KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Lacovia High pair of Nicholas Jones and Darren Francis led their respective boys 400m classes after Tuesday’s first day of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships at the National Stadium.

Jones led the Class 2 qualifying for Wednesday’s semi-finals with 48.83 seconds while Francis ran 51.12 seconds to lead the Class 3 qualifying.

Meanwhile, Titchfield High’s Nishawn Walker of Titchfield High led the Class 1 boys event which promises to be one of the more exciting events of the entire week.

Jones, who was second at the COCAA Western Championships in February, led the pair of Rajeve Allison—49.21 seconds and Diwayne Sharpe—49.49 seconds of Calabar High.

Rusea’s High’s Tiene Barrett—49.56 seconds, Excelsior High’s Jaeden Campbell—49.66 seconds as well as the Kingston College pair of Jason Pitter—49.86 seconds and Rishane Howard—49.99 seconds also made progress.

Francis ran the fastest in Class 3 qualifying and was followed by Kingston College’s Taariq Gordon—51.34 seconds and Jamaica College’s Tariq Creary—51.81 seconds.

Titchfield High’s Rhomarni Bennett—52.41 seconds, Janhard Taylor of Tarrant High who ran 52.42 seconds and Olando Headley of STETHS who clocked 52.57 seconds are also through.

Walker’s personal best saw him lead a group of excellent athletes who will be competing for one of the most coveted final spots come Thursday afternoon. Jamaica College’s Makaelan Woods was next with 47.60 seconds followed by William Knibb Memorial’s Jabari Matheson, who failed to report for last year’s final after leading the semi-finals and who ran 47.68 seconds on Tuesday.

Junior Gallimore, the number one ranked runner in the event, also advanced with 47.77 seconds, along with the Kingston College pair of Jabulani McLeod and Jordan Rehedul, and last year’s finalist Paul Henry of Foga Road.

— Paul A Reid