Carr hails Natrece East after runner-up finish at Japan Continental Tour meet

National junior sprinter Natrece East drew warm praise from her coach, Michael Carr, after her showing at the Fuse Sprint World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meeting in Tottori, Japan, last weekend. Carr said the outing again underlined the depth of her ability and pointed to a promising path ahead.

East, 17, took second in the women’s invitational 100 metres in 11.53 seconds, having first secured her place in the final through a strong heat. Carr said he was satisfied with how she managed her first major assignment abroad, especially given the distance travelled to reach Japan.

“I believe that it was a very good performance because, having travelled so far and finishing second in the heats 12.7 and in the final 11.5, you would have wondered what would have happened if there was another run,” said Carr. “But it is an introduction to her into what professional life is going to be later on if she plans to continue.”

The Wolmer’s Trust for Girls’ standout lined up for the school in the 100m and 200m at this year’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships. Carr said the Japan trip will be a lasting asset as she keeps building her career.

“Overall, I am quite happy and I am quite pleased with the performance, and it tells you also the athlete that she is and how well her future looks like it is going to be,” said Carr.

East is due to begin upper sixth form at Wolmer’s in September. Her personal bests stand at 11.21 seconds for the 100m and 23.07 seconds for the 200m. Carr also stressed that racing established professionals offers the teenager a valuable education on the track.

“She was up against professional athletes and this should give her some confidence and it was an eye-opener for her, introducing her to what travelling and competing is all about. So it is actually preparation for later on.”

After finishing third in both the 100m and 200m at last month’s National Junior Trials, East is also expected to run for Jamaica on the World Under-20 relay team this year.

Carr pointed to her discipline, commitment, and drive as qualities that should push her further.

“She is very confident and very talented and also very disciplined. I think we have a very good working relationship, and she is an athlete that is very ambitious and who has a lot of room for growth and development and, three years down the line, she will be extremely awesome,” he said.