10 athletes expected to steal spotlight at Champs

At every major championship there are certain athletes who steal the spotlight with performances that are head and shoulders above their peers. At this year's GraceKennedy ISSA Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships it will be no different.

The Gleaner/STAR has selected five males and five females across the respective classes who are expected to grab the spotlight this week.

GIRLS

CLASS 1 - 100m/200m (SHANOYA DOUGLAS) - HOLLAND HIGH

Undoubtedly, Shanoya Douglas of Holland High looks set to put on a show in the girls' Class One 100 and 200 metres.

Stepping up to the upper class after a sprint double last year in Class Two while representing Muschett, she looks set to repeat the feat.

At the CARIFTA Trials she raced to impressive lifetime bests of 11.06 seconds and 22.58 seconds to win the Under-20 sprint double. She could go even faster and will be seeking redemption in the 100m after her only loss this season to Edwin Allen's Alexxe Henry.

A sub-11 second clocking could be in the making here, while the National Junior record of 22.50 seconds held by Briana Williams is also under threat.

CLASS 2 - 800m/1500m (KEVONGAYE FOWLER) - EDWIN ALLEN

After finishing third in the 800m and fourth in the 1500m last year, Edwin Allen's Kevongaye Fowler looks well set to dominate both events.

The tall, long-striding athlete has been in terrific form all season, winning both events at various development meets in impressive fashion.

At the recent CARIFTA Trials she romped to commanding wins in the Under-20 events, clocking a personal best 2:07.64 in the 800m and 4:39.82 in the 1500m. On both occasions she left defending champion Alikay Reynolds of Alphansus Davis in her wake.

CLASS 4 - 100m/200m (MONIQUE BOGLE) - EDWIN ALLEN

Edwin Allen's Monique Bogle has been in dominant form all season in both events, clearly outclassing her peers.

With times of a wind-aided 11.94 seconds in the 100m and 25.06 seconds in the 200m, she looks a strong favourite to capture both titles.

CLASS 1 - 100m HURDLES (TIANA MARSHALL) - WOLMER'S

After dominating the Class Two 100m hurdles last year, Wolmer's Tiana Marshall has looked outstanding all season despite stepping up to Class One.

At the recent CARIFTA Trials she sped to an impressive personal best of 12.97 seconds to win the Under-20 event and looks set to dominate again despite this being her first year in the upper class.

CLASS 2 - 400m (SHAMEIKA MCLEAN) - FOGA ROAD

After a devastating run at the CARIFTA Trials where she won the Under-17 400m in a personal best 53 seconds, the first-year Class Two athlete looks set to produce something special.

If that performance is any indication, she could go even faster at Champs.

BOYS

CLASS 1 - 400m HURDLES (ROBERT MILLER) - HYDEL

Miller was the best intermediate schoolboy hurdler last year and looked set to win the Class One event at Champs before falling. However, he regrouped and went on to win the Under-20 title in fine style at the CARIFTA Games in Trinidad.

Miller, who transferred to Hydel at the start of the season, has looked unbeatable in the event. He showed that again at the recent CARIFTA Trials where he clocked a personal best 50.53 seconds. A sub-50 second run could very well be on the cards here.

CL ASS 1 - 1500m/5000m (RYAN ACHUA) - ST JAGO

A year ago the African athlete captured the Class One 1500m title. However, after going into the 5000m as favourite, he paid the price for going out too fast and eventually finished fourth.

This time around he is primed for the double. At the Gibson McCook Relays he romped to victory in the 1500m in an impressive 3:49.73.

He also signalled his readiness for redemption in the 5000m Open with a big win at the Central Championships in 15:05.97.

CLASS 2 - 400m (JASON PITTER) - KINGSTON COLLEGE

Defending champion Jason Pitter looks set to defend his title.

At the Corporate Area Championships he clocked a sharp 46.35 seconds to defeat Calabar's Diwayne Sharpe (46.73), who finished second to him at Champs last year.

Sharpe did turn the tables on Pitter in the Under-17 event at the CARIFTA Trials, but Pitter will be eager to redeem himself in what is expected to be an epic battle.

CLASS 1 - LONG JUMP/TRIPLE JUMP (MICHAEL-ANDRE EDWARDS) - JAMAICA COLLEGE

The defending champion in both events, Edwards looks well set to retain his titles.

He is coming off impressive double victories at the recent CARIFTA Trials in the Under-20 section. With season bests of 7.66m in the long jump and 15.86m in the triple jump, he should be very difficult to beat.

CLASS 3 - 800m/1500m (JULIUS ITUBO) - KINGSTON COLLEGE

A double victory could be on the cards for the Kingston College Africa-based athlete.

He has looked a class above his rivals all season in both the 800m and 1500m. In the 800m he has a best of 1:51.31 done at the Corporate Area Championships, while in the 1500m he clocked 4:03.75 at the Gibson McCook Relays.

He looks set to improve on both times and should be very difficult to beat.