Sprinter Kemba Nelson’s purple patch continued on the collegiate stage during Thursday’s NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Western Regional Championships at College Station, Texas.

Nelson won the 100m in a wind-aided 10.91 seconds (2.1 metres per seconds) to lead all qualifiers for today’s quarter-finals where the top 12 finishers will advance to the National Championships to be held at the Hayward Field in Eugene Oregon, June 9-12.

Nelson, the NCAA Division 1 Indoor 60 metres champion, sprinted away from her rivals for a comprehensive win and will start favourite to lead her peers at today’s quarter-finals.

Former Excelsior High hurdler Ackera Nugent also showed good form clocking 11.09 to win her heat. She is the fifth fastest qualifier. The Baylor Freshman also qualified for the 100m hurdles with the best time of 12.63 seconds. Her time was aided by a positive wind of 2.3 metres per second. Former Manchester High and the Queen’s School standout, Daszay Freeman, competing for the University of Arkansas, clocked 12.85 for the sixth fastest time. They will be joined by former Edwin Allen High athlete Kimiesha Chambers as the Kansas State athlete is 13th overall with her 13.07 seconds clocking.

Former Edwin Allen High star, Kevona Davis, now at University of Texas, Austin, won her heat in in 22.57 seconds in a positive wind of 2.8 metres per second. Her time is the second fastest overall.

Stacy Ann Williams, the former St Elizabeth Technical quarter-miler, is third best going into today’s one-lap event as competing for the University of Texas, Austin, she won her heat in 51.44 seconds. Former Hydel High athlete, Charokee Young, competing for Texas A&M University, is also through after winning her heat in 51.44. She is the fourth fastest qualifier.

Former St Mary High athlete, Abigail Schaffe, closed out the Jamaicans, advancing today as the University of Minnesota freshman won her 400 metres hurdles heat in 57.75 seconds to be the third fastest qualifier in the event.

Raymond Graham