Hydel's Miller shines with sub-50 run in 400m hurdles

HYDEL High School's hurdler Robert Miller was the standout performer on yesterday's second day at the JAAA Puma National Senior and Junior Championships inside the National Stadium.

Competing in the Under-20 boys' 400m hurdles, Miller led from start to finish, winning in an impressive personal best 49.96 seconds. In a close finish for the minor placings, Jahvanie Turell of Kingston College held off Joshua Wint of William Knibb High for second as both athletes clocked personal best 50.27 seconds.

In what was a shocker in the Under-20 girls' 400m hurdles, Marria Crossfield of Edwin Allen High raced to a personal best 58.59 for the win, ahead of Shevaughn Thomas of Life University, 59.40. Overwhelming favourite Nastassia Fletcher of Hydel struggled to a third-place finish in 1:00.55.

Shenecia Harris of Titchfield ruled supreme in the Under-18 400m hurdles, winning in 1:01.31, ahead of Maya Oakley of Holmwood, 1:01.67, and Ammani Lowe of Alpha, third in 1:06.82.

Raheim McIntosh of Kingston College won the Under-17 boys' 400m hurdles in 52.31 ahead of the fast-finishing Nicholas Jones of Lacovia High (52.69). O'Neil Lawrence of Jamaica College was third in 52.89.

Following semifinal action in the women's senior 400m, Stacy-Ann Williams of Hurdles Mechanics looked set to win her first senior national title after being the fastest qualifier, winning her heat easily in 51.45 ahead of Edwin Allen's l Kelly-Ann Carr, second in 53.58. Leah Anderson, representing Atlanta NYC, won her semifinal in 51.45 ahead of Shauna-Kay Anderson of UTech, 52.17.

Delano Kennedy is the fastest qualifier among the men heading into the final after winning his heat in 45.42 ahead of Javier Brown of Swept, second in 45.44. Zandrian Barnes of SprinTec won his semifinal in 46.14 while Antonio Watson of Racers also won his semifinal in 46.21.

Adelle Tracey captured the women's 1500m in 4:40.08, ahead of Anatasecia Blackwood, second in 4:46.53.

Amiel Thomas of GC Foster College, the 5000m champion, completed a double when he captured the 1500m in 4:13.67, ahead of Lamario Wright of Racers who was  second in 4:15.92. Aldane Brown of Bethlehem Teachers' College was third in 4:46.53.