JADE BAILEY’S fall at the end of the women’s 200 metres last night at the National Stadium was just as much a talking point as the manner in which she was beaten by Shakera Reece.Bailey, who holds the national record of 22:91 seconds, was seeking redemption on the final night of the City of Bridgetown National Track and Field Championships after being beaten by Reece on Saturday night in the 100 metres.There was no redemption, but a large dose of humble pie when she fell less than five metres from the finish line. Many in the stands would recall the night when Bailey turned and called Reece home, taunting her after defeat.
Playing catch-upThere was no time to turn and call because she spent the entire race trying to catch Reece who blew out of the turn showing glimpses of the form she had in 2007. Bailey seemed to lose her footing or her centre of gravity, hitting the ground and never finishing the race.Reece won in 24:15, followed by Quantum Leap teammate Mara Weekes in 24:54 and 12-year-old Tristan Evelyn of Rising Stars in 25 seconds flat. Reece did not gloat, but joined the other girls who rushed back to make sure Bailey was all right.The men’s race was a close finish, with Rico Tull of Wibisco Stars winning in 21:31. After Stephen Headley dropped out in the first 200 metres, it was Shekeim Greaves who did the early running and led out of the turn.That was until Tull and Shane Brathwaite hauled him in. Brathwaite shut down at the finish and fell to fourth, Jerry-Lee Davis turning over to take second in 21.38 and Greaves third in 21:45.Rico Ward of Freedom Striders won the men’s “B” final in 21:89.Earlier, Shakera Hall of Elite Distance completed the double, winning the Under-17 Girls’ 300 metres hurdles in 44:27, followed by BC Trac’s Danielle Scantlebury (45:67) and Celina Forte of Freedom Striders (46:55).
Easy winnerWith Tramaine Maloney not facing the starter, Dario Scantlebury of Rising Stars was an easy winner in the Under-17 Boys’ 400 metres, crossing the line in a record 56:14 seconds, down from the 56:95 set by Wendal Davis two years ago. He was followed by the Pacers’ pair of Akeem David and Rico Harris in 58:40 and 67:11, respectively.There was no women’s race. Stefan Goodridge of Quantum Leap took the men’s event in 53:09 seconds, running a strong second half to overtake Dwayne Layne (56:39) and Alexander Forde (54:83) and hold off Ryan King who ran at him over the last 150 metres, placing second in 53:47.In the field events, the expected battle between national record holder Henderson Dottin and Thorrold Murray never materialised. Dottin was out at 2.05 metres, leaving Murray to battle Dominican Brendan Williams. He emerged the winner with 2.15 metres, Williams clearing 2.10 metres.Springer’s Akela Jones won the women’s long jump with a leap of 5.78 metres for her second title, while Tanice Watson and Jalisa Burrowes both had 5.14 metres for second and third, respectively.Tristan Whitehall of BC Trac also claimed his second Under-17 title with 14.87 metres in the shot put, Dominican Tyron Benjamin won the men’s event with 15.72 metres, and his compatriot Dillon Simon followed up his discus success with a record 16.48, up from 15.19 in the Under-20 event.
