Sport

Sherone Simpson got home just ahead of MVP teammate Carrie Russell to win the the women's 100 metres final at the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association National Senior Championships at the National Stadium last night.

Simpson clocked 11.14 seconds to get the better of Russell, who crossed the line in a personal best time of 11.18, with Samantha Henry finishing third in 11.29.

Kemmari Roach was the fastest qualifier from the preliminary round in the men's 100m in early action.

The event is a wide-open affair after the late withdrawal of Olympic relay gold medallist Nesta Carter and the injury question marks around fellow medallist and MVP Track Club stable-mate Michael Frater.

Frater's 10.55 run in heat one was good enough for third place and good enough for a spot in the semi-final, which was scheduled for last night.

However, Roach looked in good shape as he stopped the clock at 10.41 to lead all qualifiers into the other rounds. Racers Track Club's Lerone Clarke, 10.44, André Wellington, 10.56, Oshane Bailey, 10.63, Jacques Harvey, 10.67, and Winston Barnes, 10.74, were also among the qualifiers.

In the men's triple jump, the expected two-way battle between former Morant Bay High school standout Wilbert Walker and Nicholas Thomas ended in triumph for Walker, who had a personal best distance of 16.76m.

Thomas was next best with 15.59m, with Damon McLean finishing third with a leap of 15.22m.

Candicea Bernard was way off her best form but was still too good for the other two competitors in the discus throw for women, with 45.03m, which was achieved on her fifth try.

Micara Vassell was second best with a distance of 40.17m, while Peta-Gaye Williams finished third with 31.28m, a distance which was recorded after her first throw. Williams settled with that distance after not returning for her other five chances.

Men's high jump

In the men's high jump, Darrel Garwood won with a jump of 2.10m, with Kingston College schoolboy Jonathan Reid posting 2.05m and Kemarki Absolom, 2.00m.

Aundrae Clarke won the men's javelin throw with a distance of 57.44m, with Marlon Gayle in second place with 53.27m, and Michael Chambers 45.64m rounding out the top three.

Defending champion and fastest Jamaican this year, Novlene Williams-Mills leads the finalists in the women's 400m after winning heat two in 50.79 ahead of Kaliese Spencer, 51.09, and Christine Day, 52.43.

Olympic and world silver medallist Shericka Williams also topped her heat, with a 50.95, run ahead of Rosemarie Whyte, 51.15, and Stephanie McPherson, 51.65.

Today's second day is expected to see some fireworks, with former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell and Olympic and world 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser competing in the half-lap 200m.