Jamaica’s 400m dominance was on full display at the Arkansas Qualifier on Friday, as the island’s athletes claimed four of the five fastest times in the event, signalling their intent as a rising force globally.
Leah Anderson led the charge, delivering a stunning 51.27-second performance in Section 6 to finish as the overall fastest woman. Stacey-Ann Williams (51.43) and Nickisha Pryce (51.45) closely followed, winning Sections 8 and 7, respectively, while Andrenette Knight, last year’s meet record-holder, finished fifth overall in 52.83.
Jamaica’s Imani Oliver secured a win in the women’s triple jump while the Bahamas’ LaQuan Nairn finished second in the men’s long jump at the Arkansas Qualifier in Fayetteville on Friday.
Jamaica’s hurdling supremacy was on full display at the Arkansas Qualifier on Friday, as Jerome Campbell and Marissa Simpson claimed victories in the men's and women's 60m hurdles, respectively. Campbell, representing Northern Colorado, blazed to a personal best and meet record of 7.55 seconds, finishing well ahead of Pittsburg State’s Daylin Williams (7.65) and Arkansas’ Brevin Sims (7.71).
Trinidad and Tobago’s Leah Bertrand delivered an impressive performance at the Arkansas Qualifier on Friday, finishing second in the women’s 60m dash in a season-best 7.25 seconds.
Williams won the event in 6.59, a meet record, ahead of Grenadian 2021 World U-20 Championships 100m finalist and Ohio State Junior Nazzio John (6.68) and UTEP’s Xavier Butler (6.74).
Williams, who previously represented the University of Albany, was a silver medallist in the 100m at last year’s NACAC U-23 Championships in Costa Rica.
The men’s 60m open saw a Caribbean 1-2-3 through Barbados’ Mario Burke (6.56), BVI’s Rikkoi Brathwaite (6.67) and Jamaica’s Christopher Grant (6.74).
The open women’s 60m saw 2023 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor champion and World Championship finalist Ackera Nugent run 7.30 for second behind American Jada Baylark (7.22). Kristina Knott of the Philippines was third in 7.35.
Grenadian Arizona State Senior Gamali Felix ran a season’s best 45.90 to win the men’s 400m ahead of Arkansas’ Steven McElroy (46.09) and USC’s Johnnie Blockburger (46.20).
The women’s 200m saw Jamaican UTEP Sophomore Niesha Burgher run 23.09 for second behind USC’s Madison Whyte 23.01. Whyte’s USC teammate Jassani Carter was third in 23.19.
In the field, seven-time Jamaican national champion Kimberly Williams produced 13.83m to win the women's triple jump ahead of ULM's Eunice Ilunga Mbuyi (13.13m) and Oregon's Ryann Potter (12.84m).
The men's equivalent was won by Bermuda's Jah-Nhai Perinchief with 16.36m. Bahamian Kaiwan Culmer was second with 16.26m while Jamaican Arkansas Junior Apalos Edwards was third with 15.86m.
Bahamian Laquan Nairn jumped 7.64m for second in the men's long jump behind South Plains Freshman Andrew Stone (7.70m). Oklahoma Senior Anthony Riley was third with 7.57m.
