RAYMOND GRAHAM, STAR Writer

Shelly-ann Fraser-Pryce and Asafa Powell were at their best on the second day of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA)/Supreme Ventures National Senior Championship last night with impressive wins inside the National Stadium.

Fraser-Pryce produced a world-leading time of 10.79 seconds in winning the women's 100 metres, while Powell overpowered the field to take the men's equivalent in 9.84.

Fraser Pryce, the defending Olympic and World champion, was out of the blocks like a rocket, leaving the field for dead, pulling away from her rivals for a convincing win. It was one-two for the Stephen Francis-coached MVP Track Club camp, as in a big performance, Natasha Morrison ran impressively to finish second in 11.03, with Veronica Campbell-Brown third in 11.06.

Fraser-Pryce felt she ran a near-perfect race. "I thought I executed very well, and the field was good as usual. For me, it wasn't about qualifying, as I have already qualified, it was about executing a proper race, as I had missed a couple of races because of my hamstring injury," she said.

In the men's 100m, Powell found himself behind Andrew Fisher at the 40m mark, but again confirmed his good early-season form, crossing the line in 9.84 ahead of Nickel Ashmeade's 9.91 and Kemar Bailey-Cole's 9.97.

"I was surprised to be behind in the early part of the race, but I know I am strong and would have finished strongly. I think I can go much faster, and I am going to put in the work ahead of the World Championships," said Powell.

In the first track final, the women's 400 metres hurdles, there was no surprise as pre-race favourite Janieve Russell captured her first national senior title. Russell won in 55.10 seconds. Stoddart, 55.29, and Ristananna Tracey, 55.45, were second and third, respectively.

"I am overwhelmed, as this victory is sweet, and I am happy for the win and my first national senior title," said Russell. Stoddart was elated to make her first national team since 2003.

"Thank God! I am extremely happy to know that after so many years, I can come back and make a national team, as I was always confident, as this has been my best season, said Stoddart.

In the men's event, Racers Track Club's Annswert Whyte showed no signs of a recent injury and scored a good win in 48.90. Defending champion Roxroy Cato was second in 49.09 and Leford Green, third in 49.41.

Schoolboy Jaheel Hyde failed to start. It was reported that he was suffering from a slight hamstring injury. Former Edwin Allen High athlete Danniel Thomas won the women's discus. The Kent State University athlete threw 57.67 metres.

G.C. Foster's Tara-sue Barnett was second with 54.56 metres, while Kellion Knibb, a student at Florida State University, was third with 54.71 metres

There was also first-round action in the women's and men's 400 metres yesterday. In the women's event, last year's surprise runner-up, Christine Day of MVP Track Club, was the fastest qualifier after winning her heat in 50.86, ahead of UTech's Shericka Jackson, second in 51.01.

Favourite for the event, Stephenie-Ann McPherson, was quite easy in winning her heat in 51.79, ahead Sonique Walker of Ohio State, who clocked 52.72. Kaliese Spencer led the way in her heat with a winning time of 52.85, getting the better of Chris-Ann Gordon, who was second in 53.24.

In the men's event, there was only one casualty, as former champion Jermaine Gonzales, making his comeback after injury, failed to finish. He pulled up after just 80 metres in the event.

Competing in the sixth and final heat, Racers Track club's Edino Steele led the way with a winning time of 46.20 seconds. He had the fastest time of the evening.

Other heat winners were Javon Francis(46.31), Javere Bell(46.45), Rusheen McDonald(46.48), Dane Hyatt(46.52), and Nicholas Maitland(46.92).