Clark wins girls under-18 100m heat as Marston disqualified for false start

Danielle Clark of Edwin Allen High claimed victory in heat three of the girls under-18 100 metres on day two of the JAAA/PUMA National Junior and Senior Championships, securing the automatic qualifying spot in 12.20 seconds.

The field lined up with Janelia Singh of Holy Childhood in lane two, Tawanna Marston of Knox College in lane three, Shelldene Jarrett of William Knibb in lane four, Venesha Pottinger of Mount Alvernia in lane five, and Clark in lane six. Haven Brandon was listed for lane seven but did not take her place on the start line.

Marston, who earned silver in the 200 metres at Boys and Girls’ Championships and was stepping down to the shorter sprint, was disqualified before the race could be run. She rose into her set position quickly and then left the blocks before the gun, drawing a red card with no room for appeal.

At the restart, Singh, Jarrett, Pottinger, and Clark settled into the blocks. Clark, the Class Three 100 metres champion at Champs this year with a time of 11.66, broke cleanly and moved to the front as expected. Pottinger, the Class Three 200 metres champion at Champs and winner of Western Champs with Mount Alvernia’s growing programme, pressed Clark through the middle of the race but could not overtake her. Observers noted that Pottinger appeared to ease slightly in the closing stages, which may have cost her a stronger finish.

Clark crossed the line first to book her place in the next round. Jarrett, the 17-year-old William Knibb athlete, finished second in 12.31, with Pottinger third in 12.33. Singh completed the heat in 13.25. Marston, who had been among the leading Class Three performers over 200 metres this season, left the track without a result from the heat.