Thirteen-year-old Brissett burns at Francis Meet

BY HOWARD WALKER Observer senior reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com

Sunday, February 19, 2012

THE name Aneka Brissett might not be a household name as yet, but in a few weeks' time, the entire Jamaica and the wider Caribbean could be singing her praises.

This 13-year-old is like a shiny uncut stone on the verge of shedding its rough edges and being transformed into a gem following two jaw-dropping performances at the Ben Francis Invitational II track and field meet yesterday.

The precocious talent from Eltham High was asked by her coach Millard Dunbar to test her speed against girls at least six years older, and she did not disappoint in the Class One 200m.

Brissett finished second in her heat in 25.3 seconds and was pipped on the line by the experienced Olivia James of Vere Technical (25.2) after coming off the bend with a decent lead.

The other heat was won by the highly thought of Shericka Jackson of Vere in 24.9. It was a remarkable effort by a Class Three athlete against Class One rivals.

A few hours later, Brissett returned to her age group and decimated the Class Three 400m record in 56.09secs, winning by approximately 40 metres, and was at press time, the only record-breaker at the meet. Her time was significantly faster than those by the Class One and Two athletes.

On a day when Jamaica's first female Olympic champion, Deon Hemming-McCatty, was honoured by her alma mater, the times were by and large slow on the dirt track.

Hemming-McCatty, the former Olympic record-holder over 400m hurdles with 52.82 seconds, said it was an honour and a privilege to be recognised by Vere Technical.

"I thank the Board of Directors and the Organising Committee for the foresight for this award and for recognising the importance of track and field," said the Hemming-McCatty.

On a gruellingly hot day on the track, Lennon High's Lackeisha Gilfillian finished second in the Class Two 200m, but later collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. She was later released and rejoined her teammates.

Meanwhile, Kevaughn Robinson of Fogo Road High won the $40,000 for the 400m Championship race with the fastest time of 50.07 seconds.

Robinson, who won the 800m at Boys' and Girls Championship last year, won ahead of Omari Donald of Hydel (50.59) and Jamaica College's Earle Grant (50.88).

Kingston College's Sanjay Powell won the 2,000m Steeple Chase Open in 6:03.1 and walked away with $40,000. Shericka Jackson took the cash award in the Class One 200m.