REDEMPTION

IT WAS a form of redemption for Jamal Stephenson of Jamaica on the opening day of the 52nd staging of the Carifta Games at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago.

Stephenson produced a personal best of 10.24 seconds, running into a negative wind of 1.4 metres per second to win the boys’ under-20 100 metres.

Dylan Woodruffe of Trinidad and Tobago finished second for the silver in 10.30 seconds, with Eltham Sam of Grenada, third in 10.41 seconds.

Stephenson, who was disqualified in the event at the recent ISSA Boys and Girls’ Championships and, despite a successful appeal, was not allowed to compete in the final – only earning a point for his team – ran the event yesterday because teammate, Shaquane Gordon, pulled out to focus on the 110-metre hurdles.

Stephenson got out of the blocks quickly and pulled away from his rivals for an impressive win, improving his previous personal best of 10.38 seconds.

“This win means a lot for me, and I was glad I was given the opportunity to compete, thanks to God. And I would like to big up my family, coaches, and supporters,” said Stephenson, who admitted he was a bit nervous at the start.

In the girls’ under-20 100m, there were mixed results for Jamaica. Shanoya Douglas was crowned the new champion after defending champion Sabrina Dockery was disqualified for a false start. Despite a slow start, Douglas showed strong top-end speed in the final 50 metres to secure the win.

Michael Graham ruled supreme in the boys’ under-17 event, winning in 10.53 seconds. Tiandre Frett of the British Virgin Islands took silver in 10.58, with Jamaica’s Jaydon Collins third in 10.68.

Favourite Adora Campbell of Jamaica had to settle for silver in the girls’ under-17 100m, her 11.67 seconds losing out to Jady Emmanuel of St Lucia, 11.59. Zadrion Ward of the Bahamas finished third for bronze in 11.78 seconds. Jamaica’s Shayon Smith was fourth in 11.86.

Jamaican athletes found the going tough earlier on the track, waiting some time before picking up their first gold medal. That came in the girls’ under-20 1500m, where Cindy Rose secured the win in 4:37.98, ahead of compatriot Sushana Johnson, 4:40.83. Bronze went to Natoya Harvey of Guyana in 4:41.61.

BRONZE MEDALS

Jamaica had to settle for bronze medals in the girls’ under-17 1500m through Denique Palmer (4:47.50), boys’ under-17, through Luke Plummer (4:13.54), and boys’ under-20, through Joel Morgan (4:01.43).

In the 400 metres, Jamaica picked up silver in the boys’ under-17 through Diwayne Sharpe, who clocked 48.27 seconds, and bronze in the girls’ under-20, through Abrina Wright, 53.77.

Tiana Springer of Guyana won the under-20 400 in 53.97 seconds, ahead of Kadia Rock of Barbados, second in 53.52 seconds.

Jamaica had no luck in the girls’ under-17 and boys’ under-20 400m events. In the former, Shameika McLean finished fifth in 58.21 seconds, and Tracy-Ann Evans was sixth in 58.96 seconds. Tyra Fenton of Antigua won gold in 53.93 seconds.

In the boys’ under-20 400, both Jamaican medal favourites – Tahj-Marques Whyte and Marcinho Rose – failed to finish in what were very strange circumstances.

Zion Miller of the Bahamas won in 46.51 seconds, ahead of Diwayne Malachi Austin of Barbados (46.54). Third place went to Dashaun Lezana of Trinidad and Tobago (47.43).

In the first relay final of the Championships, the Mixed Open 4x400 metres, Jamaica had to settle for silver in 3:23.07. The Bahamas took gold in 3:22.59, with Grenada claiming bronze in 3:27.46.

Amani Phillips won the boys’ under-17 triple jump with 15.48 metres, marking the second time he was going past the record in his series.

On his fourth attempt, Phillips set 15.25 as the new record but his longer jump was done with a positive wind of 3.0 metres per second.

Sackoya Palmer picked up Jamaica’s first win of the day after claiming gold in the girls’ under-17 high jump with a clearance of 1.71 metres.

Joseph Salmon secured Jamaica’s third field event, taking gold in the boys’ under-20 discus with a throw of 56.82 metres. Dylan Logan of Grenada was second with 52.57, and Jamaica’s Devontae Edwards, third, with 50.97.

Jamie-Lee Tulloch won a silver medal in the girls’ under-17 shot put with a throw of 13.02 metres.