Sun | Sep 21, 2025

‘I will be under no pressure’

Edwin Allen’s Carr not surprised by her fast times in 400m and 400m hurdles at Central Champs

Published:Saturday | February 22, 2025 | 12:06 AMRaymond Graham/Gleaner Writer
Edwin Allen High School’s Kelly Ann Carr clears the hurdle on her way to winning the 400 metres hurdles open in 57.27 seconds on the final day of the Central Athletics Championships at G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport in St Catherine o
Ian Allen
Edwin Allen High School’s Kelly Ann Carr clears the hurdle on her way to winning the 400 metres hurdles open in 57.27 seconds on the final day of the Central Athletics Championships at G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport in St Catherine on Wednesday.

EDWIN ALLEN High’s Kelly-Ann Carr will be one of the stars at next month’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships (Champs) at the National Stadium.

Carr, a first-year Class One athlete, emerged the most outstanding athlete at the just-concluded Central Athletics Championships at G.C. Foster College, after securing a double victory in the 400 metres and 400m hurdles. Her performance helped Edwin Allen to easily retain their girls’ title with 389 points.

On Tuesday’s opening day, the 18-year-old Carr was at her absolute best, taking down defending champion and reigning Champs Class One titleholder Abigail Campbell, of Hydel High, in the 400m. She improved on her previous best of 53.60 seconds, achieved at the Purewater/R. Danny Williams/JC meet in January, to clock a swift 52.27. Campbell finished second in 52.98.

Carr then displayed her versatility on the second day with another sensational performance in the 400m hurdles open. She bettered her season’s best time of 58.29 seconds, recorded at the Youngster Goldsmith meet, to win in an impressive 57.27.

PLEASED WITH PERFORMANCE

The Edwin Allen star was very pleased with her performances and is looking forward to even bigger achievements in the future. “Winning the double at Central Championships gave me an amazing feeling. In both events, I just followed my coach’s instructions and executed well, and I am indeed happy,” said Carr.

According to Carr, she has a deep passion for the 400m hurdles.

“I am not surprised by the fast times in both events, especially in the 400m hurdles, as this event is my baby – I really love it, and the best is yet to come,” she said.

After dethroning Campbell, the pre-season favourite for Champs in the 400m, Carr knows she will now be a major target moving forward.

“I know the target will now be on my back going into Champs, but I will be under no pressure. The plan is just to follow my coach’s instructions, stay healthy, and do what I have to do to keep winning,” she added.

When asked how much faster she expects to go at Champs in both events, her response was measured: “I am not targeting any specific time. My main objective is to stay healthy, stay focused, and help my team earn points to retain the team title at Champs. The times are secondary heading into Champs.”