Jr Nationals 100m heat 2 under 20 boys Photo: Kermit Taylor / Bahamas Athletic

Nassau, Bahamas - After setting a new CARIFTA record (53.36) in the Under 17 Girls 400m back in April, naturally Shaunae Miller was favored to win in that event this weekend. Friday was the opening day of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations Hywell Jones Junior National Track & Field Championships. Placing second in her heat in the qualifying rounds, it seemed as though Miller was saving energy for the Final.

Running out of lane 6 in the final, Miller got off to a very strong and fast start in the race. She got her six-foot frame quickly to speed, making-up the stagger before the first 100m. Miller led the pack for most of the race, but just couldn’t maintain her momentum from the last curve. It was then when the smooth running form of Rashan Brown carried her past the rest of the field straight to victory. To say the least, it was an upset. The finishing times were not available up to press time, however it didn’t seem like any records were set. Miller ended-up placing third in the race, as another competitor was able to out-stride her in the final 50m of the race.

100m heat 1 under 17 boys Photo: Kermit Taylor / Bahamas Athletic

In the final of the Under-17 Boys 400m, as expected Stephen Newbold ran away from the rest field. Again, those results were not produced up to press time, but fast times are expected to be posted when released. Newbold’s doesn’t have the smoothest running form on the track, but he seems to be able to turn on the speed at will. In the heats, Newbold seemed to have labored to a first place finish. However, in the final he turn-on the jets from the starting gun sounded. Newbold made-up the stagger from about 50m into the race and never looked back. Despite there not being any announcement of the times being ran, it could be estimated that Newbold clocked around low 48 to mid 47 seconds to secure the win.

The crowd at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium was scattered like the rains had been all day in Nassau. Maybe earlier showers had discouraged most from attending an event that’s usually well attended by the Bahamian public. Meet organizers will be hopeful for a better crowd today. They urged those in attendance to spread the word and encourage the rest of Nassau to come out and watch the final day Junior National Track & Field action.

100m heats, under 20 boys Photo: Kermit Taylor / Bahamas Athletic

400m heats, under 17 boys Photo: Kermit Taylor / Bahamas Athletic

100m finals, under 20 girls Photo: Kermit Taylor / Bahamas Athletic

400m heat, under 20 girls, Rashan Brown Photo: Kermit Taylor / Bahamas Athletic

100m girls, under 20, out of the blocks Photo: Kermit Taylor / Bahamas Athletic

100m heats, under 17 boys, 3 steps out of the blocks Photo: Kermit Taylor / Bahamas Athletic

1200 finals under 17 Photo: Kermit Taylor / Bahamas Athletic

100m heats, out of the blocks Photo: Kermit Taylor / Bahamas Athletic