KINGSTON, Jamaica — Defending champion Marchinho Rose of Kingston College won his heat of the first round of the boys’ Class One 400m on Tuesday’s opening day of the 115th ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium, running 47.52 seconds.

Rose’s time was the fastest of the round with Holmwood Technical’s Omarie Williams running 47.58 seconds to win heat five, the second best time. County of Cornwall Athletics Association Western Championships gold medallist Jabarie Matheson of William Knibb Memorial, the bronze medallist in Class Two last year ran 47.59 seconds.

Excelsior High’s Kishawn Hoffman advanced to the semi-finals with 47.65 seconds with Tajh-Marques White of Kingston College, the fastest of the year so far, cruising to 47.94 seconds, while Kevin Bliss of Mona High ran 48.30 seconds and Mario Birch of Cornwall College 48.46 ran seconds, also making progress.

St Jago High’s Rushane Richards led the Class Two qualifying after he ran 48.74 seconds followed by two runners from Calabar High — Diwayne Sharpe with 48.85 seconds and Micah Willis with 48.95 seconds.

Gregory McFarlane of Excelsior High, a finalist last year, ran 49.74 seconds and Tyrece Whyte of Port Antonio High also made progress with 49.93 seconds.

The Calabar High duo of Justin McKoy (51.31 seconds) and Rajeve Allison (51.71 seconds) led the way in Class Three with Lacovia High’s Nicholas Jones running 51.89 seconds, Khiene Campbell of St Jago running 51.97 seconds and Tyrone Turner of Manchester High with 51.97 seconds, also qualifying for the semi-finals.

— Paul Reid