KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hydel High’s Nastassia Fletcher, last year’s girls Class 2 champion, appears on course to win the Class 1 gold medal after she lead the qualifiers with 52.92 seconds on Wednesday’s second day of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships at the National Stadium.

Despite the presence of Edwin Allen’s Kellyann Carr- 53.67 seconds and Holmwood Technical’s Abrina Wright-53.08 seconds, silver and bronze medalists respectively from last year, Fletcher has established herself as the favourite for the gold.

Foga Road High’s Shameika McLean leads the Class 2 qualifying after running 52.52 seconds to beat last year’s silver medallist Sashana Johnson of Hydel High who ran 54.12 seconds.

Annastacia Hall of Holmwood Technical-53.29 seconds, Daniellia Dixon of William Knibb Memorial-53.49 seconds, Immaculate Conception’s Kimberly Wright-54.29 seconds and Maddison Campbell of Holmwood Technical are also through.

Edwin Allen failed to qualify any of their two athletes for the Class 3 final which was led by William Knibb Memorial’s Khortnie Eccleston with 55.41 seconds, followed by Hydel High’s Tyecia McDonald-55.41 seconds and Malya McLennon of Holmwood Technical-55.64 seconds.

— Paul A Reid