LOOK OUT!
Dockery makes girls’ 100m statement with scintillating run
Sabrina Dockery of Lacovia High School sent a strong message that she will not be easily denied the Class One 100m title in her first year after running a brilliant 11.12 seconds (0.3m/s) to win her first round race on Tuesday’s opening day of the 115th staging of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium.
If ratified, the time run by the World Under-20 Championships relay gold medallist would be a big personal best, World Under-20 lead and the joint sixth-best ever by a Jamaican in that age group, equalling Veronica Campbell Brown’s best as a junior.
After the opening day of the five-day spectacle, teams will start scoring points on Wednesday when eight finals are to be decided in the girls section, including all four 100m, three 1,500m finals as well as the Class One discus throw.
The semi-finals of the 100m are also to be run, with the top eight in each class advancing to the final.
Dockery broke her previous best of 11.21 set last year during the national junior trial at the same venue. In the World Athletics rankings, she moved past American Brianna Selby’s 11.26 set on Saturday.
Edwin Allen High’s Jounee Armstrong and Holmwood Technical’s Doniellia Lewis were both well behind Dockery, both timed at 11.59. Another Holmwood runner, Kiara Meikle, clocked 11.61.
In Class Two, Muschett High’s Shanoya Douglas, a double gold medallist in the 200m and 400m last year before returning to the 100m this season, cruised to an easy 11.93 in her heat. She shut down well before the finish line and was third best overall.
Adora Campbell of St Jago led with 11.60, ahead of Pasha Gaye Forrester of Vere Technical who ran 11.91, while Natrece East of Wolmer’s Girls’, ran 11.94, followed by Edwin Allen runners Moesha Gayle (11.99) and Kerelle Etienne (12.10).
Two St Jago High runners headed the Class Three qualifying, with Trecia-Ann Grant leading the way with 11.90 (0.3m/s) and Shannia Campbell with 12.02 (-2.9m/s). Rihanna Scott of Ferncourt High with 12.05 (-0.9m/s); Tashana Godfrey of Edwin Allen High with 12.07 (0.9m/s); and Kayla Johnson of Immaculate Conception with 12.18 seconds (-1.2m/s) also progressed.
Vere Technical’s Danae Bartley ran 12.13 (0.4m/s) to lead the Class Four qualifying, followed by Holmwood Technical’s Adalia Simpson who ran 12.22 (-06m/s) and Alzeliha Allen of St Andrew High who clocked 12,29 seconds (1.0m/s).
In the Girls’ 400m Abigail Campbell of Hydel High made a good start to the defence of her Girls Class One title after leading the qualifiers for Wednesday’s semi-finals by running 53.94.
Campbell won the second heat, while Edwin Allen High’s Kellyann Carr, who was second in Class Two last year, won the first heat with the second fastest time of the round, 54.60.
Vere Technical’s Shevaughn Thomas, a Class Two finalist last year, ran 54.67 followed by Holmwood Technical’s Kristen Herbert (54.83). Her teammate Abrina Wright ran 55.61 and Immaculate Conception’s Davine Dickenson recorded 55.68.
Vere Technical’s Jesena Williams ran the fastest time in Class Two when she clocked 54.66, ahead of Holmwood Technical’s Maddison Campbell (55.64), followed by the Hydel High pair of Nastassia Fletcher (55.78) and Sashana Johnson (55.81).
Pre-championships favourite Shameika McLean of Foga Road High led the Class Three qualifiers after running 56.79 to win the first heat. St Jago High’ Jamilia Alves ran 57.02 and Holmwood Technical’s Ashley Wynter was timed in 57.11.
Alyssa Carty of St Jago High, who ran 57.75, and Shaniel Henry (57.80) of Hydel, also advanced.
Holmwood Technical’s Jovi Rose, who will be seeking to upgrade her silver medal from last year, was second in qualifying in the Girls’ Class Two 1500m. Rose ran 4:54.19 minutes to win her heat.
Edwin Allen High’s Kevongaye Fowler won her heat with 4:50.12, the best overall.
Hydel High’s Rihanna Morgan was third overall with 4:51.45.
Last year’s Class Three champion Alikay Reynolds of Alphansus Davis High is also through with 4:54.24.
Denique Palmer, who was second last year, leads the qualifiers for the Class Three finals after running 4:59.33.
Palmer, who has run 4:47.36 already this year, won the first heat. She was followed in the qualifying by Holmwood Technical’s Ashley Shepherd (5:02.53), who was sixth last year, and Vere Technical’s Driana Frater (5:00.47).
Hydel High’s Abigail Campbell reacts after the Girls’ Class One 400m heat during the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)