Carifta Games: Massive record throw for shot putter Lampart

SHOT-PUTTER Marla-Kay Lampart led the way as Jamaica dominated the field events on yesterday’s second day of competition at the Carifta Games in Trinidad and Tobago.

Lampart, who a few months ago broke the national junior record in the shot put, wrote her name in the record books at the Carifta Games in fine style after winning the girls’ under-20 shot put gold medal with a personal-best 17.44 metres. Her new mark shattered the 23-year-old record of 15.57m set by Cludio Vileneuve of Martinique in 2002.

Annae McKay of The Bahamas was second with 17.41m, while Jamaica’s Kimeka Smith, the defending champion, took bronze with 14.95m.

There were three other field event wins for Jamaica yesterday. Kamarai Kennedy also wrote his name in the record books after capturing the under-17 boys’ shot put with a personal-best 18.82m. Jaydon Walcott of Barbados was second with 18.29m, and Nathaniel Sameroo of Guyana was third with 15.68m.

Michael Andre Edwards struck gold in the boys’ Under-20 long jump with a leap of 7.41m. McKinny Williams of The Bahamas was second with 7.36m, and Teon Haynes of Barbados took bronze with 7.35m.

Jamaica had a one-two finish in the boys’ Under-17 high jump as Selethel Johnson won gold after clearing 2.03m to equal his personal best. Countryman Nikaro Johnson was second with 1.95m, while Joshua Telesford of Grenada claimed bronze with 1.93m.

Following her silver in the girls’ under-17 shot put on Saturday’s opening day, Jamaica’s Jamie Lee Tulloch bagged her second medal of the Games after finishing third in the discus with a distance of 37.65m. Her countrywoman Davieka Lewis took silver with 40.81m, while 13-year-old Kaliah Haye picked up gold for the Cayman Islands, winning with 44.81m.

TWO WINS IN TRACK EVENTS

Jamaica had two wins in individual events on the track yesterday after one-two finishes in the boys’ under-20 400m hurdles and the girls’ open 3000m.

Competing in his first year in the under-20 category, hurdler Robert Miller captured the gold medal, winning in a personal-best 50.42 seconds. His teammate Princewell Martin was second in 51.42.

Jamaica also picked up medals in the other 400m hurdles events. It was silver and bronze in the boys’ under-17 event as Jaedean Campbell finished second in 53.61 and Eshanee Powell took third in 54.26.

Among the females, Shevaughn Thomas earned silver in the girls’ under-20 event with 58.60, while Alyssa Campbell took bronze in the girls’ under-17 in 1:03.62.

Ashara Frater held off countrywoman Sushana Johnson to win gold in the girls’ 3000m open in 10:27.29, with Johnson second in 10:28.01.

STRONG SEMI-FINAL PERFORMANCES

Following the semi-finals in the 200m and 800m yesterday, Jamaica will be well represented in today’s finals, led by 100m gold medallist Shanoya Douglas in the under-20 girls’ event. She clocked 23.72 to win her heat and is the second fastest to advance. Her teammate Sabrina Dockery will be hoping to redeem herself after her 100m disqualification for false starting. She won her heat in 23.77 and is also among the top qualifiers. Trinidad and Tobago’s Sele Fredrick, with a wind-aided 23.22, is the fastest qualifier.

Rhianna Scott is the lone Jamaican qualifier for the girls’ under-17 200m after finishing second in her heat and fifth overall in 24.49.

Jaydon Collins (21.56) and Kaliel Archibald (22.17), who both finished second in their heats, have advanced to the boys’ Under-17 200m final. Tyreece Foreman (21.22) and Junior Galimore (21.31) both won their semi-finals to advance to the boys’ under-20 200m final as the second- and fourth-fastest qualifiers, respectively.