McDonald wins first senior title

McDonald

MICHAEL McDonald won his first senior title on Saturday's final day of the National Junior and Senior Athletics championships at the National Stadium.

McDonald, the 1994 World Junior 400 metres champion, powered his way to victory over defending champion and Sydney Olympics bronze medalist Gregory Haughton in the one-lap event, winning in 44.89.

The race, one of the stellar events of the three-day championships, was won in the first 200 metres. McDonald, drawn in lane five behind Haughton in six, closed the stagger rapidly after the starter sent them away. The former Vere Technical star came into the final 100 metres with a slight lead and kept on strongly to the finish line to deny Haughton who clocked 45.09 for second. It was very close for third with Sanjay Ayre (45.58) just edging out Danny McFarlane (45.59).

Lorraine Graham-Fenton retained the women's senior 400m crown proving too strong for many-time champion Sandie Richards. Graham-Fenton won in 50.69 to Richards' 51.29. Charmaine Howell, the 800 metres champion, was third in 52.07 and Allison Beckford fourth in 52.55.

Ricardo Melbourne of Calabar High set a national junior record of 13.88 seconds in placing behind winner Maurice Wignall (13.70) in the senior men's 110m hurdles. Matthew Love, 14.23, was third.

Kashain Page and Kimani Williams won the under-18 400 metres. Page won in 55.28 from Veronica Patterson 55.64 and Shauna-Kay Campbell 56.23.

Williams, running in lane eight, powered off the final turn to win in 48.72. Jermaine Gonzales was second in 49.15 and Jermaine Barton third in 49.82.

In the under 20 women's 400 metres Holmwood High school star Aneisha McLaughlin won in 53.93 while the men's under-20 went to Gregory Little in 47.10.

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