By Noel 'Bravo' Francis, Special toTrackAlerts.com
400-Metre Hurdles Open – Age 14-19
A St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) 1-2 is very likely with Okeen Williams and Marvin Williams in the one lap obstacle.
Both young men made the finals of the World Youth Games last year where red-hot favourite Okeen fell agonizingly in the home stretch but teammate Marvin seized the moment and ran the race of his life to capture gold for Jamaica. If both men turn up anywhere near last year’s form, we could likely see a very fast and exciting race in the region of 51 seconds or lower. Moreover, after the performances at the CARIFTA trials, the interest in this race has increased tenfold.
The STETHS duo cannot afford to be complacent as with any obstacle race nothing is certain and if they are not at their best, Wolmerian Jaheel Hyde will pounce like a leopard and grab some well-needed points. At this point, it seems like a three-way battle between the Williams' pair and Hyde.
Chad Miller and Davian Baker of Kingston College along with Calabar’s Jason Drake will ensure it is a very exciting affair especially when tired legs are going over the final flight of hurdles in the home stretch.
Do you think Jaheel Hyde will upset a quality field in his first year doing this event? This race will be more competitive than last year’s final and a great winning time is expected.
In the next feature, we will be looking at the most exciting middle distance events in years.
