Raymond Graham
Freelance Writer
WITH the 2003 indoor track and field athletics season well underway in the United States, several Jamaicans attending colleges and universities are highly placed in their respective events.
In Division 1, 2001 National 100 and 200 metres champion Aleen Bailey leads the way. The former Vere Technical athlete who attends South Carolina University is number two in the 200m and sixth in the 60m.
With a time of 23.49 seconds, Bailey is just behind LSU's Muna Lee (23.45). In the 60m, Bailey (7.38) is in sixth while Jamaican-born athlete Sanya Richards who competed for the United States at last year's World Junior Championships in Kingston is in second position in this event. Richards who is a freshman at Texas University in Austin has a time of 7.34 seconds as Lauryn Williams of Miami University leads the pack with 7.32 seconds.
Former St. Jago High school athlete Andrea Bliss is ranked second over the 60 metres hurdles as her time of 8.25 seconds is behind Raasin McIntosh of Texas University with 8.23.
Among the males, two former Wolmer's Boys' athletes are among the top three. Michael Frater (6.69) is third in the men's 60m while Aundre Edwards with a leap of 7.70m is second in the long jump. Both athletes attend Texas Christan University.
Brandon Simpson, a member of Jamaica's senior team to last year's Commonwealth Games along with former Camperdown High school standout, David Spencer are members of Texas Christian University's mile relay team which has a leading time of 3:09.90 to be number one so far.
In Division 11, former Hampton athlete Moya Thompson who attends Lincoln University is the number one ranked female athlete over the 400m. Lincoln are coached by Jamaican Victor "Poppy" Thomas. Her time of 56.68 seconds lead the way. Lilieth Simms formerly of York Castle High and G.C.Foster College and who also attends Lincoln is number eight over the 800 metres in 2:15.54 while the women's 4x400 metres team with a time of 3:51.90 is the top team in this division.
In the NAIA Division, former Vere Technical athlete Melocia Clarke who now attends Central States University is very dominant here. Clarke who was a member of Jamaica's team to the recent senior CAC Championships is ranked number one in both the women's 55m and long jump. In the 55m her time is 7.37 seconds while in the long jump she has a mark of 6.06m. She is also ranked number two in the triple jump with 11.58m.
Former Calabar star Ricardo Melbourne who also attends Central State University is the number one over 55m hurdles with 7.75 seconds.
