Clayton, Watson sound World Indoors warnings

MVP ATHLETES Tina Clayton and Rohan Watson stole the show with impressive 60-metre wins at yesterday’s World Indoor Qualifier meet at G.C. Foster College.

With pre-race favourite Jodean Williams of SprinTec pulling out of the final after producing a personal best, 7.07 seconds in the preliminary round, Clayton seized the moment in a closely contested final, winning in a personal best of 7.08. Teammate Natasha Morrison finished second in 7.09, while Barbados’ Kishawna Niles of UTech was third in 7.12. Shericka Jackson had to settle for fourth in 7.14 seconds.

Clayton, who was injured for most of last season and showed a return to good form at the Gibson McCook Relays with a wind-aided 7.04 seconds, was elated with her victory.

“This win is a confidence booster for me, and it feels really good because I just executed as my coach told me to. For me, it’s all about staying healthy and injury-free for the rest of the season,” said Clayton.

Watson, the former national senior men’s 100-metre champion, continued his strong form this season, winning the men’s 60 metres in a season’s best 6.50 seconds. His MVP teammate Nishion Ebanks finished second in 6.57, while Michael Campbell made it a podium sweep for MVP Track Club, securing third place in 6.60.

Barbados’ Sada Williams, representing MVP, was an easy winner in the women’s 200 metres, clocking a season’s best 23.44 seconds. Alliah Baker of Elite Performance finished second in 23.61, with Roneisha McGregor of UWI Mona taking third in 23.64.

In the men’s 200 metres, former Kingston College athlete Adrian Kerr looked strong, winning in a personal best of 20.47 seconds. Ackeem Blake of Dynamic Speed also posted a personal best, clocking 20.49 for second place, while his teammate Sandrey Davison secured third in another personal best of 20.75 seconds.

Olympian Janieve Russell of MVP captured the women’s 400 metres in 53.57 seconds, ahead of the UTech duo of Analice Brady, who finished second in 53.54 seconds, and Jazelle Shaw, who took third in 54.54 seconds.

Raymond Graham