Sprinter Deandre White-horne, one of Jamaica's best hopes for a medal at next week's World Youth Championships, says she is ready for the challenges ahead.

"I am feeling happy within myself, because I am working hard, so I expect to perform well at the championships," said Whitehorne.

Whitehorne, who has a personal best of 11.54 seconds, added: "I expect to make the final, finish in the top three, maybe a gold, because I am working hard for it."

Veronica Campbell-Brown, champion in 1999, was the first and remains the only Jamaican female to win the women's 100m gold at this championships.

And, according to Whitehorne, the fact that Campbell-Brown was a student at Vere during that time, it motivates her more.

Tradition

"It means so much to me, because she was a student of Vere and I am a student there, so I aim to keep up the Vere tradition. It would mean so much to me to win," added Whitehorne.

Lisa Sharpe and Kerron Stewart won silver medals for Jamaica in 1999 and 2001 respectively, while Schillonie Calvert was the last Jamaican female to win a medal, bronze in 2005.

Whitehorne, the Boys and Girls' Championships Class Two and Carifta Games Under-17 champion, says she has "good preparation" going into the championships.

"I am very satisfied with the season so far," she said. "This year has been a very hectic one for me - Champs, Carifta Games, Penn Relays and now World Youth - but I am satisfied, so I just hope I go to Italy and perform as best as I can."

- Anthony Foster