By Donald Duff
Rising star Jenella Jonas justified the faith of her sponsors TCL Cement Limited by snatching a gold medal in the 800m U-17 girls’ division at the just concluded Hampton Games in Trinidad and Tobago.
Jonas, representing Rising Stars, ran a personal best of 2:18:27s to win the event from a strong field.
Speaking of the event the 15-year-old Jonas told Stabroek Sport:”It was a little bit tough.”
Jonas said this was the second year she had participated at the Hampton Games.
She revealed that she ran the 400m and 800m at the games last year but had failed to win a medal.
Jonas’s partner Alika Morgan, bothered by a knee injury she sustained during the Junior Carifta Games in March settled for two silver medals in the 1500 and 3000 metre Women Open and International/Invitational events.
“I think I could have done better if CXC was not around the corner. I would have been able to train more often than I used to,” said Morgan.
The local track and field queen clocked 4:49 in the 1500m and 10:36:66 in the 3000m which was won by Kenryca Francis running for the Antigua Pioneers Track Club.
Avril Black, a member of Morgan’s management team, who accompanied the star athlete to the Hampton Games, said a doctor had recommended that a cat scan which she estimated at around $60,000 be done.
Guyana gained a second gold medal at the games through Jarvina Straker of Royal Youth Movement who clocked 2:25:18s to win the 800m girls’ U-15 while Alisha Fortune placed third in the women’s 100m Open.
Morgan feels the event was bigger and had more international competitors than last year’s.
“Compared to last year’s event there were a lot more international athletes.
The two track stars said even though Usain Bolt participated in the competition they were unable to get a word with him as he had a bodyguard wherever he went.
Morgan and Jonas said they were very grateful to their sponsors.
“I would like to say a special thank you to Mark Bender,” said Jonas.
Morgan on the other hand, praised the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, COPS Security Services, her coach Leslie Black and… “Aunty Avril who had it rough during the past week to make the trip possible.”
