THERE was glorious sunshine and a solid track to compete on and Maurice Gibson took full advantage of the conditions to take victory in the Open Men’s 80m sprint in the Athletics Association’s Developmental Meet yesterday on the GDF Ground, Camp Ayanganna.

Eight sprinters faced the starter, Ian Campbell in Lane 8 was out like a bullet and it seemed an easy victory was in his sights, but it was not to be. With five metres to go, running in lane four, Gibson dug deep and came through the finish line like a freight train.

He stopped the clock at 8.9 seconds, the only athlete to crack the 9 seconds barrier on the day. His Running Brave training partner Campbell was 2nd in 9.1 seconds to be followed home by Devin Collymorein 9.2 seonds.
Veteran Sprinter Alisha Fortune was an easy winner in the Female Open; 9.7 seconds her time ahead of Tirana Mitchell of Super Upcoming Runners in 10:00 secs. Natrena Hooper was third in 10.2 seconds.
There were other notable performances in the 80m sprints – Compton Caesar showed he’s the man to beat in the U-18 division this season with 8.6 seconds; the fastest time in all divisions, while Onassha Rogers blew away the opposition in the U-18 Girls race stopping the clock in 9.6 seconds.
Opening the day’s action was the 2000m Open events; Alika Morgan of Rising Stars was an easy winner of the three athletes on track. With 7 mins 17.1 secs she almost lapped Kezia Morgan and Nikita Wilson as he cruised home to the finish.
Winston Missigher of Running Braves also took an easy victory, leading the race after 800m and never relinquishing. With just under 200m to the finish, Odwin Tudor made a push for the lead, but Missigher pulled one out of the hat and finished like a sprinter to clock 6 mins 01.8 seconds.
Natricia Hooper shook off her 3rd place finish in the 80m to re-establish herself in the 300m, winning in 39.4 seconds but she lost out to Carifta Gold medalist Cassie George in the 600m; George winning in 1 min 21.4 seconds.
With no Jason Yaw on show Devaun Barrington of Running Braves took victory in the 600m Men’s Open.
In 150m sprints Brian Roman followed up his victory in the boys U-16 division with a 16.9 second run for the win. In the 80m event he stopped the clock at 9.2 seconds.
In selected results of the Long Jump Boys U-20 the GDF’s Laurex Stewart leapt 6.19m to take victory. Bevon Nobile won the Open Long Jump in 5.97m, while Joshua Rawlins won the U-18 class with a lead of 5.54m.
IrieCadogan was the lone female Jumper. Her best leap on the day was 4.36m, recorded on her first attempt.
Tremaine Brown with 12.51M won the Boys Triple Jump, while Natrena Hooper won the Open Females Triple with 12.05m. Younger sister Natricia won the U-18 Triple with 11.41m.
This was the 2nd and final Developmental Meet for the year.
The Junior athletes now set their sights on the CARIFTA Trials set for March 7-8.

(By Leeron Brumell)