Kerrica Hill Debuts as a Senior in the 100m Hurdles
World Under-20 100m hurdles champion, Kerrica Hill, debuts as a senior at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational Meet, on Saturday, April 15, 2023. In the preliminary round, Hill posted 12.68 (+2.8m/s) to secure third place behind Nia Ali and Danielle Williams as one of the automatic qualifiers.
The final was star-studied, comprising some of the best technicians in the event. Eighteen-year-old Hill posted 12.86 (1.4m/s) to finish in fifth position, ahead of Crystal Morrison of Jamaica (12.87), Gabbi Cunningham of the US (13.03), Amber Hughes of the US (13.04) and Jade Barber of the US (13.13). The event was won by Nia Ali of the US in 12.53, while Tobi Amusan of Nigeria was second in 12.59 and Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas was third in 12.64. Danielle Williams of Jamaica was fourth in 12.74.
Hill, a junior (as she can still compete in the Under 20 category), who skipped two years of Class One at the ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boy’s and Girl’s Champs to pursue a professional career, has demonstrated that she belongs in the big league. And as the season deepens, she should adjust well to the senior hurdle’s height and use her amazing speed to gradually climb up the senior world ranking in the event.
Kiara Grant joins the sub 11 group with a 10.99 Clocking (+1.6m/s)
On Saturday, April 15, 2023, the 22-year-old Kiara Grant became the 22nd Jamaican female athlete to join the sub-11 group. Grant won the Women’s 100m Dash Olympic Development with a personal best of 10.99 (+1.6m/s). The Jamaican has been knocking on the door for some time and this achievement should serve as a springboard for even more spectacular times later in the season. Grant finished ahead of athletes like Celia Barnes of the US (11.05), Maia McCoy of the US (11.08), Tobi Amusan of Nigeria (11.10) and Murielle Ahoure-Demps of the Ivory Coast (11.12).
Julien Alfred, does she pose a threat to the Jamaican triumvirate?
St. Lucian, Julian Alfred, has been creating waves this season! But, just how great is she? The 21-year-old has a 100m personal best of 10.81 that she achieved at the NCAA in 2022 and a 200m personal best of 21.91 that she posted on Friday, April 14, 2023, at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational Meet. Alfred is the National Record Holder in both events. Alfred is in the form of her life and could eventually lay claim to both NCAA sprint records that are held by Sha'Carri Richardson in the 100m (10.75) and Abbey Steiner in the 200m (21.80). Alfred is also the joint second fastest ever with Alea Hobbs in the 60m indoor, posting an amazing time of 6.94, which puts her ahead of Thompson-Herah and Fraser-Pryce by .04 second, and .02 second behind World Record Holder, Irina Privalova. Alfred is the only woman in history to run sub 7.00 seconds on three consecutive occasions and in a single season. These are in descending order: 6.94, 6.96 and 6.97.
The Texas University athlete and former St. Catherine High School representative, recently posted 10.72 in a +2.4m/s wind at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational Meet, which when adjusted to the allowable +2.0m/s wind, equates to 10.73. Alfred is in impeccable form and should be realistically numbered among the medal prospects if the Jamaican triumvirate of Thompson-Herah, Fraser-Pryce and Jackson do not bring their "A" game to the World Championship in Budapest, Hungary. Alfred will be graduating next month (May) and has the option to immediately go pro and bypass the remainder of the NCAA season to avoid being overworked and burnt-out. If the Jamaicans, Americans and Alfred report fit and healthy, what sort of times are we likely to see in the women’s 100m Finals at the upcoming World Championship?
Henley E. Taylor
Freelance Sports Writer
Edited by Raymond Byfield
Julien Alfred picture courtesy of the University of Texas Athletics Department
Comments
Leave a Comment