Jeminise Parris will make her Carifta Games under-20 debut in St Kitts and Nevis on the weekend.The Trinidad and Tobago athlete is a former champion at the regional junior meet, having captured the girls’ under-17 300 metres hurdles title in 2013. At the 2015 edition, she will bid for honours in the girls’ under-20 100m hurdles.
Parris warmed up for the Games with a wind-assisted 14.34 seconds clocking at the trials, earlier this month. The 18-year-old hurdler told the Express that while she was not satisfied with the run, she is anticipating a successful Carifta campaign.
“I’m expecting in the heats to make 13.4 (seconds). And I’m expecting to medal. This is my first time under-20, so I’m just going there to represent and to execute what I learnt in training.
“I’m a little sore from therapy,” Parris explained. “Just strengthening up my hamstrings so they would get stronger and powerful. But I’m getting there, and just going there (Carifta Games) to perform.”
At the 2014 Youth (under-18) Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, last August, Parris finished fifth in the 100m hurdles final in 13.76 seconds. As a result of her participation at that meet, she is not attempting the hurdles double at Carifta 2015.
“China finished late last year, and I missed out a lot of off-season training, so I’m not as ready for the 400 hurdles as I am in the 100 hurdles. Hundred hurdles is just sprinting, but I need sprinting plus endurance for 400 hurdles, so I’m just focusing on one event for now.”
The St Francois Girls’ College student has set herself goals on and off the track for 2015.
“Finishing CXC and getting all my passes, and to be injury-free for this year. And every meet I attend I would like to get PBs (personal bests) all the time,” Parris ended, “and to also have Trinidad and Tobago at the highest.”