Raymond Graham, Sunday Gleaner Writer

RACERS' Jahzeel Murphy turned in a dominating performance to retain his Under-20 100-metre title in 10.52 seconds, on yesterday's first day of the CARIFTA Trials at the National Stadium.

Murphy, who had a good start, was relaxed all the way, easing up in the final 10 metres for his win. Former World Youth 100m champion, Odail Todd, was second in 10.64, while Jevaughn Minzie of Bog Walk High took third in 10.76. The athletes ran in a negative wind of 1.3 metres per second (mps).

"I just came out today to treat my fans and I am happy with my start. I have improved a lot in this area and I am hoping to remain injury-free for the remainder of the season," said Murphy.

Monique Spencer of Edwin Allen produced a late burst of speed, to win the girls' Under-20 100m in 11.56 seconds. Holmwood Technical's Yanique Thompson (11.64) and Chanice Bonner (11.68) placed second and third, respectively. The athletes ran in a negative wind of 1.6 mps.

St Jago High's Natalie Whyte and Raheem Chambers won the Under-17 100s.

In the girl's Under-17 event, the vastly improved Whyte scored a close win, stopping the clock at 11.93 seconds to get the better of Edwin Allen's Shalice Clarke (11.98) and Rushelle Burton of St Andrew High, 12.13 seconds, running into a negative 2.0 mps.

Chambers showed his class in the Under-17 boys' event, winning quite easily in 10.89 seconds in a negative wind of 2.3 mps. Jelani Walker of St George's College was second in 10. 95, while Leroy Francis of St Elizabeth Technical (11.05) was third.

Kingston College's Omar McLeod, the defending CARIFTA Under-20 400m hurdles champion, staved off a strong challenge from St Elizabeth Technical High School's Okeen Williams to win in 51.05 seconds. Okeen Williams clocked 51.33. Marvin Williams, also of STETHS, was third in 53.48 seconds.

Kime Green of STETHS took the girls' Under-20 400 hurdles, winning in 58.41 seconds. St Jago's Tatiana Wolfe (59.02) finished second, while Edwin Allen's Camira Haughton (59.36) was third.

The meet will continue today at 11 a.m. with the preliminary round of the Under-17 girls' 1500m being the first track event. Overall there will be 16 track finals and nine field events finals.

Selected Results

300m hurdles Under-17 girls

1. Patrice Moody (Edwin Allen) 42. 58, 2. Safiah Thompson (St. Jago) 43.05, 3. Brittani Thompson (Hydel) 43.06

800m girls Under-17

1. Ashani Robb (Edwin Allen) 2:12.45, 2. Dericka Pitter (Edwin Allen) 2:13.04, 3. Junelle Bromfield (STETHS) 2:14.31

800m girls Under-20

1. Simoya Campbell (UTech) 2:07.56, 2. Titanya Markland (St. Mary High) 2:08.16,

3. Monique McPherson (St Jago) 2:09.5

Long jump girls Under-17

1. Jessica Noble (Queen's) 5.73m, 2. Abigail Swaby (Vere) 5.54m, 3. Isheena Belnavis (Hydel) 5.47m

Javelin girls Under-19

1. Olivia Leckford (Edwin Allen) 39.62m, 2. Ayesha Champagnie (STATHS) 39.06m, 3. Gleneive Grange ( Holm) 37.02m

Triple Jump girls Under-17

1. Brittany Kerr (Hydel) 12.30m, 2. Tissana Hickling (St. Jago) 12.28m, 3. Abigail Swaby (Vere) 11.75m

High jump boys Under-17

1. Obrien Waysome (JC) 2.00m, 2. Trevaughn Brown (KC) 1.90m, 3. Javier Lowe (Calabar) 1.90m

Javelin boys Under-19

1. Orlando Thomas (Bridgeport) 55.92m, 2. Devon Spencer (STETHS) 55.34m, 3. Zavian Richards (KC) 54.59m