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AFTER a dream season at the junior level in 2021, Edwin Allen High School track and field team head coach Michael Dyke is optimistic that 17-year-old Tina Clayton can qualify for the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, next summer.

Tina has been unbeaten in the 100m all year, and clocked 11.17 seconds to win at the NACAC Under-18 Championships in Costa Rica in July. She then bettered that time at the World Under-20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, in August with a personal best of 11.09 seconds, beating Olympian Beatrice Masilingi of Namibia, who clocked 11.39 seconds.

"It was an excellent year for Tina despite the late start to training due to COVID-19 restrictions and other issues", said Dyke, who couldn't remember the last time she lost a 100m race. "Earlier in the season, she lost in the 200m to Brianna Lyston and this has really helped to pump her up as she hates to lose", Dyke continued.

Despite having another year to defend her junior title in August in Cali, Colombia, Dyke said Tina is ready to compete with the professionals.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's automatic spot in the 100m in Eugene after winning in Doha, Qatar, in 2019, gives him even more hope, but he is being realistic in hoping for at least a spot in the relay team.

"Jamaica has some other talented athletes vying for spots, but the aim is for Tina to go sub-11 seconds and once she does that she has a realistic chance. I am hoping that she stays disciplined, focused and injury free as she is very fearless," Dyke said.

With the senior event set to take place before the Junior Championships Dyke said that Tina has no pressure.

"She is just 17 and has nothing to lose, so I am preparing her to give of her best as she will still have her title to defend at the Under-20 Championships."