‘I am feeling really good’

Penwood High's Shakeya Reid was overcome with joy after securing a breakthrough performance in the Class One girls 100 metres at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships at the National Stadium yesterday.

The 17-year-old sprinter powered to a new personal best of 11.67 seconds to win her heat recording the second-fastest time heading into today's semi-finals. Hydel High's Shemonique Hazle leads the qualifiers with 11.44.

It marked a significant milestone for Reid, who advanced to the semi-finals at Champs for the first time after failing to do so in her previous three attempts. In the process, she lowered her previous best of 11.83.

This is Reid's first season competing in the 100m at the championships, having previously contested the hurdles over 100m and 400m.

"It is my first season doing the flat 100 metres and I've grown to love it so I decided to give it a try -- and here I am, winning my heat and making the semi-finals," said Reid.

"I am feeling really good and very proud of myself because I have been encouraged a lot by my coach, my teammates and my parents."

Reid, who is one of only three athletes representing Penwood at this year's championships, has been enjoying a solid season, including a silver-medal performance at last month's Corporate Area Championships.

"My training has been great, but it is very hard. I am pushing through because we all know that nothing comes easy in life, so you have to work hard for it, and that is what I have been doing this season," she said.

"I just want to come out here and make everyone proud and make Penwood one of the names to remember from the championships. As long as I continue to believe in God and stay focused, I know that I can do great things at Champs."

With her confidence high, Reid noted that she has now set her sights on a place in the final.

"I am feeling really confident about making the final, so I just want to go out there and do my best in the semi-finals," she added.

"Everything has been going well for us so far because my coach has been putting in a lot of work, so we are just going out there to execute."

The versatile athlete is also set to compete in the Class One girls' 100m hurdles later in the championships.