By Vijay, TrackAlerts.com writer
Former Bethel and St. Jago High sprint hurdler, Samantha Scarlett, was in brilliant form at last weekend's East Regional NCAA Division 1 Track and Field Championships in Florida.
Scarlett raced to a lifetime best 13.01 seconds to take second in her semi-finals heat of the Women's 100 metres hurdles. Scarlett, who started the season at 13.54 seconds, and who has been steadily improving after every meet was at her best on the night for Auburn University.
In a very tough race, Sacrlett, who had recorded a previous best 13.17 seconds in the preliminary round, finished second to Louisanna State University (LSU) Jasmine Strowers, who won in 12.91 seconds. Strowers' teammate Chanice Chase was third in 13.27 seconds.
Scarlett who also qualified for the 60 metres Hurdles NCAA Indoor Championships in March was very elated with her achievement, despite showing saying she was nervous at the start of the race.
"I almost thought I wasn't going to make it down the track", said Scarlett." I was so nervous heading down the final stretch. I am looking forward to competing at Nationals", said Scarlett, who represented Jamaica at the World Junior Championships two years ago in Barcelona , Spain.
The time done by Scarlett is the third fastest by a Jamaican senior athlete so far this season as only Monique Morgan, who did 12.96 seconds in Philadelphia in May and former National Champion, Indira Spence with 12.98 seconds done in Walnut, California in April have gone faster.
Scarlett and her teammate Ebony Morrison, who finished third in her Semi-Finals in 13.06 seconds, will see Auburn being represented at the Nationals in the event for the first time since 2006 with Joanna Lucas.
Both Scarlett and Morrison are coached by Bahamian born Henry Rolle.
