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Apr 21, 2013 Sports
– CARIFTA medallists impress
By Edison Jefford
Local sprint phenom, Jevina Sampson showed signs that she has returned to form yesterday with a dominant performance against CARFITA Games representative, Avon Samuels at the National Youth and Junior Championships at the Police Sports Club Ground.
Sampson was plagued with quadriceps injuries last year and early this year, which forced her out of CARIFTA contention. She ran 58.7 seconds to win the Under-18 Girls’ 400m against Samuels who ran 59.1 and Natricia Hooper, who posted 59.8 seconds.
Sampson remains one of the most naturally gifted and talented female athletes at age 15 after she burst onto the local scenes three years ago. She told Kaieteur Sport after the race that she was not
thoroughly satisfied with her performance yesterday.
“The race was good, but I felt I could’ve done better. I’m now returning from my injury so that’s one of the reasons I didn’t push myself maybe,” the Running Braves Athletics Club athlete stated as she tried to compose herself following the gruelling event.
Sampson’s drive phase was unmatched and her execution off the first turn was perfect. She made up the stagger easily then relaxed against the breeze on the first straight before a usual gust of her phenomenal speed put her ahead in the last 200m for the win.
Arenzie Chance won the 400m Boys’ U-18 race in 51.3 seconds. Dequan Vancooten was second in 52.6 seconds while Quacy Simpson (53.8) was third. Selwyn Foster (51.9) won the 400m U-20 race ahead of Calvin Belgrave (52.7) and Kadeem Peters (53.1) respectively.
What was supposed to have been the race of the day, the 100m Girls’ U-20 event never occurred after only two athletes had registered. The race was expected to feature CARITA representative, Alita Moore against Ebony Nelson, Tiffany Carto, Letitia Myles and Linden’s Shannon Griffith, among others in a steamy contest.
Kevin Abbensetts won the 100m Boys U-20 race in 10.7 seconds while Rennick Burnett was the second place finisher with 10.8 seconds, and Samuel Doris (10.9) third. CARIFTA Games 400m bronze medallist, Jason Yaw won the U-18 Boys 100m in 10.8 seconds ahead of Carlos Trinidad, who had 10.9 seconds and Rondel Gibson 11.4 seconds.
CARIFTA 200m U-17 bronze medallist, Tirana Mitchell let herself down when she arrived at the venue late for the 100m Girls U-18 race. Mitchell was unfortunately not among the lot who were under starters’ orders for the race when it was officially called.
Onasha Rogers took home the event in 12.4 seconds while Onika Eastman (13.1) was second and Abieky Smith (14.0) third. Orin Prince won the U-18 Boys 1500m in 4:38.5, as Samuel Demingo (4:40.8) finished second and Kevon Park (4:43.8) third.
CARIFTA Games 1500m gold and 800m silver medallist, Cassy George made light work of the field in the 1500m Girls U-18 race yesterday. George won the race in 5:04, 18 seconds ahead of Cassie Kirton and 50 seconds ahead of third placed Shantel Hinds.
The National Youth and Junior Championships continues today at the same venue with the 200m and 800m races among the programme of events.
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