Jamaicans impress at NCAAs

JAMAICAN ATHLETES were in sparkling form on Friday’s final day of competition for men at the NCAA Division One Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Austin, Texas, after picking up three wins and a second-place finish.

Former Jamaica College sprint hurdler, Phillip Lemonious, along with former Kingston College jumper, Jaydon Hibbert, and former Buff Bay high-jumper Romaine Beckford won their respective events, while former St Jago High thrower, Roje Stona, was second in his.

Competing in the men’s 110-metre hurdles final for the University of Arkansas, Lemonious improved on his semifinal personal best of 13.28 seconds to clock 13.24 en route to a win in a final where five of the top finishers posted personal best times. De Vion Wilson of Houston, 13.26, and Jaheem Hayles of Syracuse, 13.28, were second and third.

Lemonious, the joint second-fastest Jamaican over the barriers this season with Hansle Parchment, was pleased with his win and record run.

“To be honest, I didn’t predict any specific time. I didn’t think it was going to be fast or slow. I just wanted to go out there with confidence and to have fun,” he said.

Beckford and Hibbert were achieving double success this season after both won indoors earlier in the year.

In a close battle with Turner Washington of Arizona State in the men’s high jump final where both athletes cleared 2.27 metres, Beckford, representing the University of South Florida, won on countback. The height is the Jamaican’s personal best.

“It means a lot to win both at indoor and outdoor and I am just looking forward to bigger things as it just set up my future for later on,” said Beckford.

It has been a dream season both indoors and outdoors for 18-year-old University of Arkansas freshman, Hibbert, who remained unbeaten in the triple jump.

FACILITY RECORD

The impressive Hibbert used his opening attempt of 17.56 metres for the win, a new facility record and number-three collegiate mark of all time. Russell Robinson of the University of Miami finished second with 16.94 metres, while third went to Jeremiah Davis of Florida State University with 16.67.

Former Cornwall College jumper, Owayne Owens, competing for the University of Virginia, was sixth with 16.36 metres.

“I am very thankful I came out injury free and I went with the crowd. I haven’t performed in front of a crowd like this one here at the National Championships. I am really happy,” said Hibbert.

Stona closed out a good night for the Jamaicans as the University of Arkansas athlete, who is the country’s leader in the men’s discus, finished second in the event with 65.55 metres.

Stona who took the lead after his fourth attempt but was overtaken by Washington, who nailed 66.22 metres with his final throw.

Kevin Nedrick, the former Petersfield High thrower, representing Liberty, was eighth with 61.93 metres.

In the final event of the night, the men’s 4x400-metre relay, former Edwin Allen High quarter-miler, Jhevaughn Powell, who ran the second leg, helped University of Florida to a win in a collegiate record of two minutes, 57.74 seconds.

The win also helped his team capture the Championships team title after trailing the University of Arkansas by four points going into that final event. Powell had earlier finished seventh in the open 400-metre final in 45.32 seconds.