FIVE THE HARD WAY
1. Oneika McAnnuff – Class One 400m and 400H
Despite not being ranked at the top of her events, McAnnuff is expected to step up in her capacity as a leader of the team. Her 400-metre clash with Holmwood Technical’s Rickiann Russell could be the race of the championships, with the Hydel star’s season’s best of 51.94 seconds putting her just behind Russell’s 51.74.
Ranked fifth in the 400m hurdles, McAnnuff, the defending champion in the event, is expected to show more than she has in the one-lap obstacle event than she has shown all season.
2. Alana Reid – Class One 100m and 200m
The World Under-20 200-metre bronze medal winner is the only sub-23 seconds athlete in the event with a season’s best 22.93 seconds.
Her clash with Serena Cole of Edwin Allen, the World Under-20 100-metre silver medallist in the 100m, is expected to deliver fireworks, and with the season’s head-to-head locked at 1-1 the next showdown is sure to be a thriller.
3. Teixiera Johnson – Class Four 100m and 200m
Johnson is a cinch for the 200-metre crown, with her season’s best of 24.96 seconds making her the only athlete to dip below 25 seconds in the event in the class.
She will find the shorter sprint a little more difficult to navigate as she is ranked just fifth among a quality group of Class 4 sprinters. However, she will certainly make a push for the sprint double and will score valuable points for her team in these events.
4. Sashana Johnson – Class Three long jump
Hydel will be counting on Sashana Johnson to score much-needed points in the long jump event and deliver on her season-best performance of 5.75 metres which puts her at the top of the pile in the class.
5. Natassia Burrell – Class Two shot put, javelin open
Burrell is expected to dominate the shot put event, with her 16.16 metres placing her ahead of her nearest rival by over two metres. She is also expected to finish amongst the top three in the javelin throw.