The Jamaica Gleaner's perspective on yesterday start of the National Trials for the 2012 Olympics as well as today's schedule.
Bolt
Scare For Fans
Published: Friday | June 29, 2012
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| Usain Bolt of the Racers' Track Club cruising to victory in his 100 metres heat on yesterday's opening day of the JAAA Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships at the National Stadium. Bolt clocked 10.06 seconds. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer |
The
faithful spectators who turned out for yesterday's opening day of the JAAA
Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships at the National Stadium held
their breath in unison, as the starter called back heat one of the men's 100
metres suggesting someone had false-started and would be disqualified.
With
the defending Olympic champion and world record holder, Usain Bolt, present in
the race and the memory of his false start and eventual disqualification at
last year's World Championship final still fresh in the minds of many, fans
feared the worst.
There
was much relief when it emerged that it was in fact Ainsley Waugh's 2012 100m
Olympic dream that had ended.
On
the second time of asking, Bolt coasted to a 10.06 seconds (wind/speed +0.2mps)
clocking to take the race. Jacques Harvey of MVP was second in 10.15 while
Mario Forsythe of Racers (10.18) was third.
The
reigning World champion, Yohan Blake, got off to a good start in his quest to
qualify for his first-ever Olympics and recorded the fastest time going into
today's semi-finals.
The
'Beast', as Blake is dubbed, looked impressive in winning heat two of four. The
Racers' Track Club athlete stopped the clock at 10.00 seconds (w/s +0.8) to
finish ahead of clubmate Kemar Bailey-Cole (10.12) and former national champion
out of Akan Track, Oshane Bailey (10.26).
It
was an MVP clean sweep in heat three, as defending national champion Asafa
Powell and Nesta Carter both crossed the line in 10.19 seconds (w/s +0.2), but
Carter was deemed the winner. Nicholas Watson was third in 10.23 seconds.
"I
just wanted to get the first four steps out of the way and keep my focus for
the next 20 metres; it was a good run," Powell said of the race.
The
final heat saw Michael Frater chase down the fast-starting Lerone Clarke to take
victory in 10.09 seconds (w/s +1.3). Clarke crossed the line in 10.15 seconds
to finish ahead of Racers' Kenroy Anderson (10.24).
In
the women's 400m, MVP athlete Christine Day emerged as the fastest qualifier
for the semi-finals which is scheduled for tomorrow at 7:15 p.m. Day stopped
the clock at 51.50 seconds to take heat three with Domonique Blake placing
second in 51.94.
Rosemarie
Whyte of Racers was smooth in capturing heat two in 51.80. World Championship
bronze medallist, Novlene Williams-Mills posted 52.18 to win heat one while
2008 Olympics silver medallist Shericka Williams clocked 52.13 to claim heat
four. Williams was followed home by Racers' Davita Prendagast (52.32, while
Holmwood standout athlete Chrisann Gordon clocked 52.40 for third and also
progressed to the semi-finals.
On
the men's side, national record holder Jermaine Gonzales was the fifth-fastest
qualifier after winning heat three in 46.39 seconds.
The
qualifiers for tomorrow's semi-final, set for 7:25 p.m., are led by Dane Hyatt who
won heat five in 45.70. Heat two was captured by Errol Nolan (45.76), while
heat four went to Gonzales' Racers' Club's Ricardo Chambers (46.19). Akheem
Gauntlett's 47.44 was good enough for victory in heat one.
Other
qualifiers include Oral Thompson (46.00) of Swept Club, Rusheen McDonald
(46.02) and Edino Steele (46.11).
The
opening event of the day saw reigning Olympic 400m hurdles champion, Melaine
Walker, and MVP club teammate Kaliese Spencer comfortably progress to this
evening's final.
Not eligible
Walker
dipped below 55 seconds for the second time this year, as she stopped the clock
at 54.88 to win heat two and progress as the fastest qualifier. Shevone
Studdart was second in 56.09 seconds. Josan Lucas out of Trinidad and Tobago
placed third, but is not eligible to compete in the final.
Holmwood
Technical's Janieve Russell ran a career-best 57.04 seconds, which is the best
time by a junior this year over the distance to place fourth ahead of
Ristananna Tracey (57.92).
Spencer
posted 55.92 to take heat one ahead of Daniel Dowie (56.85), Nickesha Wilson
(56.95) and Sonali Merril (57.89).
The
male equivalent saw Josef Roberston lead all qualifiers into tonight's final.
Roberston took heat one in 50.03 seconds. Also advancing from the first heat
was Roxroy Cato, who was second in 50.09 with former national champion Isa
Phillips (50.21) claiming third.
Two-time
national champion Leford Green crossed the line in 50.57 to take heat two ahead
of veteran Danny McFarlane (50.96).
The
other three men to advance to the final came from the third heat which was won
by Trinidad and Tobago's Emmanuel Myers, but he will not feature in the final
being a guest athlete. The three to progress were Brian Steele (50.14), Adrian
Findley (50.24) and Sabriel Anderson 50.26 seconds.
Yesterday's
lone final , the men's javelin, was won by G.C. Foster's Jeffery King with a
throw of 60.35 metres. Robert Barnes (54.83m) placed second ahead of Demoy
Henry (54.56m). None of the competitors, however, have achieved the A
qualifying standard of 82 metres or the B standard of 79.5m.
ryon.jones@gleanerjm.com
Today's schedule
4:00
p.m: High Jump Heptathlon Final
5:00
p.m: Triple Jump Men Final
5:30
p.m: Discus Women Final
5:30
p.m: 100m Men Masters Final
5:40
p.m: 400m Men Masters Final
6:00
p.m. Shot Put Heptathlon Final
6:00
p.m.-6:55 p.m: opening ceremony
7:00
p.m: Long Jump Women Final
7:00
p.m: 800m Men Heats
7:15
p.m: 100m Women Semi-Finals
7:25
p.m: 100m Men Semi-Finals
7:30
p.m: Presentation - Discus Women
7:35
p.m: 5000m Men Final
8:00 p.m: Presentation - Triple Jump Men
8:20
p.m: 400m Hurdles Women Final
8:30
p.m: 400m Hurdles Men Final
8:35
p.m: Presentation - Long Jump Women
8:40
p.m: 1500m Women Final
8:50
p.m: 1500m Men Final
8:55
p.m: Presentation - 5000m Men
9:00
p.m: 200m Heptathlon Final
9:05
p.m: Presentations - 400m Hurdles Men & Women
9:15
p.m: 100m Women Final
9:20
p.m: Presentations -1500m Men & Women
9:25
p.m: 100m Men Final
9:30
p.m: Presentations - 100m Men & Women
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