KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaican sprinters Tia Clayton and Rohan Watson performed impressively on their way to winning the 60-meter events at the World Indoor Qualifier meet at G.C. Foster College on Saturday.
The eagerly anticipated clash between Clayton and pre-race favorite Jodean Williams of SprinTec never materialized. The latter pulled out of the final after producing a personal best of 7.07 seconds in the preliminary round.
Clayton took full advantage of her absence to win in a personal best of 7.08 seconds, with MVP teammate Natasha Morrison second in 7.09, Barbados’ Kishawna Niles of UTech third in 7.12, and Shericka Jackson fourth in 7.14 seconds.
The 20-year-old Clayton, injured for most of last season, was elated with her victory.
“This win is a confidence booster for me, and it feels delicious because I just executed as my coach told me to.
“For me, it’s all about staying healthy and injury-free for the rest of the season,” said Clayton.
Meanwhile, Watson, the former national senior men’s 100-metre champion, continued his strong form this season by capturing the men’s race in a season’s best 6.50 seconds.
MVP claimed the top three places in the race, with Nishion Ebanks second in 6.57 and Michael Campbell claiming third in 6.60 seconds.
In other results, Barbados’ Sada Williams, representing MVP, was an easy winner in the women’s 200 meters, clocking a season’s best 23.44 seconds, with Alliah Baker of Elite Performance second in 23.61, with Roneisha McGregor of UWI Mona taking third in 23.64.
Adrian Kerr won the men’s 200 meters in a personal best of 20.47 seconds.
Ackeem Blake of Dynamic Speed was second in 20.49, while his teammate Sandrey Davison secured third in 20.75 seconds.
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