10.8 WARNING: Douglas primed for national record assault

Coach Garth Smythe says world under-20 200 metres bronze medallist Shanoya Douglas is capable of challenging the national junior record this season, and he has predicted that the talented sprinter could run as fast as 10.8 seconds in the 100 metres.

Douglas, 18, continued her impressive form when she clocked a new personal best of 11.06 seconds to comfortably win the girls’ under-20 100m final at the Carifta Trials at the National Stadium last Friday. The performance marked a significant improvement on her previous best of 11.26.

The national junior 100m record of 9.92 is currently held by former Hydel High School standout Alana Reid. Smythe, who has been guiding Douglas’ development, said that her progress in training has been encouraging and the right race conditions could see her produce a historic performance.

“Once the conditions are right, then it is a 10.8,” said Smythe. “The training has been going well because we have been praying that everything goes smoothly; no injuries, and, no nothing.

“Things have been moving smoothly because we have made some adjustments to the programme, and I am pleased at where we are at right now,” he said.

Douglas, who transferred from Muschett High School to Holland High School last September, has proven to be one of the country’s most versatile young sprinters. In addition to her 100m exploits, she boasts personal bests of 22.58 seconds in the 200m and 52.60 seconds over 400m.

According to Smythe, the young athlete’s continued development in technique and maturity has played a major role in her recent performances.

“She is more focused and she is more understanding of her technique; and she has changed her technique a bit and she is growing in the sport. She is confident, she is focused; and she is grounded and she is training very hard,” he said.

Douglas’ form over the three sprint distances has led to a lot of speculation on which events she will contest at this month’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs). Smythe said no final decision has been made.

“We haven’t made a decision as yet as it relates to Champs, but the 10.8 is something that she could achieve, once the conditions are right,” he stated.

The ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships will be held at the National Stadium from March 24-28.