Davis smashes 100m record again at 'Champs' 2018

It was fireworks and drama at the National Stadium on Friday night as the penultimate day of the ISSA Grace Kennedy Boy's and Girls Athletics Championships came to a dramatic close. One of the most anticipated races at ‘Champs’ this year came to a dramatic end as Kingston College’s Jevaugh Matherson and defending class one champion Michael Stephens of Calabar both suffered injuries in the final of the boy's 100m.

Stephens who showed signs of discomfort before the start of the race, failed to finish while Matherson who looked fantastic in qualifying, walked across the line in 18.74 seconds. The event was won by another Calabar athlete Tyreke Wilson in a massive personal best 10.21 seconds. Ryiem Robertsonof Jamaica College was second in 10.28 seconds and Xavier Nairne third in 10.42.

The class two event was record breaking as Sachin Dennis of St Elizabeth Technical posted a a record 10.20 seconds to beat Terrique Stennett of KC, 10.37 seconds and Conrad Jones also of STETHS 10.52 seconds. Dennis beat the previous national youth record of 10.25 seconds previously held by Jevaughn Matherson. The run also broke the class two record of 10. 29 seconds set by Raheem Chambers in 2014.

KC's Bouwahjgie Nkrumi was also in record breaking shape in winning the boys Class Three 100m in 10.79; Adrian Kerr also of KC was second in 10.81 and David Lynch of calabar 3rd in 11.08. In the girls Class Two equivalent, Kevona Davis of Edwin Allen, smashed the old mark of 11.35 which she had set in the semi-finals, as she crossed the line in 11.16 seconds.

Classes 1 and 2 were also won by Edwin Allen athletes with Kasheika Cameron winning the Class 1 race in a personal best 11.29 while Tia Clayton claimed class 3 honours in 11.56. Records also came in the 400m hurdles for both boys and girl as Hydel's captain Shian Salmon won the girls open event in 55.78 seconds, breaking Ristananna Tracey's 2011 record of 55.81. The boys Class one event was taken by Rovane Williams of Rhodes Hall in 49.94, erasing Timor Barrett's 51.37.

Williams became only the third athlete to go below 50 seconds in the event at ‘Champs’ behind Jaheel Hyde and Omar McLeod. Malik James King of Calabar was second in 50.03 while Jauavney James of STETHS claimed 3rd in 50.07. Class Two was won by Dean Clarke of Calabar in 52.67.

In the 1500m, Javon-Taye Williams of Calabar won the Class 1 event while Classes 2 and 3 went to Omarion Davis of JC and Kevroy Venson of Calabar respectively with Venson leading home a one-two for the Red Hills Road-based team, thanks to Rivaldo Marshall.

In the field JC went one-two in the boy's triple jump for Class 1 with Malik Cunnniham getting the win after cutting the sand at 15.59 metres and Safin Wills second with 15.57 metres. Also in the field, Lamar Distin won the girls high jump for Class 1 in 1.75m, while Cedricka Williams of Holmwood took the girls Class 3 discuss with a throw of 41.21 metres.

Meanwhile, defending champions Calabar and Edwin Allen will start as leaders when Saturday’s final day of the championships get underway at 1:00 in the afternoon. Calabar tops the boys’ standings after day 4 with 161 points with Kingston College in second on 127, Jamaica College third on 89, Wolmer's Boys 4th on 48 and St Jago 5th on 42.

Edwin Allen has so far amassed 148 points to sit atop the girls standings, with Holmwood Technical second with 109, Hydel third with 93, St Jago 4th with 62 and Vere Technical 5th with 57.