BY RAYMOND GRAHAM, Freelance Writer

Natasha Ruddock - Ricardo Makyn

World Youth 100-metres hurdles silver medallist in 2005, Natasha Ruddock, returned to form following injury a few weeks ago to post the only individual victory by a Jamaican at the Junior College Track and Field Championships which ended last Saturday at South Plains Junior College in Texas.

Ruddock, who is expected to be a medal contender for Jamaica at this year's World Junior Track and Field Championships in Poland, and who is coming off a hamstring injury three weeks ago in Baltimore, sped to a wind-aided 13.22 seconds to win gold. With a plus 4.6 metres per second wind helping her, the Essex County College freshman won easily from Bahamian Krystal Bodie of South Western Mississippi.

Four other Jamaicans had individual medal success at the meet. Latoya Sanderson, representing Butler Junior College, was second in the 400 metres in 55.49 seconds, just ahead of Crystal Wilson, of South Plains Junior College, who got bronze in 55.56 seconds. Sanderson also finished fourth in the 400 metres hurdles in 63.81 seconds, as former Edwin Allen athlete Andrea Sutherland, competing for Barton County College, was second in 59.74 seconds. Sashakaye Matthias, formerly of St Jago High and representing Essex County College, grabbed bronze in the triple jump with 11.99 metres.

There was no individual success for Jamaica in the male division. However, Kemar Ellis, Stafford McFarlane and Kayon Smith helped Essex County College to win the men's 4x800 metres relay in 7:41.31.