Kerrica Hill not interested in paying dues
Published:Sunday | April 30, 2023 | 12:05 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
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COMING OFF her first win as a professional, World Under-20 100-metre hurdles champion Kerrica Hill’s rapid progression in her first year is fuelling her drive to make Jamaica’s World Championship team on her first attempt. Hill defeated her Elite...
COMING OFF her first win as a professional, World Under-20 100-metre hurdles champion Kerrica Hill’s rapid progression in her first year is fuelling her drive to make Jamaica’s World Championship team on her first attempt.
Hill defeated her Elite Performance teammate Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper, clocking a new lifetime best of 12.75 seconds at the Velocity Fest meet on Saturday at the National Stadium.
Hill’s performance is coming off her debut in the 100m hurdles at the Tom Jones Memorial meet on April 15 where she ran a wind-assisted 12.68 for second place in her heat and a 12.86 in the final to finish fifth.
According to Hill, tunnel vision has served her well in her rookie season with the biggest indicator being how she closed on Tapper before overtaking her in the final 20 metres of their race last Saturday.
TRANSITIONING WELL
“It’s maturity and you have to know what you want. So I know what I want. So I am transitioning very well,” Hill said.
“I came out here with the mindset knowing that I had an Olympic medallist in the race. I came out there to just see where I am at in training.”
Hill’s personal best is also tied for 11th best in the world this year, a millisecond slower than her compatriot, former World Champion Danielle Williams, who clocked 12.74 in the final at the Tom Jones Invitational with World Championship silver medallist and reigning national champion, Britany Anderson, yet to make her outdoor debut.
What has also helped is the abundance of riches in her camp that have provided a positive influence on her. Those riches include, of course, the influence of five-time world 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
“Shelly is someone that is going to push you and motivate you. So, having her around is a big inspiration to me. I am the youngest one in the camp. So having everybody around me is a big inspiration,” Hill said.
While from the outside the common perception may be to temper expectations in her first year, Hill has a quiet confidence.
“I know what I am capable of. So, I just have to come out here and put it all on the track,” Hill said.