The Jamaica Star :: Sport :: STETHS's Reid shines at Penns

Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Peta-Gaye Reid of St Elizabeth Technical poses with her watch after her high-jump victory on yesterday's opening day of the 114th Penn Relays at Franklin Field. - Anthony Foster

PHILADELPHIA

St Elizabeth Technical High's (STETHS) Peta-Gaye Reid was Jamaica's lone winner on yesterday's opening day of the 114th Penn Relays at Franklin Field.

The 16-year-old Reid, who is competing at her first Penn Relays, cleared 1.76 metres to win the girls' high-jump title. Reid was overjoyed.

"I am feeling very happy, especially since it's my first time at the Penn Relays," she said.

In the same event, Alpha's pair of Claudia Calder (1.73m) and Khadeen Isaacs (1.69m) finished fifth and sixth, respectively.

Taneisha Blair who, last year, won the high school javelin, finished third this time for GC Foster College. Blair threw 47.81m in the college event, which was won by Kara Patterson of Purdue (56.10m) and second-place finisher Karlee McQuillen of Penn State (50.88m).

Long jump

In the high school girls' long jump, St Andrew High's Todea-Kay Willis (5.85m) finished third behind Tynita Butts of TC Williams (6.18m) and Jen Clayton of Suffern (5.91m).

Vere's Shanieka Thomas (11.82m) was third in the girls' triple jump. Adaobi Unachukwu of Marlboro won the event with a leap of 11.88m.

Meanwhile, Kimona Smith, formerly of Morant Bay, now at North Carolina A&T, finished third in the long jump for colleges with a leap 6.09m. Danielle Watson of UCLA won the event in 6.23m.

In the relays, defending 4x100m champions Edwin Allen High, led by Naffene Briscoe, Kaycea Jones, Gayon Evans and Shawna Anderson, looked hot in the heats after posting the day's fastest time - 45.28 seconds.

St Jago's quartet of Yoneice Martin, Melissa Williams, Shantoya Lee and Candice Walker stopped the clock at 46.33 for the day's second-fastest time while Holmwood, who fumbled on the first change, but recovered to win heat nine in 47.12, are also in this afternoon's Championship of America final.

The Championship of America 4x100m final also includes Vere with Peta-Gaye Beckford, Jura Levy, Deandre Whitehorne and Kayon Robinson posting 46.26 and Alpha (47.13).

In the Large Schools final, St Andrew High (47.40) will be the only Jamaican finalists while STETHS (47.24), Herbert Morrison (47.49) and Manchester High (47.97) are down for the Small Schools final.

In the college women's 4x100m, local teams, GC Foster College with Kaydene Mason, Anastasia LeRoy, Rose-Marie Whyte, Schillonie Calvert clocked 44.00 for the third-fastest time ahead of University of Technology with Nyoka Cole, Stephanie McPherson, Anneisha McLaughlin and Shelly-Ann Fraser (44.29).

In the 4x800m, Manchester (9:01.61), Holmwood 9:05.28 and Edwin Allen (9:07.44) are in today's final.

In the 4x400m, Eleanor Roosevelt of Maryland led the finalists with 3:38.40. Holmwood (3:39.04), Edwin Allen (3:39.86), Vere (3:40.37) and Manchester (3:40.72) are the other top teams in the final.

Action in the boys' section starts today.