World Championships mile-relay silver medallist Javon Francis opened his season with an easy win in the men’s 400m development race clocking in 46.19 seconds ahead of Riker Hylton in 47.59 at the first staging of the McKenley/Wint Classic at the school’s grounds yesterday.

Francis, the former Calabar High star and Jamaica’s national 400m champion, ran a measured race before sprinting away from Hylton in straight for a comfortable victory.

“This is a big year for me; it’s an Olympic year and I am looking forward to make the team again, hold my composure and always sit in the driver’s seat,” said Francis.

“I am looking forward to the Olympics and looking forward to make the final. It’s eight lanes, so I am hoping and praying to God that I am in the final,” he added.

Meanwhile, the 2015 World Youth 400m champion Christopher Taylor brought the house down with a spectacular run, dismantling the field in clocking 46.99 seconds in winning his heat in the Class Two 400m. Although the time wasn’t as fast as spectators had anticipated, the manner of victory was just awesome.

Taylor, drawn in lane one, sped past the other five competitors after 100 metres, established a huge lead at the 300m mark as the crowd went into a frenzy. But though it looked like a special time was in store, Taylor eased down 15 metres out.

Former Wolmer’s Boys’ star Jaheel Hyde, now representing Cameron Blazers, also looked like he was on course to easily win the men’s 800m heat as he steadily increased his lead before suddenly stopping at the 600m mark, clearly on instructions. The race was won by Javere Bell in 1:55.86 minutes.

Calabar’s Akeem Francis won the boys’ 400m hurdles in 53.10 seconds ahead of Andre Pickersgill of Cameron Blazers with 54.55. Hydel High’s Semoy Hemmings took the girls’ equivalent with 1:04.28 minutes.

The powerful-looking Dejour Russell of Calabar High was quickest in the Class Two 110m hurdles in 13.78 seconds ahead of his teammates Orlando Bennett and Michael Stephens with 14.28 and 14.39 seconds, respectively.

Kingston College swept the Class Three high jump courtesy of Malik Parris and Leroy McCourty, both soaring 1.55m to get the better of Calabar’s Leopold Anderson, also with 1.55m.

St Jago girls won two of the three 1500m on show as Devonica Gordon strolled home in 5:21.42 minutes to win the Class One event, while Chris-Ann Lewis captured Class Two in 5:13.47 minutes. Camperdown High’s Nastassia Facey won Class Three with 5:15.95 minutes.

Calabar’s Orville Dixon took the boys’ Class One event in 4:05.20 minutes, while the awesome-looking Keenan Lawrence of St Jago continued his good early season form by capturing the Class Two 1500m in 4:00.60 minutes, well ahead of Calabar’s Kimani Farquharson in 4:15.05 minutes.

Hydel’s Ray-Donna Lee was quickest in the girls’ Class Three 80m hurdles, winning heat one in 12.09 seconds. Her teammate Velecia Williams took heat one in 12.25 seconds.

In was also first and second for Hydel in Class One 100m hurdles, as Trishauna Hemmings won in 14.68 seconds ahead of Brittani Thompson with 14.77 seconds.

Immaculate Conception High’s Gabrielle Bailey won the girls’ Class Two shot put with a throw of 15.41m ahead of Vere Technical’s Avery Pryce with 13.47m.