#Champs2026: Edwin Allen’s Carr runs PB to win girls’ Class 1 400m
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Kelly-Ann Carr of Edwin Allen upgraded her bronze from last year to gold when she ran a personal best 52.20 seconds to win the Class 1 400m on Thursday’s third day of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletic Championships at the National Stadium.
Carr’s time was faster than her previous best 53.38 set at the Central Championships a month ago and is second best in the world for under-20 girls.
Hydel High’s Nastassia Fletcher, last year’s Class 2 champion, was second in 52.48 seconds while Holmwood Technical’s Abrina Wright was third with 52.81 seconds.
Shameika McLean of Foga Road High won back-to-back gold medals as she added the Class 2 gold to the one she won a year ago in Class 3, running a lifetime best 52.22 seconds.
McLean, who won the school’s first ever gold medal in 2025, held off Hydel High’s Sashana Johnson who had to settle for silver a second consecutive year with 53.43 seconds while Annastacia Hall of Holmwood Technical was third in 54.22 seconds.
McLean was delighted with her win, saying afterwards she was hoping to run even faster.
“I did not know that I could run another 52 seconds race, I wanted to run a 51 seconds,” she said.
Hydel High’s Tyecia McDonald won the Class 3 400m with 55.00 seconds, beating Sha-Jay Davis of Alpha Academy- 55.34 seconds and Malya McClennon of Holmwood -55.36 seconds.
-Paul A Reid