Kerron Stewart Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
World Junior Championships gold medallist Kerron Stewart is determined to be on Jamaica's team for this summer's World Championships in Osaka, Japan.
To win a place on Jamaica's team "... is one of my goals," Stewart told The Gleaner yesterday.
"I am working towards that," she added, while saying it's not going to be easy with Sherone Simpson and Veronica Campbell.
"Those girls are great, they are no walkover and so I know I have to come to Jamaica well prepared."
However, she added: "I am ready to rise to the occasion."
Henry Rolle, who is conditioning Stewart at Auburn, said his athlete's preparation is geared towards National Championships and Osaka.
Stewart is runningindoors now, but Rolle said she he will be selecting outdoor meets for her this season.
"After the indoors I don't I think we will compete too much," he said.
"The main thing is to get her ready for the Trials, that's the number one goal, to make the Jamaica team," he added.
He is also aware of the challenges facing Stewart, a former St. Jago standout who won several medals at Carifta, CAC Junior and Pan Am Juniors for Jamaica.
"I know it's going to be tough with Sherone, the best in the world, Veronica Campbell and Aleen Bailey. You (Jamaica) have so many others (athletes)," said the Bahamian.
"Every day we train to make the team," added the man, who also coaches other Jamaicans such as 100m hurdler Vonette Dixon, sprinters Anneisha McLaughlin and Tracey-Ann Rowe, along with long jumper Jovanee Jarrett.
Tougher achievement
"When we sat down and I made a commitment it was for her to make the Jamaica Team. I see it as a tougher achievement than to make the US team," he added.
Stewart's personal best over 100m is 11.03, but though she is not predicting a sub-11 second clocking, she is hoping for the best.
"I don't want to put a time because I believe I will be limiting myself, so I don't want to do that," Stewart told The Gleaner in a telephone interview while travelling back to Auburn.
"Last year was a learning experience. I was injured for the entire year and it was like the coach was teaching me all over. This year, I am a lot stronger and I am just going to use that to my advantage," she added, while saying she is still not back to 100 percent.
At Sunday's SEC Indoor Track & Field Championships held at Nutter Fieldhouse Running Track, University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky, Stewart won the 200m with a sizzling 22.46 seconds, the fastest time in the world this season and the 60m in 7.14.
Both performances were SEC records and put her among the top two Jamaican sprinters (indoors) of all time.
"I feel great because that was my goal and my coach's goal, to go out there and break the records," she said of her performance.
The time bettered Veronica Campbell's SEC indoor and University of Kentucky (UK) Fieldhouse field records of 22.67. Stewart now holds four of the top eight fastest times indoors (22.46, 22.76, 23.00, and 23.25) based on the IAAF's Top List.
Like the 200m, only the American Collegiate record of 7.09 held by Angella Williams was left standing, as Stewart blazed the track to win in 7.14 seconds, the second-fastest time in the world this year.
According to Rolle, Stewart's achievement must be recognised.
"You've got to give it (performance) a lot of respect," he said.
Feedback: anthony.foster@gleanerjm.com
