ROBERT Miller of Hydel High ran a personal best 49.96 seconds to win a thrilling under-20 boys’ 400m hurdles on Friday’s second day of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) National Championships at the National Stadium.

Miller, who lowered his previous best of 50.31, is the sixth best in the under-20 boys in the world and ninth-best ever by a Jamaican, booking his place on the team to the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in six weeks’ time.

Joining him on the plane is Kingston College’s Jahvanie Tyrell, who came on late to edge William Knibb Memorial’s Joshua Wint as both timed 50.27.

Edwin Allen High’s Marria Crossfield won the girls’ equivalent with 58.59, defeating Shevaughn Thomas (59.49) of Life University. Hydel’s Nastassia Fletcher ran 1:00.55.

Kingston College’s Nkosana Johnson won the under-20 boys’ shot put with 18.11m, followed by Calabar High’s Kamari Kennedy with 17.761m. Munro College’s Javontae Smith, who led after the first round, was third with 17.52m.

Jamaica College’s Xhaevion Kelly won the under-18 title with 18.31m, defeating Brandon Lawrence (17.61m) of Munro College. Nasir D’Aguilar of Jamaica College was third with 17.15m.

An exciting and competitive Boys’ Under-20 400m finals is expected on Sunday, after Friday’s semi-final.

The top two are expected to be selected to represent Jamaica at the World Under-20 Championships, while the next four should be part of the 4x400m relay pool.

Kingston College’s ISSA Championships and Carifta Games gold medallist Jason Pitter led the qualifying with a smart and controlled run, clocking 47.05 to win his heat.

Excelsior High’s Jaeden Campbell won his heat in 47.53

William Knibb Memorial’s Jabari Matheson cruised to 47.85 in his heat, with a second Kingston College runner, Jabulani McLeod, also qualifying with 48.58.

Titchfield High’s Nishawn Walker (47.60), Clarendon College’s Jelani Monteith (47.95), followed by Joshua Wint (48.03) of William Knibb Memorial and John Mark Campbell (48.44) of St Elizabeth Technical, are also through.

Daniellia Dixon ran a personal beat 53.47 to lead the qualifiers for Sunday’s Under-20 Girls’ 400m final.

Dixon, who was fourth in the Girls’ Class 2 final at the ISSA Championships while representing William Knibb Memorial, and again at the Carifta Games, will be hoping to rebound to grab an individual spot to the World Under-20 Championships.

Foga Road High’s Shameika McLean, the fastest Jamaica schoolgirl so far this season with 52.22, also advanced with 53.90.

Also on Friday, Holmwood Technical’s Shamanda Wilmot won the Girls’ Under-18 javelin throw with 43.55m.

— Paul A Reid