Chance for throwers to meet standard
published: Saturday | February 12, 2005

Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

IN A move to help throwers sharpen up for Champs and Penn Relays, national junior coach Michael Vassell stages his second field event of the 2005 season, dubbed 'King of the Ring' tomorrow at Kingston College, North Street Campus.

The meet is without a sponsor, but Vassell says it will go on anyhow as he believes throwers need exposure, especially with Penn Relays (April 28-30) and Carifta Games (March 26-28) coming up soon.

Today's 'King of the Ring' meet will see action in the discus and shot put, all classes. However, special privileges will be made to have open events to facilitate athletes looking to achieve Penn Relays qualifying marks.

Champs qualifying marks stand at (girls' shot put open ­ 9lbs.) 8.50m and 7.50m for A and B standard respectively.

The discus (1.0kg.) marks are as follows: Girls' Class One (29.00m & 26.00m); Class Two (28.00m & 25.00m); Class Three (26.00m & 22.00m).

Boys: Shot put, Class One ­ 13 lbs (11.00m & 10.50m); Class Two ­ 11lbs. (11.50m & 10.50). Discus, Class One ­ 1.75kg. (35.60 & 31.00); Class Two ­ 1.50kg. (35.60 & 31:00m).

The Penn Relays marks are 12.10m (8lbs.) and 35.00m (1kg.) for girls' shot put and discus respectively while it's 16.30m (12 lbs) and 46.00m (1.6 kg) for boys' shot put and discus respectively.

Meet organiser Vassell, said the main reason for the meet arose out of the decision to change the weights used at Boys' Champs.

The weights used at Champs are now heavier than the ones used at Penn Relays.

"We are experiencing our best year so far and should encourage these youngsters," he said.

JAMAICAN CHARGE

Leading the Jamaican charge to dominate another aspect of Penn Relays should be Camoi Hood of Bridgeport, who threw 18.21m (shot put) & 48.13m (discus), Hickel Woolery of Manning's ­ 16.53m (shot put) & 51.66m (discus), Steve Hammond ­ 16.58m (shot put) & 50.08m (discus) at the Big Shot Invitational, hosted by Kingston College on January 22. It was the first qualifying meet.

Things should be competitive in the girls' section with new leader Phelecia Reynolds of St. Hugh's - 13.19m (shot put) and 42.19 (discus) renewing rivalry with Keneshia Throughsingh of Vere Technical ­ 12.38m (shot put).