Achua impresses at Fervet Distance Carnival

LIKE HE has been doing all season, St. Jago High’s Ryan Achua continued to prove that he has no match in schoolboy middle and long-distance events. He clocked an impressive time to dominate the field and win the Boys’ Open 5000 metres at yesterday’s Fervet Distance Carnival at the Jamaica College Ashenheim Stadium.

It was a one-man show from the start. Running in cool conditions, Achua quickly distanced himself from the field for an emphatic victory, clocking 15:45.07 as he warmed up for this week’s Central Championships and Gibson McCook Relays. Odaine Davidson of Calabar finished second in a personal best of 16:08.59, while Jamaica College’s Evans Tetteh was third in 16:31.06.

“I am happy with the win but kind of disappointed that I did not break the record. I have been training in preparation for Champs and had a heavy workout last week, but the times will get better as it gets closer to Champs,” said Achua.

Home team Jamaica College showed their strength in middle-distance events with dominant performances in the 800 metres, led by Class 1 athlete Samuel Creary.

Following his outstanding anchor leg in the 4x800m relay the previous week at the Western Relays, he maintained his great form, topping the field with a season-best 1:56.11. His teammate, Rasheed Pryce, was second in 1:57.11, with St. Jago’s Daniel Pennant closing out the top three in 1:58.52.

Jamaica College also secured a podium sweep in the Class 3 800 metres, led by winner Marcardo Williams in a personal best of 2:00.55. Owen Gayle also ran a personal best of 2:05.93 for second, with TeVaughnn Barrett finishing third in 2:06.04.

Former Calabar High athlete Carlos Brison Cainez, now representing Jamaica College, was the best in Class 2, winning in 1:58.01. Calabar’s O’Brien Clarke secured second in a personal best of 1:58.87, while Jeremy Jones of Kingston College was third in 1:59.95.

Among the girls, Camperdown High’s Jennifer Byass stole the spotlight. The Guyanese athlete broke the meet record in the Girls’ Open 3000m, stopping the clock at 11:22.66. Rihanna Reid of St. Mary’s College finished second in 12:55.07.

In the Class 3 800 metres, Janelle Davis of St. Andrew High ran a personal best of 2:26.38 to take the win, while Rianna Leonard of St. Mary’s College was second in 2:39.00.

Kayah Anderson of The Queen’s School emerged victorious in Class 2, running a personal best of 2:27.20. Her teammate, Hannah Charles, captured the Class 1 title with a personal best of 2:20.34. It was also a personal best for second-place finisher Jody Ann Graham of St. Andrew High, who clocked 2:23.64.