Jamaica stars Facey, Anderson to clash at US college meet

by Raymond Graham, Freelance Writer

TWO athletes who will be looking to earn places on Jamaica's female sprint relay squad at the Beijing Olympics this summer will come face to face over the next three days as several US Conference meets for Division I universities will start today.

World sprint relay silver medallist Simone Facey of Texas A&M University and former World Junior representative Nickeisha Anderson of Kansas University will clash in the 100 metres at the Big 12 Championships in Colorado. Facey with a season best of 11.11 seconds is ranked at number two in the Conference while Anderson (11.18) is at three.

After being dominated by Anderson over the 200m in the indoor season, Facey with a time of 22.99 is at number four in the Conference while Anderson is at number seven with a season best 23.07.

Former Queen's High athlete, Latoya Greaves, is the favourite for the 100m hurdles. Oklahoma University student Greaves leads with 13.19 seconds, while her teammate Latoya Heath with (13.52) is ranked number six.

Former World Youth representative, Julian Reid is favourite to take both the long jump and triple jump titles for Texas A&M University. With marks of 7.70m and 16.55m, respectively, Reid is the top-ranked athlete in both events.

Nickeisha Wilson of Louisiana State University (LSU), one of the most improved Jamaican athletes last year, is expected to show her class at the SEC Championships in Auburn, Alabama. Wilson with times of 12.85 (100m hurdles) and 55.83 (400m hurdles) is the number one ranked athlete in both events in her Conference.

At the same Conference, Wilson's teammate Samantha Henry, the former Queen's High standout is expected to do well in the sprints. Her 100m best, 11.27, puts her behind teammate Kelly Ann Baptiste of Trinidad who leads all college athletes with 11.06.

Two former Edwin Allen High athletes will be seeking wins in the 800m. Former World Junior 800 metres bronze medallist, Kayon Thompson who now competes for LSU has clocked 2:06.11, the third best time in the Conference while Florida University's Lorain McKenzie stands at number eight with her 2:08.90 effort.

LSU's Andrea Linton is at number two in the triple jump with 12.91m while former Holmwood Technical star Peter-Gaye Beckford of Arkansas University is at number three in the javelin with a mark of 46.17m and seventh in the long jump with 6.14m.