#Champs2023: Last chance for McAnnuff, Kennedy to capture 400m gold
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Outgoing seniors Oneika McAnnuff of Hydel High and Edwin Allen’s Delano Kennedy will hope to capitalise on their last chance of winning gold in the 400m at the ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships.
McAnnuff, who is also contesting the 400m hurdles, ran 52.27 seconds, the fastest qualifying time on the day. She was trailed by Tonyan Beckford of Edwin Allen, who secured the second automatic spot in 53.21 seconds.
Rickiann Russell of Holmwood Technical punched her ticket to the final after winning semi-final one in 53.78 seconds. Second place went to Alliah Baker of Hydel in 54.62 seconds.
Kacian Powell, also of Edwin Allen, was the other winner in 53.63 seconds.
The other finalists are Jamara Patterson of St Catherine High, Shanique Williams of St Elizabeth Technical and Holmwood’s Annalice Brady.
Kennedy, who is the fastest Class 1 athlete this year, won semi-final three in a smooth 46.69 seconds. Kingston College’s (KC) Emmanuel Rwotomiya finished seconds in 47.21 seconds.
The Jamaica College pair of Malique Smithband (46.66) and Markanthony Miller (47.59), KC’s Amal Glasgow (46.90), Jasauna Dennis (47.36) and Enrique Webster (47.73) of St Elizabeth Technical, Chevoney Reid of St Andrew Technical (48.49) have also qualified for the final.
Both finals are scheduled for Thursday, with the girls gracing the track at 9:22 pm and the boys at 9:30 pm.