BALTIMORE, United States — St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) athlete Jasauna Dennis and Edwin Allen High’s Delano Kennedy are set to renew their rivalry on Saturday when both clash in the East Coast International Showcase 400-metre event at Prince George Sports and Learning Complex in Maryland.

With this season’s matchup tied at 1-1, Dennis holds a slight advantage heading into Saturday’s encounter, having defeated Kennedy to win the gold medal in the boys’ Under-20 event at the Carifta Games last month.

However, it was Kennedy who struck first when he had defeated Dennis to win the gold medal during the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships a week earlier.

The 18-year-old Dennis, who has a personal best time of 45.87 seconds, said he is feeling very confident ahead of Saturday’s race.

“I am just going out there to do my best because every time we go up against each other it’s always a very good race and so I am looking forward to it,” said Dennis.

“I am just hoping to go out there and to compete to the best of my abilities and to ensure that I win this race on Saturday.

“My preparations have been good coming into the event because I have been in good form and so I am just hoping to carry this over into Saturday’s race.”

He added that the meet will also provide a massive opportunity for him to showcase his talent on the international stage.

“I am very happy to be here because it is a good opportunity for me to showcase my talent on the international stage and also to compete in a different environment,” Dennis stated.

Kennedy, 19, who has also been in good form this season, is confident of victory.

“I am very upbeat ahead of Saturday because I know what to expect going into a race and so I am just going out there to do my best,” he said.

“He [Dennis] is a good competitor, but I am sure that I can beat him on Saturday because I felt good in training, so I am just hoping to go out and execute my race plan,” he said.

Kennedy, who was part of Jamaica’s team which won the silver medal at the World Under-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia, has a personal best time of 45.27 in the 400m. In Saturday’s race, Dennis and Kennedy are expected to receive strong competition from the Americans Quincy Wilson and Zyaire Nuriddin.