Record medal haul for Ja at NACAC Champs

After picking up nine medals on Saturday's second day, Jamaica's senior athletes stepped up the pace on yesterday's final day of competition of the NACAC Championships in Toronto, Canada. The nation picked up an additional 11 medals to end the three day meet with a record 21 medals. This included eight gold, nine silver and four bronze.

On yesterday's final day, Shericka Jackson, Shanieka Ricketts and Fedrick Dacres led the way for the country after picking up gold medals in their respective events.

Jackson, who has been concentrating on the 200m this season, instead of the 400m, won the women's event after a stirring battle in the final 20m with local girl Crystal Emmanuel. Jackson edged the Canadian out for the win, and the gold, in 22.65 seconds. Emmanuel took second for silver in 22.67 seconds, ahead of the United States' Phyllis Francis, who ended third for bronze in 22.91 seconds. Jamaica 's Jodean Williams finished fourth in 23.19 seconds.

SUCCESSFUL DEFENCE

Ricketts had a successful defence of her triple jump title in the Women's event. She maintained her good form this season, taking gold in a Championship record of 14.25m, getting the better of the United States' Tori Franklin, who was second with 14.09m, as Dominica's Thea Noeliva finished third for bronze with 13.74m.

World leader and Commonwealth Games champion in the Discus, Dacres, had given his country a perfect start earlier in the day, as he continued his impressive form with a big win in his pet event after throwing 68.47m for a Championships record to take the men's event. Jamaica gained the quinella as Dacres' training partner, Traves Smikle finished second for silver with 65.46m, as Roje Jager of the United States, ended third for the bronze with 62.70m.

Janieve Russell, Annswert Whyte and Tajay Gayle, all picked up silver in their individual events yesterday, along with the Women's 4x100 and 4x 400m relay teams.

The 4x100m Women's quartet of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Jura Levy, Jonielle Smith and Shericka Jackson had to settle for second in 43.33 seconds, behind the United States first in a Championships record of 42.50 seconds .

The quartet of Stephenie Ann McPherson, Tiffany James, Anastasia Le-Roy and Christine Day clocked 3:27.25 minutes for silver as the United States won in 3:26.08.

Their male counterparts could only manage fourth in the 4x100m relay, while the 4x400m team was disqualified after finishing second.