Calabar High School star quarter-miler Christopher Taylor set a new 400m National Junior record when he won the event in 44.88 seconds over the weekend at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association/Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships at the National Stadium. The old record was 44.93 set in 2015 by Ackeem Bloomfield. Taylor’s time was also better than his former persona best of 45.24 seconds which he accomplished at a meet in Guyana earlier this year.
Taylor’s feat was more pronounced as he was a junior competing with seniors.
Demish Gaye was second to Taylor at the weekend meet in 45.23 seconds, with Fitzroy Dunkley third in 45.77 seconds.
Gayle and other Senior Championship winners, except Taylor, are expected to be selected to represent Jamaica at the inaugural IAAF Athletics World Cup to be held in London from 14-15.
Taylor is expected to be named to the team for the IAAF World Under -20 Championships in Tampere, Finland, both taking place at the same time.
All the winners in the Senior Championships are expected to be selected for the World Cup to be held in London July 14-15.
Other winners were:
Stephenie-Ann McPherson in the women’s 400m, in a time of 50.74 seconds. Christine Day was second in 51.41 and Anastacia Leroy, third in 52.00 seconds.
Ronald Levy in the men’s 110m hurdles in a time of 13.16 secs beating Hansle Parchment13.40 and Aubrey Riley finishing third in 13.53 seconds.
Commonwealth Games medallists Daniel Williams in the women 100m hurdles in 12.63 secs over Yanique Thompson, 12.78 secs and Jeanine Williams third in 12.79 secs.
Former Manchester High runner Jahnoy Thompson, running for Louisiana State University, won the men’s 200m, coming from behind in a time of 20.21 seconds.
Shericka Jackson in the 200m women in 22.28 seconds ahead of Shashalee Forbes (22.93 seconds) with Jodean Williams of UWI-Mona third in 23.53 seconds.
The Commonwealth Games silver medallist Shanieka Ricketts retained her triple jump title with a best jump of 14.39m in the first round.
Former World Championships bronze medallist O’Dayne Richards threw a season’s best 20.86m to win the men’s shot put title.
Kateema Riettie won another national title in the women’s javelin with a mark of 51.52m, beating Ayesha Champagnie of the University of Minnesota with 49.55m.
