Absalom shrugs off 'Champs' setback in high jump

BY PAUL A REID Observer Writer reidp@jamaicaobserver.com

Monday, May 02, 2011

PHILADELPHIA, USA — Putting the disappointment of missing Boys Champs behind him, Kemarki Absalom of St George's College won the high jump at the 117th Penn Relays on Saturday, his second win in three years.

Absalom cleared 2.06m before failing at 2.10m and told the Observer he felt good about winning, but felt he should have done better.

"I have been clearing 2.10m easily this year and should have been able to clear it today," he said, adding that he had to battle chilly weather, but that the win felt "wonderful" after being fourth last year.

Jamaicans won two individual events as Kingston College's Jerome Wilson took the long jump with 7.41m and said he could have done better except he also had to run in the 4x100m as well.

His teammate Clive Pullen, the Carifta Games silver medallist, was second with 7.26m, while Munro College's Adam Cummings completed the Jamaican treble by taking third with 7.24m.

The third KC athlete, Keneil Grant, was eighth and Ramone Bailey, the Champs winner from Wolmer's, ninth.

Orwell Maylor of Wolmer's was second in the 400m hurdles in 53.48 seconds behind Jermaine Collier of Trenton Central in New Jersey, while Shavon Barnes of Camperdown was third in 53.49 seconds.

KC's Horatio Pinnock was sixth, while Jamaica College's Champs winner Javar Gallimore was ninth.