KINGSTON, Jamaica – Cornwall College’s Mar-Lando Farquharson threw a massive personal best 19.04m in Friday’s preliminaries to lead the qualifying for Saturday’s final of the Class One boys shot put at the 115th ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls Athletics Championships at the National Stadium.

Farquharson, who was fourth last year and second at the COCAA Western Champs in February, improved on his previous best of 18.88m set at the GC Foster Classic. It is the second furthest throw in Jamaica so far this year and is the 10th best ever in ISSA Champs history.

Kingston College’s Despiro Wray, the pre-championships gold medal favourite, who threw 20.23m at the Carifta Trials, was next best with 18.30m.

Munro College’s Devonte Edwards, the Western Champs gold medallist, threw 17.27m as only three men went over the 17.00m automatic qualifying mark.

Rajay Hemmings of St Catherine High, who was third last year and took second in the discus throw final on Thursday, is also through to the finals with 16.62m, as well as Calabar High’s Khaleel Henry who threw 15.45m.