Cemore Donald of Edwin Allen was impressive in the Under-17 girls’ 800m, but the senior sections saw upsets at the Digicel Grand Prix finale at the National Stadium on Saturday (11th March).
Donald, who was matched stride for stride by Petersfield High’s Shaquena Foote on the last lap, challenged atop the home stretch, and pulled away to take the girls’ 800m final in 2:08.77.
Foote finished second in 2:10.38 while Rushana Dwyer of Edwin Allen got third in 2:13.76.
Charokee Young of Hydel and Ackeen Colley of Rusea’s were the surprise winners.
Young, who toyed with Holmwood favourite Chrissani May for 700 metres, sprinted by in the last 80 metres to take the top spot in 2:10.08 in the Under-20 girls’ 800m final. May finished second in 2:12.07.
Young said “I just followed my coach’s instruction, which was to stay with the field and sprint home.”
Colley, in the Under-20 boys’ equivalent, nowhere in the mix in the last 150m, found an extra gear to sprint home in 1:52.80. Tyrese Reid of Spot Valley, the Western Champs winner and favourite, finished second in 1:53.44.
Colley said he surprised himself with the time, but added “I knew I could win.”
Kimar Farquharson (Calabar) 1:55.66 held off Rushane Fullerton (Munro) 1:55.79 and Arymanya Rodgers (KC) 1:56.93 to win the Under-17 boys’ 800m final