…Tracey takes men’s 100m crown ahead of Blake

IN what can truly be described as one of the greatest ever women’s 100 metres finals at the JAAA National Senior Championships, world leader and the fastest woman alive, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, ran a blistering race from start to finish to win the National title in 10.71 seconds at the National Stadium, Friday night.

Fraser-Pryce was off to her usual good start as Elaine Thompson-Herah was left in the blocks and despite staggering at the start, Shericka Jackson, the surprise package, who ran a personal-best 10.77 seconds in the semi-finals ran back strongly to finish second in 10.82. Thompson-Herah was third in 10.84 seconds.
The National women’s title was Fraser-Pryce’s first since 2015 while Thompson was seeking a fifth straight victory in the event.

After the race Fraser-Pryce hailed her rivals.
“I must give credit to all the ladies who showed up tonight because every time we have a National Championships you just have to be ready. I think it speaks volumes about the depth we have and how mentally tough the ladies are,” Fraser-Pryce said. It was a blanket finish in the men’s 100 metres as it took the photo finish camera to decide the top three spots as Tyquendo Tracy (10.00) surprised 2011 World champion Yohan Blake who was second in 10.01.

The vastly improved Oblique Seville of Racers Track Club flew at the end to finish third in a personal-best 10.04. Seville’s previous best, 10.08, came in the preliminary rounds on Thursday. Janieve Russell and Jaheel Hyde were impressive winners in the women’s and men’s 400 metres hurdles, respectively.

In the women’s event, Commonwealth Games champion Russell of MVP Track Club surprised pre-race favourite Ronda Whyte of SprinTec Track Club as she won easily in a season’s best 54.07 seconds, well below her previous best of 54.75. Whyte, the 2017 National champion, was second in 54.94 as overseas-based Leah Nugent took third in 54.98.

Two-time World Under-20 400 metres hurdles champion Hyde is now in his best form ever. The Swept Track Club athlete took the lead early and maintained it to the end, winning in a personal-best 48.18 seconds. Shawn Rowe of GW Express was second in 49.60 with third going to 2019 champion, Kemar Mowatt, in 49.61.

Jordan Scott of the University of Southern California captured the men’s triple jump final with a distance of 16.50 metres. Clayton Brown of the University of Florida was second with 16.14 metres while favourite, Carey McLeod, of the University of Tennessee, had to settle for third with 15.98 metres. (Jamaica Gleaner)