Kai Kelly wins boys under-18 100m opening heat at JAAA/PUMA national championships

Kai Kelly of Jamaica College won the opening heat of the boys under-18 100 metres on day one of the JAAA/PUMA National Junior and Senior Championships, posting an official time of 10.85 seconds to move into the semi-final round.

Six sprinters faced the starter in heat one of four after Jamal Graham of Herbert Morrison did not appear for the race. The line-up included Chamani Griffiths of St. Jago, DeShawn St. Hilaire of Jamaica College, Chevaughn White of Vere Technical, Anthony Rochester of Titchfield, Kelly, and Devoney Jones of Racers.

Kelly, the class-two champion from Champs and a first-year class-two athlete, was expected to lead the field from the gun. He got away quickly and pulled clear through the middle stages of the race. A flash time of 10.82 was shown before the official result of 10.85 was recorded. The wind reading at the 50-metre mark came in at minus 0.5, though no wind figure appeared on the finish-line clock at first, suggesting the gauge may not initially have been linked to the photo-finish system.

Rochester finished second in 10.97 to join Kelly in the next round. White crossed in 11.14, St. Hilaire in 11.18, with Griffiths and Jones completing the heat. Organisers are set to cut the field from more than 30 entrants down to 16 for the semi-finals, with the two fastest runners from each heat advancing.

Kelly has run as fast as 10.28 this season and appeared to hold something in reserve, doing enough to secure qualification rather than chasing a personal best.

The heat was delayed while officials tested equipment after the meet shifted from the 400-metre start area to the 100-metre line. A wind gauge was being set up near the 50-metre mark, holding up the start while athletes stayed warm with stride-outs ahead of the race.