Damion Thomas

Nugent, a freshman at Baylor University, clocked 8.08s to turn the tables on Texas A&M’s Kaylah Robinson who had beat her in the preliminaries.  She qualified for the finals with a then-season best 8.22 before running away from the field in the finals with the time that ranks No. 2 in the NCAA and Big 12.

"I thought Ackera was definitely the highlight," said head coach Todd Harbour. "That's the number two time in the nation right now, so that was outstanding for her."

Robinson clocked 8.26 while Naomi Taylor of Houston was third in 8.29.

Nugent’s winning time was within 0.01s or the meet record of 8.07 set by Kendell Williams in 2017. It also makes the former Excelsior High School standout, the third-fastest Jamaican junior behind Brittany Anderson (8.02) and Shermaine Williams (8.07). It was also tied for the fourth-fastest time in the world this year.

Nugent’s performance capped another weekend of standout performances from Jamaican athletes on the US Collegiate circuit as Damion Thomas was a convincing winner in the 60m hurdles at the Wooopig Classic in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The 2018 U20 world champion, a senior at Louisiana State University clocked 7.71 to blow away the field winning by 0.16 over Carl Elliott of Arkansas who clocked 7.87 for the silver medal. Tai Brown of the University of Kentucky ran 7.94 for third.

Meanwhile, in the 200m for women, Kevona Davis rebounded from her false start at the Corky Classic at Texas Tech, a week ago, to run 23.26 to win her section and finish second-place finish overall behind her Texas teammate Kynnedy Flannel, who won her section in 23.09.

Over at the Hokie Invitational in Virginia, Carey McLeod ram 6.78s for third in the 60m dash won by Sterling Warner of Louisville in 6.69s. Cole Beck of Virginia Tech was second in 6.71.

Anderson, the 2022 World Championships 100m hurdles silver medalist, was a model of consistency this week as after running 7.83 in Torun, she clocked 7.87 to win her preliminary round heat before winning the final in 7.85 ahead of Australia’s Michelle Jenneke, who ran a personal best 7.89 for second place.

Natalia Christophi of Cyprus was third in 8.01.

In the men’s equivalent, Olympian Damion Thomas ran a season-best 7.65 to finish second in a close battle with Great Britain’s David King, who ran 7.63 for the win.

Paolo Dal Molin of Italy was a close third in 7.69.

Reece Prescod of Great Britain won the 60m dash in a meet record 6.49, which was also a personal best. He held off the challenge of German duo of Joshua Hartmann, who clocked a personal best 6.53 and Julian Wagner (6.56) for second and third, respectively.

Great Britain’s Daryll Neita continued her good form this season with a lifetime best 7.05 to win the Women’s 60m dash.

Tristan Evelyn of Barbados ran a national record and personal best 7.14 to claim the runner-up spot ahead of Germany’s Gina Luckenkemper, who finished third in 7.16.

Thomas, who has had his issues with injuries in the past couple of years, stormed to a close victory in the 60m hurdles, winning in a time of 7.63. The time reflected a level of consistency from the Jamaican, who was only 0.02 slower than the 7.61 he ran on Saturday when he notched his first win as a professional athlete.

Not far behind was Elmo Lakka. The Fin clocked 7.68 for second place with Mikdat Sevler of Turkey trailing in third in 7.78.

It was a much easier affair for Taylor in the women’s sprint hurdles event. The Bahamian was a comfortable winner in 7.94. However, the battle for second place between Sidonie Fiadnanantsoa and Yumi Tanaka was much closer with the athlete from Madagascar being awarded second place having been determined to be ahead by a few hundredths of a second ahead of the Japanese hurdler.

Thomas, the NCAA National 60m hurdle champion after running a personal best and collegiate-leading 7.51, took his good form outdoors winning the 110m hurdles in a personal best and world-leading 13.22 seconds.

The LSU junior powered away from the field leaving South Dakota freshman Brithon Senior (13.54) and LSU sophomore Erica Edwards Jr (13.56) to battle for the other podium spots.

McKnight won the Women’s 400m hurdles invitational in a creditable 57.27 ahead of Melissa Gonzalez of Colombia who was more than a second behind in the runner-up spot having crossed the line in 58.69.

Alana Yukich, a senior at UTSA, was third in 58.78.

In a race where the first six athletes ran personal bests, Thomas, the 2018 World U20 110m hurdles champion, now a senior at LSU, took the win in a close finish over Iowa’s Jamal Britt, who was timed in 7.52.

Trey Cunningham of Florida State claimed the bronze in 7.53, just 0.02 seconds separating the three medalists. Former Jamaica College athlete Phillip Lemonius, who is now a sophomore at Arkansas, just missed out on a medal clocking 7.54 for fourth.

In the men’s triple jump, University of Tennessee’s Carey McLeod was upset by Oregon’s Emmanuel Ihemeje, who produced a new personal best and collegiate-leading 17.27m for the win.

McLeod, the former Kingston College star only managed 16.93m for third. Going into the competition, McLeod held the collegiate-best mark of 17.17m set at the SEC Championships two weeks ago.

The silver medal was won by TCU’s Chengetayi Mapaya, who got a personal best 16.95m.

Later today, four Caribbean women – Joella Lloyd, Kemba Nelson, Kiara Grant and Halle Hazzard – will contest the women’s 60m final while Charokee Young of Texas A&M will go in the 400m finals.

There was also an outstanding 400-metre run from Charokee Young but she had to settle for a silver medal behind a teammate Athing Mu, who established a new meet record as well as a World U20 indoor record.

Alfred, a junior at Texas, already considered to be among the top sprinters in the USA and University of Texas, set a meet record in the prelims, clocking 7.15 – the second-best mark in the country this season and tied for the sixth-best run in school history.

She followed it up by winning the final in 7.17.

The two marks give her possession of five of the top eight 60-metre runs in school history.

She beat her teammate Kynnedy Flannel, who ran a personal best 7.23 for second place. Zhane Smith of Texas A&M finished third in a personal-best 7.33.

Meanwhile, Thomas, a three-time All-American delivered one of the more impressive performances at the meeting winning the 60m hurdles in 7.72, breaking the previous meet record of 7.78 set back in 2011.

 Second place went to his LSU teammate Eric Edwards Jr whose 7.78 equalled the previous record and was a season-best time.

Bashu Abdullahi of USTA was third. His time of 7.80 was also a personal best.

The performance of meet belonged to Athing Mu, the Texas A&M freshman who shattered the meet record of 52.32 set by Kamaria Brown in 2015. Her winning time of 50.52 was also a World U20 record.

Young, also of Texas A&M, was also below the previous meet record running a personal best 51.93.

Third place went to LSU’s Amber Anning who clocked 53.10.

The 21-year-old Louisiana State University student registered his first NCAA title this past indoor season and last month continued that form with brilliant hurdling, which saw him clock a world-leading 13.22 seconds (1.3m/s) at the Texas Relays.

The efforts mark a comeback of sorts for Thomas who tied the U20 world record in the 110-meter hurdles, after running 12.99 over the 39-inch height at the 2018 Jamaican Junior Championships. He then followed up the record-breaking moment by winning gold at the World U20 Championships.

A quadriceps injury during the 2019 season, however, hampered the hurdler's efforts to build on a promising start to his collegiate career and, of course, in 2020, the global pandemic saw sports grind to a halt for several months.

 "I'd say last year's coronavirus [pandemic] shutting down the season was probably more heartbreaking than my sophomore year and the injuries," Thomas said in an interview with Milesplit USA.

"I felt healthy, training was going so well into the meet and then they shut it down for everybody. Right after that meeting, I remember all of us just going to one room and we literally were staring out the window. 'Like dang this is crazy.'"

 The athlete, however, managed to use the quarantine period to his advantage, putting work into honing his technique.  He has emerged from the hiatus as strong and sharp as ever and is so far a big favourite to secure a spot on the Jamaica Olympic squad later this year.

"It feels good to know that I'm on the right path," Thomas said of his resurgence.

“I think the big thing now is... not to be complacent and continue to look at the flaws in my race to see where I can get better. I want to stay hungry and continue to feel like an underdog. Even though I'm world-leading, that doesn't mean anything going forward."

The Bahamian, who was unable to defend his world title in Oregon last year because of foot injury, showed that he was back to his best, winning in in 44.42, the third fastest time in the world this year. No other competitor was close as compatriot Alonzo Russell was almost a second behind in 45.24.

Jamaica’s Javon Francis ran a season-best 45.81 for fourth with compatriot Demish Gaye fifth in 45.92.

Puerto Rico’s Gabby Scott won the 400m in 51.65 with the USA’s Courtney Okolo making a late move to snatch second in 52.23 ahead of Jamaica’s Candace McLeod who was third in 52.30.

The 100m races delivered in the expected excitement.

Christian Coleman took advantage of a bullet start to win the 100m final in a windy 9.78 (3.8 m/s). Noah Lyles surged late to get by Ackeem Blake to finish second in 9.80 with the Jamaican Blake taking third in 9.87.

Kadrian Goldson won the Men’s B final in a wind-aided 9.96 (3.8m/s) ahead of compatriot Michael Campbell 10.11 with the USA’s Chris Royster third in 10.21.

The Women’s 100m was also a thrilling affair won by the USA’s Tamari Davis in 10.91 with Jamaica’s Sashalee Forbes running a lifetime best of 10.98 for second place. Celera Barnes of the USA ran a season-best of 11.01 for third place.

Kemba Nelson was fifth in a season-best 11.14.

Shannon Ray won the Women’s ‘B’ final in 11.04 (2.7m/s) over Ashley Henderson (11.12) and Jamaica’s Remona Burchell (11.15). Jonielle Smith (11.18).

Earlier, Andrenette Knight set the tone for Caribbean athletes when she won the 400m hurdles in 54.90s in what was a Jamaican 1-3-4.

Knight, 26, who’s time was a season best, took the lead from the USAs Anna Cockrell at the sixth hurdle and never relinquished it holding off a late challenge from Cassandra Tate of the USA who finished in 55.06.

Shian Salmon ran a season-best 55.56 for third place with Rhonda Whyte fourth in the same time. Salmon got third by virtue of stopping the clock at 55.551 to Whyte’s 55.556.

Jasmine Camacho-Quinn won the 100m hurdles in 12.17 aided by a 3.5m/s wind. Finishing second was Jamaica’s Danielle Williams, who clocked 12.38 while the USA’s Tonea Marshall third in 12.39. Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper was fourth in 12.47.

Jamal Britt of the USA won the 110m hurdles in 12.99 (4.0 m/s). Eric Edwards finished second in 13.07 with Freddie Crittenden third in 13.13 in a USA 1-2-3. Tyler Mason (13.30) and Damion Thomas (13.38) were fourth and fifth, respectively.

First-year pro, Abby Steiner outclassed the field to win the 200m in 22.06 holding off Bahamian Anthonique Strachan (22.34) was second while Mackenzie Dunmore was third in 22.50. Jamaica’s Ashanti Moore was fourth in 22.78.

 In a dramatic conclusion to the Women’s long jump, Tara Davis-Woodhall leaped out to a wind-aided 7.11m to win over rival Quanesha Burks, whose 7.04m had in her the lead until Davis-Woodhall’s final jump.

Ruth Osoro of Nigeria jumped a personal best 6.82m for third place.

Will Claye won the triple jump with 17.45m over compatriot Donald Scott, who’s effort of 17.06m was the same as Jamaica’s Jordan Scott but was better on the countback.

A Jamaican women’s team of Remona Burchell, Ashanti Moore, Sashalee Forbes and Jonielle Smith won the 4x100m relay in 42.80 in a blanket finish with USA Red (42.83) and USA Blue (42.87).

The USA’s Men’s team of Christian Coleman, Kendall Williams, Josephus Lyles and Terrance Laird won the men’s sprint relay in 38.21 over USA Blue (38.81) and Jamaica – Damion Thomas, Kadrian Goldson, Jevaughn Whyte and Michael Campbell – was third in 39.51.

Nelson, a transfer from the University of Technology in Jamaica, clocked 7.24 in a close finish ahead of Tamara Clarke, a senior at Alabama who crossed in 7.28s.

Jada Baylark of Arkansas, who was third, was given the same time as Clarke.

The win was Nelson’s second this season after taking the 60m dash at the Razorback Invitational in 7.19 in early February.

Meanwhile, Damion Thomas, a senior at LSU, ran a season-best time of 7.69 but had to settle for second place in the 60m hurdles.

The race was won by Florida State senior Trey Cunningham who ran a season-best 7.55.

Thomas’ LSU teammate Eric Edwards Jr was third in a season-best 7.71.

McLeod, who just missed a medal at last year’s World Athletic Championships in Budapest, cut the sand at a new season’s best 8.21m. He placed behind Greece’s World Champion Miltiadis Tentoglou and Italy’s Mattia Furlani, who both leapt to a mark of 8.22m.

Another Jamaican, Tajay Gayle was sixth at 7.89m, while LaQuan Nairn of the Bahamas was 15th at 7.59m.

McLeod's medal is Jamaica's second at the Championship, adding to Ackeem Blake's bronze won in the men's 60m final on Friday.

On the track, St Lucia’s in-form sprinter Julien Alfred, Bahamian Anthonique Strachan, Barbadian Tristan Evelyn, as well as Jamaicans Briana Williams and Shashalee Forbes, all progressed to the women’s 60m semi-finals, after contrasting performances in their respective heats.

Alfred, 22, comfortably won her heat in 7.02s and headlines the qualifiers, as Strachan (7.24s), Williams (7.22s) and Forbes (7.17s), all placed second in their heats, while Evelyn (7.17s) was third in heat four.

Beyonce Defreitas (7.44s) of British Virgin Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Michelle-Lee Ahye, despite a season’s best 7.26s, failed to progress, as both placed fifth in their heats.

The women’s 60m semi-final and final is scheduled for Saturday’s evening session.

Elsewhere on the track, Jamaica’s Damion Thomas and Tyler Mason, both failed to progress in the men’s 60m hurdles, after both placed sixth in their respective heats in 7.73s and 7.86s.

Jamaica’s Natoya Goule-Toppin also missed out on a spot in the women’s 800m final, following a sixth-place finish in her semi-final race. Goule-Toppin stopped the clock in 2:01.41.

Meanwhile, Ken Mullings of the Bahamas, started the men’s Heptathlon on a positive note, as he placed third in his heat of the 60m dash in a personal best 6.83s.

Mullings also registered a new lifetime best of 7.69m when he placed fifth in the long jump, and that was followed by a heave of 14.49m in the shot pot. By virtue of those performances, the 26-year-old currently occupies third position on 2684 points, behind Switzerland’s Simon Ehammer (2800 points) and Estonia’s Johannes Erm (2739 points).

They still have the high jump, 60m hurdles, pole vault and 1,000m to come.

Goule ran a solid 1:59.05 for an easy win in the 800m. Taking control of the race with just over 400m to go, the Jamaican sped away from the field leaving Anita Horvat in her wake.

The Slovenian clocked 2:00.76 for second place with Anna Wielgotz of Poland finishing third in 2:01.24.

In what must have been the surprise of the meet, Jackson, whose 10.71 makes her the second fastest woman in the world this year, was fifth in the 100m in 11.19.

Marie Josee Ta Lou, meanwhile, won impressively in 10.86 ahead of Great Britain’s Daryll Neita (11.00) and Egypt’s Hassant Hemida (11.07), who were second and third, respectively.

Murielle Ahoure-Demps was fourth in 11.18.

Ackeem Blake ran 10.09 for fourth place in a closely contested 100m dash that was won by American Brandon Carnes in 10.04.

Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya was second in 10.05, the same time given to the USA’s Kendal Williams who was third.

Andrennette Knight ran 52.23 to finish third in the 400m that was won by Lada Vondrova of the Czech Republic in 51.60. Laviai Nelson of the United Kingdom was second in 51.72.

Even though world-record holder Wayde van Niekerk was down for the 400m, James on the basis of his consistent performances this season must have been favoured to win the one-lap sprint.

But no one told the South African who edged the Grenadian to win in a meet record 44.33 to James 44.38. Zakhiti Nene of Africa ran 45.75 for third.

Earlier, Damion Thomas ran 13.38 for second place in the 110m hurdles race which American Jamal Britt claimed victory in 13.18.

Brazil’s Rafael Pereira was a close third in 13.41.

Jasmine Camacho-Quinn rebounded from the disappointment of finishing fourth at the Diamond League final in Zurich last week Thursday with a comfortable victory in the 100m hurdles.

The Puerto Rican clocked 12.72 beating American Nia Ali, who ran 12.80 for second place.

Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska finished third in 12.95.

In the preliminary round, it was Nugent who grabbed the headlines, after storming to an impressive 7.91 seconds, well clear of Brissett who took second in 8.06. 

In the final, however, it was Brissett who set the track on fire after finishing first in 7.89 for a new meet record.  Nugent finished second in 7.98 with Texas’ Emelia Chatfield third in 8.05.

In the women’s 60m, another Jamaican Kevona Davis was narrowly edged out for the top spot after finishing just behind Texas teammate Kynnedy Flannel.  Flannel clocked 7.25 for first place, Davis clocked the same time with the two separated by milliseconds.  Monae Nichols was third in 7.46.  In the women’s 200m the finishing order for the Texas teammates was the same, with Flannel taking top spot in 22.55 and Davis second in 22.87.  Baylor University’s Aria Minor was third in 23.03.

At the SEC Indoor Championships, there was a top spot finish for Jamaica and LSU sprint hurdler Damion Thomas, who took top spot in 7.60, a new personal best.  LSU teammate Eric Edwards JR was second in 7.67, with Arkansas Tre’Bien Gilbert third in 7.70.

At the Jamaican national championship that concluded on Sunday, July 9, Parchment ran a season-best time of 13.12 seconds, finishing second behind 22-year-old Commonwealth Games champion Rasheed Broadbell, who clocked a world-leading 12.94 seconds. In third place was another rising star, 23-year-old Orlando Bennett, with a season-best time of 13.19 seconds.

After the race, Parchment, 33, shared his thoughts on his performance and the future of Jamaican hurdling. He stated, "That's my season best, as you can see, I'm improving. I know I have a lot more work to do if I want to beat those young boys, and they will be there. I'm looking forward to competing with them and having some fun."

The field of hurdlers vying for places at the World Championships in Budapest in August also included Olympic bronze medallist Ronald Levy and former Jamaica College star Tyler Mason, 27, who ran 13.22 after resurrecting his career after years of challenges but missed out on a place to Budapest by 0.03s.

 Also in the field was 2023 NCAA champion 24-year-old Phillip Lemonious, who clocked 13.24 to win his first collegiate outdoor title in early June and former NCAA champion Damion Thomas, who is 24, and 23-year-old De’jour Russell.

When asked about the prospect of a new generation of hurdlers taking over once he steps aside as the Olympic champion, Parchment confidently replied, "Easily, that's nothing to think about. I know that everything is covered because these boys will dominate the world. I'm looking forward to seeing that as well."

Parchment acknowledged the increasing depth in Jamaican hurdling, stating, "For the past 3-4 years, it has become a lot more competitive. We see more people taking interest in the 110m hurdles and putting in serious work, showing the world the depth that we have."

Looking ahead, Parchment revealed his upcoming plans for further preparation and competition. "Next, I have a race in Budapest, a gold challenge, if I remember correctly. It should be on July 18th. If all goes well, I will be there," he shared.

The 31-year-old Jamaican pulled off an upset at the Tokyo Olympics defeating USA champion and world-leader Grant Holloway in the final as Jamaica took gold and bronze medals in the event. He returns to Des Moines after a six-year hiatus, having last competed at the Drake Relays in 2016.

Parchment will line up against reigning 110m hurdles champion Daniel Roberts, who was a semi-finalist in Tokyo in 2021. The field will also include Jamaica’s Damion Thomas, a semi-finalist in Tokyo, Michael Dickson, as well as Aaron Mallett, Jamal Britt. Chris Douglas and David King, both finalists at the 2022 Indoor World Championships, have also been confirmed for the sprint hurdles race.

Parchment should have good memories of his participation in Des Moines as he won the sprint hurdles in 2014. He was third in 2016.

Broadbell ran 13.36 to win the 110m hurdles ahead of Americans Eric Edwards (13.53) and Jamal Britt (13.54). Olympic champion Hansle Parchment was fourth in 13.54.

The 22-year-old Broadbell has now won his last five races, including a personal best 12.99 to win at the Lausanne Diamond League last Friday.

In the B-final, Jamaica’s National U-20 record holder Damion Thomas was third in 13.71 behind Japan’s Izumiya Shunsuke (13.61) and American Robert Dunning (13.55).

In the Women’s 100m hurdles, Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico ran 12.86 for second behind the USA’s Tia Jones (12.78). Jones’ teammate Tonea Marshall was third in 13.04.

Blake, who in June signalled a return to form this year following a 9.85 clocking at the Jamaica National Championships, his fastest time in a decade, sped to a 9.96 timing to miss out on the meet record of 9.93 set in July 2019 by Arthur Cisse of the Ivory Coast.

Nonetheless, the time was good enough for the 2011 world 100m champion to win comfortably ahead of the USA’s Cravont Charleston, who finished in second place in a time of 10.12.

Jeremiah Azu of Great Britain picked up the other podium spot after finishing third in 10.16.

Williams, meanwhile, won the triple jump with a mark of 13.92m.

The 33-year-old Jamaican has been well off her best this season. She has only managed a best of 14.29m this season, well below her lifetime best of 14.69m.

However, against a less than a stellar field, she proved to be imperious.

Mariko Morimoto of Japan leapt out to a lifetime best of 13.82m to claim second place while Nesa Filipic of Slovenia mustered her best effort of 13.78m for third.

Jamaican Olympic finalist Damion Thomas was second in the 110m hurdles running 13.46 to finish runner-up to the USA’s Eric Edwards, who ran 13.40 for the victory.

Norway’s Vladimir Vukicevic finished third in 13.61.