KINGSTON — Dashawn Morris of Kingston College looked the part when clocking 47.01 seconds to take the first heat of the boys U20 400m to qualify the quickest for the final on Friday’s Day 2 at the Jamaica National Championships inside the National Stadium.
Morris, the world junior leader this season with a personal best of 45.09 secs, went out aggressively and then eased home.
Malik Smith, finishing strongly, took second place in 47.15 and secured the other automatic spot from the heat.
Shemar Chambers of Calabar eased away from the field in the early metres and then cruised home to take the second semi-final heat in 47.15.
Following Chambers home was his fellow schoolmate Malik James-King, who took second with a time of 47.95.
Semi-final heat 3 saw Anthony Carpenter of Calabar and Chantz Sawyers of the University of Florida effortlessly advanced into the final and did so while holding a conversation during the race.
The pair opened up a big lead over the field in the opening 300m and then switch off in the homestretch.
Carpenter eventually went on to take the heat in 47.36, while Sawyers, who clearly had no interest in winning the heat, came to an almost walk as he went across the tape in 47.77.
Both sprinters who was visually holding a conversation in the closing metres of the race while looking around, clearly have a lot more left in reserve for the final, which will take place on Saturday.
Complete List Of Qualifiers
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Preliminaries
1 #185 Dashawn Morris Kingston college 47.01Q 1
2 #36 Shemar Chambers Calabar High school 47.15Q 2
3 #35 Anthony Carpenter Calabar High school 47.36Q 3
4 #391 Malik Smith Unattached 47.15Q 1
5 #399 Chantz Sawyers University o 47.77Q 3
6 #41 Malik James-King Calabar High school 47.95Q 2
7 #264 Antonio Watson Petersfield High 47.90q 1
8 #153 Davitto Davey Holmwood Tec 48.68q 2
