KINGSTON, Jamaica – Shanice Love and Thaleetio Green added their names to the record books at the 2016 Jamaica Boys and Girls’ High School Championships on Day two on Wednesday night.
Live Results and Points | Live Blogging Coverage
Love set a new record in the class one girls’ Discus Throw, while Green lowered the boys’ 2000 metres Steeplechase open record.
The pair became the second and third record breakers at this year’s championships — joining Calabar’s Christopher Taylor, who set a new mark in the class two boys’ 400m in the heats on Tuesday’s first day of action.
After fouling on her first two throws and deciding to do a power throw, which went out to 40.80m on her third attempt and secured a place in the final, Love finally got it right with her sixth and final throw of the competition.
“After fouling the first two times I went to my coach and he told me ‘you got this’ and I said Ok,” she revealed.
The Excelsior High thrower, competing in her last Boys and Girls Champs, heaved the discus 52.73m to improve the 51.16m previous mark, which was set by Tara-Sue Barnett of Edwin Allen in 2013.
An emotional Love couldn’t hide her feelings after the seeing the mark on the clipboard.
She said: “I’m very, very excited!
“It’s my last Champs and I wanted to make my mark and I did.
“I had to get in a stand throw on my third attempt, and then after that I decided I’m going for it (record), I said I’m going for it.”
He continued: “I went into the final in second, and I said to myself ‘I’m not staying in second place, I’m going for the first place and the record.
Finishing second in the event was Devia Brown of Hydel with a mark of 42.76m while Tracey-Ann Simms of St. Jago grabbed the bronze with 41.52m.
Meanwhile, Green of St. Jago High posted a time of 5:53.14 to break the boys’ 2000 metres Steeplechase open record and picked up the gold medal in the final event on day two.
In fact, Garfield Gordon (Mavis Bank High, 5:56.73) and Shane Buchanan (Kingston College, 5:59.11) were also faster than the previous record of 5:59.70, set by Obrian Frith of Holmwood in 2014.
In the girls’ race, Edwin Allen High duo Teresha Jacobs (7:07.86) and Jeima Davis (7:19.10) made it a 1-2 finish while Alithia Ferron of Vere Technical took the bronze in 7:21.62.
In the meantime, Yashawn Hamilton leaped 7.01m to win the class two boys’ long jump title and earn nine valuable points for title chasers Kingston College.
Joel Morgan Excelsior High was second with an effort of 6.95m, with Calabar’s Kristoffe Clifford taking third place with a mark of 6.87m.
In the class one boys’ long jump final, defending champion Obrien Wasome of Jamaica College successfully defended his title, but failed in his bid break the Champs record.
Wasome jumped 7.50m for the title with Shown-d Thompson of St. Jago High getting the silver with 7.27m and Shammawi Wellington of Kingston College earning the bronze with 7.23m.
Aiko Jones of Wolmer Girl was the other gold medal winner on the second day — claiming the class two girls’ shot put title with 15.13m.
There were also some impressive times in the heats of the 4x100m relays — highlighted by the 39.98 seconds posted by Kingston College in the class one boys’ qualifying round.