Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA) president, Mark Broomfield, has once again emphasised the importance of having security at community-hosted games, after a minor disturbance during game three of the WorldNet/Southern Basketball Conference (SBC) final series at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex in Arnett Gardens on Sunday.Bloomfield pointed to the stone-throwing incident in the semi-final between Upper Room and Majesty Gardens at the Majesty Gardens courts recently, which marred the competition, and after Sunday’s minor scuffle, he insists that security must be a priority to ensure the safety of all patrons.”We have had some good games, and the spectators behaved themselves generally in a good way,” Bloomfield said after Arnett wrapped up the best-of-five games series 3-0 on Sunday.”We only had one major incident and that was well publicised, and the sanctions have been dished out. Tonight (Sunday), we had a very large crowd. We had something that happened off court that did not involve fans or players. But we are reminded of the importance of having security to protect our players and our spectators,” he said.”These kind of community sports must have security on hand because we want to bring the basketball here, and we have to protect the spectators and other persons in the venue. We want to hold teams responsible for controlling their fans and also organisers to ensure security is on hand to protect both the players and ensure we can play the game and enjoy the game,” he added.MAKE-UP TOURNAMENTMeanwhile, after three seasons without the nation’s premier competition, the National Basketball League (NBL), Bloomfield promised that there will be a make-up (Confed) tournament before the 2015 season is out.However, the proposed confed tournament, which was set to get underway in August, has been pushed back to October due to lack of sponsorship, but the basketball boss said they are talking to interested parties.”This (SBC tournament) was supposed to get our NBL players warmed up for what we call a conference league. We wanted to start this league at the end of August, but the difficulty we have had in getting sponsorship has pushed back the competition, so we are looking toward October to have this confed (league), with six teams per group, with the top two going into a play-offs,” he stated.
Sterling back with a bang for Arnett
Back with a bang is the phrase that can be best used to describe the performance of Newton Sterling and Arnett Gardens in Sunday night’s Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) game against neighbours Boys’ Town.Sterling, who last played in the League over a year ago, reminded of his striking prowess with a 25-minute hat-trick, and erased the terrible memory of the defending champions’ loss to Cavalier on Monday last. Kemal Malcolm was responsible for Arnett’s fourth goal in their 4-0 win.”Three goals in 25 minutes is good. It is always a good feeling to score goals, and to score three in your first game is really a tremendous feeling,” said the 30-year-old, who sat out his team’s first two games of the season as he awaited his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).The fact that he was not fully fit made the performance even more special for Sterling, who last season represented San Juan Jabloteh in the Trinidadian League.”I am not fully fit as I am coming off a hamstring injury, so to do this injured makes it feel even better. I am getting where I want to be, so it is a good sign,” he added.Sterling confessed that observing his team’s poor performance in their loss to Cavalier set something off in him and triggered his hat-trick performance.”Sitting and watching that game was really disappointing; we did not look like the defending champions, and that hurt. Cavalier created about nine or 10 clear chances and could have really won by a bigger margin.”We got together as a team and said that we cannot play like that again; if we are going to lose, we have to lose fighting. That kind of performance could not be repeated, we pledged,” said the 6′ 5″ Sterling, who stood head and shoulders above everyone at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.He added: “That Cavalier game kind of opened our eyes. We had to look at ourselves, from forward all the way to the backline. We had to raise our game.”Sterling, who said he declined to extend his contract with San Juan Jabloteh as he wanted to remind the national coaching staff of his qualities and to put himself back in the shopping window, said he had a feeling something good was going to happen.”When things are going to happen, you can know. The way I felt in training, I had the feeling that something good was going to happen. I did not know I was going to score a hat-trick, but it came and I am happy. I knew was going to score, though,” he said.Sunday’s win pushed Arnett Gardens back up into second spot with six points as Cavalier did not see action.POINTS STANDING P W D L GF GA GD PtsPortmore 3 3 0 0 5 1 4 9Arnett 3 2 0 1 7 1 6 6Cavalier 2 1 1 0 1 0 1 4H Lion FC 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4Rivoli 3 1 1 1 1 1 0 4MoBay U 2 1 0 1 3 2 1 3Reno 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3H View 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 2Tivoli 3 0 2 1 1 2 -1 2Boys’ Twn 3 0 2 1 2 6 -4 2Waterhouse 2 2 1 1 1 2 -1 1UWI FC 3 0 0 3 0 7 -7 0
STETHS find groove in 6-0 victory
Western Bureau: Michael ‘Diddy’ Kerr struck a four-timer in leading former champions St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) to an emphatic 6-0 drubbing of Newell High in the ISSA/FLOW daCosta Cup yesterday to overturn Tuesday’s surprise loss to BB Coke and ease pressure on their campaign. Glendon Gopaul and Calvin Campbell were the other scorers for a STETHS team that may have finally found its groove. Kerr, who is coming off an unspecified injury, ran the Newell defence ragged with his power and speed to thrill his school’s supporters. “We know that we can win any game, and although we were under a little pressure before this game, we were confident about getting all the points,” Kerr said. In addition, the young forward said that he is delighted with the four-goal return and that he hopes to continue scoring in order to take STETHS to the next round. “It is a good feeling because I am coming off an injury, so to score so many goals today is wonderful!” the player said. The victory was an important one for STETHS, who entered the contest in fourth position in Group E and were staring up on the likes of Lacovia (10 points), who they will next tackle on Saturday, as well as BB Coke (10), and Maggotty, who remain on five points. Now on eight points, STETHS coach Omar Wedderburn believes they are in a position to finally be challenging for group honours. “We are all about climbing the standings, and honestly, we have a good team that brought us victory,” Wedderburn said. BB Coke meanwhile, showed that their win against STETHS was no fluke by edging Maggotty 1-0 to go joint first in the standings, while the Lacovia versus Munro match was postponed because of rain. CLIMBING THE STANDINGS Yesterday’s results – BB Coke 1 Maggotty 0 -Kemps Hill 6 Foga Road 0 – Winston Jones 0 Manchester High 6 – Old Harbour 1 Central 1 -Maud McLeod 0 Godfrey Stewart 0 -DeCarteret 1 Cross Keys 0 -Seaforth 0 Paul Bogle 1 -STETHS 6 Newell 0 -Dinthill 3 Ewarton 0
Foster’s Fairplay: Danielle Williams – best of 2015
The mighty dollar Football in 2015 saw an administration further entrenching itself, successfully withstanding a weak challenge to its holding on to the reins of power. When will those who struggle come to the realisation that strength is all about money and the ability to manipulate and steer others, utilising the mighty dollar as the main tool? Is not that what is being seen, as the world’s top administrator in the game, is being exposed – his own power base threatened and having great difficulty evading the searchlights of scrutiny? An often belittled and disrespected press (most definitely so, in this corner of the woods) can take pride in that it all started with the insistence of a British journalist. He was not giving up on his substantial claims that there was something rotten in the state of Switzerland (the FIFA headquarters). The country has begun its quest to be in the final 32 who will adorn Qatar for the FIFA World Cup 2018. There is an overabundance of reliance on players who know little, if anything, about Jamaica to get us there. The decision makers face a dilemma. Do they stick with the current mantra and still not make it or try to build from among ‘our own’ and delay the process? Foster’s Fairplay shares their pain in trying to respond. The Sunshine Girls netball boss, workaholic Marva Bernard, has stepped away from the steering wheel, after generations of sheer passion and commitment. It was consistent contribution to a cause that had criticisms as constant components. Her unswerving faith in Australian coach supreme, Jill Patterson, was severely tested. Ability to enter the marketplace and win deep-pocketed friends in support was put on the line. There was talk of the Age Animo graduate and one-time national airline executive being too intimately involved with her role. Despite the team seemingly stuck in the 3-4 ranking in world reckoning, the fact that ‘my girls’ held on to it was something about which the supporters must be thankful. This, as some African countries are catching up. Only time will tell whether the new regime under leader, Dr Paula Daley-Morris, and her support group can mount a long-awaited return to the No. 1 status once enjoyed. It feels like so long. Given space afforded this column, very little is left to address cricket. Thank God, as the least said, the better. As this is being written, the West Indies team is once again embarrassing itself in the Boxing Day Test in Australia with another gutless display of inept batting and lack of the penetration that can net wickets on a regular basis. Did someone just say, “He who cares not cannot be embarrassed”? Foster’s Fairplay suggests withholding salaries, pending some investigation. – For feedback: lauriefoster2012@gmail.com In a matter of days, it will be time to put a wrap on the sporting experience that was 2015. As is usually the case elsewhere, there was a mix of good days and some not so good. To further qualify the sentiment, one could say brilliance and the atrocious, respectively. In reviewing, Foster’s Fairplay assesses the four disciplines which enjoy the widest international reach. Track and field continues to massage our taste buds, with the quality of performances at the global level being as delectable as it can get. The brightest spark, the icing on the cake, came in the August Beijing World Championships. Some will view the reaction to the Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce sprint victories at the event as unappreciative and undervalued, even disrespectful. This is not a guilty plea, but the monotony (was searching for a kinder word) tends to decrease the impact. With that thought, which could return to haunt, this columnist is considering as the performer and performance of the elite spectacle, the precocious 23-year-old miss, out of coach Lennox Graham’s US Collegiate programme at the Johnson C. Smith University in North Carolina, Danielle Williams. The new 100m hurdles World champion had her event shorn of its most illustrious practitioner, Australia’s Sally Pearson, due an early-season mishap. Then, with the well-lettered Americans, including defending champion Brianna Rollins, bowing out at different stages, the way was clear for a shock winner. It need not have been the former Queen’s School, Lloyd Clarke-conditioned younger sister of fellow finalist, Shermaine. The inescapable fact is that it was another Danielle, unscathed and unfazed, after being in a den of lions (or lionesses, if preferred). That she seized the platform of her golden moment to recall, in her post-race interview, her upbringing during her sojourn at the Kingsgate Prep School is, for this columnist, the final ingredient that befits the tag of 2015’s best. The black, green and gold boasts a healthy tradition to be maintained in the sport. With that in mind, it brought great pleasure to record the result of the early exposure to the big times, coming from Janeive Russell (6th in the 400mh) and Shericka Jackson’s surprise (is it really?) bronze medal in the 400m.
Past the finishing post
Weather: Fine; Track: GoodRace 1 1700 M (Purse $768,000) NB3YO(NW2)/IMP3YO&UP(MDN)-REST.ALL.II*1. BIGDADDYKOOL LSteadman2 54.02. SIR RAJA BABA AChatrie 52.0 1 3/4L3. THE PROMISE LAND WHenry 51.5 3-1/2L4. COUNTER ATTACK SEllis 53.5 3 1/4LWIN: $60.00PLACE: $52.00, $58.00, $53.00Final Time : 1:46.3 Splits : 25.1, 49.0, 1:14.0, 1:39.3Winner : 3yo b colt – SORRENTINO – BEWARE BABYTrainer : ANTHONY NUNES Owner : STEPHAN NARINESINGHBred by HAM STABLES LTD.Qu: $359.00 Ex: $324.00Trifecta: $360.00Race 2 1400 M (Purse $530,000) NB4-Y-O & UP RESTRICTED ALLOWANCE V(NW2)*1. TWILIGHT CITIZEN AndrePowell4 52.02. GOLD SCREW MWard4 52.0 5-1/2L3. NASDAQ PRINCESS OEdwards3 50.0 1/2L4. PARTY CITY KPowell 51.0 1-1/2LWIN: $91.00PLACE: $58.00, $60.00, $76.00Final Time : 1:28.1 Splits : 24.3, 48.3, 1:14.0,Winner : 4yo b colt – TWILIGHT TIME – GOOD CITIZENTrainer : CARL ANDERSON Owner: CARL ANDERSONBred by CARL ANDERSONQu: $155.00 Ex: $300.00D/E: $158.00Superfecta: $3,133.00Race 3 1100 M (Purse $500,000) NB5-Y-O & UP MAIDEN CONDITION RACE1. LADY MARCIANNE PParchment 55.02. IDON’TKNOW HPottinger3 55.0 Neck*3. RAWALPINDI EXPRESS SEllis 55.0 10L4. DEPUTY HEADGIRL JPatterson3 55.0 1-1/4LLate scratch : #6 OBEDIENCEWIN: $1642.00Final Time: 1:10.1 Splits : 24.3, 49.1Winner : 6yo ch mare – SHINING STAR – DANCING SALLYTrainer : DONOVAN PLUMMER Owner: DONOVAN PLUMMERBred by RALSTON FRAYQu: $2,478.00 Ex: $12,797.00D/E: $9,516.00Trifecta: $5,312.00Rolling Triple: $15,344.00Race 4 1500 M (Purse $500,000) 3-Y-O & UP CLM($180,0)/NB6YO&UP(NW3)*1. PRINCE OSHAUN BebHarvey3 53.02. STORMONTHESEA AndrePowell4 51.0 2L3. BURNING MEDIC JErwin 55.0 6-1/2L4. TROPICALDEPRESSION HPottinger3 52.0 1-3/4LLate scratch : #6 TECHNOCAT, #7 COURT CALLWIN: $119.00PLACE: $63.00, $94.00, $68.00Final Time : 1:36.1 Splits : 24.3, 49.1, 1:14.2,Winner : 6yo b horse – WHYWHYWHY – HISHI BLOSSOMTrainer : NOEL FREEMAN Owner : S.A.C.Bred by HAM STABLES LTD.Qu: $398.00 Ex: $715.00D/E: $11,582.00 (5-7) $823.00Superfecta: $756.00Rolling Triple: $25,770.00Race 5 1300 M (Purse $530,000) 3-Y-O & UP CLM($250,0-$210,0)NB5YO(NW2) & 6YO&UP(NW4)1. ST. BERNARD WHenry 56.02. SPORTING CLAY HPottinger3 51.0 1-1/4L3. REIGN OVER ALL RWilson 53.5 1-1/44. EL CLIENTE OWalker 54.0 2-1/4LWIN: $171.00PLACE: $120.00, $200.00, $172.00Final Time : 1:22.0 Splits : 24.0, 48.1, 1:14.3Winner : 7yo ch horse – TRACKING – LUVABLETrainer : NEIVE GRAHAM Owner: MODERN CONNECTIONBred by ERIC MARTINQu: $2,197.00 Exacta: $3,139.00D/E: $387.00Superfecta: $84,321.00Rolling Triple: $135,595.00Race 6 1300 M (Purse $768,000) NB3-Y-O MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT (DIV.I)*1. URBAN PRINCIPAL OEdwards3 51.02. LUCKY NINE RHalledeen 54.0 2L3. DUSSELDORF SEllis 54.0 Sh.Head4. CREEDENCE JInnis3 51.0 7L5. TOP EAGLE RLahoe 54.0 17/1 4L6. RED DREAD PParchment 53.5 99/1 3/4LWIN: $98.00PLACE: $59.00, $78.00, $63.00Final Time : 1:20.4 Splits : 24.1, 48.0, 1:13.2Winner : 3yo b colt – URBAN KING – LADY ARGYLLTrainer : PATRICK LYNCH Owner : PATRICK LYNCHBred by ARGYLL FARMS LTD.Qu: $261.00 Ex: $319.00D/E: $371.00Trifecta: $189.00Hit-6 carry-over: $115,277.50Rolling Triple: $987.00Pick-4: $50,052.00Super-6: $41,639.20Race 7 1400 M (Purse $620,000) 3-Y-O & UP CLM($550,0-$500,0)NB4YO(NW4)1. DRIPPING IN GOLD OWalker 56.02. RAS EMANUEL RHalledeen 56.0 3/4L3. ITALIANO OEdwards3 51.0 4/1 1-1/2L4. LADY BELRIDGE OMullings 52.0 4LWIN: $191.00PLACE: $90.00, $62.00, $114.00Final Time : 1:25.3 Splits : 24.2, 47.2, 1:12.2Winner : 4yo gr colt – LIQUIDITY – GOLDEN OLYMPIOTrainer : WAYNE DACOSTA Owner : ELIZABETH DACOSTA & BRUCE LEVYBred by Y.S. (1955) LTD.Qu: $505.00 Ex: $707.00D/E: $411.00Superfecta: $6,709.00Rolling Triple: $1,878.00Race8 1300 M (Purse $768,000) NB3-Y-O MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT (DIV.II)1. DIRECTOR DALEY HPottinger3 51.5*2. OK DUDE EMurray 54.0 Neck3. MR. LYNDHURST RWilson 54.0 Neck4. AIR MARSHALL JPatterson3 51.0 1/2L5. GUAVA GROUND RLahoe 54.0 3-1/4LLate scratch : #8 MEMORY OF TSWIN: $7,988.00PLACE: $699.00, $66.00, $160.00Final Time : 1:22.0 Splits : 23.4, 48.1, 1:14.2Winner : 3yo b colt – FILM DIRECTOR – THE FLYING BRIDETrainer : LORENZO ROBINSON Owner: LORENZO ROBINSONBred by LORENZO ROBINSONQu: $17,511.00 Ex: $42,778.00D/E: $28,708.00Trifecta: $16,166.00Hi-5: $476,538.00Rolling Triple: $189,262.00REYNOLD “REN” GONZALVES MEMORIAL CUPRace 9 2000 M (Purse $780,000) 3-Y-O & UP OVERNIGHT ALLOWANCE1. TIMEFORARMS BebHarvey3 52.0 2/1*2. ORIGINAL TRAIN RHalledeen 53.0 2-3/4L3. KIRI DDawkins3 48.5 1L4. ROYAL VIBES OWalker 53.5 HeadWIN: $161.00PLACE: $94.0, $75.00, $265.00Final Time : 2:08.3 Splits : 24.3, 49.3, 1:14.0, 1:40.2Winner: 7yo b horse – TWILIGHT TIME – ARMSOFANANGELTrainer: FITZROY GLISPIE Owner: FITZROY GLISPIE & GARY G. LEE-SINBred by RENTALS & MORE LTD.Qu: $350.00 Ex: $701.00D/E: $34,609.00 (ALL-5) $106.00Superfecta: $11,993.00Rolling Triple: $135,310.00Race 10 1200 M (Purse $560,000) NB5-Y-O & UP RESTRICTED ALLOWANCE IV(NW3)1. TWO STEPS UP HPottinger3 51.02. NO MONEY FRIEND AChatrie 54.0 Head3. MEDICAL INSTINCT JPatterson3 45.0 4-3/4L4. RUNNER RUNNER DDawkins3 53.0 Head5. SEAL THE DEAL LSteadman2 54.0 3LLate scratch : #12 KABRINAWIN: $362.00PLACE: $82.00, $245.00, $210.00Final Time : 1:15.0 Splits : 23.3, 47.0, ,Winner : 5yo b colt – TRADITIONAL – HISHI BLOSSOMTrainer : O’NEIL MARKLAND Owner : O’NEIL MARKLANDBred by HAM STABLES LTD.Qu: $2,633.00 Ex: $5,556.00D/E: $1,564.00 (5-12) $161.00Trifecta: $11,403.00Hi-5 Carry-over: $134,878.25Rolling Triple: $449,439.00Pick-4: Carry-over : $539,493.50Super-6: $4,138.90 Carry-over : $1,576,935.75Pick-9: $6,076.50; $135.00 Carry-over: $1,446,640.60PlacePot 8: $14,228.00
Rich guaranteed payouts await punters tomorrow
(2) JASON’S GOLD/ PERFECT ASSET (3) NIGHT LIGHT/ DON CHASSIS (4) MY COMPANION/ MARKET SENSATION (5) BRAVE PROSPECT/ ZACKONTHEATTACK (6) WARTIME/ MARVELLOUS MARVA (7) LEGAL ARENA/ JESSE’S FAVORITE A number of attractive guaranteed payouts await punters on tomorrow’s rich Diamond Mile day at Caymanas Park. Most of the money will be paid out in the Sunrise and Twilight Super-6s. For the Sunrise Super-6, the guaranteed minimum has been increased to $1.5 million while that on offer for the Twilight Super-6 is $2 million. The usual guaranteed minimum payout for both is up from the usual $750,000. Those who wish to buy the very popular triples will also be richly rewarded late in the day-. The last triple on races 12, 13, and 14 will have a guaranteed minimum payout of $500,000. Money on the Pick-4s has also been increased to make it a rewarding day for what is expected to be a bumper crowd at the track. On a day when all the other races on the card will offer purses of $1 million and over, the second race (first in the Sunrise Super-6) over 1200 metres for maiden three-year-olds looks tailored for Nelson’s mount, JASON’S GOLD, who lost out in a blanket finish to CODED CITIZEN over the straight recently. Others such as LEEKOUT, BOFFO, SON OF TAQUARUS and PERFECT ASSET should ensure keen competition in a field of 13. NIGHT LIGHT, despite flopping behind PONTIUS PILATE in the Andrew H.B. Aguilar Memorial Cup two-year-old feature over a mile last Saturday, will much prefer the 1200 metres of the third race, and with Nelson securing the ride, should win at the expense of the well forward first-time runner DON CHASSIS and SHE’S LEGACY in a field of 11 juveniles. Race number four over 1500 metres for the Power 106 Trophy has a difficult look about it with the likes of MY, COMPANION, GLYDER, URBAN PRINCIPAL, IAN LINKS, DUSSELDORF, VALLEY OF THE CATS, and MARKET SENSATION capable of winning. MY COMPANION (Walker up), who chased home DREAMING THE CODE over 1300 metres recently, will love the additional furlong and should stave off DUSSELDORF and MARKET SENSATION. The last three races in the first Super-6 should be won by BRAVE PROSPECT (Linton Steadman), WARTIME (Bebeto Harvey), and LEGAL ARENA (Anthony Thomas). FIRST SUPER-6 FANCIES
T&F News picks Van Niekerk, Wlodarczyk
TRACK AND FIELD NEWS, the respected US magazine, has selected Wayde van Niekerk and Anita Wlodarczyk as its Athletes of the Year for 2016. Wlodarczyk, Poland’s Olympic hammer throw champion and van Niekerk, the South African who won the Olympic 400 metre final, were given clear margins by the panel of experts whose choices appear on the magazine’s website. Jamaica’s Olympic sprint double winners Usain Bolt and Elaine Thompson appear at number 3 in the publication’s annual world ranking issue, with 110 metre hurdles champion Omar McLeod at number 9 in the men’s compilation.major highlightThe 24-year-old South African van Niekerk received 28 of 32 votes for the top spot, with the others going to Kenya’s Olympic marathon winner Eliud Kipchoge (2), Britain’s 5,000 and 10,000 winner Mo Farah, and Bolt (1 each). The South African’s stunning world record of 43.03 seconds in the Olympic final was a major highlight of the season.Undefeated in 12 meets, Wlodarczyk got 21 of the 32 votes from the TRACK AND NEWS panel of experts for the number 1 position in the rankings. The 31 year-old Pole set a world record to win at the Olympics and raised it to 82.98 metres later. Remarkably, she launched the 42 longest throws of the year.Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana, (6), Thompson (3) and Keni Harrison, the world record breaker US 100 metre hurdler, received the other votes for number 1.The women’s top 51. Anita Wlodarczyk (Poland) hammer2. Almaz Ayana (Ethiopia) longdistances3. Elaine Thompson (Jamaica) sprints4. Ruth Jebet (Bahrain) steeplechase5. Keni Harrison (US) 100m hurdlesThe men’s top 51. Wayde van Niekerk(South Africa) 400m2. Mo Farah (Great Britain) 5000, 10,000 metres3. Usain Bolt (Jamaica) 100, 200m4. Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) marathon5. Ashton Eaton (US) decathlon9. Omar McLeod (Jamaica) 110m hurdles
Barren spell continues for Ramgeet as lead dwindles
PHOENIX, Arizona, (CMC): Andrew Ramgeet’s lead in the Turf Paradise jockeys standings continued to shrink steadily after the Jamaican could only log a single win on Wednesday’s eight-race card. The victory – his first in four race days – left Ramgeet just four clear of main rival Scott Stevens on 81 wins for the campaign which still has seven weeks to run. David Lopez and Jorge Bourdieu both lie third on 67 wins. Only last month, a rich vein of form saw Ramgeet open up a healthy lead but the subsequent dry spell has now tossed the championship race wide open again. WINLESS DAY He appeared set for another winless day on Wednesday before he found the enclosure in the last of his three rides in race seven, steering favourite Entitled Star to a handsome victory over the four-year-old and upward fillies and mares in race seven. Going 71/2 furlongs, Ramgeet trailed in fourth through the opening quarter as Wild Derby Daze, ridden by his son Andre Ramgeet, made the early running. Ramgeet Sr roused the four-year-old bay filly exiting the backstretch, grabbed the lead on the far turn and steadily drew off to reach the wire 31/4 lengths clear. Luck went against Ramgeet in another 71/2 furlong trip in race four as he missed out by a neck with favourite Dynamic Scoring to eventual winner Dreamcatcher.
KC brave in Champs defeat
ANOTHER YEAR AHEAD Though bruised and stunned by last weekend’s defeat to bitter rivals Calabar, yesterday’s mood at ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys Championships giants Kingston College (KC) was a mix of bravery and belief that they will overcome, and hopefully win the title soon. Twenty-seven-time holders Calabar have won the illustrious Mortimer Geddes trophy six times consecutively, while the ‘Purples’ of North Street are seeking their first hold since 2009, despite coming very close, again. At KC yesterday, while Calabar and Edwin Allen (Girl’s Champions) celebrated, it was a regular school day, with early-morning devotion. One member of the school’s team, Class One star sprinter, Jhevaughn Matherson, was spotted being dropped off by his guardian, Stewart Jacobs. Jacobs was confident, “Our school spirit will always remain our foundation.” “As our motto states, the brave may fall, but never yield. We have one year to plan back for Champs, our athletes will go into exam mode now, then Penn Relays and CARIFTA,” an optimistic Jacobs said. Around eight KC athletes will be representing Jamaica at CARIFTA this year. Matherson, on whom KC’s Class One hopes rested, was injured in the semi-finals of the 100 metres, last Friday. He pulled out of the event via a false start, but managed to finish the 200m final. “He is in high spirits, and he will definitely be back next year, and will be doing the double next year,” outlined his guardian. The athlete will enter his final year of Class One. Jacobs is also the Kingston College parent-teacher Association (PTA) president, and stated he could no longer support coach Neil Harrison as KC coach, following this year’s defeat. “I don’t give the coach confidence; we (KC) can’t lose Champs like that. Frankly speaking, you can’t have a team with depth like this and still lose Champs,” he reasoned. Meanwhile, the institution’s dean of discipline, Ainsworth Walker, called yesterday a regular school day, noting that the athletes should be in school during the course of the day and week. Parent Joan Harper, who was present for all five days, said she was “proud of my boys, despite the fact that they didn’t win”. Fifth-form student Kevoan Daley admitted to being a little disappointed, however, noted that the loss was “better than a couple of years ago.” “I hope we will win next year,” he outlined.
McDonald happy with Penn Relays success
“A new environment and new coaching techniques, along with being injury-free, have also helped a lot this season, and competing against Holmwood was a big motivational factor as I was pumped up whenever I competed against them,” she added. She is very satisfied with her performance here. “It is a good feeling winning at the Penn Relays as I just went to do my thing. I followed my coach’s advice and executed well,” she said. “I am kind of disappointed with the time, but I think Nicolee Foster’s absence contributed to this as she has become my main rival in the event. If she was there, I think I would have gone much faster.” McDonald, who prefers the sprint hurdles, stated that Australia’s Sally Pearson is her role model. “I like Sally’s style of running and I prefer the sprint hurdles as I know that I am really fast”, said McDonald, who stated that her next focus is on the National Junior Championships in June before deciding on an overseas college. PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania: Edwin Allen High school athlete Gabrielle McDonald has been having an excellent season with several spectacular performances on the track. McDonald, who started her high school career at St Andrew High before moving to Holmwood Technical then Edwin Allen, was a double winner at the ISSA Boys and Girls’ Championships in Class One. She won the 100m hurdles in a record 13.12 seconds and then captured the 400m hurdles Open in 56.53 seconds, a world junior leading time. McDonald continued her winning ways at the Penn Relays last Thursday, taking the 400m hurdles championship event in 58.65. “Patience, hard work and determination have been the key to my success this year,” said McDonald on Friday. “Leaving Holmwood to attend Edwin Allen was a very hard decision, but I prayed hard about it and God answered my prayers.” According to McDonald, the change in environment has played a pivotal role in her success this season. Coaching techniques