Ackera Nugent clocks PB in 60m hurdles

FORMER high school stars Ackera Nugent and Rosealee Cooper registered wins for their respective colleges in the 60 metres hurdles at indoor meets in the United States last weekend.

Nugent, a past student of Excelsior High who is now representing the University of Arkansas after transferring from Baylor University at the start of the school year, clocked a personal best (PB) 7.88 seconds at the Randall Tyson track in Fayetteville, turning back Leah Phillips of Louisiana State University, second in 8.02, and Jayla Hallis of the University of Florida, 8.19, for third. Former Manchester High and The Queen’s School hurdler Daszay Freeman, competing for the University of Arkansas, ended fourth in 8.21.

At the same meet there were top three finishes for former Kingston College long jumper Carey McLeod and former Jamaica College hurdler Phillips Lemonious who competed for the University of Arkansas. McLeod took second in the men’s long jump with 8.09 metres, behind winner Jeremiah Davis of Florida State University whose mark was 8.21 metres. Lemonious was third in the men’s 60m hurdles in 7.23 seconds.

At the Bob Pollock Invitational meet at Clemson University, Cooper, representing Mississippi State University, won the women’s 60-metre hurdles in 8.07 seconds, getting the better of Charisma Taylor of the University of Tennessee, 8.10. Amber Hughes, who competed unattached, was third in 8.20.

Former Kingston College team captain Tarees Rhoden also picked up a win while competing for Clemson University. Rhoden stopped the clock at one minute 48.51 seconds to capture the men’s 800m.