Parchment stars in the hurdles

Ryon Jones, Staff Reporter

Fast-rising local-based sprint hurdler Hansle Parchment, booked his ticket to London with a personal-best 13.18 seconds to win the men's 110 metres hurdles title on last night's third day of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association- Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships at the National Stadium.

Parchment stormed through late to pip Andrew Riley, who also also posted a new personal best, stopping the clock at 13.19 seconds. Richard Phillips ran a season best of 13.43 for third, while national-record holder Dwight Thomas ran into early difficulties and did not figure.

The discus throwers were also among the stars last night as former Calabar High standout Travis Smikle attained the 2012 Olympics A qualifying standard (65 metres) and in the process established a new stadium record with a personal-best throw of 67.12 metres. Smikle's effort was just .03 metres outside of Jason Morgan's national record.

"It is a real good feeling. I am speechless and really happy. I have to give God thanks for everything," Smikle managed after the win. "I have been dreaming of going to the Olympics since I was a little boy and it is becoming a reality," he added.

Morgan placed second with a throw of 61.93 metres, but should form part of the Olympics team, having already bettered the A standard. Chad Wright was third with a distance of 59.6 metres. Kenia Sinclair successfully defended her 800 metres title, as she eased to victory in the final with a time of 2:01.55 seconds. Althea Chambers accounted for second in a time of 2:03.40 seconds and Alicia Johnson placed third in 2:03.50 seconds.

The men's equivalent was captured by Ricardo Cunningham in 1:48 seconds. Aldwyn Sappleton
Sappleton finished second in 1:48.43 with Darryll Oliver placing third in 1:48.98.

Beijing Olympian Zara Northover won the women's shot put with a throw of 16.42 metres, but is yet to achieve at least the B standard of 17.3 metres which would allow her to represent the country at this summer's games.

Korene Hinds dipped below the B qualifying standard of 9:48 seconds after easily taking the women's 3,000 metres steeplechase in 9:46.46 seconds. Mardrea Hymn (10:10.06) and Rolanda Bell (10.32.54) finished second and third, respectively.

Meanwhile, in the sprints, Yohan Blake threw down the gauntlet to the rest of the field that will line up for the men's 200 metres final, which will include Usain Bolt on today's final day of the meet.

Blake was one of only two athletes to dip below 20 seconds in yesterday's semi-finals as he cruised across the line in 19.93 seconds to take heat two of three to be the fastest qualifier going into the final set for 7:30 p.m.

Blake's winning time is the second-fastest over the distance this year and is only bettered by his own clocking of 19.91 seconds back in May, also at the National Stadium

Warren Weir, who also runs out of the Racers club, ran a personal best of 19.99 seconds to advance to the final as the second-fastest qualifier.

Olympic champion and world-record holder Usain Bolt shock off the disappointment of losing the 100 metres to Blake on the second day to win semi-final three in 20.26 seconds; shutting down almost completely as he approached the finish line.

"It is all about qualifying, I didn't want to get lane three and I am glad they ran faster than me, because they will get the lower lanes," Bolt reasoned.

Bolt was followed home by another Marvin Anderson, who clocked 20.32 seconds.

Semi-final one went to Nickel Ashmeade in 20.15 seconds, with MVP man Nesta Carter placing second in 20.37 seconds.

Yesterday, Allison Felix sent a statement to the 200 metres women, after winning at the US trails in 21.69 seconds, the third-fastest ever by a female over the distance.

final set

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce leads the Jamaican women into this evening's final set for 7:15 p.m. after taking semi-final two in 22.55 seconds with her MVP club mate Sherone Simpson (22.66) placing second.

Defending Olympics 200 metres champion, Veronica Campbell-Brown, won semi-final one in 22.79 seconds. Samantha Henry-Robinson was second in 22.83 seconds.

"I just came to qualify and that is what I am doing; I am not looking at any particular time," Campbell-Brown disclosed after her race.

Anneisha McLaughlin stopped the clock at 22.83 seconds to win semi-final three ahead of Kerron Stewart (22.96).

Today's final day will see 11 finals being contested; including the 400 metres for both men and women. World Championships bronze medallist Novlene Williams-Mills leads all qualifiers for the final set for 6:05 p.m. after clocking 50.52 seconds to take semi-final one.

Joining her in the final is semi-final one runner-up Christine Day (50.85) and third-place finisher Domonique Blake (51.72).

The qualifiers from semi-final two are headed by Racers' Rosemarie Whyte who won in 51.11 seconds. Olympic silver medallist, Shericka Williams (51.58) was second, followed by Shereefa Lloyd (52.06), Davita Prendergast (52.11) and Jody-Ann Muir (52.31).

Among the men Rusheen McDonald leads all qualifiers after running a personal best of 45.23 seconds to win semi-final two. National record holder Jermaine Gonzales was second in 45.27, followed by Errol Nolan (45.55).

Dane Hyatt crossed the finish line in 45.26 seconds to take semi-final one followed by Akheem Gauntlett (45.35). Riker Hylton was third in 45.36.

The finalists are completed by semi-final three winner Edino Steele (45.52) and runner-up Javere Bell (45.78).

ryon.jones@gleanerjm.com


Today's events

4:00 p.m: Pole Vault Men's Final

5:00 p.m: High Jump Women's Final

5:00 p.m: 100m Hurdles Women's Semi-Finals

5:00 p.m: Javelin Women's Final

5:20 p.m: 10000m Men's Final

5:30 p.m: Shot Put Men's Final

5:30 p.m: Triple Jump Women's Final

6:05 p.m: 400m Women's Final

6:15 p.m: 400m Men's Final

6:25 p.m: Presentations - Vault M/Jav. W/10000M M

6:45 p.m: 100m Hurdles Women's Final

7:00 p.m: Presentations - 400m Men & Women

7:15 p.m: 200m Women's Final

7:20 p.m: Presentations - H & T Jump Women/Put Men

7:30 p.m: 200m Men's Final

7:35 p.m: Presentation - 200m Men