By Alricardo Gallimore, TrackAlerts.Com Writer
The 2015 track and field season is now in full swing. Six grueling weeks of 17 intense track and field meets have kept fans on the edge of their seats week after week. These exciting track meets are qualifiers and prepare athletes for the GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletic Championship set to take place from March 24-28.
Many have seen their Boys and Girls Champions while others thinks it’s too early to call. Technique lab announces the top 10 ranking athletes in each event, after every track meet. This I believe will make it easier for fans, track experts and analysts to see the favorites in each event leading up to Champs. With that said, one event of added importance, which is highly anticipated by fans, is the Boys’ 400m class 2.
This event should bring fireworks to the stadium on that Saturday afternoon providing the athletes of importance both make the finals, are in good health and are in peak form. Calabar's decorated class two athlete Christopher Taylor is looking to cop this event come March 28. However, it will not be an easy walk in the park as he will have to get by the man who last beat him two years ago and arch rival Kingston College’s Nathaniel Bann.
Bann was recently released from the University Hospital after suffering a nagging injury that has dampened his preparation for Champs. He has been given the go ahead to compete by doctors. Bann opened his season at the Milo Western Relays with a leg on the KC class 1 4x200m but didn’t look all too good and would have to come harder and better if he is to threaten the 400m at Champs.
Nathaniel Bann has a personal best of 47.24 done at the 2014 edition of Youngster Goldsmith meet. He was second in the 400m finals at Champs last year beaten by team mate Dontre'd Williams. He would not want to play second fiddle twice in class 2 as Christopher Taylor is on fire this season.
Taylor, the Class 3 record holder in the event has already gone sub 47 when he did 46.87 at youngster goldsmith meet running from lane 8 with a lot left in the tank as evidenced by his slowing down towards the end of the line. His time has made him the fastest high school athlete so far this year in any class in the event. Many are contemplating if Bann can go under the 47 seconds barrier as this would be needed to beat a talented Taylor.
Once the conditions are right and both athletes report in great condition, fans will be in for a treat as Baker’s 46.64 will definitely be one of the records that will fall come March 28. Competition may come from STETH's Leonardo Legister as well as Calabar's Anthony Carpenter who were both in the finals last year. Others to note are Garvey Macao's Travis Jackson, KCs Tyreke Bryan , and Munro pair of Sheldon Smith and Romell Plummer.