Hodge places second to Jamaica’s Reid at US sprint meet

BVI sprint phenom, Adaejah Hodge, finished second over the weekend in a hotly-anticipated showdown between herself and Jamaica’s Alana Reid at the 2023 Puma East Coast International Showcase meet.

Reid, hailing from Jamaica’s Hydel High School, clocked the second-fastest time of her career at 11.01 seconds, to win the girls’ 100-metre final. Meanwhile, Hodge, who is based at Florida’s Montverde Academy, was left to rue her chances after finishing in a time of 11.16.

Reid is Jamaica’s national junior record holder and recently claimed gold while setting a personal best time of 10.92 at the ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships in March.

Meanwhile, Avery Lewis of Friends Central finished third in the final with a time of 11.41, while Reid’s schoolmate, Alliah Baker, finished in 11.47 seconds. Reid’s time also set a record for the event.

Hodge, who is currently the BVI’s U20 National record holder, showed some verve earlier after finishing her heat in a time of 11.34 to Reid’s separate heat finish of 11.42, but she seemed unable to build on that momentum when the two ran side-by-side in the final in lanes four (Hodge) and five.

The 17-year-old BVI sprint sensation recently shaved 0.01 seconds off her 100m national record to set a new personal best and move from 11.12 to 11.11 seconds with a 1.7 m/s tail win when she finished second in the Texas Tech Corky Shootout on April 29.

Hodge won the Austin Sealy award at the 2022 Carifta Games in Kingston and was expected to come head-to-head against Reid weeks ago at this year’s Carifta Games in Nassau. However, she was a no-show after suffering a reported ankle injury just ahead of that race where Reid ultimately took gold in a time of 11.17.

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley commended Hodge recently for her athletic prowess after she set a new junior record of 22.33 seconds in the 200-metre final at the NB Indoor Nationals several weeks ago.

“One day, Adaejah will be the fastest woman in the world,” Dr Wheatley commented. “I am so proud of this young superstar! The future is bright, and Adaejah’s name is all over it!”