Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
Usain Bolt (left) eases down at the finish line to win the men's 400m in 46.94, ahead of Annsert Whyte (47.29) out of picture, with world 100m record holder Asafa Powell (right) third in 48.76 at yesterday's Queens/Grace Jackson Track Meet at the Stadium East field.

Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

World Champion-ships 200 metres silver medallist Usain Bolt and Olympic relay goal medallist Sherone Simpson began the 2008 season with impressive runs yesterday.

Both scored wins over 400 metres at the eighth staging of the Queen's/Grace Jackson Track and Field Meet at the Stadium East Complex.

Bolt won his event in 46.94 seconds ahead of Annsert Whyte (47.29), with world 100m record holder Asafa Powell third in 48.76. Powell was also competing in his first race of the year.

Simpson won the her event in 52.21, but had to fight off a tough challenge from G.C. Foster College's Anastasia Le-Roy 52.57 and Kou Wright of Arkansas University 54.04.

Bolt, the national 200m record holder, took up the lead past the 130 metres mark and cruised home for an easy win. He was pleased with the run.

"I have been training for the 400m this season, so I just went out there to see how fast I could go and so 46.94 is not a bad time," said Bolt.

"My plan was to go out hard because I know that Asafa (Powell) is very fast and once I reached the 150m before him, I knew I would bring home the victory," Bolt added.

Happy with her performance

Le-Roy, who is a World Champion-ships relay's silver medallist was happy with her performance.

"I happy with this time, but I am a bit disappointed with the way I executed the race because I know I could have won it," said Le-Roy.

"I am just training hard and listening to my coach Maurice Wilson, because my main aim is to make the Olympic team this year," Le-Roy explained.

Sonita Sutherland of G.C Foster College won the women's 800m open in (2.11:27) ahead of Wright (2.13:95) and Nadia Cunningham of MVP track club (2.16:12).

Niesha Morgan of Manchester High captured the girls' Class One 800m in (2:15:59) ahead of Nicola Edwards of St. Andrew (2.26: 22) and Jodyne Sterling of St. Thomas Technical (2.27:11). Misha-Gaye DaCosta of Immaculate Conception won the women's high jump open with a leap of (1.75m), beating Wolmer's Janelle Gordon (1.65m) and Rochelle Robb of Alpha's (1.55m).

Tanya Bryan of St. Jago captured the girls 400m hurdles open in (1:05.75) ahead of Thaddesha Duncan of St. Catherine (1:05.83) and Queen's Latoya Campbell (1:09.53).

Rohan Gooden of G.C Foster College won the men's 400m open in (54.23) with Anthony White of Racers second in 54.44 and Hansley Parchment of Glengoffe, third in 55.56.