The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

MOSCOW, Russia — Having dropped from the 400 metres this year, Cache Armbrister was successful in qualifying for the 14th IAAF World Athletics Championships.

However, making her debut in the 100m on the world stage, she was off her season’s and personal best of 11.35 when she came in sixth in heat three in 11.55.

“It wasn’t one of my best showings, but at least I finished healthy,” she said. “I still have the 4 x 100 (metre relay) to look forward to, so I will just keep my head up for them. I just really had a sluggish start and the race was really over by the time I stepped out of the blocks.”

American England Gardner pulled away from the start to turn in the fastest qualifying time of 10.94, the only person to dip under the 11-second barrier in the round, as she easily won the heat.

“I realised that I shortened up my drive phase and I just started running. I didn’t stick to my game plan and that just threw me off,” noted Armbrister, now coached by Glen Mills (coach of Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake) in Jamaica.

It didn’t help that Romeri Kabottake from the Republic of Kiribati fell coming out of the blocks and the race was called back. When they lined up, Armbrister was given a warning for the false start, so she was a little more cautious when the race was started again.

“I can’t expect to come into the worlds with my personal best being 11.35 and run 10.9. It’s not possible. It’s all a gradual process. It’s all a learning experience. I’m not going to really beat myself up about it,” she said. “I really wanted to make the semis, but you win some and you lose some.”

Having a chance to redeem herself, Armbrister said she’s eager for the 4 x 1 relay.

“We’ve been really having some good exchanges, the chemistry is there and everybody is really excited about their individual events, so when they are done, we will sit down and focus on the 4 x 1. I think we have a really good chance of getting a medal.

“Wherever they need me, I will be ready. I don’t want to say that I want to run the final and not run the heat. Whatever I can do to help the team in the best way that I know I can, then that’s what I am willing to do.”