KINGSTON, Jamaica—Edwin Allen’s Kevongaye Fowler dedicated her win in the Girls Class 2 1500m on Wednesday’s second day of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships at the national stadium to her former teammate Tanesha Gayle, who passed away in September of last year.

Fowler took the gold medal in 4:41.37 seconds.

Gayle took ill during a training session at Edwin Allen in Frankfield, Clarendon and was taken to a medical facility where she was pronounced dead.

Fowler said she was close to the late Gayle, whom she described as “my sister” and who was fourth in the Class 2 final a year ago.

Fowler told the Jamaica Observer she had been close to Gayle ever since she started attending Edwin Allen. “I did this all for (her)”, she said, “we were close, and when she died at training, I was there to do anything so this is for her.”

Alikay Reynolds of Alphansus Davis High, last year’s gold medallist, was second in 4:44.79 seconds and Alexia Palmer of Sydney Pagon was third in 4:45.97 seconds.

Jovi Rose of Holmwood Technical won the Class 1 Girls 1500m, running 4:45.15 seconds to beat a quality field and making up for her silver medal in Class 2 a year ago.

Annataseca Blackwood of Sydney Pagon who broke the Western Champs record, was second in a new personal best 4:45.43 seconds with Rihanna Morgan of Hydel High, third with 4:47.55 seconds.

Clarendon College’s Alexjordan Hall won the Class 3 gold medal in 4:47.35 seconds, beating Alpha Academy’s Danoya Scott- 4:48.54 seconds with Edwin Allen’s Romeann Gray taking the bronze in 4:48.72 seconds.

-Paul A Reid

READ: Minister Grange mourns death of Edwin Allen athlete