Stephenie McPherson - Ricardo Makyn

She is the fastest Jamaican woman over the 400m this year, but her coach Stephen Francis believes there is still a lot more to come from his young charge before the season ends.

MVP Track Club's newest find Stephenie McPherson has been the revelation of the season, leading all Jamaicans with a sensational season so far. She is expected to dip below the 50-second barrier sooner rather than later, and despite her meteoric rise, Francis is expecting more from the 25-year-old, who he believes will develop into one of the top quarter-milers in the world this year.

"I think she will run very well and will be one of the top 400m runners this year if she stays healthy and sound," Francis said, ahead of the national championships.

time

"I don't want to say anything about time, but I suspect that most 400m people who I coach are normally able to run a second or so faster from the period between (this point), the trials and the World Championships; so if she takes off that second, we will see what happens," he added.

McPherson, who attended Manning's School before continuing her studies at the University of Technology, spent much of last season treating injuries. However, Francis, who transformed the one-time 56-second quarter-miler into one of the most exciting Jamaican prospect, says that he is not surprised by her rebound.

"I am not surprised, she was injured last year. When we got her from Manning's, at that time it didn't seem possible for her to reach this level but over the years she has really settled down, put on some weight, become more mature," Francis said.

"Hopefully, she will be sound and if she stays sound then I think she will run very fast this year."