THREE YEARS ago in Cali, Colombia, a special performance from Jamaica’s young athletes at the World Under-20 Championships helped them to 16 medals, the most of the tournament.
The total was better than the powerful United States, who reaped 15 medals. Jamaica, with six gold, were just edged out by the US courtesy of the latter topping the podium on seven occasions.
Some of those athletes who shone brightly for Jamaica then have since made their senior debut for the country at the highest level.
These include Tina Clayton, who won gold in the 100m; Serena Cole, who was second for silver in the 100m; and Alana Reid, who claimed bronze in the 200m among the females.
Among the men, standouts included Jaydon Hibbert, who won gold in the triple jump; Roshawn Clarke, who earned bronze in the 400m hurdles; Bryan Levell, who was sixth in the 200m; and Delano Kennedy, who was a medal favourite in the 400m before being disqualified in the final for a false start.
Come this weekend at the National Championships, several of these athletes look ready to wear the national colours at the senior level again with tickets to the Tokyo World Championships in September on offer.
Unfortunately, Hibbert — who made his senior debut last year at the Olympic Games in the men’s triple jump, finishing fourth — will be missing this week. Also absent will be female 200-metre champion Brianna Lyston, who had looked well set to make her senior debut but has been ruled out of the National Championships due to injury.
Looking to join their colleagues at the highest level are Kerrica Hill, Dejanea Oakley, Demario Prince, and Bouwahjgie Nkrumie.
Hill won the Girls’ Under-20 100m Hurdles gold medal in a championship record of 12.77 seconds while her teammate Alexis James was second in a personal best 12.87 for silver. Hill, who has been plagued with injuries since and has yet to reach her full potential, will be among the starters this week in the event. On the other hand, James, who moved on to Mico University, has not been seen in the event for the past year and will not contest the hurdles as she has been entered in the 100m and 200m.
Quarter-miler Dejanea Oakley has been in immaculate form this season in the women’s 400m at the collegiate level for the University of Georgia and looks set to make her senior debut. Fifth in Colombia in 52.31, she will start as the favourite to win the women’s 400m after clocking a massive 49.65 for second place at the NCAA Division One Championships — a personal best. She is the top Jamaican in the event this season, ahead of defending champion Nickisha Pryce, who has a best of 50.04. Oakley currently sits seventh on the World Top List, and another fast time is expected from her.
Since his second-place finish in Colombia in the 100m, Nkrumie has gone on to break the national junior record with a personal best of 9.99. However, since leaving high school, the former Kingston College sprinter — now training at Racers Track Club — has hardly been seen on the track. He is, however, down to compete in the event this week as he seeks to make his senior debut.
After failing to finish the 110m hurdles in Colombia, Prince rebounded with a strong collegiate season at Baylor University, finishing fifth at the NCAA Championships. He is eyeing a spot on the national team, with a season’s best 13.18, making him the second-fastest Jamaican in the event heading into the National Championships. He will be hoping for a top-three finish.
