Jamaica’s national 100m hurdles record holder Ackera Nugent couldn’t hide her excitement when she found out that the first ever Grand Slam Track event would take place on home soil in Jamaica.
Nugent found out for the first time during an interview with Grand Slam Track founder and four-time Olympic Gold medallist Michael Johnson published on Grand Slam Track's social media pages on Monday.
The 22-year-old Olympic and World Championship finalist is one of three Jamaican athletes, alongside Roshawn Clarke and Rushell Clayton, to sign to the inaugural season of Grand Slam Track as racers.
The first of four slam events will take place at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, a stone’s throw away from Nugent’s alma mater, Excelsior High School.
“That’s a great feeling being on home soil,” Nugent said in the interview.
“I know I need to focus on the meet but the food, getting a free trip home, having my mom being able to see me, not only at trials but at another very big meet competing against ladies from different areas and countries, that would be really good,” added the reigning national champion.
The 2023 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor sprint hurdles champion also believes this experience will be good for fans in Jamaica who will get to see athletes that they never thought they would see compete live.
“I feel like the nation itself would really like that and they would come out and support because they’re going to be able to see athletes that really did not ever come to the country but they’re fans of,” she said.
Nugent is coming off a bittersweet 2024 season. On one hand, she experienced disappointment at the Paris Olympics in August, failing to finish the final.
On the other hand, she established a new national record of 12.24, the joint fourth-fastest time ever, at the Rome Diamond League later that month.
Bradley Jacks is a budding journalist and an avid sports fan. His love of research and sports has led him to SportsMax.tv, a place where those passions work hand in hand to allow him to produce content.
Holmwood Technical completes ISSA rural area Netball double; St. Catherine, Wolmer’s Girls win urban area titles
Defending all-island champions Holmwood Technical retained their ISSA rural area Under-19 netball title with a 38-30 victory over Denbigh High in Thursday's decider at the National Indoor Sports Centre.
The May Pen-based won the first quarter 9-8 before the defending champions rallied to lead 15-14 at the half and 37-24 at the end of the third quarter.
The victory for Holmwood completed the double on the day as their Under-16 team had earlier secured the crown with a 21-16 win in an all-Manchester affair over defending champions Manchester High in a repeat of last year's final.
In the urban area final, St Catherine High captured their third straight Under-19 title with a 32-24 win over The Queen's School. The St John's Road-based school led all quarters 11-3, 20-12 and 23-16.
Meanwhile, Wolmer's Girls took the Under-16 crown after beating St Hugh's 27-21 in their decider.
Manchester High defeated Glenmuir 46-44 to claim third place in the rural area Under-19 category while Mile Gully High claimed third in the Under-16 category with a 32-17 win over Titchfield.
In the urban area, Gaynstead High claimed third in both the Under-19 and Under-16 categories with wins over St. Catherine High and Camperdown High, respectively.
They beat St. Catherine 34-19 and Camperdown 37-23.
Tickets for Grand Slam Track™ go on sale today
Tickets for the highly anticipated Grand Slam Track™, the revolutionary global stage for elite track and field competition, go on sale today, December 6, 2024, at 10:00 AM Pacific / 1:00 PM Eastern. Founded by four-time U.S. Olympic champion Michael Johnson, who also serves as the league's commissioner, the event promises to redefine the sport with its inaugural season kicking off in Kingston, Jamaica, in April 2025.
Johnson expressed his excitement about the league’s progress, stating: "Grand Slam Track™ continues to build momentum as we get closer to our inaugural 2025 season. The attention and recognition this league is gaining is incredible, and it continues to be clear that the best in the world want to be a part of it. We’re creating something truly special – a Festival of Speed – for fans to enjoy."
The league will feature 48 top-tier athletes, known as Grand Slam Track™ Racers, competing in all four Slam events: Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. Among the confirmed stars are Jamaicans Ackera Nugent and Roshawn Clarke, alongside global icons such as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Fred Kerley, Marileidy Paulino, Grant Fisher, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Alison Dos Santos, and Jereem Richards.
Additionally, 48 Grand Slam Track™ Challengers will join individual Slams, selected based on recent performances and intriguing matchups. Racers and Challengers will compete across categories such as short sprints, hurdles, middle distance, and long distance, with each competitor racing twice during the three-day events.
Grand Slam Track™ shifts the focus from time-based performances to head-to-head competition. Unlike traditional meets, there will be no rabbits or pacing lights. Each Slam is independently scored, with a $100,000 prize for the winner of each group and $10,000 for eighth place. A total of $12.6 million in prize money will be awarded annually, alongside base compensation and appearance fees.
The league is also breaking with tradition by allowing athletes to compete in custom kits designed with their sponsors, free from traditional bibs or hip numbers. This unique approach emphasizes individuality and creativity while showcasing the athletes’ personalities.
With over $30 million in financial commitments from investors, including Winners Alliance, the league aims to revolutionize fan engagement and elevate track and field’s biggest stars through innovative storytelling.
Tickets for all four Slams are now available. Fans are encouraged to secure their seats to witness the Festival of Speed and see the world’s best athletes compete on this groundbreaking platform.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit grandslamtrack.com/events.
Two-time champs Garvey Maceo through to daCosta Cup final after 4-2 penalty shootout win over Glenmuir
Garvey Maceo High held their nerve best in a tense penalty shootout to defeat Glenmuir High 4-2 and book a return to the ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup final, where they will meet first-time finalists McGrath High.
After playing out a goalless stalemate in regulation time, Garvey Maceo’s goalkeeper Garfield Tomlinson pulled off two saves during the shootout to deny their more fancied opponents in the Clarendon derby at the National Stadium on Wednesday.
Having previously won in 2007 and 2021, Garvey Maceo are now on course to add to their legacy in what promises to be an electrifying final on Saturday at the same venue.
Head coach Lester Hibbert, who was animated on the sidelines ahead of the shootout, praised his team’s determination to pull off what many thought would have been impossible, especially against a marauding Glenmuir outfit.
“First, we have to give God thanks because without him this would not be possible. This is how we train—the vibe, the energy—this is how we encourage the boys to stay disciplined and engage every tackle, and you saw the result. That is passion,” Hibbert said as he attributed their success to advice from customary Head coach Merron Gordon, who sat out the season on vacation.
“Coach Merron Gordon has been an excellent mentor to us; he was on the phone giving us tips, and he even came to a few training sessions. So he is a true tactician and big up to him,” he added.
The semi-final clash was an even contest, with both teams showing attacking intent early on. Garvey Maceo, however, looked the more likely to score during key moments of the match.
In the 28th minute, a well-delivered corner kick from Omarian O’Brian found Rushawn Whyte at the far post, but his header was heroically cleared off the line by Glenmuir’s Brandon Wallace.
Glenmuir, led by their goalkeeper Justin Murray, endured a barrage of pressure as Garvey Maceo forced consecutive corners in the 35th minute but failed to capitalize.
In the second half, Glenmuir's Orane Watson had a golden chance in the 62nd minute, but his rushed effort at the near post sailed harmlessly across the face of goal.
Garvey Maceo’s goalkeeper, Garfield Tomlinson, produced the save of the match in the 87th minute, reacting brilliantly to tip away a deflected long-range effort from Denzil Watson.
With neither team able to find the breakthrough, the match headed to penalties, where Garvey Maceo proved the more composed side.
Tyreek McKenley’s opening effort was saved, but Devany McIntosh, Delano Thompson, Malik Robinson, and Wilton Williams converted their 12-yard kicks with precision.
It was a stark contrast for Glenmuir, as Orane Watson’s attempt was saved by Tomlinson, while O’Neil Headly and Nuemonie Blackwood found the back of the net. However, captain Ja-Son Whyte’s miss ended the two-time Champions Cup winners hopes of adding the daCosta Cup title to their season’s tally.
Thier assistant coach Ashani Mullings rued what could have been as their wait to end a lengthy daCosta Cup title drought dating back to 2012 continues.
"It is always a tough one considering the rivalry, but the penalty is 50-50, so we just have to congratulate Garvey Maceo and well-tried Glenmuir; we gave it everything.
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