KINGSTON, Jamaica – Twenty-four athletes will line up for Wednesday morning’s semi-final round of the Class 3 boys’ 400m at the ISSA GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships.

Rushaine Richards, who is a medal favourite in the event, topped the semi-finalists with a time of 51.04 seconds to win heat one. Dimitri Johnson of Rusea’s High finished second with a time of 54.74, while Andrew Loney of Holy Trinity High (55.10) and Braden Waugh of Campion College secured their spots.

Heat two saw Kingston College’s Jason Pitter cross the line in 52.48 seconds, finishing ahead of Gerrad Cole Edwin Allen High (52.84) and Rahjay Dryden of Sydney Pagon (55.30). Meanwhile, Calabar High’s Diwanye Sharpe (52.46), Vere Technical’s Jhabarie Whyte (53.88), Q-Jay Lewis of Denbigh High (54.60) and Ranaldeano Francis of Manchester High (55.56) are the qualifiers from heat three.

From heat four, Rayvon Black of Denbigh High (52.63), Javane Clayton of York Castle (54.99) punched their tickets while Oneil Lawrence of Jamaica College (JC/53.31), Kemar Mclennon of Cornwall College (54.02), Tyrone Tuner of Manchester High (54.83) have also advanced from heat five.

The four qualifiers from heat six are Roshane Howard of Kingston College (54.65), Clarendon College’s Joshua Love (54.90), Jevaunie Crooks of Green Island High (54.93) and St Catherine High’s Michael Napier (55.57).

JC’s Kyle Thompson clocked 53:00 seconds to win heat seven. He was followed by Tacius Golding’s Odaniel Bryan (53.62), Kaleb Powell of St Elizabeth Technical (53.68) and Nicholas Jones of Lacovia High (54.87).

Raneil Burke of St Jago (52.81), Anthony Drummond of Cornwall College (52.98) and Edwin Allen’s Raheim Rowe (55.28) are also through to the semi-final from heat eight.

The semi-final of the Class 3 boys’ 400m is slated for 9:35 am.