Riley ahead in Open decathlon
CALABAR High’s Adrian Riley was the leader in the Open decathlon event with 2,257 points after three events were completed on yesterday’s second day of the 103rd ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletic Championships at the National Stadium.
Riley, who was second after the first event, the 100m, produced big performances in the long jump and shot put to open up a 32-point lead over Jamaica College’s Andre McFarlane (2,225 points) in second place with Excelsior High’s Maurice Harrison in third place on 2,039 points.
Buff Bay High’s Richard Kenton is in fourth place on 1,877 points, and Cornwall College’s Orell Bulgin, who was last in the event last year, was in fifth place on 1,848 points.
After running 11.25 seconds for 806 points, Riley had the best long jump mark of 6.98m, which took him to the lead after two events with 1,615 points, leading McFarlane, the bronze medallist from last year who had 1,550 after two events. Harrison of Excelsior was third (1,447 points).
Riley, who just missed a medal last year finishing in fourth place, then threw 12.59m in the shot put, scoring 642 points, second in the event behind McFarlane’s 13.13m, while Harrison threw 11.77m.
McFarlane was the fastest in the opening event, the 100m, clocking 11.13 seconds for 832 points, ahead of Riley and Harrison (11.40 seconds).
At press time last night, the athletes were taking part in the high jump, with the 400m set to end the first day.
Today, they will contest the 110m hurdles, the discus throw, pole vault, javelin and 1,500m race.
— Paul Reid