Our Blasted Mile Relay Guys!

[Mosiah]

There is more to this story. Just think a little!

[Willi]

I dont get yuh. PM me.

[Assasin]

Report: Ashmeade could succeed Bolt on world stage

BY PAUL A REID, Observer writer reidp@jamaicaobserver.com
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
PHILADELPHIA, USA - A leading Philadelphia newspaper has predicted that St Jago High sprinter Nickle Ashmeade could be the next Usain Bolt.
In an article written by Frank Fitzpatrick and carried on the front page of the Sports section of the Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday, Ashmeade was compared to the three-time Olympic Gold medallist and world record holder in the 100m and 200m.
The report said in part that "many on the tiny, track-obsessed Caribbean island that had supplanted the US as the world's sprint king believe Ashmeade is heir to Bolt, who succeeded Asafa Powell, who followed other Jamaican greats such as Donald Quarrie and Herb McKenley".
The article quoted Ashmeade as saying, "people would tell me I wasn't as focused as I should be, but I couldn't see it.now I realise the hard work it takes".
His coach Danny Hawthorne predicted Ashmeade would be a factor at the next level according to the article.
"As a senior he should be a real factor (internationally). He has all the potential in the world," Hawthorne was quoted in Philadelphia Inquirer.
Ashmeade anchored the St Jago team to a repeat win in the 4x400m high school Championships of Americas here on Saturday, but fell on the second change over in the 4x100m heats on Friday, dashing the team's hopes of making it to the final, along with seven other Jamaican teams.
Calabar High went on to retain their 4x100m title, breaking the record 39.96 seconds set by St Jago in 2007 with a new time of 39.91 seconds.
Ashmeade, who ran on that team, has won three Penn Relay watches.
The St Jago High speedster - named captain of the Jamaican junior teams several times - has won a handful of medals at the IAAF World Youth and World Junior Championships.
He was second by a whisker in the 200m at the World Junior Championships in Poland last year and ran the third leg on the 4x100m team that also won a silver medal.
He is also the two-time CARIFTA Games Under-20 200m champion, but lost his Champs Class One title to Calabar's Ramone McKenzie this year, finishing third in the final, also beaten by Calabar's Oshaine Bailey.
A fractured arm in February at St Jago's sports day had affected Ashmeade's training and preparation for Champs.

[Baddaz]

I know, and I agree with you.

However, can we be regarded as a genuinely great track and field nation if all that we produce are 100 and 200-meter sprinters and sprint relay (4x100) teams? Is this the Jamaica that expects to take on the 400-meter rich and hurdling-rich USA next summer in a one and one competition?

the answer to your question is a resounding YES! of course historian... when you consider the size and population of jamaica relative to the rest of the world, we are GREAT in TRACK & FIELD...

as to the sprints, jamaica is the sprint factory of the world... for jamaica to be in the same conversation with the usa for sprints speaks volumes for jamaica's achievement in athletics...

dont try to diminish our accomplishments... or even attempt to shift the playing field by asking that question - especially, how the question is framed...

[Baddaz]

i've made that similar argument on this and willi's t&f site before... i agree with your argument...


i was thinking that jermain gonzalez should consider the 800m... i haven't seen him lately but i think he had the frame for the 800m...

i notice that dwight davis has started to compete in the hurdles again... good for him because he had no chance in the 100m sprint... with his speed, he could be a legit threat for a medal at the next olympics if he cleans up his technique...

[Mosiah]

yeah, sure!

[Mosiah]

Nothing to PM. Leford went to KC where people will push themselves to the ultimate to win. What happens after will never be nearly as important.

Just didn't want to start this discussion on the site, because we all have taken up certain camps and nothing will get us to consider the other side, if only for a minute!