Athletics Kenya: 14 athletes named for junior contest in Ethiopia

BY GILBERT KOECH

Junior athletes in trials for the Eastern Africa event, yesterday. [PHOTO: DENNIS OKEYO]

Athletics Kenya (AK) has named a team of 14 athletes to represent the country in the Eastern Africa Junior Athletics Championships slated for April 19-20 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Seven boys and seven girls were  selected in trials held yesterday at Nyayo Stadium.

In an attempt to narrow down the squad, AK picked one  athlete for each event, with only athletes aged 18 and 19 years qualifying to participate.

In the boys’ 5,000m challenge, Spenser Maiyo will carry the Kenyan flag after winning the trial race in a time of 14:07.1, with Hanington Kirui being picked for the 3,000m steeplechase boys’ onslaught.

Hosea Cheronyei will carry the 1,500m baton, with Patrick Rono taking the 800m honours. Alfred Kipketer and Stanley Kieti, the upcoming duo in sprints, are expected to display brilliant shows in the 400m and 200m boys’ events respectively.

In the girls’ category, Sheila Chepng’etich gave a spectacular show in the 1,500m race, cruising  to victory in a time of 4:16.

The Africa Youth Championships gold medallist in Mauritius hopes to take part in this July’s World Junior athletics in the US.

“I am glad about the win and looking forward to participating in the World Juniors,” she said.

Joyce Chepkemoi from Winners Girls High School in Kuresoi, Nakuru County, made a fantastic show in the girls’ 5,000m race to qualify for Team Kenya.

The other alumni of the camp Kuresoi’s ‘Winners Athletics Training Camp’ includes world 1,500m silver medallist Faith Chepng’etich and Mercy Chebwogen, a gold medallist in Barcelona’s World Junior championships.

 Men:   Stanley Kieti (200m), Alfred Kipketer  (400m),   Parick Rono   (800m),  Hosea Cheronyei  (1,500m), Spenser Maiyo  (5,000m), Hanington Kirui (3,000m steeplechase),  Vincent Tarue    (long jump).

 Women: Morin Thomas  (200m), Egley Nalainya   (400m), Winfred Mbetsi   (800m), Sheila Chepng’etich  (1,500m), Joyce Chepkemoi  (5,000m), Nancy Nzisa (3,000m steeplechase), Jebi Akinyi (long jump).

Officials: Laban Obachi (coach) and Dorcas Yator (chaperone).