Photo: Tarasue Barnett has already made the qualifying standard for the Olympic Games in Rio.(Getty Images)
To further beef up the already electrifying Jamaican performances both on the track and in the field at the last two Olympics, three of four female throwers will be looking to grab their tickets to the capital city of Brazil in early July.
As the National senior trials to select the nation’s contingent to the XXXI Olympiad draws closer expectations are growing as to what the four top ladies, namely Allison Randall, Tarasue Barnett, Kellion Knibb and Shadae Lawrence can deliver with the 1kg, 18cm implement in trying to go beyond the 61.00m automatic qualifying distance.
The nation enjoyed an historic throwing year in 2015, with three males representing the country at last year’s Beijing World Championship and this could very well be the year of the females to replicate such historic feat.
Barnett is already looking sure to make the trip as she heads the pack of contenders. The former GC Foster College and current Grand Canyon University star already made the qualifying mark for the upcoming Rio Olympic Games with a new personal best effort of 61.26 metres at the Steve Scott Invitational last Saturday.
This will be her first senior representation for Jamaica, should she keep herself within the top three qualifiers for the team.
Former National record holder, Allison Randall became the first female Olympian for Jamaica in the Discus event, when she competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Her best effort of 58.06m was good enough to see her past the preliminary round. Her personal best effort stands at 61.21m which was done in that very same year.
She has also tasted success for Jamaica women’s discus wining gold and bronze at the CAC Senior games in 2012 and 2010.
Randall returned a positive test for a banned diuretic in June of 2013 at the national senior trails for which she was served with a two year ban from the sport.
She is back and has already started her campaign, with her eyes set on another Olympic Games.
Knibb, the current national Discus record holder, knows what it takes to make the team to Rio and has a season’s best of 60.62m. Yet to finish outside of the top two at any meeting this season, she is proving clearly be a strong contender for one the spots.
The 61 m barrier must be crossed and hopefully a top three placing at the trials, should be her pass to the Rio Olympics
Former Vere Technical and Hydel High standout, Shadae Lawrence is another thrower who is looking to be in the mix when the selectors name the squad for Rio.
The Kanas State University freshman is having a very good season and produced a personal best effort mark of 58.84m to win the Big 12 Conference Title. With constant improvement each time she touches the discus this season, getting to Rio is becoming more and more a reality for her.
She will be a competitive force if she decides to show up for the national trials scheduled for June 30th – July 3rd, 2016.
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