Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

WHILE THE records did not tumble like last year and Asafa Powell did not run, the 29th Milo Western Relays at Catherine Hall Stadium in Montego Bay still generated a fair amount of excitement yesterday.

The first of four records went in the first event of the day when Shawn Pitter of Windalco broke the 3,000m record he established in 2005. He erased the old record of 8:51.19 with a new mark of 8:47:22.

Herbert Morrison's 4x100m Class Two boys accounted for the second record with their smashing 42:20, while Kingston College claimed record number three when they broke their own 4x100m Class Three boys' time with a new mark of 45:04. Holmwood's female medley team took the final record with a impressive 4:20.09.

'Good performances'

"I thought it was a very good day all round and while we did not have a lot of records, we had a lot of good perform-ances," said meet director Ray Harvey. "It was clear that the fans came out in encouraging numbers and really enjoyed themselves.

While there was obvious disappointment among the fans that Powell, the 100m world record holder, did not run and no explanations were offered, the fans were given a treat by Sherone Simpson, who showed why she was the world's fastest woman as she sparkled in lifting the MVP Track Club tovictory in the women's 4x100m (43:59) and the 4x400m (3:32:18).

Hard battle

In the much-vaunted high school section, Holmwood retained their 'Top Female Team' award but they had to battle hard to blunt the challenge of Manchester High, who turned in a superb performance.

However, in the male section, Kingston College were de-throned by Herbert Morrison, who claimed the 'Top Male Team' award for the first time.

On the way to retaining their title, the five consecutive 'Top Female Team' coached by Maurice Wilson won the Class One 4x100m (46:41), the 4x800m Open (8:50:77), the 4x200m Open (1:38:15) and also the record-breaking 4x400m medley relay.

Manchester High looked quite good in winning the girls' Class Two 4x100m (46.41), the Class Three 4x100m (47.61) and the Class Four 4x100m (48:84).

On their way to their 'Top Male Team' award, the Herbert Morrison boys demonstrated that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the sprints this year, winning the Class One 4x100m (41:20), the Class Two 4x100m and the Class One 4x200m (1:28:04).

While they lost their title, the Kingston College team, which came minus a Class One line-up, acquitted themselves reasonably well, taking the Class Three 4x100m (45.04) and the Class Four 4x100m (47:70).

Other outstanding perform-ance on the day came from Vere Technical's Tenesha Davis, who won the 1,500m Women's Open (4:44:99), Tashana Willock, who took the 400m hurdles (64:74), Steve Banton of St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), the winner of the men's 400m hurdles, Kenroy Halstead of MoBay Comets who won the 100m (10:66) and Rodger Polydore of the High Performance Centre (HPC) who won the 400m (47:48).

athletics

I am always serious - Bolt

Anthony Foster

Freelance Writer

WORLD JUNIOR 200-metre record holder Usain Bolt has shot down talk in track and field circles that he is not serious and is still acting like a kid.

"I am always serious - but there is a kid in everybody, so people might see me doing things and might judge it wrong, but that's just me," Bolt said yesterday at the Camperdown Classic at Stadium East.

During last season, it was rumoured that coach Glen Mills had problems getting the then teenager out to training as most times he was seen playing basketball at UTech.

"I am young an track and field is my career and it is the thing that puts food on my table, I also have to have fun and enjoy life. I enjoy life but I take my track and field very serious," said the 20-year-old Bolt, who won the World Junior 200m title in 2002.

Impressive victory

Bolt opened his season with an impressive 45.92 victory in the men's 400m Open at the Classic. The time was the second fastest of the young outdoor season. David Gillick of Israel ran 45.91.

In a very competitive first 200m with Fortis International's Leeford Green (46.98), both athletes were neck and neck on the backstretch, which helped them reach the 200m mark in 20.8.

Bolt pulled ahead in the straight, though he admitted his final 100m could be a little better.

"I think it's a very good time. I haven't run a 400m in a while so, I think I did pretty well and I have a lot more time to improve down in the year," he said.

Olympic 400m hurdles silver medallist Danny McFarlane, finished second in heat two behind Xavier Brown (47.27) and took fourth overall in 47.29.

Meanwhile, Edwin Allen girls and St. Jago boys won the Class One sprint relays which came with prize money of $60,000 for the winners.

However, the highlight of the high school section was Immaculate's Meisha-Gaye DaCosta's 1.80m leap in the girls' Class Two high jump.

Feedback: anthony.foster@gleanerjm.com.