There was a general feeling of satisfaction for most of the champion athletes during last weekend’s ICBL National Championships at the National Stadium.
Even though he was hoping to run faster than his personal best 10.10 seconds, University of Houston sprinter Mario Burke said he couldn’t really complain after clocking 10.27 seconds to win the marquee men’s 100 metres for the second straight year.
“I feel good to retain my title.
“I was a little disappointed with the time.
“I wanted to run a little faster but to get a victory, I still can’t be disappointed too much,” Burke said.
He also happy that his fellow United States-based competitors, Burkheart Ellis, Jaquone Hoyte and Ramon Gittens were in the race to provide competition.
“I knew those guys were going to push me to the fullest, so I told myself, I had to execute, focus on my lane and just come to the line as fast as I could,” noted 21-year-old Burke.
Experienced hurdler Shane Brathwaite didn’t have any non-Barbadians racing against him like last year, but the 28-year-old former Commonwealth bronze medallist, was pleased with his 13.62-second winning effort.
“I felt good. I started working on some things in practice with my coaches to be quicker in between the hurdles and I thought that I executed well despite the conditions as it was windy,” he said.
Jonathan Jones was delighted to defeat Illinois State University standout Anderson Devonish to become Men’s senior national 400 champion with a commendable time of 46.64 seconds in his final year as a junior.
“It feels good. It’s a dream come true. I was thinking about it and studying it a lot.
“It is just good to realise that anything you put your mind to, you can accomplish.
“It’s an okay time but I always want something better, so I can’t be satisfied,” Jones said.
Jones, 19, was presented with his gift by national record holder Elvis Forde and said he would be looking to break his 1984 mark of 45.32 seconds.
“Every record is in my sights. I go after any record when I go into a race,” Jones noted.
New women’s 100-metre hurdles queen Ayanna Morgan was also thrilled to get a verdict over Barbados’ record holder, Olympian Kierre Beckles.
“Honestly, I knew Kierre is a great opponent. She has strengths and I have strengths and I just wanted to use it to my advantage and hopefully run as hard as I can and I was good enough to get the win,” the 20-year-old Indiana State University athlete said. (EZS)
