Record number of Jamaicans line up for NCAA nationals

TOMORROW AT the Hayward Field in Eugene, a record number of Jamaicans will line up for the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division 1 Track and Field Championships.

Forty-eight Jamaicans, consisting of 25 men and 23 women, punched tickets to the ‘big dance’ following competition in the East and West preliminary round two weeks ago in Lexington, Kentucky and Fayetteville, Arkansas respectively.

The men are set to compete tomorrow and on Friday, while the women go into action on Thursday and Saturday.

Former Edwin Allen high jumper, and World Athletics Championships representative, Ackelia Smith, has qualified as top seed in the women’s long and triple jumps. Smith, jumping for the University of Texas, leapt to 14.31 metres to qualify for triple jump she won last year. She was second in the long jump last year and qualifying this time around with a mark of 6.86 metres.

Shantae Foreman, the former St Jago and Hydel High jumper, competing for Clemson University, is the second seed in the triple jump with 13.95. Another former Hydel High School standout, Rhiana Phipps, will also contest the triple jump. Competing for the University of Nebraska, Phipps is ranked number nine with a best of 13.67.

Three other Jamaicans will join Smith in the long jump, in her teammate at Texas, Aaliah Foster, Velecia Williams and Nia Robinson. Foster, formerly of Mt Alvernia high is ranked seventh with 6.65m. Williams formerly of Hydel and now attending Kansas Sate University is ninth ranked with 6.56m while Robinson, formerly of Rusea’s high and competing now for the University of Arkansas, is ranked 10th with 6.55m.

Brianna Lyston is another of the highlights among Jamaican women at the NCAAs tomorrow. Lyston qualified for the nationals with 10.99 seconds in the 100 metres, a time that leaves her the fifth seed. Over 200 metres, Lyston is a little further back with her 22.82 seconds leaving her ranked 21st. However, the Louisiana State University athlete has gone faster this year, clocking 10.91 and 22.31 to be the fastest Jamaican over the sprints this year.

Joining Lyston in the 100s will be Florida State’s Shenese Walker, while the University of Texas’ Dejanea Oakley and University of Texas, El Paso’s Niesha Burgher will keep Lyston company in the 200s.

Nickeisha Pryce, the country fastest woman over 400 metres, will go into the championships as the top seed. The University of Arkansas athlete qualified from the regional meet with 49.93 seconds.

Among the men, Romaine Beckford is the top Jamaican going into the championships with his 2.20-metre high jump qualification mark making him the top seed. Beckford will be looking to defend his NCAA title for his new school, the University of Arkansas. He transferred from South Florida at the start of the year.

Wayne Pinnock, the world leader in the men’s long jump with 8.40 metres, qualified at number two with 8.03 metres for the University of Arkansas.

Joining Pinnock in the long jump will be Nikaoli Williams of Oklohoma State University and Jordan Turner of Florida State University.