Edwin Allen’s Etienne ready for special performance at Champs

AFTER A third-place finish in the Class Three girls’ 100 metres in her debut appearance at the ISSA-GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships last year, Edwin Allen High’s Kerelle Etienne is aiming for two special performances at this year’s meet.

The 16-year-old Dominican will make her debut in Class Two, where she will compete in both the 100 and 200 metres.

“I was very pleased with my performance last year. I won a medal for my team and I helped them to successfully defend their title. This year, I want some special performances as I will be competing in both the 100 and 200 metres,” said Etienne.

Etienne has shown good form this season. She clocked a personal best of 11.56 seconds in the 100m at the Central Athletics Championships and completed the sprint double at the meet, winning the 200m in a wind-aided 23.86 seconds.

So far this season, only World Under-20 200m bronze medallist and 4x100m gold medallist Shanoya Douglas of Muschett High has run faster than Etienne in Class Two. Douglas has season’s best times of 11.48 and 23.31 for 100m and 200m respectively.

Asked if she fears competing against Douglas, she responded, “I have no fear, as I have been well prepared by my coach. As long as I execute well, I am confident I can produce personal best times and win medals.”

Etienne has mixed feelings about her two events.

“I love the 100m more because I have competed in the shorter distance my entire career, and this is my first time doing the 200m,” she said.

With the recent departure of her former teammate Thieanna-Lee Terrelonge, Etienne knows she will carry the hopes of her team in the Class Two sprints but she refuses to put pressure on herself.

“I know there are a lot of expectations for me to do well in the class, but I won’t put myself under pressure. I just want to go out there and do the best for my team,” she said.