Barnett, Bent top cross-country

Anthony Foster, Gleaner Writer

Damion Bent and Tanice Barnett were crowned senior men's and women's National Cross-Country champions at Manchester Golf Club on Sunday.

Bent topped the 22-man field in 27 minutes and 14 seconds, beating Kevin Campbell, who was timed in 27: 21 seconds by 100 metres.

Wayne McIntyre finished third in 27:32 seconds while Kirk Brown, Daren Lindsay and Lorenzo Wedderman completed the top six who could make the trip to the NACAC Cross-Country Championships in Tobago.

Bent was happy with the win. "Last year, I was second, so I came out here to win this time."

On the women's side, Barnett completed the 6K course in 23 minutes and 53 seconds, ahead of G.C. Foster College's pair of Twishana Williams, 24:38 seconds and Stacey Bell, almost a minute back in third.

"The course overall was very difficult," Barnett said. "It was challenging, but I think overall, the performances were good, so we now need to work together as a team going into the championships."

In the junior sections, Kemoy Campbell and Natoya Goule dominated from start to finish to take the respective titles.

Not an easy run

Campbell won the 6K event in 19 minutes and eight seconds, ahead of André Housey, who was more than a minute behind in second, and Kevin White who was third.

Campbell, in describing the run, said: "I would say it was easy ... . I was alone from the beginning of the race, so it was easy for me."

However, while the other winners had difficulties with the hills, Campbell said that was his favourite part of the race.

"The hills was really challenging. I love run hill, so I found it pretty good. I did my best here," he said. He added, "I am looking forward to going to Tobago and doing well for Jamaica."

In the junior girls' 4K, Goule ran 15 minutes and 33 seconds to beat Holmwood's Omoya Bailey, who did 15 minutes and 46 seconds.

"Very, very difficult," was how Goule, Jamaica's top junior middle and distance female runner, described the course.

The VIth North American, Central American and Caribbean Cross Country Championships are set for Mt Irvine, Tobago, on March 6.