‘Slowly getting where I want to be’

SHANIEKA RICKETTS retained her title in the women’s triple jump on yesterday’s third and penultimate day of competition at the JAAA/PUMA National Junior and Senior Championships inside the National Stadium.

Ricketts, who jumped out to 14.50 metres in getting the better of Ackelia Smith, 14.44, and Kimberly Williams, 13.67, was winning her sixth national title and making her third trip to the Olympic Games.

“It was not the best, but I am happy for the win and also for the improvement after each round. I am slowly getting where I want to be ahead of the Olympic Games, as I am aiming for 15 metres and a podium finish,” said Ricketts.

There was also another national title for Danniel Thomas-Dodd in the women’s shot put, in a season’s best 19.32 metres. LLoydricia Cameron took second with 17.62 metres while Danielle Slolely was third, with 15.05 metres.

Traves Smikle ruled supreme in the men’s discus throw, winning with 66.82 metres. Roje Stona, 65.29, was second, with Ralford Mullings third with 64.92. Fedrick Dacres was fourth with 64.46m and failed to qualify for the Olympic Games.

Among the junior athletes, Shanniqua Williams of Wolmer’s Girls’ School captured the under-20 high jump with a clearance of 1.75 metres. Edwin Allen’s Deijanea Bruce also cleared 1.75 for second, with Zavien Bernard of Hydel third with 1.70.

Munro’s Chad Hendricks upstaged Jamaica College’s Shaquann Dunn to capture the boys’ under-20 discus with a 58.69-metre throw. Dunn was second with 58.60, while Kamari Kennedy of Calabar ended third with 51.68 metres.

Following her 100-metre win on Friday, defending champion Shericka Jackson stayed on course to defend her title in the women’s 200 metres after being the fastest qualifier with 22.67 seconds.

Dejanae Oakley with 22.77 and Jodean Williams, 22.86, followed her as the second- and third-fastest qualifiers.

Bryan Levell, following his fourth-place finish in the men’s 100-metre final, booked his ticket to the men’s 200 metres final, winning his heat in 20.53 seconds to be the fastest qualifier. Andrew Hudson, 20.59, and Shevoie Reid, 20.60, rounded out the top three qualifiers.

Ackera Nugent was the quickest sprint hurdler yesterday, qualifying for the final in a season’s best 12.46 seconds. Danielle Williams, 12.57, and Oneika Wilson, 12.76, round out the top three qualifiers.

Megan Tapper, the Olympic Games bronze medallist, won heat two in a season’s best 12.71, ahead of Demisha Roswell, 12.76, and Janeek Brown, 12.86.

National record holder Britany Anderson, who is coming off injury after missing a year of competition, was fifth in her heat in 12.93 seconds and is out. The same goes for Olympic Games finalist Yanique Thompson, who was also fifth in her heat in 12.97.

Orlando Bennett is the fastest qualifier in the men’s 110-metre hurdles after winning his heat in 13.28 seconds, ahead of Tyler Mason, 13.30, and Odario Phillps, 13.47.

Everybody from Bennett’s heat is through to the final, with Phillip Lemonious, 13.49, also through.

Rasheed Broadbell won his heat in 13.32, seconds ahead of Omar McLeod 13.34.

Also advancing to the final are Olympic Games defending champion Hansle Parchment, who won his heat in 13.42 seconds.

The field is completed by second-place finisher in Parchment’s heat, Jerome Campbell, who clocked 13.50 seconds.