KINGSTON, Jamaica — Edwin Allen High’s Joel Morgan ran an easy 1:54.25 to lead the qualifiers for the finals of the Under-20 boys 800m on Thursday’s opening day of the JAAA National Championships at the National Stadium.

Morgan, who is the only Jamaican under the qualifying time of 1:50.00 for the World Athletics Under- 20 championships, will be eyeing a spot on the team.

Jamaica College’s Rasheed Pryce was next with 1:54.91, followed by William Knibb Memorial’s Thywaine Sterling- 1:55.37 and Anthony Dillon of Port Antonio- 1:55.63.

Titchfield High’s Ratieo Walters led the boys Under-18 800m qualifying with 2:01.41, ahead of Port Antonio High’s Tyrece Whyte (2:01.83 seconds), St Jago’s Phillip Palmer (2:01.48 seconds) and Luke Plummer of Sydney Pagon 2:02.20.

— Paul A Reid