Grange - File

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA:

Promising junior athlete Gleneve Grange has expressed some concern that field event athletes do not get as much love as their track counterparts.

Grange was a standout on the opening day of the 119th Penn Relays in Franklin Field, Pennsylvania, yesterday, which did not see the usual great start to the event for Jamaican high school girls in individual events. In fact, Grange was the only success. The Holmwood Technical thrower continued her impressive form this season as she took gold in the event by throwing a National Junior record of 54.29 metres. The mark erased former St Jago High standout Kellion Knibb's record of 51.09 metres. She also erased the one-year-old Penn Relays record of 51.02 metres set by Edwin Allen's Danniel Thomas.

Grange, who also won at the Issa Boys and Girls' Championships and Carifta Games, was very pleased with her win but was generally unhappy with the way field event athletes in Jamaica have been treated over the years.

" I feel great about my performance but I am not pleased about the way field event athletes, especially throwers, are treated in Jamaica, as we are not getting enough attention from everybody, including the media, as they only focus on the sprints and we need the support just as much as track athletes," Grange said.

According to the thrower, she could have done even better.

"I was a bit worried at the start of my event as my fingers were numb because of the cold conditions. She, however, relished the competition.

"I like competition like what I get at Penn Relays as it always forces me to do my best."

She was, however, not surprised with the winning distance.

" I knew that I had over 54 metres in me as I have a very great coach in Mr Jones (Dwight) who has done marvellous work with me since coaching the throws at Holmwood," she said.