By Raymond Graham, Freelance Writer
IT WAS a very good weekend for many Jamaican athletes based overseas as they continued their run of impressive performances at various indoor meets.
Leading the way was former Vere Technical athlete Veronica Campbell. Campbell, the 2000 World Junior Championships double sprint champion was in terrific form for her team Barton County Junior College. Competing at the Holiday Inn Invitational in Nebraska, Campbell sped to a world leading 23.16 seconds to capture the 200m event. She was also a member of her school's 4x400m relay team which won the event in 3:41.83. Former Holmwood Technical athlete Karen Gayle was also a member of this team.
Gayle took second spot in the 400m in 54.09 beating team-mate Patricia Hall, formerly of Vere Technical who was third in 55.89 while former Hampton athlete, Moya Thompson who now attends Lincoln University was fourth in 56.04.
At this meet there were two third placed finishes for Authea Chambers, formerly of Immaculate Conception. Chambers, competing for Nebraska University finished third in the triple jump with 12.50m and third in the long jump with a leap of 5.99m.
Another former Vere Technical athlete, Steve Mullings, also shone brightly for Barton County in the male division as he sped to victory in the 200m in a respectable 21.22. Former Albert Town standout, Omar Brown, who has been plagued with injury since leaving high school made his comeback with a 48.71 seconds clocking over the 400m to finish third and also ran on his team's successful mile relay which won in 3:14.21.
At the Houston Indoor opener, former Mannings High school star Allison Beckford was a winner. Beckford of Rice University captured the 400m in 54.57. Here, former St. Jago High, Keasha Downer, competing for Texas University had to settle for second in 55.61. Downer also finished seventh in the 200m in 25.00 seconds.
Sanya Richards triumphed in the 60m dash. Competing for Texas University, Richards won in 7.28 seconds then teamed up with Downer for victory in the mile relay in 3:38.75.
At the same meet, the former Wolmer's pair of Michael Frater and Aundre Edwards continued to do well for Texas Christian university. Frater captured the 60m in 6.73 seconds while Edwards took the long jump with a leap of 7.80m.
There was also a win for former Munro College athlete, Aldwyn Sappleton at the Missouri Southern Invitational. Competing for Oklahoma University he captured the 600 yards in 1:10.76.
Former Meadowbrook athlete Judith Kitson competing unattached at the Blue Raider Invitational in Tennessee captured the 55m in 6.92 seconds while finishing third in the 200m in 24.67 seconds.
There were second place finishes for senior national representatives Astai walker and Julian Dunkley at the New York Elite Invitational Meet. Walker was timed in 7.50 seconds while former St. Jago High athlete, Jovanee Jarett, competing for Essex County College, finished eight in 7.86 seconds.
Dunkley's second place time was 6.79 seconds. At the same meet former Ardenne High standout, Richard Phillips, competing for George Mason University finished fourth in the 60m hurdles in 8.14 seconds. Former St. Jago High athlete Roseann Hamilton, competing for Essex County College, finished fourth in the long jump with 5.70m while team-mate Jarrett was sixth with 5.53m.
