Hurdler Nugent advances to NCAA Division One Champs

SPRINT HURDLER Ackera Nugent was in good form at the weekend while competing at the NCAA Division One Preliminary West meet in Sacramento, California.

Competing for the University of Arkansas, Nugent won the 100 metres hurdles event in 12.69 seconds. She was one of 14 Jamaican female collegiate athletes advancing to next month’s NCAA Division One Championships slated for Austin , Texas. Also advancing is Demisha Roswell as the Texas Tech athlete finished third in the event in 12.77.

Eight other Jamaicans from the West also advanced as Lamara Distin and Ackelia Smith both topped their events. Distin, competing for Texas A and M University, cleared 1.85 metres in the high jump. Smith, competing for the University of Texas, produced a distance of 6.69m in the long jump. The former Edwin Allen High jumper also advanced in the triple jump after a second=place finish with a best of 13.96m.

Former Edwin Allen High sprinter Kevona Davis continued her fine form this season after qualifying for both the 100 and 200 metres. Representing the University of Texas, Davis was third in the 200m in a season’s best 22.34 seconds while in the 100m she was fifth overall in 11.06.

Two other Jamaicans, Nickeisha Pryce and Joanna Reid, closed out the qualifiers in the West. Competing for the University of Arkansas, Pryce had a personal best of 50.49 seconds for fifth in the 400m while her teammate Reid ended 12th overall in 51.49.

At the East Preliminary meet held in Jacksonville, Florida, Yanique Dayle, competing for the University of South Dakota, qualified for both the 100 and 200m. She was third best overall in both events with with 11.05 in the 100 and 22.58 in the 200m. She will be joined in the 200m by former teammate at Hydel, Brianna Lyston. Competing for Louisiana State University, Lyston was 11th overall in the 200m in 22.92.

Lashana Graham and Jamora Alves also advanced. Competing for Clemson University, Graham was seventh overall in the 400m hurdle in 57.55 seconds while Alves of St Johns University, was 11th overall in the discus with 52.79m.