Barnett sets another record in mile
MVP’s Tanice Barnett had her fifth win in five years at the Gibson Relays and, for the fifth time, set a new record after clocking a personal best 4:57.21 to win the women’s mile run to better the 4:59.26 she did last year.
Barnett, who has been nursing a hip injury all season, told the Sunday Observer she did what she set out to do.
“My aim was to… lower that time that I set last year. It felt good coming out here… because I know I can do it and I just come with the aim to do it,” she said.
She finished ahead of schoolgirl Amoya Bailey of Holmwood, 5:04.99 and Arusha McKenzie of MVP, 5:12.17.
Meanwhile, Holmwood clocked a record 45.77 seconds to win the Class Three girls sprint relay, lowering the 46.00 set by Manchester in 2006 and well ahead of Edwin Allen, 46.35. Wolmer’s were third in 46.63.
The girls Class One event ended in drama as Herbert Morrison, the Milo Western Relays and Western Championships winners, anchored by Sedika Palmer, were leading with 20m remaining when Palmer, feeling the mounting pressure from an advancing Yanique Ellington of Holmwood, went tumbling to the track as Ellington sped away to victory in 45.72.
Edwin Allen finished second in 45.98 and Wolmer’s third in 48.29 as Palmer was stretchered off.
Vere bolted to victory in the Class Two girls sprint relay in 45.54 after opening a 20-metre gap on Holmwood, 46.58, with Edwin Allen third in 46.89.
A resurgent Excelsior pulled a trick out of the hat in the last 30 metres to upstage St Andrew in the Class Four 4x100m in 48.43 to St Andrew’s 48.80 and Hydel’s 48.85.
The Maurice Wilson-coached GC Foster bolted to victory in the women’s 4x100m in 45.05 ahead of the visiting Martinique, 46.05 and Mico University College, 48.94.
Portsmouth Primary registered victory in the primary schools 4x100m in a time of 53.98 followed by New Providence in 56.13 and Spanish Town in 57.62. The Prep Schools event went to Hydel in a time of 52.86 seconds with Vaz in second in 53.61 and Mount St Joseph in 58.65.
The leads changed hands several times among Edwin Allen, St Jago and Holmwood in the girl’s 4x800m open. Holmwood pulled away in the final 70m to win in 8:52.33.
