Jackson, Taylor, Blake mine NACAC gold

WORLD 200M Champion Shericka Jackson continued her strong 2022 campaign as she led Jamaica’s profitable medal haul on Day Two of the 2022 NACAC Championships in Freeport, Bahamas yesterday.

Jackson won the women’s 100m, clocking 10.82 seconds in a comfortable performance, capturing the first of 11 medals in the session for Jamaica. Celera Barnes of the United States finished second in 11.10, while Natasha Morrison ensured another spot on the podium for Jamaica, capturing bronze in 11.11. Jackson said she wanted to focus on the 100m since her coach was satisfied with her 200m exploits this season.

“I think I did pretty good. I just wanted to come out here and have some fun, and did that. So, I’m grateful. My coach decided I’ve run a good amount of 200m this season, so it is time to focus on running some fast 100m (now),” Jackson said.

This is Jackson’s eighth sub-11-second clocking this season, as she turns her attention towards the much-anticipated Lausanne Diamond League clash between her, five-time World 100m Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and double Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson Herah, scheduled for this Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ackeem Blake secured a Jamaica sweep of the distance, winning the men’s 100m title in 9.98. America’s Kyree King finished second in 10.08, while his teammate Brandon Carnes was third in 10.12.

Blake’s teammate Oshane Bailey finished seventh in 10.33.

“I feel really great winning this final. I just listened to my coach and executed my race like how he taught me in training, and just did that. So I am really proud of myself,” Blake said.

First medal

Middle-distance runner Adelle Tracey captured her first medal in Jamaican colours, capturing bronze in the women’s 800m in 1 minute, 59.54 seconds (1:59.54). World championship bronze medallist Ajee’ Wilson of the United States won the title in 1:58.47, while her teammate Allie Wilson was second in 1:58.48.

Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper got silver in the women’s 100m hurdles, clocking 12.68. Alyasha Johnson of the United States took gold in 12.62 while Devynne Johnson of the Bahamas was third in 12.71.

Meanwhile, Orlando Bennett took bronze in the men’s 110m hurdles, clocking 13.18. It was another American one-two on the podium as Freddie Crittenden took the title in 13.00 while his teammate Jamal Britt was second in 13.08

World Championship bronze medallist Stephenie Ann McPherson logged a medal of the same character in the women’s 400m with a time of 50.38.

Reigning world champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo won the title in front of her home crowd in 49.40, while World Championships bronze medallist Sada Williams of Barbados was second in 49.86.

McPherson’s teammate Junelle Bromfield finished sixth in 51.51.

But there was more gold on offer for Jamaica after World Championships finalist Christopher Taylor won the men’s 400m title in 44.63.

He led a Jamaican one-two with Nathon Allen finishing second in 45.04. American Bryce Deadmon was third in 45.06.

The quartet of Demish Gaye, Junelle Bromfield, Karayme Bartley and Andrenette Knight were second in the mixed 4x400m final, clocking 3:14.08. The United States took the title in 3:12.05, while Cuba was third in 3:20.35.

In the field, Chanice Porter earned a bronze medal in the women’s long jump with a jump of 6.43 metres. Quanesha Burks of the United States won the event with a leap of 6.75, while Cristabel Nettey of Canada was second with 6.46.

Lushane Wilson finished fifth in the men’s high jump final, with a height of 2.19 metres. Luis Enrique Zayas of Cuba and Canadian Django Lovett shared the title after both cleared 2.25. Donald Thomas of the Bahamas was third, also with 2.25 but with more attempts at the height.

Jamaica now has 12 medals heading into today’s final day of the championships.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com