Jamaica College’s Safin Willis leapt an impressive 7.40m (0.4 mps) and won the Class One long jump in arguably the performance of the PureWater/JC/R Danny Williams Athletics meet yesterday.

The meet, held on the grounds of Jamaica College (JC), is one of the first athletic events this year and supporters turned out in their numbers to witness history being created on the newly laid eight lane red synthetic track.

With a seating capacity of approximately 2,000 over three stands to the right of the 100m lane, fans were treated to some outstanding performances which raised a few eyebrows and which signalled a good start to the year.

Willis, who was third last year at this meet with 6.74m, threw down the gauntlet in the long jump as he soared through the air for 7.40m on the dual long jump pit. Michael Beecher, also of JC, was second with 6.92m (0.8). Calabar’s Nickoli Williams and Alexander Thompson of JC were tied for third with 6.88m.

Calabar’s Jordan Turner won the Class Two long jump in 6.99m ahead of Johnathan Brooks of JC with 6.69m and Nando Meggs of Wolmer’s Boys.

Calabar’s Javar Thomas captured the Class Three long jump with 6.50m ahead of Joshua Jackson of St George’s College with 5.90m.

The outstanding Lamara Distin captured the girls Class One high jump with a height of 1.81m. Janique Burgher of Edwin Allen High was second with 1.78m and Rhianna Phipps of Hydel High third with 1.75m.

In the 400m hurdles, Lashanna Graham of Edwin Allen looked awesome as she sped to 1:00.96 minutes and was quickest overall. Hydel’s Tafar Rose clocked 1:01.96 for second and Holmwood High’s Danielle Brissett third with 1:01.99.

Calabar dominated the boys 400m hurdles with Dean Clarke, who won heat three, clocking the fastest time of 54.92 seconds ahead of Rashane Bartlett of St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) in 55.01. Calabar’s Ramone Lindo, formerly of Vere Technical, eased home in 55.09 in heat four and was third fastest overall.

In the boys Class Two 400m hurdles, Robert Graham of JC won heat one in 55.92, which was the quickest of the day ahead of Shemar Uter of Wolmer’s Boys, who won heat eight in 56.45. Javel Fullerton of Calabar High was third, winning heat six in 57.37.

In the girls sprint hurdles, St Jago High dominated and won three of the four classes. Rosalee Cooper won Class One 100m hurdles in 14.32, Crystal Morison took Class two in 13.70 and Quaycian Davis won the Class Three 80m hurdles in 11.91. St Catherine High’s Jerese Allwood won the Class Four 70m hurdles in 11.18 seconds.

Michael Buchanan of STETHS won the Class One 110m hurdles in 14.56, while the impressive Vashaun Vascianna of St Jago took the Class Two in 13.61. Clarendon College’s Sherdon McKnight won Class three 110 hurdles in 14.48.

Kay-Ann Green of Edwin Allen captured the girls 3,000m open in 10:50.73 minutes ahead of Serena Douglas of St Catherine High in 10:50.93. Hydel’s Jodi-Ann Campbell was third with 10:51.31.

JC’s Fabian Campbell took the boys 5000m open in 16:02.66 minutes ahead of Aj Sweeney of Edwin Allen High in 16:06.45. KC’s Amos Beadle was third in 16:12.77.