Olympic silver medalist Shanieka Ricketts summoned trademark composure on her fifth leap, soaring 14.52m to capture a seventh national triple‑jump crown on Saturday’s penultimate day of the four-day Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) National Senior and Junior Championships inside the National Stadium.
Early leader Ackelia Smith with a season-best (14.44m) pressed hard after Friday’s long‑jump title, but Ricketts’ penultimate effort proved decisive. Veteran Kimberly Williams secured bronze at 13.80m.
“Championships are won in the later rounds. You have to trust your rhythm,” Ricketts reflected after reclaiming the advantage.
Thomas‑Dodd keeps the circle crown
Two‑time Olympian Danniel Thomas‑Dodd maintained an unbroken grip on the shot‑put title, heaving 18.33m. Lloydricia Cameron claimed silver (17.24m), while Rochele Solmon finished third (13.70m).
World Championships bronze medalist Rushell Clayton timed her surge perfectly, powering home in a season‑best 53.81 seconds to repeat as champion in the women’s 400m hurdles. Pre‑meet favorite Andrenette Knight settled for silver (54.52secs), with Shiann Salmon third (54.65secs).
Men 400 m Hurdles
World Under-20 record holder Roshawn Clarke reclaimed supremacy, clocking a world top‑six 48.02secs for his second senior 400m hurdles title. Assinie Wilson posted a personal‑best 48.42secs for silver; defending champion Malik James‑King earned bronze on his 26th birthday in 48.49secs.
Middle‑distance milestones – Beckford & Taylor strike 800m gold
Former Houston Cougar Kelly‑Ann Beckford out‑kicked a valiant field to land her maiden senior title in the 800m final 2:00.23 minutes. Multiple national champion Natoya Goule‑Toppin (2:00.97 minutes) was stretchered from the track but held silver; Gabrielle Wilkinson took bronze in (2:01.75).
Men: Tyrice Taylor produced a withering home‑straight drive to overhaul national record holder Navasky Anderson, winning in 1:45.26 minutes. Anderson clocked 1:46.03 minutes; 1500 m winner Dylan DeCambre claimed third in a personal best 1:47.56 minutes.
NCAA champion Ralford Mullings justified favoritism, spinning 65.82m to dethrone national record holder Fedrick Dacres (63.54m) in the men’s discus. Olympic finalist Chad Wright was third with 62.53 m.
Men’s Long Jump
World indoor bronze medalist Carey McLeod retained his title with an authoritative 8.16 m (+1.0). Shawn‑D Thompson (7.84m) and Nikaoli Williams (7.82m) rounded out the podium.
Final‑day line‑up set – sprints & hurdles loaded
Women’s 200 m: Ashanti Moore sped 22.92secs (‑2.8 m/s) to headline qualifiers. Kemba Nelson (23.39), Roneisha McGregor (23.37), and Jodean Williams (23.42) also advanced.
Men’s 200 m: Christopher Taylor with a season-best 20.50secs) edged defending champion Bryan Levell (20.51secs). Adrian Kerr, Tyquendo Tracey, Kadrian Goldson, and Odaine Crooks complete a stacked final.
Women’s 100m hurdles: Olympic bronze medalist Megan Tapper equaled her season best (12.50secs) ahead of defending world champion Danielle Williams and record holder Ackera Nugent (both 12.76secs).
Men’s 110 m Hurdles: Demario Prince (13.20secs), Tyler Mason (13.22secs SB), and Olympic medalist Rasheed Broadbell (13.27secs) lead a final that also features Hansle Parchment (13.32secs) and Orlando Bennett (13.24secs).
Sunday’s finale begins at 11:00 a.m. with the hammer, before six senior track titles—including the eagerly awaited men’s and women’s 400m finals—bring the curtain down.
Junior Championships – Kennedy completes the throwing double
- U18 Boys’ Discus: Kamari Kennedy (Calabar) added discus gold to Friday’s shot put win, landing 61.32m—each legal throw sailed beyond 54.90m. Tyrone Henry (47.39 m) and Khaleel Henry (46.05m) completed the podium.
- U20 Boys’ discus: Calabar’s Delon Smith topped Jamaican entrants at 51.44m, while Grenada’s Dylan Logan (53.93m) claimed overall victory as a guest.
- U20 Boys’ 200 m Semis: Sanjay Seymore (William Knibb) led all qualifiers in 21.22, and Junior Gallimore (21.41secs) and Zachary Cox (21.45secs) followed.
- U18 Boys’ 200 m semis: Deequan Maragh (Camperdown) paced the field at 21.46s, ahead of Kyle Bodden (21.59secs) and Nishawn Walker (21.84secs).
- Additional Throws: Kingston College’s Dylan Logan (U20 discus 50.93m) and Munro’s Devonte Edwards (49.42 m) also impressed.
