Multiple national sprint record holder Kelly Ann Baptiste created history in 2010 when she became the first local woman to win a global sprint title during the 100m at the inaugural IAAF Continental Cup (formerly the World Cup of Athletics) in Split, Croatia in September.She also anchored an Americas region 4x100m relay team to gold at the meet.
The 2005 Carifta Girls Under 20 100m and 200m champion continued to turn heads with her scorching 10.84 seconds run in winning the Women's 100m at the National Training Centre Stars Invitational meet in Clearmont, Florida on June 5.Her time was the year's fastest in the world at the time as she became T&T's first woman to be ranked number one in a track and field event and the 25th fastest female sprinter ever. It was an improvement on her own national mark of 10.94 seconds, which she set in taking the national sprint title in 2009.
Baptiste described her year as a good one and said that she hoped to continue her success in 2011. "I think it was one of my better seasons but I think there is room for a lot of improvement. I like the way it started (with the 10.84 clocking) and finished (with double gold at the Continental Cup). I hope to build on it." The 24-year-old said she particularly remembered the 10.84 seconds dash. She had switched her training camp from Louisiana State University, where she studied and trained under Dennis Shaver, to Clearmont, Florida, where she is now coached by Lance Brauman.
"As I changed programmes, I was wondering how I would have performed. I was becoming a little bit doubtful of what I was doing at the time. I ran one race before and clocked 11.14. So to come a couple of weeks after that and run that time and break the national record, that is why that performance stands out for me."Also among her accomplishments last year was winning her third straight national sprint crown. She clocked 10.98 seconds to grab the gold and dipped under 11 seconds for the second consecutive year. The Zenith Athletics Club member said she was hoping for a quicker time.
"I was disappointed as I wanted to run much faster. I felt I had it within me to go quicker."A philosophical Baptiste took the result in stride, saying that getting the victory was important. "I was thankful. Nothing beats being able to win a race." The Adidas-sponsored athlete now has her eyes set on the 2011 World Athletic Championships in Daegu, South Korea from August 27 to September 4, where she is aiming to make her third appearance at the global competition.
At the last edition of the meet in Berlin, Germany, Baptiste was a semifinalist in both the 100m and 200m events. She then led the national Women's 4x100m team, which also included Reyare Thomas, Ayanna Hutchinson and Semoy Hackett, to the final where they finished seventh. The quartet had set a national record of 43.43 in the heats.
The 2008 NCAA indoor and outdoor champion sprint lass is going to Daegu for the gold. "If you are not in it to win it then what is the point (in entering)," she said."I obviously want to run faster this year. But as with everyone else who is in the race I want to win the 100m dash at the world championships.The former Signal Hill Secondary student also paid tribute to Trinidad Guardian for naming her the Sports Desk Female Sports Personality of they Year for 2010.