National Trials: Male/female 400m semi-finals wrap-up
KINGSTON, Jamaica— Top seed Jevaughn Powell of the University of Texas El Paso showed that he will be a force to be reckoned with by winning his semi-final in 45.38 and entering the final with the fastest time.
He left it late and stormed home coming from fifth to first.
Kareme Bartley was second with 45.67 and schoolboy Gregory Prince of St Jago was third with 45.70. National record holder Rusheen McDonald was fifth in 45.80 and failed to advance.
Racer’s Anthony Cox won the second semi-final in 45.43 second ahead of Nathon Allen (45.52) and Akeem Bloomfield (45.59). Christopher Taylor was fourth in 45.67 and veteran Javon Francis with 45.70 squeezed into the final.
In the women’s event, former Hydel star, Charokee Young, of Texas A&M, threw down the gauntlet in winning semi-final one in 50.19 ahead of MVP’s Stephanie-Ann McPherson in 50.85. They were the two fastest into the final.
Candice McLeod of Pelican looked relaxed in cruising home in 50.85 and seemed to have a lot in reserve. Stacey-Ann Williams of University of Texas also won her semi-final in 50.87.
Carifta Games 400m champion Delano Kennedy of Edwin Allen High will enter the final with the fastest time of 47.14. KC’s Shaemar Uter also won his semi-final easily in 47.68.
Oneika Brissett of William Knibb High is the fastest into the girls 400m final clocking 54.30 Rickiann Russell of Holmwood Technical won her heat 54.56. Carifta Games champion Kaylia Kelly is also through with 54.80.