There were some great performances at the Velocity Fest #13 Track Meet held on April 22, 2023 at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. The meet featured a blend of seasoned veterans like Shericka Jackson and Julian Forte and rising stars like Tia Clayton, Ackeem Blake, Kerrica Hill and Briana Williams.
The Women’s 100m – Heats and Final
The much anticipated women’s 100m final did not happen as was advertised. Belatedly, Tina Clayton, Jura Levy and Elaine Thompson-Herah withdrew from the event for reasons best known to them. There were a total of three heats.
Heat 1 was won by Shericka Jackson in an almost effortless 11.05. Tia Clayton in 11.31 and Kasheika Cameron in 11.34, completed the top three automatic qualifiers. The wind speed was +0.8m/s.
Heat 2 was won by Anthonique Strachan of the Bahamas in a time of 11.30, while Sasha-Lee Forbes and Jonielle Smith were second and third, in 11.34 and 11.48, respectively. The wind speed was +0.5m/s.
Heat 3 was won by Natasha Morrison in 11.08, while Briana Williams and Shockoria Wallace were second and third, in 11.34 and 11.39, respectively. The wind speed was +0.6m/s.
Impressive run by Jackson
The final comprised seven athletes with the fastest times. Briana Williams did not face the starter’s gun in the final. Apparently, she experienced some tightness in the hamstring. However, when the starter’s gun went off, Shericka Jackson took full control of the race from early. Indeed, it was a dominant display by Jackson, as she won the event in a world leading of 10.82, while Natasha Morrison was second in 11.09, and Anthonique Strachan was third in 11.11. In descending order, the field was completed by Sashalee Forbes in 11.25, Remona Burchell in 11.37, Tina Clayton in 11.42 and Kasheika Cameron in 11.47. The wind speed was -0.1m/s.
It was clear from her performance in the final, Shericka Jackson is preparing for an assault on the 100m and 200m World Records. Indeed, 10.82 is the fastest time she has posted this early in any season. And, with approximately three months to go before the National Senior Trials, the message being sent is clear and ominous!
The women’s B final was won by Jonielle Smith in 11.35, who was timed in a photo-finish with Shockoria Wallace. Krystal Sloley was third in 11.46. The wind speed was +0.0m/s.
The Men’s 100m – Heats and Final
Like the female 100m, there was much anticipation surrounding the men’s 100m, especially against the background that Ackeem Blake, Zharnell Hughes, Julian Forte and Kadrian Goldson were likely to meet in the final. There were a total of seven heats for the men’s 100m.
Heat 1 was won by Julian Forte in 10.08, while Rasheed Foster was second in 10.37 and Ramone Barnswell was third in 10.51. The wind speed was +1.2m/s.
Heat 2 was won by Zharnell Hughes of Great Britain in 10.04, while Adrian Kerr of Kingston College and Motorcade Track Club was second in 10.22 and Mazinho Barrett was third in 10.47. The wind speed was +0.6m/s.
Heat 3 was won by Ackeem Blake in a time 9.99, while Michael Stevens was second in 10.30 and Tyreke Wilson was third in 10.55. The wind speed was +1.2m/s.
Heat 4 was won by Odaine Mcpherson in 10.31, while Kuron Griffith of Barbados was second in 10.45 and Earl Simmons of St. Vincent was third in 10.60. The wind Speed was +0.5m/s.
Heat 5 was won by Oshane Bailey in 10.13, while Nigel Ellis was second in 10.16 and Jevaughn Whyte was third in 10.42. The wind speed was +0.9m/s.
Heat 6 was won by Kadrian Goldson in 10.11, while Emmanuel Archibald of Guyana was second in 10.18 and Michael Campbell was third in 10.25. The wind speed was +0.5m/s.
Heat 7 was won by Brendon Rodney of Canada in 10.19, while Rohan Watson was second in 10.32 and Jazeel Murphy was third in 10.50. The wind speed was +0.8m/s.
Chaos in men’s 100m finals
The Final of the men’s 100m was bizarre to say the least. Ackeem Blake of Jamaica and Titans Track Club crossed the finish-line well ahead of the field. However, there was no electronic recording of times for the athletes. Eventually, Ackeem Blake was retroactively adjudged to have false-started, and the victory was credited to Zharnell Hughes of Great Britain in 9.9h, while Kadrian Goldson was credited with 10.0h for second place, the same as Julian Forte for third. The rest of the placings in descending order were: Emanuel Archibald 10.1h, Oshane Bailey 10.1h, Brendon Rodney 10.3h and Nigel Ellis 10.5h. There was No wind Indicator.
The Men’s B final was won by the schoolboy Adrian Kerr in a time of 10.26. Adaine Mcpherson and Michael Campbell were second and third, posting times of 10.34 and 10.36, respectively. The field was completed by Michael Stephens (10.37), Rohan Watson (10.40), Jevaughn Whyte (10.44), Jhevaughn Matherson (10.47) and Rasheed Foster (10.53). The wind speed was +0.1m/s.
Women’s 100m Hurdles Senior
In the women’s 100m hurdles senior race, the World Under 20 Champion, Kerrica Hill, who is still a junior, got the better of the Olympic bronze medalist, Megan Tapper. Hill posted a personal best and meet record time of 12.75. Tapper was second in 12.99, while Asharria Ulett was third in 13.99. The wind speed was -0.1m/s.
Men’s 110m Hurdles Senior
The men’s 110m Hurdles Final was won by Tyler Mason in 13.32, which incidentally, equaled his personal best. Orlando Bennet was second in 13.47, while Odario Phillips was third in 13.60. The field was completed by Michael O’hara (13.79), DeJour Russell (13.82), Lafranz Campbell (13.96) and Joel Bryan (14.15). The wind speed was 0.0m/s.
Women’s 400m
Sada Williams of Barbados won the Women’s 400m Final in 51.84, while Janieve Russell and Tovea Jenkins of Jamaica were second and third in 52.41 and 52.66, respectively. In descending order, the field was completed by Shana Kaye Anderson (53.45), Kitania Headley (55.71) and Rhonda Whyte, who was disqualified.
The B final was won by Ashley Williams of Jamaica in 52.35, while Odeshia Nanton of St. Vincent was second in 54.92. The Jamaican, Kailese Carter, rounded out the top three placings in 55.92.
Men’s 400m Final
Zandrian Barnes and Rusheen McDonald of Jamaica crossed the finish-line in the identical time of 45.41. However, Barnes was given the victory, based on the differential on the thousandth bar. Demish Gaye, also of Jamaica, was third in 46.07. The field was completed by Derrick Luke of Dominica (48.24) and Blaine Buckle (48.35). Bovel McPherson did not finish the race.
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Henley E. Taylor
Freelance Sports Writer
Edited by Raymond Byfield
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