World Juniors 400 metre hurdles record holder Jaheel Hyde of Wolmer’s was smooth in victory as he clocked a fast 49.78 seconds in the boys’ Under-20 event on day one of the two-day Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association (JAAA) National Carifta Trials at the National Stadium yesterday.

The 18-year-old Hyde easily won ahead of the St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) pair of Marvin Williams (50.59s) and Robin Black (51.85s).

“Coming into the race I was very nervous (and) it was my first hurdles race for the season, so you had to expect some amount of nerves. But I knew that I had sub-50 in me for an opener, so I can’t wait to see what happens for the rest of the season,” Hyde told reporters.

Andrenette Knight of St Jago High won the girls’ equivalent in 58.63 seconds, followed by Shannon Kalawan (59.51s) of Edwin Allen and Brittany Duncan (1:00.63).

The girls’ Under-18 event was won by St Elizabeth Technical’s Junelle Broomfield in 58.13 seconds, ahead of Shanique Walker (59.04s) and Shiann Salmon (59.75s) of Hydel High.

Javauney James of St Elizabeth Technical topped the boys’ equivalent in 52.77 seconds, with Timor Barrett (53.65s) of St Jago and Chadrick Brown (56.79s) of Kingston College finishing second and third.

World Youth 200 metre champion Michael O’Hara of Calabar High clocked 10.45 seconds as he eased to victory in the boys Under-20 100 metre dash. The much anticipated event provided fans a glimpse of what is to come at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships later this month.

Running in a wind speed of negative 1.5 metres per second, O’Hara had to recover from a slow start to get by Raheem Chambers of St Jago (10.57s) at the 80-metre mark before easing down across the line. Nigel Ellis (10.67s) of St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) was third.

O’Hara, who finished fourth in the 100m at the World Youth Championships in 2013, was happy with his performance.

“It was a good performance from me; I had to come out here and stay focused and ensure that I pulled through fit and healthy. The wind was against us so it wasn’t a quick time, but I am satisfied,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

The 18-year-old O’Hara who false-started in the event at ‘Champs’ last year, said he is looking to bounce back at the March 24-28 championships.

“The start for me is getting better so I have to ensure that my first three strides are quick as possible and to hold my drive phase for 30 metres and ensure that I get up at the right time… hold my form and pull through,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chambers who was running his first individual sprint for the year, was not perturbed by his performance.

“This was my first 100 metre for the season so I am pleased with the performance. The time was not fast, but I can’t complain because the main objective was to come out injury free,” he told the Sunday Observer.

The Under-20 ‘B’ section was run in a negative wind speed of 0.8 metres per second and was won by Okeen Williams of St Elizabeth Technical in a 10.65 seconds. Javoy Tucker (10.76s) of Wolmer’s and Cannigia Harriott (10.84s) of Munro College took the runners-up spots.

Natalliah White of St Jago High stamped her class in the girls’ Under-20 event as she easily won in a time of 11.71 seconds in a negative wind speed of 1.0 metres per second. The much improved Rene Medley (11.76s) of Vere Technical was second, while Shauna Helps (11.78s) of Wolmer’s was third.

Shaneil English of St Jago clocked 11.59 seconds in a positive wind speed of 0.6 metres per second to win the girls Under-18 event in a very close finish. She won ahead of Shellece Clarke (11.66s) of Edwin Allen and Kimone Shaw (11.67s) also of St Jago High.

Calabar’s Tyreke Wilson showed a late burst of speed to overtake teammate Xavier Angus on his way to victory in the boys’ Under-18 event. Wilson, running in a wind speed of negative 0.7 metres per second, clocked 10.55 seconds ahead of Angus (10.58s) and Rushane Edwards (10.76s) of Munro College.

The Boys Under-18 B event was won by Andre Morrison in 10.90 seconds in a blanket finish. Daniel Bogle (10.91s) of Calabar and Lorenzo Cooper (10.92s) of St George’s College finished second and third respectively.

Day two of the Carifta Trials continues today with the 1,500m heats; the sprint hurdles heats and finals; 200m heats and finals; and the 400m finals.