WHILE ASAFA Powell is the favourite for the men's 100 metres title, in the women's event the favourite tag is hard to call as this will be one of the most competitive female 100 metres ever to grace the National Stadium track as we could be seeing a slight preview of the Olympics 100 metres final where Jamaica could get at least two medals.The guard will definitely change as the country's young female athletes have stepped up in no uncertain manner and they are ready to throw down the gauntlet to the veterans.
In Sherone Simpson and Veronica Campbell, Jamaica have two athletes ranked in the top five and to compliment this are the likes of Aileen Bailey, Tayna Lawrence, Elva Goulbourne, schoolgirl Simone Facey, along with Kerron Stewart and Petagaye Dowdie.
NOW NUMBER TWO RANKED
Following her recent 11.01 seconds where she was once ranked atop the world with the United States Lauryn Williams, the Stephen Francis coached Simpson, who is now number two ranked behind Williams who posted 10.97 seconds at the recent NCAA Championships, is definitely the most improved female athlete in Jamaica.
The former Manchester High athlete, who up to a year ago competed at the Boy's and Girl's Athletics Championships, has gone from 11.37 to 11.01 in just over a year.
When she posted her personal best in Grenada she did so with no competition as the second placed finisher was way behind. Based on her time she will start a very slight favourite to crown her self national 100 metres champion but only just.
Two former champions in Bailey and Campbell will be coming back for their crown and for Simpson it will not be easy as both Bailey and Campbell will only go down fighting.
BLAZING THE TRACK
For all season Campbell has been blazing the track on the collegiate scene and was only denied a chance to win the NCAA sprint double due to NCAA eligibility rules as she did not compete at the final Regional Meet.
The chances of Bailey retaining her titles should not be dismissed as the double champion at last year's Meet was a finalist in both the 100 and 200 metres at last year's World Outdoor Championships.
Looking well trimmed this year, Bailey gave a slight glimpse of her form at GC Foster College last weekend where she did 22.91 seconds over the 200 metres. Although both Simpson and Campbell have recorded faster times than Bailey, come next weekend, this will not matter when all three are expected to line up at the start of the 100 metres final.
It could come down to the person with the most experience and here the Nike sponsored Bailey could use that to her advantage.
Although being plagued with injuries for the past couple years, Olympic 100 metres bronze medallist, Tayna Lawrence should also not be counted out. However much of her has not been seen this season and it will have to take something extra special from her if she is to take this event.
The likes of Facey, who was impressive at Girl's Athletic Championships this year along with former Girl's Championships 100 metres champion Stewart, who finished sixth in the senior 100 metres at last year's National Championships and the speedy Elva Goulbourne should all make this 100 metres a hell of a battle royal.
Of note is that three members of Jamaica's successful World Junior 4x100 metres relay team in Kingston in Simpson, Stewart and Facey are bidding for places here.
Prediction:- 1. Veronica Campbell, 2. Sherone Simpson, 3. Aileen Bailey, 4. Elva Goulbourne, 5. Tayna Lawrence, 6. Simone Facey, 7. Kerron Stewart, 8. Petagaye Dowdie.
-R. Graham
