Holmwood's Peta-Gaye BeckfordTHREE INDIVIDUAL girls records were broken on yesterday's penultimate day of the 2004 VMBS Boys and Girls Athletics Championships, while defending champions Holmwood Technical girls are still large in charge.
On today's final day, the Maurice Wilson-coached girls have qualified for most of the finals. Led by new javelin record holder Shaneka Parkes and triple gold medallist Peta-Gaye Beckford, Holmwood continued to dominate yesterday, moving to 112 points, 24 ahead of Vere and Edwin Allen, who have 88 points each.
The top 13 is completed by St. Jago and St. Andrew (67), Wolmer's (47), Manchester (36), Immaculate (39.5), Morant Bay (27.5), Mannings (26), St. Hugh's (24), Meadowbrook (14), Tacius Golding, Alpha, Hampton and Queen's (12 each).
Yesterday's individual records were established first in the javelin Open when national junior record holder Parkes threw 45.08 to erase Wolmer's Brenda-Grace Hunt's three-year-old mark of 44.92. Parkes defeated last year's champion, Tammilee Kerr of Wolmer's (43.63m), Sue-Ann Williams of St. Hugh's (38.26) and Taneisha Blair of Holmwood (37.18).
In the 800m Class One, Kayann Thompson of Edwin Allen produced a fast 4:30.79 to beat her own mark of 4:35.09 set last year. Thompson left behind, Tacius Golding's Vanessa Whittle (4:41.24) and teammate Loraine McKenzie (4.42.92).
Denesha Morris of Manchester High rewrote the other record to fall. She erased the old mark of 12.08 set by Diane Dietrich of Immaculate in 1999 when she ran 11.93 in the semi-final of the Class Four 100m, but later returned to run 12.00 to win the final.
Although she did not break any record, Holmwood's Peta-Gaye Beckford is so far the most outstanding female of the meet. The 18-year-old athlete won the Class One long jump yesterday with a leap of 6.23 metres. This to add to her discus Class One and shot put Open titles.
In the 100m, World Junior silver medallist Simone Facey of Vere blew away a weak Class One field to win in 11.22. Facey, who missed last year's Champs with an injury, defeated Traceyann Rowe of Holmwood (11.61) and St. Mary Technical's Janika Moretell (11.80).
In the Class Two section, Shelly-Ann Fraser of Wolmer's (11.73) won ahead of Edwin Allen's Kimberly Smith (11.82) and Inderia Spence of Vere (11.96) while Queen's Samantha Henry took Class Three honours in 11.88.
Edwin Allen's Sherene Pinnock lived up to expectations in the 400m hurdles Open, winning in 58.22. Pinnock defeated Trishana McGowan of St. Andrew (58.80) and Holmwood's Nyoka Cole (59.20).
In the medley Open, Holmwood Technical (4:09.71) lead qualifiers Edwin Allen (4:14.82) and Vere Technical (14:15.03) entering today's final.
Going into this afternoon's 400m final, 'star girl' Anneisha McLaughlin of Holmwood (54.79) enters with the second fastest time behind Vere Technical's Maris Wisdom (54.28). Nickesha Anderson of Herbert Morrison (56.40) and St. Elizabeth Technical's Shericka Williams (55.33).
In the Class Two 400m event, Holmwood look good with Sonita Sutherland (54.06) and Jeraine Bolt (55.65) going into the final with the two fastest times.
In the Class Four 80m hurdles final, Leslie Mitchell of Manchester (11.16) and Holmwood's Crystal Hemmings (11.25) are the top runners.
St. Jago's Natasha Ruddock (11.62) leads rivals in the 80m Class Three hurdles. In the Class Two event, Vere's Spence (14.08) is on top of the qualifiers while Latoya Greaves of Queen's (13.84) leads a strong Class One field which includes defending champion Keisha Brown of Vere (13.88) and Nadina Marsh of St. Jago (13.91).
