Jamal Stephenson of Calabar High reacts after winning the 100m juniors event at the Grand Slam Track meet at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
April 5, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica – It was a measure of redemption for Jamal Stephenson of Calabar High as he won the boys’ 100m at the Grand Slam Track in 10.70 into a negative headwind of -3.5 m/s on Saturday.
The diminutive Stephenson was quickest of the blocks and held off the chasing pack as Rosean Smith of Lacovia High finished second in 10.74 ahead of Shaquane Gordon of Calabar High with 10.79. Romario Finnigan of Edwin Allen High was fourth in 10.83.
Stephenson was one of the many runners controversially disqualified at last week’s ISSA Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships before being reinstated, but missed the 100m final while his appeal was in process.
World Athletics ruled on the matter and suggested that Stephenson and Calabar be given one point. But his school replied that his time of 10.38 in the semifinal was good enough for much more points.
Champs organiser ISSA apologised for the error but, after running the 4×100 relay, Stephenson displayed a message saying “Apology not accepted”.
Meanwhile, Sabrina Dockery of Lacovia High won the girls 100m in 11.83 in a negative headwind of -4.3 m/s, holding off Hydel’s Shemonique Hazle who was second in 11.87 running out of lane one.
Edwin Allen’s Renecia Edwards was third in 11.96 with Doniella Lewis of Holmwood High finishing fourth in 12.10.