Juniors hunt spots on Carifta team

Anthony Foster, Gleaner Writer

The two-day Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) Carifta Trials runs off at the National Stadium today.

The trials start at 11 a.m both days.

Athletes must compete at the trials in order to be considered for selection to represent Jamaica at the Carifta Games, which will be held in the Cayman April 2-5.

More than 700 of the island's top junior athletes will be battling for places on Jamaica's team, which is expected to be reduced to 70 members. They will be challenging for two spots each per event in both the Under-17 and Under-20 categories.

Hot 100m

The girls' 100m hurdles Under-20 is expected to be hotly contested, with America-based Samantha Scarlett, Samantha Elliott of Immacualate, Keenan Davis of Edwin Allen and Tanique Sobah of St Jago hunting the available spots.

In the Under-20 girls 100m, the Holmwood pair of Yanique Ellington and Shericka Moulton, along with Vere's Deandrea Whitehorn and Vere Technical's Celia Walters, appear the major contenders.

In the 400m, also at the Under-20 level, Holmwood's Samantha Woodburne, Edwin Allen's Shashawna Ffrench and Wolmer's Danielle Dowie are the main contenders.

Dowie is also expected to challenge Edwin Allen's Ris-tananna Tracey for a top spot in the one-lap hurdles.

Manchester High's Chance Porter, Kimberly Williamson of Edwin Allen, Peta-Gaye Reid and Rochelle Farquharson will headline the field events.

On the boys' side, Jazeel Murphy of Bridgeport is the top man in the 100m and 200m. He is the defending champion in both events at Carifta Games.

KC's Donahue Williams, Old Harbour High's Kemar Bailey-Cole and Munro College's Adams Cummings should add some fire to the boys' event.

In the sprints and field events, Julian Forte of Wolmer's and Kinston College's Johanatha Reid rank among the main conteders.