Raymond Graham, Contributor
Nickeisha Wilson and Adrian Findlay - File photos
WHEN THE National Championships end tomorrow at the National Stadium, it is likely that many veteran athletes will again be on the country's team for the Beijing Olympics.
There are many budding stars, however, who will be hoping that 2008 will be a breakout year for them.
Hurdler Nickeisha Wilson came through last year. The Convent of Mercy (Alpha) past student, who is now a junior at Louisiana State University, was not dominant in high school and only made her mark in her final year when she upstaged favourite Sherene Pinnock of Edwin Allen High in the 400m hurdles.
Best performer
After finishing third in the 400m hurdles at last year's National Championships, Wilson went on to be Jamaica's best performer in this event at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan. After posting a lifetime best of 53.97 in her semi-final, she finished fourth in the final.
A member of Jamaica's squad to Osaka last year, former Wolmer's Girls athlete, Shelly-Ann Frazer, got her first taste at the senior level when she competed in the preliminary round of the 4x100m. Now under the charge of Stephen Francis at the University of Technology, Frazer, who held her own on the opening leg, is now ready to step up. She will be seeking to finish in the top four in the women's 100m. Although it is a tough field, she has the ability to do so and could pull off a big surprise.
In awesome form
Former Queen's High student Yanique Booth is in awesome form and should also do well at the championships. A 100m hurdler in high school, Booth showed two weeks ago, when she blazed to 11.20 at the Miami Classics, that she is in fine fettle.With so much at stake this weekend, she could be a serious contender for a relay spot by finishing in the top six.
Another former Queen's athlete, Latoya Greaves, will be hoping to force her way on the team when she competes in the women's 100m hurdles tomorrow. With the veterans Delloreen Ennis-London, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Lacena Golding-Clarke and Vonette Dixon expected to dominate, Greaves, the former Junior Pan Am 100m hurdles silver medallist, has nothing to lose and will be hoping for something special which may get her into the top three.Among the men, World Indoor 4x400m silver medal winner, Adrian Findlay, will be attempting to make his first Olympic team. He has been having an outstanding season and, like veteran Danny McFarlane, he has gone below 49 seconds. If he maintains his form, he is likely to finish in the top three. Last year, Isa Phillips and Markino Buckley made their first senior team when they they qualified for the Osaka World Championships.
First-timers
Latoya Greaves and Leford Green
A number of first-timers should also come to the fore in the men's 400m where there are some young charges who are seeking glory on the international stage.The likes of Leford Green, Allodin Fothergill, Michael Mason and Dewayne Barrett are ready to pounce and a new line-up could emerge for the 4x400m.Green, who ran a blinder on his relay leg in Osaka last year, is Jamaica's number-two man this year with 45.56. This came in an event where he finished behind top American LaShawn Merrit in Raleigh, North Carolina, in March. If he reports fit, he should run very well.
Barrett has been improving with every run, while Fothergill has been doing very well on the collegiate circuit in the United States. Mason will be hoping to carry the flag for local-based athletes as he works out at G.C. Foster College.
In the men's long jump, several new faces will be trying to unseat many-time national champion James Beckford. This list will be headed by number-one man Herbert McGregor who has gone over 8.00 minutes this year. Also expected to do well are US college standouts Julian Reid of Texas A&M and Alain Bailey of Arkansas University.
Raymond Graham is a former national coach who has accompanied Jamaican teams to two Olympic Games and six World Championships.
SCHEDULE
TODAY
AFTERNOON SESSION
| 4:45 | Long Jump Heptathlon Women |
| 5:00 | 3000m Steeplechase Men Final |
| 5:30 | Shot Put Women Final |
| 5:30 | 400m Women Semi-finals |
| 5: 45 | 400m Men Semi-finals |
| 5:55 | PRESENTATION |
| 6:00 | Javelin Heptathlon Women |
|
High Jump Men Final
| 6:10 | 100m Women Semi-finals |
| 6:20 | 100m Men Semi-finals |
| 6:30 | Triple Jump Women Final |
| 6:35-6:55 | OPENING CEREMONY |
| 7:00 | Discus Throw Men Final |
| 7:00 | 1500m Women Final |
| 7:10 | 1500m Men Final |
| 7:15 | PRESENTATION |
| 7:25 | 400m Hurdles Women Final |
| 7:30 | 400m Hurdles Men Final |
| 7:35 | 800m Heptathlon Women |
| 7:40 | PRESENTATION |
| 7:50 | 100m Women Final |
| 7:55 | 100m Men Final |
|
TOMORROW
MORNING SESSION
Hammer Men Final
AFTERNOON SESSION
| 5:00 | Pole Vault Men Final |
| 5:00 | 100m Hurdles Women Semi-finals |
| 5:15 | 110m Hurdles Men Semi-finals |
| 5:30 | 200m Women Semi-finals |
| 5:40 | 200m Men Semi-finals |
| 5: 50 | PRESENTATION |
| 6:00 | Javelin Women Final |
| 6:10 | 800m Women Final |
|
High Jump Women Final
| 6:15 | 800m Men Final |
| 6:20 | PRESENTATION |
| 6:30 | Long Jump Men Final |
| 6:30 | 10,000m Men Final |
|
Shot Put Men Final
| 7:10 | 100m Hurdles Women Final |
| 7:20 | 110m Hurdles Men Final |
| 7:25 | PRESENTATION |
| 7:30 | 400m Women Final |
| 7:35 | 400m Men Final |
| 7:40 | PRESENTATION |
| 7:50 | 200m Women Final |
| 7:55 | 200m Men Final |
| 8:00 | PRESENTATION |
