By Patrick R. Anderson
Veronica Campbell Brown is back !
VCB, as she is popularly known, clocked a sub-11 second time of 10.96 seconds to win the women’s 100-metre final at the Supreme Ventures Limited JAAA’s National Track and Field Championships at the National Stadium.
Campbell Brown was quickly away along with Kerron Stewart and Schillonie Calvert, and they came back to the finish line in that order after VCB’s famous top end speed took over and she pulled away marginally. Stewart was timed in 11.02 secs and Calvert 11.15 secs. Natasha Morrison was 4th in 11.18 secs while Carrie Russell disappointed and finished 6th in 11.38 secs.
“I am not doing anything of myself,” Campbell Brown told TVJ’s Spencer Darlington after the race.”It is God pushing through.” When asked how she felt returning home after resolving her positive doping test saga after being exonerated by the Court of Arbitration for Sports, Campbell Brown said:”It feels good. Jamaica is home and I have a lot of support here.”
The men’s 100 metre final, devoid of the top end fire power of the injured Usain Bolt, the ill Asafa Powell and the absent Yohan Blake, saw Nickel Ashmeade winning his first National title in 10.02 seconds easing down. Jason Livermore was second, slow starting Kemar Bailey Cole was third and Julian Forte was 4th.
Andrew Fisher and Nesta Carter were withdrawn from the final by their MVP coaching staff. “Both got hurt in the last 10-metres (of their semi-final) according to the coaches,” MVP President and TVJ analyst Bruce James told TVJ’s Neville Bell.
Kaliese Spencer was superb in winning the women’s 400 metre hurdles final in a world leading 53.41 seconds ahead of Jenieve Russell 54.75 and Nikita Tracey 55.18 seconds.
“I just came out and executed,” Spencer told TVJ. “I believe and trust in my coach (Stephen Francis), and whatever he tells me to do I will do it,” Spencer added.
In the men’s equivalent, Roxroy Cato won his first national title, winning in a personal best 48.48 secs. Answert Whyte was second in a personal best 48.58 secs, while Leford Green was 3rd in 49.00 secs, a season’s best.
“It feels good to be national champion,” Cato said. ” The hard work is paying off.”
Charlene Nichol won the women’s 1500 metres in 4 mins 30.73 secs while Lenford Adams won the men’s 1500 metres in 4 mins 00.45 secs.
The UWI’s Damarley Johnson won the men’s 5000 metres in 16 mins 08 secs.
Jovanee Jarrett captured her 4th women’s Long Jump National title despite hamstring and quad injuries. She leapt 6.38 metres. “I felt a little bit rusty,” Jarrett told TVJ. “But I came out and gave it my all, so I can’t ask for better than that.”
Kellion Knibb won the women’s discus title with a heave of 58.88 metres. Knibb is awaiting ratification of a new national record throw of 61.34 metres which she did on May 30.
Damion McLean won the men’s Triple Jump with a hop, step and jump of 16.15 metres.
Saturday is day-3 of the 4-day Championships. TVJ, TVJSN and HITZ92FM will have LIVE coverage starting at 5p.m..
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VCB triumphs again, while Kaliese Spencer runs world leading 53.41 secs
