Ricardo Man tops under-18 boys 100m heat as Bennett warned for block movement at JAAA championships

Ricardo Man of Vere Technical posted 11.10 to win the fourth and final under-18 boys 100m heat on day one of the JAAA/PUMA National Junior and Senior Championships, with the top three finishers advancing from the full eight-man field.

Competition officials allowed a wind reading of up to 2.0 metres per second as legal for the sprint before the athletes were called to the blocks. The line-up comprised Shamari Robinson of Petersfield in lane one, Deondre Cooper of Camperdown in lane two, Orlando Anglin of Jamaica College in lane three, unattached Tariq Bennett in lane four, Man in lane five, Chase Barnett in lane six, Curtis Shaft of Holmwood in lane seven, and Tyron Brown of Papine High in lane eight.

The first start was called back after Bennett moved in the set position without his hands leaving the track or his feet leaving the blocks. Start officials issued him a warning for disturbing the start rather than disqualifying him on the first offence. The field was sent back to their marks for a second attempt.

On the restart, Man broke quickly from Vere Technical and held his lead through the line despite a mid-race dip in momentum. Bennett finished strongly in second place, with Anglin of Jamaica College close behind in third.

The official times were recorded into a headwind of minus 3.6 metres per second. Man crossed in 11.10, followed by Bennett at 11.13 and Anglin at 11.14. Shaft was fourth in 11.23, Cooper fifth in 11.34, Barnett sixth in 11.40, Robinson seventh in 11.84, and Brown completed the field.