Jackson cruises but shock exit for Blake at ‘Trials’
Published:Friday | July 7, 2023 | 12:11 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
While it was a comfortable performance for national 100 metres women’s champion Shericka Jackson, a new men’s 100m national champion will be crowned tonight as 2011 World champion Yohan Blake was disqualified in his first-round heat in the biggest shock of yesterday’s opening day of the National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium..
Jackson strolled to victory, winning her first-round heat in 10.99 seconds, the fastest among the women’s semi-finalists. Jonielle Smith was second in 11.19, and Briana Williams was third, also in 11.19. Natasha Morrison had the second fastest time, 11.00, while double-double Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson-Herah was successful in her second 100m race of the season, clocking 11.12. Alana Reid, who recently turned pro and signed with Nike, had the fourth-fastest time among the semi-finalists, clocking 11.14.
For the men, it was a night to forget for Blake as he was ruled out after a false start, the second time that the race was called back after Rasheed Foster was eliminated, also for a false start. Despite protests from Blake, he had to watch from the sidelines as his chances to make the 100m team disintegrated. The heat was won by GC Foster’s’s Kadrian Goldson in a massive personal best of 9.94, the second-fastest time among the semi-finalists. Kishane Thompson of MVP led the way with a blistering 9.91 performance to smash his personal best. Racers Track Club’s Oblique Seville cruised to victory to secure his spot in the semi-finals in 10.00, and Ackeem Blake also got through, clocking 10.00 behind Thompson. Jamaica’s fastest junior, Bouwahjgie Nkrumie also progressed, finishing third in his heat, clocking 10.21. The heat was won by Nigel Ellis of Elite Performance in 10.07.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
In the first senior final of the championships, Tissanna Hickling booked the first ticket to the World Championships, winning the women’s long jump with a personal best effort 6.85m. Three-time national champion Chanice Porter (6.72m) was second while reigning NCAA Outdoor champion Ackelia Smith was third with 6.66m.
Hickling heralded this as her most productive year, crediting the programme she had been working at Ricketts Performance, headed by Kerry-Lee Ricketts.
“Last year this time I was in eighth place with a lot of injuries, mentally and physically. So this year has been my best year because last year was a down year. Training with a world championship silver medallist has been really motivating for me because she has pushed me in training, and then the vibes have been really positive,” Hickling said.
Lamara Distin won her second national title, with her best height being 1.91m. Kimberly Williamson was second, equalling her season’s best effort of 1.85m.
Andrenette Knight led the list of finalists for the women’s 400m hurdles, clocking 54.41 seconds in her first-round heat, getting the better of Janieve Russell, who finished second in 55.13. Knight’s time was the fastest among the field, with Shiann Salmon’s 55.35 being the second fastest. Salmon clipped defending national champion and 2019 World Championship bronze medalist Ruchell Clayton, who was second in 55.73.
In the men’s 400m hurdles, Swept Track club’s Roshawn Clarke qualified for his first national championship final with the fastest time, clocking a personal best 48.91 to win his heat. Reigning national champion Jaheel Hyde had the second-fastest time, clocking 49.40. Titan’s Track Club’s Assinie Wilson was third-fastest with 49.70.