The first meet for 2012 gets underway at 10 a.m. today at the National Stadium.
The Field Events and Relay Meet is open to all athletes and registration will take place at the venue. Though small in number, the locally based seniors have everything to work for with the athletics segment of the London 2012 Olympic Games slated for August 3 to 12.
Several of last year’s top junior athletes, including Anthonio Mascoll, Nicholas Deshong, Kenrisha Brathwaite, Tyrell Forde, Sade-Mariah Greenidge and Cherrisse Lynch are either on scholarship or out of the island, several having moved to the senior ranks.
Sprinter Joshua Walcott is in Jamaica and will miss this year’s Under-17 division which is shaping up to be one of the best with Ramarco Thompson, Mario Burke, Tamal Atwell, Shae Nurse, Ariko Small and Dylan Caddle in the running.
Jerrad Mason, John Haynes, Akela Jones, Akela Taylor, Levi Cadogan, Dario Scantlebury and Jahvere Worrell, among others, have moved to the Under-20 division to join Kion Joseph, Nicolai Gall, Shaquille Alleyne, Daley Carter and Tramaine Maloney.
Sprinter Tristan Evelyn is truly expected to come into her own after getting a taste of CARIFTA action last year.
Along with Jalisa Burrowes, Danielle Scantlebury, Maya Millington, Tiana Bowen, Rosette Hoyte and Shonte Cole, the girls’ junior division is also strong.
Several of the primary school runners will also be stepping up, making for an exciting season.
