering the record of 11.13 that was held by sprint icon Veronica Campbell-Brown since 2001.

Speaking with Sportsmax.TV on Monday while the school celebrated it’s first-ever title at the championships, Reid said it was good to cap her high-school career the same way it began.

“In Class IV I won both the 100 and the 200m so coming back this year and repeating that is something that I have to be proud of,” she said.

“My coach has been there for me and my parents every step of the way, not to mention my teammates, so I just had to leave my mark and that’s what I did and I am pleased with my performance.”

Reid was not even born when Veronica Campbell-Brown set the previous record that had stood for more than two decades. She said a lot of hard work went into the performance last week Wednesday night that stunned the crowd at the National Stadium in Kingston.

“It has been sleepless nights, waking at 5:30 every morning for training. I had days when I felt like giving up but I had to look at the brighter things and know that God gives his battles to his strongest soldiers. So it was just for me to position myself to do what I know I am capable of doing and I did just that and I am honestly pleased with everything that came off,” she said.

In 2022, pundits and fans of Champs had anticipated that the clash between Reid’s former teammate Brianna Lyston, who is now at Louisiana State University (LSU) and World U20 Champion Tina Clayton, would have produced the first sub-11 time for girls at Champs.

However, the environmental conditions which were ideal before that race, suddenly changed and had the two high school stars running into a stiff headwind that negatively impacted their times. Notwithstanding, Reid said she felt she could do what Lyston and Clayton failed to do.

“When I was round the back (Stadium East), I held up 10 fingers (to Coach Corey Bennett) and he was like ‘I know you can do it’, so when I was running and I looked at the clock and saw 10.90, I’m like I know I could do it,” she said.

“It really gave me the drive to look on the brighter side of things and it’s just for me to continue working hard to improve that time.”

With several universities in the United States offering track scholarships, Reid will be studying Business Management at the University of Oregon this coming fall. The choice, she said, was simple.

“It feels like home. “It’s like a family. I know not many Jamaicans are there but it’s a place that feels like I am accepted and where I can grow and improve myself both in education and track and field,” she said.

“So, It’s just for me to go there and position myself to be the best there and know that anything I believe I can achieve.”

Jamaica College’s Malique Smith-Band and Hydel’s Alana Reid took home the Class 1 200m titles on the fifth and final day of the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Smith-Band added to his silver medal performance in the 400m by producing his second personal best at the championships, 20.90, to win the title ahead of St. Elizabeth Technical’s Javorne Dunkley (21.40) and teammate Jaiden Reid (21.52).

The Class 2 Boys crown was taken by KC’s Tahj-Marques White, who ran 21.44 to complete the 200m-400m double. White’s teammate Nyrone Wade was second in 21.96 while Ainsley McGregor of Wolmer’s Boys ran the same time as Wade for third.

100m bronze medallist Shaun Lewis of STETHS went two better to win gold in the Class 3 final ahead of St. Jago’s Rayj Reece (22.93) and Calabar’s 400m champion Christopher Ellis (23.20).

Hydel’s Reid, who smashed Veronica Campbell’s Class 1 100m record when she ran a national junior record 10.92 to win the 100m on Wednesday, completed the sprint double with a 23.08 effort on Saturday. Wolmer’s Girls’ Mickayla Gardner was second in 23.89 and Holmwood Technical’s 400m champion Rickiann Russell was third in 24.16.

The Class 2 Girls final was won by Hydel’s Shemonique Hazle in 24.36, the same time as Lacovia’s Sabrina Dockery in second while Bridgeport’s Brittney McCormack was third in 24.73.

Wolmer’s Girls’ Natrece East turned the tables on Edwin Allen’s Theianna-Lee Terrelonge in the Girls Class 3 final after Terrelonge got the better of her in the 100m. East ran 24.20 to win while Terrelonge ran 24.64 for second. Hydel’s Onetta Mitchell was third in 24.92.

Immaculate Conception’s Kayla Johnson completed the Class 4 sprint double with a winning time of 25.29 ahead of Hydel’s Gabrielle Morgan (25.54) and Clarendon College’s Tresha-Lee Sutherland (25.58).

At the time of publishing, Kingston College had a 41-point lead over Jamaica College after 32 events scored while, on the girls side, Edwin Allen had a one point lead over Hydel after 37 events scored.

Kingston College’s Bouwahjghie Nkrumie and Hydel High School’s Alana Reid established new records and created history in the 100m finals that concluded Wednesday’s second day of the 2023 ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Both athletes delivered massive firsts for Jamaican junior athletes winning in 9.99 and 10.92, respectively, national junior records.

Nkrumie, 19, whose 10.02 at the World U20 Championships in Colombia last year, was a national junior record, lowered his own mark to 9.99 to win the Class 1 Boys 100m final. Nkrumie gave fair warning in the semi-finals when he eased to 10.08 to break Zharnel Hughes’ record of 10.12 set in 2014.

In the final, he left it all on the track becoming the first male athlete to break 10 seconds at the 113-year-old championships and only the third junior in history to break 10 seconds. Only the USA’s Trayvon Brommel and Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo have run the 100m under 10 seconds as juniors.

The KC star dragged Herbert Morrison’s Deandre Daley to a personal best 10.14 for the silver medal while Jaiden Reid of Jamaica College was third in 10.26.

Reid became the first female to break 11 seconds at the championships, shattering Veronica Campbell’s record of 11.12 set back in 2001.

It was supposed to be a clash between Reid from Hydel and Serena Cole of Edwin Allen and things were shaping up for a monumental battle between the two who split two races this season. The appetite of the fans gathered at the national stadium was whetted in anticipation of a battle royal in the final when Reid cruised to a personal best 11.16 to win her heat.

The gauntlet thrown down, Cole responded with a seemingly effortless 11.17 but her grimace as she crossed the finish line in her semi-final was ominous.

The news that eventually surfaced confirmed the fear. Cole was out with a hamstring injury but that didn’t faze Reid, who destroyed the field that included World U20 100m hurdles silver medalist Alexis James.

She stormed across the line to break Tina Clayton’s national junior record set in August 2022, less than a year ago at the World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia. The time that makes her the 11^th fastest Jamaican woman in history is also a world-leading time.

James of Petersfield High was a distant second in 11.45 while Tonie-Ann Forbes of Edwin Allen High was third in 11.47.

The Class II finals were not as spectacular but were nonetheless impressive as Calabar High School’s Shaquane Gordon won in 10.40 barely holding off Tremaine Todd of St Elizabeth Technical who was a close second in 10.42.

Dontae Watson of Jamaica College ran 10.72 for third.

Meanwhile, Abigaile Wolfe of Holy Childhood High ran a personal best 11.59 for the gold medal. Shemonique Hazle of Hydel won the silver medal clocking 11.65 with Lavanya Williams of William Knibb breathing down her neck in 11.66.

Kingston College’s Joshua Spence took the Class III Boys crown in 10.92 ahead of Jamaica College’s  Malique Spence 11.01 and Shaun Lewis of St Elizabeth Technical 11.07.

Among the girls, Theianna-Lee Terrelonge of Edwin Allen successfully defended her title winning in a smart 11.49. The 2022 Carifta Games silver medallist held off a fast-closing Natrece East of Wolmer’s Girls, who ran 11.59.

St Jago High School’s Poshanna-Lee Blake was third in 11.89.

Immaculate High School enjoyed a 1-2 finish in the Class IV 100m finals with Kayla Johnson clocking 11.97 to win gold ahead of her teammate Naje Brown 12.20.

Gabrielle Morgan of Hydel ram 12.24 for the bronze medal.

At the end of proceedings on Wednesday,  Jamaica College leads the boys standings with 74 points with defending champions Kingston College 13 points behind on 61. Calabar lie third with 29 points, one more than St Jago and two clear of St Elizabeth Technical.

Among the girls, defending champions Edwin Allen lead with 55 points with St Jago not far behind on 47 points.

Holmwood Technical are third with 41 points while Hydel are fourth with 39.

Immaculate High’s 23 points see them lie fifth on the standings.