media_artricles :: 2015

Sprint trio looking to put smile on T&T faces

Three of T&T’s female athletes will be looking to put smiles on the face of members of the camp when they compete this morning in the semifinals of the women’s 100 metres while another will be looking to sparkle over the 400 metres hurdles.

The trio of 100 metres sprinters Michelle Lee Ahye, Semoy Hackett and Kelly Ann Baptiste remained in contention for medals after the men failed to factor in yesterday’s big 100 metres final which was won by Jamaica’s Usain Bolt. And Sparkle McKnight will be looking to make up for the disappointing performance of Jehue Gordon in the 400 metres hurdle when she also goes into semifinal action over the women’s 400 metres hurdles.

After her victory in her heat in a time of 10.98 (4th fastest in qualification), Lee Ahye said she felt good and happy to be back on track. “It feels pretty good to be back out. It is always going to have pressure but you cannot underestimate anybody in the race. Anything can happen, so I am just going out there to do my best and make sure I am on that podium,” said Ahye

Ahye will line up in semifinal heat 3, and will run from lane 7 at 7.54 am. Also in her heat will be Jasmine Todd, Dafne Schippers and Murielle Ahoure.

Hackett, who is better known over 200 metres, also looked re- energized. “I just wanted to go out and execute a proper race.”

She believes the 100 metres will assist her going forward. “My pet event is the 200 metres, so running the 100 will help my leg speed for the 200, and it will build my confidence going into the 200 metres. When I run fast in the 100, I think I will do better in the 200 metres.”

Hackett will face the track in semi final heat 1 from 7.40 am, and will be in lane 7. Also in her heat are defending champion Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, Sherone Simpson, Englis Gardner and Blessing Okagbare.

Kelly Ann Baptiste who is making a return to the World Championships almost two years after she pulled out on the first day of the Moscow World Championships in 2013 looked calm. “It feels good to be back so I am looking forward to the next race. At the moment, it is about some rest, refocus and not over think things. It is just another race, even though we know it is not. You have to execute as you would any other race,” added Baptiste

Baptiste is not overly concerned by the fast times recorded by most of her major competitors. “Everyone knows that in a semi final and final, it is about the person that executes their plan on the day and not on the fast times run before. I have been in a position, where I have ran fast before in the heats and did not do so in the semi finals, so I know things can turn around.”

Baptiste will race in semi final heat 2 at 7.47 am from lane 7 and is expected to face strong opposition from Natasha Morrison and Tori Bowie.

The womens 100 metres final is scheduled for 9.35am

McKnight finished second in her heat in a time of 55.71.

She will now race in her first senior semi final but is aiming to go another step forward. “At this point, I am not thinking about any time. As long as I execute my race, stay focus and compact, time will come, place will come and finals will come also,” a quietly confident McKnight added.

McKnight will run in semi final 2 , at 7.18 am with her major competitor expected to be Jamaican Kaliese Spencer who defeated her in the first round.

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