Alphansus Davis’ Rowe on a mission for Champs
Alphansus Davis High Kishay Rowe is on a mission to go all the way and capture the Class I Girls' 800 and 1,500 metres at the March 28-April 1 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Championships (Champs), after placing fourth in both events last year.
So far this season, Rowe has had good performances at several development meets and was in top form at last Saturday's Camperdown Classics inside the National Stadium, where she raced to a personal best of 2:09.23 minutes to top her peers.
The shy Rowe, however, was disappointed with her performance but still anticipates Champs, where she intends to be impactful in her final year.
"I am happy for the win, but I am not pleased with the time as I really wanted to run much faster, and I am disappointed. I know that I can go much faster, as I have been training very hard, and I was ready for a fast time.
"This is my final year at Champs, and I am confident of going all the way as my coach knows what I did wrong last year and has corrected that, and, as long as I follow her instructions, I see no reason why I cannot accomplish my mission," she said.
This year, Rowe will not have to contend with Edwin Allen's duo of Jessica McLean and Rushana Dwyer, who were first and second, respectively, in the two-lap event last year, but still has formidable opponents in Holmwood Technical's Jodyann Mitchell, Sony Walers of St Mary High and Danielle King of Hydel.
Mitchell won the 1,500 metres and was third in the 800 metres last year, but Rowe is unfazed.
According to the soft-spoken Rowe, she loves both events, although she has a slight weakness for the 800 metres.
"I enjoy both events, but I kind of prefer the 800 metres because this is like a sprint as, in my earlier years at Champs, I used to compete in the sprints, and, because of this, I like to go out fast in my races," she stated.